A Blurp About Missionaries

Earlier today I had an opportunity to gather with over 140 missionaries for a special conference.  The Concluding speaker of today's meeting was Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Disciple and Apostle of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He came with his wife, Katherine Christofferson to speak to us about our missionary service. 

Before the meeting began, I was reunited with some of my closest friends. 

We've been friends through the good times, and of course--The bad!  In the mission field we face many challenges. 

There are missionaries here who have lost family members.  Because our Missionary service requires us to give all our energy to the Lord, they are unable to fly home to attend the funeral service of their loved ones.  They mourn here for a short time and continue on. 

There are missionaries that I was able to shake hands with, who have suffered severe medical infirmities.  Because of their faith, however, they continue to work everyday for hours on end to bring the gospel to others.  The Atonement and Sacrifice of Christ helps each of us to press forward. 



Photo Courtesy of Kate Lifferth



Here I stood with a hundred and forty valiant missionaries, who put their lives on hold to serve our Heavenly Father.  We are His army.  We are all enlisted.  I love each of these missionaries.  They are my friends!  They are the only family I have out here!

Okay.... so maybe we're only 19-25 year old kids. 

Maybe we struggle a little bit. 

And maybe, Just maybe we're NOT perfect.

But the purpose that we serve IS perfect!

Some missionaries have never lived away from home before.  Some still battle feelings of homesickness.  Some fiercly fight depression among other difficulties.  For some of us, this is the furthest we've been away from home. 

But this is where we feel at home, serving our Father in Heaven, and His Son, Jesus Christ.