I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. -Alma 29:9
Posts tagged: missionary
As I said earlier, I was going to compare D&C 18 and Alma 29. I’ve also added the RM’s additions in here.
This is a longer post, so I’ll do a read more break. Although it is long and took me a couple hours to even write, I think this is one of the best, if not the best post I have written.
Alma 29:9
This is one of my favorite scriptures about being a missionary, and I keep forgetting the reference. I’m glad I went through the topical guide entry about joy to find it.
This post is perhaps more for myself so I can return to it when I feel sad about graduation. Sometimes there are days that I’m reminded that half of my friends are going to be sent out around the world come summer time, and usually it’s a bit sad to know they’re leaving all at once.
However, there are other glorious days, like today, that I’m watching missionaries open up their calls, and get so excited. I place my friends in those positions, and I can see the excitement they will have at the chance to serve God full time for two years.
I like this response from myself, because this isn’t a selfish thought like the first. My friends are preparing now to do a great work, to serve and love other people.
Parker will spread his ever contagious happiness, and will serve others every chance he gets willingly and without complaint.
Tanner will rattle off scripture mastery and other scriptures and cause others to know the scriptures as well as him.
Chad will be a silly and fun companion for many other elders, and teach others that perhaps we’re not as boring as church folk are made out to be.
Weston will be able to relate the gospel to science, convincing others that God works with science, and religion doesn’t have to oppose it.
Ben will share with his mighty confidence what he knows to be true, and instill a love for others such that they will find a lasting hope in the gospel.
Kevin will discuss doctrine with ease, remembering stories from each of the standard works as well as talks and applying them to each lesson.
Shad will be an example to others, and others will want to do what is right to become as righteous as him.
I have many more friends, and perhaps when I become sad again I will finish this list and see what each individual will bring to the world.
We are as the army of Helaman,
We have been taught in our youth,
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries,
To bring the world his truth.
So, one of my friends named Amanda is kinda of a really goofy person, and she’s a blast to be around. But something cool I find about her is she asks genuine questions, and when I tell her the answers that are sometimes hard to explain, she understands. She doesn’t say, “Oh that’s weird,” but rather, “Oh, okay, that makes sense.”
One of these times she asked me who the man was that created Mormonism.
My answer came sort of stumbling out, as I tried to explain to her that the Church is run by Jesus Christ, so He created it, but she was probably talking about Joseph Smith. At that point I was able to explain that Joseph Smith didn’t create it, he restored it after the apostasy (and I explained the apostasy as well).
I wasn’t sure what her reaction would be, but I was guessing probably confusion because I said it kind of weird and it’s quite a big thing to think about, but her reply solidified that she understood.
“So, your church wasn’t created by Joseph Smith, just restored by him.”
“Yes!”
“Okay.”
And then I turned around because you know, this was in the middle of Calculus.
That made me so happy that she didn’t think I was weird, but she actually listened to what I had to say. I can’t wait to be a missionary!
So, on Monday, Brother Rockwood talked about how a lot of the guys will take advantage of the new missionary age and go right out of high school. There is no institute Mission Prep class, so he wants to do everything he can to give us the knowledge we need.
I should just start referring to seminary as Mission Prep from now on. We’ve had a lot of fun lessons that are very focused on preparing for missions. Foreign languages, trying new foods, things that aren’t found in the normal seminary class have been introduced this week in mission prep, and I’ll make a post a bit later giving more details to these specific lessons.
I’ve been wondering if I should go on a mission, and I’ve always said “Oh, I’ll decide when I get older. Marriage is a first priority.” Now I guess I’ll be looking more at preparing for a mission.
But, I’m not scared like I’d usually be. I’m excited.
In seminary the other day we were memorizing John 14:15.
“Okay, I know it’s already super long and you may have to reach out and pull all the powers of memorization you had over the past few years of seminary to get this, but I want you to learn the reference, too. How do we remember it?”
There were a lot of struggles, but then Kristen had a good one.
“Valentine’s Day is on the fourteenth, right? So there’s 14. But you want to love Him even more, so add one to get 15.”
Our teacher then said, “That’s great! And then, when you’re in a relationship with a missionary and you find you love his best friend more you write him a letter saying, ‘Dear…’”
Our class all yelled out “John!” and laughed while simultaneously crying.
Needless to say, I don’t think we’ll forget the reference anytime soon.
💙 can’t wait! #2moreyears #mormon #ctr #lds (Taken with instagram)
Stick to a task
“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life (see Matt. 10:39)”
—President Ezra Taft Benson
“Jesus Christ — Gifts and Expectations”, New Era, May 1975 (emphasis added)
