Sunday, October 7, 2012

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"

Well this General Conference weekend has been one for the books, and probably will be among the most memorable for me. It has truly changed my life.

On Saturday morning, President Monson announced that the missionary service age limit for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been lowered from 19 to 18 for men, and from 21 to 19 for women. This announcement has caused quite a stir in the LDS community, and has created a flurry of excitement. This announcement may seem to be a small matter to some, but it means so much.

With this announcement, missionary work will grow exponentially. So many doors will be opened by the increased number of faithful young men and women who will be able to serve the lord. Areas in the world that have been closed to the gospel will be opened, and so many people searching for truth and meaning will be found and taught the gospel. Their lives and posterity will be blessed for generations to come. This announcement brings such a beautiful feeling of hope, and I know that it is an inspired announcement.

This announcement is very exciting to my family and I, as it applies directly to us. Everything feels a little surreal... I am so excited about this change because I know how much good it will do, but in a way it terrifies me that I will be leaving on my mission in approximately 7 months now...

It is amazing to me, that my entire future changed in a matter of seconds. With my mission now so close ahead, I have been struggling with feelings of inadequacy. I wonder if I will be prepared to serve a mission in 7 months.... it is so soon! I had planned on having an extra year ahead of me, but that time is gone now. I have a strong testimony of this church, and gospel, but I fear that I don't know the doctrine as well as missionaries that have had an extra year to prepare.

As questions of doubt and insecurity race through my mind and heart, I have found peace and comfort in the following phrase, "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." Though I may not  know certain aspects of the gospel as well as others might, I know that God will be my strength. Through God, I will know what to say, and teach. I will be what he needs me to be, and will say what he needs me to say... As clay he will mold me.

I look forward to spending two years of my life in the service of my brothers and sisters. I don't know where I will serve or, who I will serve, but I can honestly say, I have a love for the people I will teach. I pray to be like the sons of Mosiah, who could not bear the thought of any soul not coming unto Christ and obtaining eternal life. Though they were the vilest of sinners,  through repentance they were given  new hearts, and were qualified for the work.

Mosiah 28:3-4

Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not abear that any human bsoulshould cperish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure dendless torment did cause them to quake and etremble.

And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very avilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite bmercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.

Though it won't be easy, and sacrifices will be made, the salvation of one soul is worth it all ten times over. "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, Calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done" (History of the Church, 4:540).

The words of Joseph Smith resonate in me, "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"

-LB