Okay, this blog is now becoming my Mission President's blog :) I have other posts written with my own words, but they're all still in drafts. I just get so excited when I read his messages, that I have to share them!
“My Commission”
As we read the Book of Mormon, we will read through the accounts of contentions, battles, and wars. We must all wake up to the fact that we are daily fighting a war. This war has eternal consequences! In this mission daily battles are won and lost. Satan, with his hosts, is the foe. He is knowledgeable, clever and relentless. His desire is to deter, discourage and distract us from the work of God and destroy the warriors in the Lord’s army.
While examining battles described in the scriptures, it is easy to understand the common attributes of the ultimate victors. Obedience, diligence, spirit, faith and vision characterize the true warrior of God. Worthiness, commitment, love, selflessness, focus and hard work are the traits of the victors.
In speaking to a group of 20 stake presidents in our mission last week, they all agreed that one of the challenges of the missionaries in this mission is that they do not fully understand who they are and the stature of their calling. Our missionaries are the very best warriors, fighting the most important battles in the history of time. You were chosen and committed to this battle before you were born. We are protected by marvelous armor, but it will only protect if we always put on the whole armor as we go into battle. We must gird our loins with truth. We must put on the breastplate of righteousness. Our feet will be shod only by preparation through studying the Gospel and Preach My Gospel. The shield will only be ours if we truly have faith. Our heads are protected only when we understand the missionary lessons. The sword will bring peace and confound our enemy, for it is strengthened and sharpened by the Spirit. (Eph. 6:11-19) This is one step in building our confidence. Let us learn from Achilles* that we cannot afford to leave one part of our body unprotected.
We must embrace “My Commission” penned by Bruce R. McConkie.
“I am called of God. My authority is above that of kings of the earth
By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him-to stand in His Place,
to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering
to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts
are His acts; my doctrine is His Doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants
done; To say what he wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in
deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous Latter-day work. How great a calling!”
We have all covenanted with the Lord that we would fight this battle to the death for eighteen months or two years. Your call letter read:
“You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 (18) months.
You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.
The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place in you our confidence and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary. You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president. Please send your written acceptance promptly, endorsed by your bishop.
Sincerely, President Thomas S. Monson”
You all sent that letter to President Monson or you would not be here today. How good is your word? Can the Lord trust you? In the process of answering this call from the Lord you have willingly relinquished your agency. The decision has been made. You no longer have the option to choose whether you will serve or not. Your choice is HOW YOU WILL SERVE. How you serve will determine how the Lord is able to bless you on your mission, throughout your life and through the eternities.
May the Lord bless you with this endeavor so you can “meet the measure of your creation.” (D&C 88:19)
* In Greek mythology, Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War. Legends state that Achilles was invulnerable in all of his body except for his heel. He died because of a small wound on his heel, the term Achilles’ heel has come to mean one’s point of weakness.
Who can read this message and restrain from exclaiming "SIGN ME UP FOR THIS!!!!"I'm a soldier in the Lord's army and I love living in enemy territory. I will fight until death for the cause of truth because this is what I came here to do. I am so excited, guys. SOOO excited!
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