Saturday, May 25, 2013

Why a Mission?

So I am reporting to the Missionary Training Center in 11 days... I seriously just cannot believe it. It's crazy to think that something I have been waiting for for seven months is finally here. I am so excited, scared, nervous, anxious! I am just ready to get started and go to work. My life is going to change entirely. I know it will probably be a hard adjustment at first, but I know that this is the path that I am supposed to be taking. I know that there are things that God wants me to learn by serving a mission, and I know that there are people that I need to meet and help. There are people in Mesa that are waiting for me. And I will be able to share with them the joy of the gospel and help them find happiness in there lives.
All my life, as I have developed a relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and as I learned for myself that the gospel is true, I have wanted to be able to share it with others. I know firsthand how hard life can be, but when you have Jesus Christ to turn to, it makes all the difference. For me, the gospel makes this life worth something. It makes everything little thing that I do each day matter. I understand the eternal perspective and that there is so much more waiting for us beyond this life. I know that Jesus Christ suffered for our sins and  our pains. I have personally felt the power of His Atonement in my life as He has washed away my guilt, heartache, and sadness as I have turned to Him. He has helped me to find happiness. How could I have something so great in my life and not share it with others? I have the truth that can change people's lives for eternity, and I can't just keep that to myself. I know that there are people out there who are suffering so badly, and I want to do anything that I can to help them. Whether it be teaching them, cleaning up their house, or anything else they might need - I want to do what I can to help them. I know that this is what God would be doing if He were here on earth, and I want to be following Him. I want be His hands and to do His work.
I know that this will  be the hardest thing that I have ever done. I know that there are people who will think that I am crazy (maybe I am? :) ) and and that they will try to make this really hard for me. But no matter what happens, I know that it will be worth it. Because I am serving my God and following His will for me. I am learning and growing in the ways that He wants me to.
Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matt 22:37-39) This is really why I am going to serve a mission. I know of no better way to fulfill these commandments than by going on a mission. I am going on a mission because I love my God and I love His children. I want to help them find happiness and peace, and I want to be a tool in His hands to do His work.

D&C 15:6 - "And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father."