January 10, 2016
Re: Letter 56 of 3
Dear Riley:
I’ve given quite about of thought to your question of how my mission was pivotal in my life. Some of the ways were difficult to measure and almost imperceptible from my perspective as they developed incrementally over the course of my mission. From my family’s perspective and those who knew me back home, the transformation was significant because the individual who returned was contrasted with the individual they remembered having left two years prior. In other respects, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate the significance of events and how they would shape my future until years later when I had sufficient life experience following my mission for reflection and contrast. The following is a compilation of what I consider pivotal elements of my life directly associated with my mission service.
Testimony of the Book of Mormon: I’ve had 47 years to witness the power of this book in my life and in the lives of all who apply its teachings. I have lost track of how many times I’ve read it cover to cover, but never fail to be moved by its content. In addition to the multitude of tangible evidences I’ve received regarding the correctness of the doctrine, the peace, and happiness it brings, I have received numerous witnesses through the Spirit of its truthfulness. However, the strongest spiritual witness I have ever received of the Book of Mormon occurred in the MTC when I read it cover to cover in a very short time and knelt in prayer to ask with real intent for a confirmation of its truthfulness. This singular event was of such significance that I remember it vividly 27 years later. All other witnesses have simply served to shore up what has become the core of my testimony of the Book of Mormon established while I served a mission.
Power in the Priesthood: I have witnessed the power of the Priesthood many times in my life and in the lives of others. I have seen miracles wrought, and heard words of prophecy and revelation spoken within the capacity of the Priesthood under the influence of the Spirit. When I left on my mission I had barely received the Melchizedek Priesthood and had only exercised it in receiving my own living endowment and through vicarious works for the dead. My mission experience provided the environment and a multitude of opportunities to learn how it worked, how it felt, and witness firsthand how I could be an instrument in God’s hands. I saw words of prophecy and revelation fulfilled in every particular; words I had spoken under the influence of the Spirit. Through the power of the Priesthood I saw things manifest which no man could know and pure knowledge poured out through a weak but worthy vessel. I witnessed miraculous healing and witnessed how the powers of darkness retreated from its power and light. I’ve had many experiences with Priesthood power since my mission, some of which rank among the most significant. However, I think everyone who rides a bike remembers the moment when they finally grasped the concept of balance and riding under their own power without assistance. These early experiences in the priesthood are equally memorable and serve as the foundation of my Melchizedek Priesthood testimony.
The Gift of Charity: I’ve already shared my experience with charity on my mission and the circumstances under which it was bestowed upon me for what I considered an extended period of time. To this day my experience ranks the highest in extended spiritual outpourings in my life. It was here I came to understand why charity never fails and why it is essential to salvation. It is here I learned that charity isn’t acquired by working on its many attributes, but that its many attributes flow quite spontaneously when it is acquired. In spite of the miserable circumstances leading up to the bestowal of the gift, I’m confident that the circumstances placed me in the perfect frame of mind and purified my heart so charity could flow unimpeded through me. Now I’m not suggesting that a mission experience is the only thing capable of producing the ideal environment for such a manifestation; only that for me, it was pivotal and forever changed my understanding of the greatest of gifts God can bestow. I haven’t had a repeat of this feeling for such an extended period of time, but I know what it is I’m seeking and what it will feel like to have it again.
Gift of Tongues: You’ve heard the story of how I was the recipient of the gift of tongues and didn’t fully appreciate it until I was sufficiently prideful and God saw fit to humble me by the temporary removal of the gift. I realized how entirely ineffective I was without God’s assistance all because I was serving a mission in a foreign land speaking a foreign tongue. I haven’t required this gift since, but consider this one of the many personal evidences in my life that God is over the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that he qualifies those whom he calls, and that the weak things of the world can become strong in His hands. I’m confident my experience with the gift of tongues was uniquely tailored for my mission service and that my perspective in this regard would have been significantly diminished were not for my mission.
Buoyed up in Body and Spirit: A mission provides a unique opportunity for an individual to completely lose himself in the work of the Lord for a season. Aside from a lifetime calling as a General Authority, even a bishop must juggle the demands of life, community, work, family, and Church. The opportunity of a mission provided a perfect environment for rapid sustained spiritual growth. Not only do I feel I enjoyed an accelerated period of spiritual enlightenment, but I have never had a period of life of greater vitality and energy. I was rarely afflicted by ailments and never lost a day to illness during the two years of my mission service. I consider how I was carried and renewed in body and spirit and realize not everyone engaged in the Lord’s work is so fortunate. However, recognizing God’s hand in this makes me more desirous to serve future missions as a couple and devote all my time to the work.
Wholesome Associations: Maybe it’s just me, but I haven’t maintained a single association with any acquaintances through my school years. However, those with whom I served are another matter. I haven’t maintained contact with all, but with others there is a bond that has endured for 27 years. I feel that the experiences of a mission have the capacity to bind hearts and draw people together. How else can you explain the love you develop for individuals you serve and work with? I’ve experienced this since as I served in various leadership capacities since my mission, but aside from family relationships, a mission experience resulted in the longest friendships I’ve known.
Riley, I hope this provides a little food for thought and perhaps my perspective born of nearly three decades of reflection and contrast will help you feel you’ve accomplished and acquired much more than may be evident at first glance. I know you’re a hard working, dedicated, and purpose-driven individual with high expectations for yourself. The fruits of mission service span and influence a lifetime, even the eternities. Our limited perspective has the capacity to discourage and cause one to question the effectiveness of his efforts. Never forget that if the Spirit directs and you follow, it will always be exactly what God would have you do, so there is no need to doubt the wisdom of the course. God has already told the world that He works through small and simple means; that He will show the world that He is capable of accomplishing His work through the weak things of the world. Do your efforts seem small and simple? Are you frustrated by your weaknesses? This happens to be just what God is looking for. Head up! Shoulders back! I think you’re simply great. Till next time…
Love,
Dad
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