Our Earthly Mission

As with most Latter-day-Saints, this past Sunday was Fast Sunday, the day set aside each month where faithful members of the church abstain from eating for 24 hours. The purpose of this fast is two-fold; it is a time to put off the natural man and rely more upon the spirit, and it is a time to donate money to those in need by contributing to the church, the money saved by skipping meals. Those who fast meaningfully and with purpose are blessed with greater spirituality and their faith is strengthened.

We are encouraged to fast with a purpose. This generally means that we keep an issue or a person forefront in our hearts and minds while fasting and ask Heavenly Father for increased help in behalf of this need. It is common to fast in behalf of someone who is sick or to fast while seeking help with a particular need or problem. Fasting without a purpose is really just going hungry.

This past Sunday I had several things I was fasting for. I always ask Heavenly Father for help in becoming more humble and being more receptive to his spirit. I always fast in behalf of my children, that they too can be more receptive of the things of the spirit. This time, however, I fasted for several others as well. I fasted in behalf of a child in my Ward that is struggling with controlling epilepsy. His parents are beside themselves with worry as they strive to help their little boy. I fasted in behalf of my niece whose husband recently passed away leaving her to care for her four children without him. I fasted in behalf of the young son of a niece who seems to have an unexplained illness. And finally I fasted in behalf of a dear friend who is really suffering from the result of sin in his life. All these are real needs that have been in my thoughts and prayers continuously.

The reason I mention these things is because they are all examples of how this life is really hard and full of difficult challenges. It is amazing that all these difficult circumstances, along with many more, are going on in the tiny circle of people that I know and love. No one is exempt from the difficulties of this life. More importantly, none of have really any control of what happens to us here. God only is in control.

I am certain that most of you have already heard of or seen the letter from Sister Lisa Laylock that was recently published in Meridian Magazine. Sister Laylock and her husband President Larry Laylock are currently presiding over the Santiago Chile East Mission. About two weeks prior to the recent Chilean earthquake, Sister Laylock had a dream warning her of the earthquake. President and Sister Laylock spent the next two weeks preparing their missionaries for the earthquake. She wrote “We learned an important lesson: our preparation helped us to avoid panic and fear, but the Lord, in His wisdom, allowed us to experience enough discomfort to know that He has all power. He is in charge. We are nothing without Him. We are dependent upon Him for every breath we take. Only He can save us from death and destruction. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is our perfect example. If we follow Him, we will be saved through obedience to the laws and ordinances of His Gospel.”

I too have learned from personal experience that I am not in control. I have previously written a blog that dealt with a serious accident with my oldest daughter. No matter how much we want to protect our children and those we love, we don’t really have the power to do so. All we are and all we have rests in God’s hands.

As we try to be in control, we should be reminded of the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 121: 33 “How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty…” I have often thought of how the Lord must see us as “puny armed” as we try to be in control.

One question I have often asked myself throughout my life is “why do I make life harder than it already is?” Life is already full of difficult challenges, so why do we make it worse? We have already established that there are many awful things that we are subjected to in this life that we have no control over, however, many difficulties in this life are brought on by carelessness, disobedience and rebellion.

A wise and dear friend has shared an analogy of life that he feels came to him by revelation: I believe he is right. He once told me that this life experience is very similar to preparing for, serving, and coming home from a full-time mission. We anticipate it and prepare for it for many years. We know the rules before we go and generally know what will be expected of us while there. We go for a specific purpose. We have people that have gone before us to help us while there. When we depart for it our family and friends are there to see us off. While serving we are confronted by many challenges that we didn’t anticipate and that may be very difficult. Some dedicate themselves and are faithful and hard working. Others try to do as little as possible and slide through with as little effort as possible. Some become ill but recover. Others become ill and need to come home. Some are in accidents and may be injured. Some may be killed. Some give up and go home early. Some make poor choices and are constantly in trouble. Others rebel and are sent home early. Some barely make it through; others are faithful through the end. Under most scenarios, when we return home there is a celebration. Family and friends are there to greet us. We are able to rest briefly knowing we have served well.

The most difficult missionaries seem to be those that are rebellious; those that are constantly and knowingly breaking the rules. They want to get away with as much as possible without getting sent home. They make foolish and often dangerous choices. They simply don’t want to leave the world behind.

Most of us who have served missions know missionaries that were described by one of these examples (I am sure there are fewer rebellious ones now since the “bar” has been raised). I had one as a companion. It was very difficult.

Similarly in life we have many eternal brothers and sisters that have many difficulties because of foolish choices. Some cut their lives short by participating in extreme and dangerous activities. Others are openly rebellious (all of us are rebellious to some extent) and are involved in disobeying the law of chastity or some other immoral or perverted activity. Sometimes we are injured in accidents that are no fault of our own: Other times our accidents are consequences of our actions. Sometimes we become ill by no fault of our own, other times we bring illnesses upon us by not taking care of ourselves. This may include smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating, or other unhealthy actions.

Thankfully we have a Heavenly Father that loves us and has prepared a way for us to return to Him… no matter what kind of missionary we have been. I have learned through the crucible of my own life that “wickedness never was happiness,” and that true joy and happiness only comes by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

I have learned through my own experience and can therefore testify with authority that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real. We can be forgiven of our wickedness and our sins. Even those we were openly rebellious about, if we will turn from our rebellion and turn to Christ. We must forsake our rebellious nature and ask our Savior to change our hearts. By so doing, we will one day be greeted with the words “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”