Not Alone

The best part of being a missionary is this: we are not alone in our callings! We have been given the Spirit, Christ's atonement, and companions to help. Alma and Amulek were a great companionship duo found in the Book of Mormon. They strengthened each other in times of difficulty, and testified of the truths that the other spoke. They kept each other in the work (like Elder Ballard taught our mission to do in May) and didn't settle for mediocrity.

In chapter 16 of the book of Alma, we read that they were not alone in their efforts. "...The Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God (Alma 16:16,17)".

This promise applies to us in our mission as well. We have the sacred responsibility to bring our brothers and sisters into the true vine. The Lord has not abandoned us, and is working to soften the hearts of all we meet. Though He is going before us, it does not lessen our duty to open our mouths and testify. We won't know who is truly prepared to change unless we allow them the opportunity to do so. If we justify and think, "But that's just the way I am.." we are not allowing OURSELVES to trust that God can soften OUR hearts. He qualifies us to do His work.

Elder L.Tom Perry said, "We need to set our sights higher than we ever have before. The Lord expects it of us. We have to find a way to make it work." How can we better implement this counsel in our everyday missionary lives? The Lord has indeed set an expectation. He has let us know through our key holder, President Riggs, that we can baptize one person, per unit, per month. What more can we do to let this vision become reality?

Pray diligently to Heavenly Father. Let Him know how you feel. He listens. He loves. And when you let Him, He leads. Read the scriptures with a mind to learn. Be prepared in all things and trust that God will indeed put prepared people in the path of His prepared servants.