Missionary Service Blessed My Life Forever
Missionary Service Blessed My Life Forever
M. Russell Ballard
Takeaways:
President Ballard’s missionary service prepared him “to be a better husband and father and to be successful in business.” And it prepared him for lifetime service in the church.
The Lord knows you, has a work for you to do, and will give you the lessons and experience you need during your missionary service.
Serving a mission shows the Lord that He can trust and rely on you.
The expectation for young men to serve a mission has not changed.
After your mission, “remember that you are not released from activity in the Church. Build upon the good habits you learned on your mission, continue to strengthen your testimony, work hard, pray and be obedient to the Lord. Honor the covenants you have made. Continue to bless and serve others.”
Challenges:
Young men (and young women who desire to serve), talk to your parents, friends, and bishop about serving a mission. Commit to serve a mission and stay worthy so you may do so.
Parents, talk to your children about missionary service.
Questions to Ponder:
What do I need to do to prepare to serve a mission? Or, how can I encourage those around me and help prepare others for missionary service?
Further Study:
Spencer W. Kimball, “When the World Will Be Converted,” Ensign, Oct. 1974, 2-14;
M. Russell Ballard, “Prepare to Serve,” Ensign, May 1985, 41; Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 4-5