Friends, Acquaintances, Everyone involved-
It is with satisfaction that I report that my full-time service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints comes to a close on Friday, March 17th.
I would like to use the following space to share some things that I have learned during my time of dedicated ministry to the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us
Because our Father loves us, he sent his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. The joy and peace of His Atoning Sacrifice are made available to us by participating in saving ordinances, the repentance process, and constant communication. The expiatory power that our Savior offers us is without end, limit, or understanding. It works. For everyone.
2. Hard work is a necessity for a successful life.
The satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your labors, the fulfilling mental and physical tiredness at the end of a long day, the peace of knowing that somehow, somewhere you contributed to a cause that is greater than you- it all comes from good, hard work.
3. Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.
As all returned missionaries can relate, in the beginning, at various points during, and even at the conclusion of a mission, each missionary is underqualified. I bear personal witness that the Lord has, in my case, filled my mouth "in the very moment, (with) what [I] should say"
4. The Law of the Harvest- You get out of your experiences what you put into them.
The Lord was very specific in his parables, and I have seen exactly that. At times on my mission, I was more lax in my approach; not an overall laziness and lack of desire, just a reduced effort. I found that when my effort was reduced, the results decreased in direct correlation.
5. Missions are just dang fun.
Any young man that reads this, whether in the next 3 minutes or the next 30 years, needs to know the truth about missions. They are a whole lot of fun. There is nothing to compare it to that you have yet participated in. It is just awesome. Try it. If you are hesitant, try going out with the missionaries or a mini-mission or something. Get a real taste.
In all, this experience has been a developmental experience for me. I testify of the divinity and reality of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I witness that His Gospel has, in fact, been restored to the Earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Furthermore, I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's Kingdom on the Earth today, the same organization that existed when Christ performed his earthly ministry.
May we all focus more on coming closer to Christ is my solemn plea in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
