I spent some time writing a letter to my daughter about serving a mission. It was long. She may not read all of it. But I felt it was important for me to say these things. It stems from the question, are you serving a mission for the right reasons?
The greatest gift God has given us is the Atonement of Jesus Christ and our ability to repent and be forgiven of our sins. This is the message you would carry into the mission field. That Jesus Christ lived and was crucified for us, He resurrected. He lives! We must all have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, be baptized by immersion for a remission of our sins, by one who holds the proper authority, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
Whether you serve a mission or not, the most important thing you can learn in life is to feel and recognize the Holy Ghost. It will teach you what is true. It will guide you through your darkest times. It will protect you. And, It will help you with decisions, like going on a mission.
Why would someone serve a mission? There are a lot of reasons… The reasons are not limited to:
- You feel the call to serve
- The Holy Ghost told you to serve
- You have always desired to serve
- You want to cry repentance unto the world (That was me)
- You want to serve Heavenly Father
- You love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
- You want to feel the joy of bringing people unto Jesus Christ
- You simply desire to serve
There are many examples in the scriptures of people who desired to serve:
EXAMPLE 1:
In the Book of Mormon, the Sons of Mosiah, the men who had rebelled against God with Alma the Younger, desired to serve a mission among the Lamanites. Why?
Mosiah 28:3
3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.
They wanted every soul to have the blessings of the gospel. They wanted every soul to feel the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. They desired. Because they desired, they served.
EXAMPLE 2:
In the early days of the church, the Lord called people individually to serve. Here is an example of one of those calls in the Doctrine and Covenants. Listen to what he says. Lift up your heart and rejoice! Why would you do that? Because it is the most amazing work anyone can do in their life. And your sins are forgiven you for declaring his word.
D&C 31:3-5
3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.
4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.
5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.
EXAMPLE 3
Jesus before ascending into heaven gave his disciples a commandment, to go and teach all nations. This is referred to by other Christian denominations as “The Great Commission.”
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
EXAMPLE 4
Oliver Cowdrey was called on a mission. The Lord taught him how great the blessings were for being a missionary. Not only that, how blessed is the one who repents? Not only that, but how much joy we will have being the instrument in God’s hand bringing that soul unto repentance and baptism. God loves all his children. But most of his children do not know Him. That is why we must serve.
D&C 18:10-16
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
Do you know why that picture of Christ holding the black sheep is on our wall in the living room? It is because it reminds me of myself. I was lost and God came and found me. You are part of this family because I repented and God redeemed me. He left the ninety-and-nine and sought the one… me. The black sheep, covered with sin. As a missionary, you would do the same. You would find the one that is lost, and help bring them back unto the fold. It is not the easiest job. But as the scripture above says… how great will be your joy! It will be tremendous.
OUR CALL TO SERVE TODAY:
Today we have the same opportunity. D&C 4 tells us that if we desire to serve, we are called to the work. I know that God sent his elect to earth at this time. They have within their hearts a desire to serve Him. He sent his elect at this time, to usher in his second coming.
He says, if “ye have desires to serve God, Ye are called to the work”
D&C 4:1-7
1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
Look, even if all you do is “desire” to serve God. You are called to the work. It all depends on your heart. Do you desire to serve Him? If you desire to serve Him and you have “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God“ you are qualified for the work. There is no other bar to jump over. ‘ I know you. Your heart is full of faith, hope, charity, and love. I do believe your eye is single to the glory of God. You always try to do what is right. You are qualified if you desire to serve Him. [I included some heartfelt things about her and her character]
There is no greater work in the history of the world.