2-7-11
Dear Priests and Laurels of the Springfield 5th Ward
Well I’m very honored to get this opportunity to talk to all of you about my missionary experiences so far. I’ve only been a missionary for 5 months (as of tomorrow), but that has already flown by! My mission even in such a short time has already become the best and most influential part of my life thus far. Starting out in the MTC I had the opportunity to solely focus on my relationship with my Heavenly Father and humbling myself so as to allow him to mold me into the kind of missionary He wanted me to be. I thought I knew a lot but how quickly the Lord shows us where we are weak, but like he tells us in Ether 12:27 he gives us these weaknesses to humble us and eventually make those our strengths! That has been what has been such a miracle for me. These things that we all struggle with whether it be boldly sharing our testimony, having the desire to keep the commandments, or being too prideful/judgmental, if we bring those to the Lord He WILL help us change to overcome them. There’s not anything much better than that! The only thing that compares to seeing your own change and progression on the path to our Heavenly Father, is being an instrument in His hands to help His other children begin their paths to Him. Having the calling and responsibility to enable you to focus entirely on the work of the Lord so you can be part of those experiences to help people through their conversion process really is the best thing that I have ever experienced. You always hear the cliché “Best Two Years”, but seriously the changes you’ll see others go through and your own personal spiritual growth will be the absolute best experience of your life. NO amount of time spent “hanging out with friends”, going to college, playing sports, or any other of the numerous other reasons people use as excuses, NONE of it compares to the joy you’ll have as a chosen servant of the Lord. In the Jan 2011 Ensign the First Presidency message talks about that greatest of joys. Trust me, I did the college scene, I did well in sports, I had tons of friends and had a lot of fun times but nothing is as FULFILLING as missionary work. I LOVE THIS WORK!! I know it’s true, and it’s a commandment that every worthy young man serve a mission. Don’t take lightly that commandment given to us from a prophet from God. Prepare NOW to be ready to have that wonderful blessing in your life.
Some things I wish I would have done were (there are so many!) I wish I could have taken the admonition more seriously, “Be a missionary now, as you prepare to be a full-time missionary”. I grew up in Oregon where I was the minority and I’d think it was too hard to share the gospel, but actually we’re lucky to be SURROUNDED by missionary opportunities. Most of our friends are non-members and we should always be an example for them and let them know we are who we are because we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but also we should do more. Be willing to bring up the church with your friends if you feel the prompting of the Holy Ghost. Invite them to activities; invite them to church if they express interest. If they show actual interest or curiosity, invite them to meet with the missionaries. Even if you don’t do any of those things, get to know the missionaries in our ward, establish a friendship and all you priests go on splits with them!
If you feel like all of that is too much to ask; then start from the basics. Strengthen your own testimony that this is God’s true church restored again on the Earth. Come to gain your own testimony, no longer leaning on your parents’ and just doing things because your parents always have brought you to church. Do it because YOU know it’s true. The best way to do that is reading the Book of Mormon AND praying. There’s no substitute for those 2 things for helping you gain a testimony of these things.
Thanks for taking the time to listen to me. I hope you will actually act on my advice , and learn from my mistakes and start NOW to prepare for the best opportunity of your life! You all are so blessed to have the homes and families where you live, don’t ever take that for granted! Keep up the good work.
With Love,
Elder Lewis
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