The Most Important Work

To my son, 

                Yesterday we had a good discussion about serving a mission and the opportunities that you will have as you get older. I know that serving a mission seems daunting and perhaps even a little frightening to think about, but there is no need to be worried, for whatever challenges you may face on your mission, the Lord will be with as you serve Him. He promised, “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). In another section of the Doctrine and Covenants we read this about the power given to missionaries after they make covenants in the temple: “And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them” (Doctrine and Covenants 109: 22). That is a second verse that speaks of the angels that go with the Lord’s missionaries—isn’t that amazing?! Though a mission of course will be difficult in many ways, you will have the Lord and His angels there to help and guide you through any challenge.

                In the most recent general conference, President Nelson spoke about the gathering of Israel. This is really another name for missionary work and our efforts to help others come unto Jesus Christ. He proclaimed, “The Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives. For centuries, prophets have foretold this gathering, and it is happening right now! As an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord, it is the most important work in the world!” He said something similar when he spoke to the youth a couple of years ago. He invited them, “Would you like to be a big part of the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today? Would you like to help gather Israel during these precious latter days?” He continued, “My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth.” Isn’t that awesome to think that you have a personal mission on earth to help the Lord gather His children and teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ? I am convinced that there is a spot in the world with people waiting for you to come as a missionary to teach them the gospel. It might be in New Jersey or New Zealand, Mexico or Mauritius. It could be on an island of the sea like Tahiti or a place closer to home such as Texas, or even a place where we don’t even have missionaries yet. But wherever it is, the Lord is preparing it for you now, and as you give your all to serve Him, it will be the greatest experience in your life up to that point. Keep doing all you can to learn and develop your talents, to obey God’s commandments and understand His word, and you will be prepared for whatever great mission He has in store for you in the years to come.

 

Love,

Dad