What Legacy Will You Leave?

Wednesday, July 30, 2014


In the scriptures we read about numerous examples of people who left great legacies. Names like Captain Moroni, Joseph Smith, the Apostle Paul and countless others bring to our minds recollections of the noble and valiant lives they lived. In the Book of Mormon, for example, the prophet Lehi and his son Nephi left such legacies. The names of Lehi and Nephi are mentioned over and over again in the Book of Mormon as prophets remembered and followed their great examples. As we read further into the Book of Mormon we even find that Helaman himself names his sons Lehi and Nephi so the righteous legacy of his forefathers could be remembered:

Heleman said to his humble sons "Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good." (Helaman 5:6)

How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to leave a legacy great enough that others would want to name their child after you? That's one amazing legacy to leave! We have eighteen months to two years to leave a legacy here on our missions. Let us be that missionary to whom missionaries in the present and the future look to as an example. We can be that missionary who leaves a path of righteousness, obedience, and diligence everywhere we go. We can decide now to leave a legacy that will be remembered forever.

The best way to know how to leave our greatest legacy is to look to our Savior Jesus Christ. The legacy He left exceeds all others. Jesus Christ's name is known and revered all over the world. He is remembered as one who was and is merciful, forgiving, and divine. His was the perfect legacy to leave. We can all strive to follow our Savior's example as we establish our own legacies. Of course, we will not be completely perfect as He was. However, we can always look to His perfect example and exert all our efforts to be the best servant God would have us be, then He will make up the difference.

Leaving a great legacy is not going to be easy! It will take stepping out of our comfort zone. It will take talking to EVERYONE we see. It will take letting go of our pride and handing our will over to God. Heavenly Father knows we can do it. He knows the amazing potential we have and He knows we can reach it.
So, the question for each of us to ponder is this:

What legacy will I leave?


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