President was so inspired by President Uchtdorf’s
First Presidency Message, “All is Well,” that he asked me to discuss with each
of you your thoughts during interviews. I was excited, being inspired by the
pioneers' examples and applying the principles directly to missionary work. But
what evolved was an amazing learning experience as you shared with me your
personal insights and testimony. President has asked me to condense your thoughts
into this month’s calendar letter:
Compassion = Charity = Unity
Like the pioneers, missionaries often find that
showing compassion “slowed their progress, caused inconvenience, or meant
personal sacrifice and toil.” Contacting people you don’t think will accept the
gospel, building the area when you are about to leave, meeting as a district to
identify ways to improve, are only a few examples. Compassion is about developing
Christlike attributes of charity, patience, humility, hope...not so convenient!
But then, the Atonement was not exactly convenient nor easy. Like the pioneers,
missionaries that develop these virtues find their friends becoming family. They
truly love those they serve—investigators, companions, ward members—and would
give their life for them. They learn to love others as Christ loved us first, and
gave His life for us. As we serve with compassion, unity is the end result:
companionship unity, district/zone unity, ward unity, being unified with Christ
even unto becoming an eternal family with God. “Thee lift me and I’ll lift thee,
and we’ll ascend together” (Sis. Burton, April 2015).
Work
“Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear.” The
Savior of all mankind knew that all would not be well. He knew that in order to
carry out the Atonement, He would have to endure “even more than man can suffer
except it be unto death” (Mosiah 3:7) even that He would bleed from every pore.
Yet He did not shrink from the toil nor labor. Rather Christ’s determination to
carry out the Atonement was so sure,
that those who exercised faith in Him several hundred years before His birth
received a remission of their sins (Enos 1:8). I was most inspired by an elder
who shared with me that whenever he has a hard day, he thinks of the day he
signed his mission papers in his stake president’s office, and what he promised
the Lord he would to do as a missionary. Then he puts his shoulder to the wheel
and pushes on! Another sister commented that missionary work is called “work”
for a reason. She is willing to work for the Savior, for the people of Taiwan,
for her eternal exaltation. When she works, she knows that happiness is the end
result!
Optimism = Faith + Gratitude
All agreed: happiness is a choice! It’s a choice
to act instead of be acted upon. We can act to express gratitude in any
circumstance (Pres. Uchtdorf, April 2014). “In all thy ways, acknowledge him and he shall direct thy
paths” (Prov. 3:6). One elder raised the thought, "Why should Heavenly
Father bless you with more if you are not grateful for what He has already
blessed you with?"
The people of Nephi chose to live “after the
manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27), despite the many wars and contentions they
had had with their brethren. How was this possible? The Nephites had a temple. One
elder shared with me a sacred experience he had in the Taipei Temple. Fasting,
he went to the temple with a desire to be happier. There, he received a strong
confirmation of Heavenly Father’s love for him. He knew if Heavenly Father
loved him so much, who was he to disagree and be unhappy? It was the turning
point in his mission.
Attitude, like agency, is one thing we have
control over. One companionship set a goal at the start of the transfer that
they would wave with a smile to everyone they passed while biking. Then no
matter if the sun was beating down on them, or it was pouring rain, or they had
just been fanged, they carried on with a happy attitude. What came were people
who stopped to talk who they never thought would!
Trials
To help us endure faithfully our trials, we must
come to understand that the Lord’s timing is perfect. He knows when we need
specific trials and what we need to learn. The lyrics ring out, “Why should we
think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight?” If we are to become
like Christ, we must be willing to suffer His cross, which cross He has already
suffered for us. So let us “Gird up our loins; fresh courage take. Our God will
never us forsake! And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—All is well! All is
well!”
Before you know it, your mission will be one of
your greatest tales. I testify to you that doing hard things on your mission
will deepen and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit; magnify your
understanding of your divine nature, and heighten your compassion for others.
Your mission tale will firm your soul and become a blessing to you long after
your service in Taiwan has ended!
I am so grateful for all you that have taught me, and each other!
Love,
Sis. Blickenstaff
P.S. I laughed together with the elder who shared
this scripture with me: 2 Nephi 28:25.
You are amazing Sister Blickenstaff, you continue to lift the mission! Love and miss you!
ReplyDeleteThis was a pretty good letter but I think President Blickenstaff's letters are even better. Don't tell him I said that or his head will begin to swell.
ReplyDeleteToo late for that!
ReplyDelete