When you google "LDS missionary" this is the answer you will get: "Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)—widely known as Mormon missionaries—are volunteer representatives of the LDS Church who engage variously in proselytizing, church service, humanitarian aid, and community service."
While that is completely accurate, to me, being a missionary of the church meant being a Representative of Jesus Christ.
I am sparing many, many details in order to get to the purpose this post. Everything I mention is dear and sacred to me and I fee like I should share this with anyone who will listen (read). This is the link to my mission blog, this link will take you to a post I wrote about how I made my decision to serve: http://sistermariachavs.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-mom-always-said.html
I have very deep feelings about the 18 months I spent in Arizona. The impact that the people I met had on me, the experiences I had, the miracles I witnessed and the lessons I learned can be summed up by this verse in the Book of Mormon. This is Ammon speaking, Ammon was a man who also served The Lord and helped teach many about Christ and His Atonement. Ammon says: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." (Emphasis added) Alma 26:12
I have heard many return missionaries say something to the effect of: "Missions are not saving ordinances, but they do save lives." I hold my mission close to my heart because it truly saved my life.
There was a point in my life where I hit a "fork" in the road. One road would lead me to a "happy" life, wouldn't require much effort, wouldn't require my conversion to Christ, but a "happy" life nonetheless. The other road would require me to give my all to God, it would require me to put in daily effort to read scriptures and pray, it would require my complete conversion to Christ, and it would lead me to a HAPPY, fulfilled, joyous, and meaningful life. The deciding factor became whether or not to serve an 18 month mission.
How could 18 months change SO much in someone's life? How could the outcomes be so different? How could 18 months decide so much?
Those 18 months changed my life so much because they were filled with miracles, angels, tears of joy, tears of sadness, lessons, experiences, turning points, revelation, realizations and so much more. Most of all, they were filled with the love of God and Jesus Christ.
It is because of these 18 months that I can stand as a witness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He said: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it." Mark 8:35
I plead that you do not read this as me boasting and saying I gave up my life and rendered perfect service during my mission, but I sure tried to every single day. I am grateful for the promise Christ gives to all his servants, meaning every follower of Jesus Christ. The following is how I interpret it personally:
Christ promises His followers that if we choose Him, if we put Him first, that we will get to save our lives. I believe He doesn't mean that He will let us keep our lives intact or as they were before, I know that He means that if we give Him our lives, He will not only save them and but He will refine them, enhance them, and make them joy-filled and meaningful. He did this for my own life.
As a missionary you are asked to leave your entire life behind, your family, friends, school, work and much more. But in turn you are given the following promise: "The Lord will reward and richly bless you as you humbly and prayerfully serve Him. More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among His children." First Presidency Message
I stand before you (figuratively) today and testify that, that promise has been fulfilled in my life and it was fulfilled on my mission. I have tasted of the pure love of God, I experienced the purest joy watching people I loved choose to follow Christ, my heart was filled with God's love, I was guided, I was taught from on high, I met individuals that changed my life, but what I cherish most about my mission is the understanding and perspective I received about the Atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ. On my mission I got to know my Savior.
My life was changed for the better because of my service as a missionary. It is hard coming back and keeping the same level of spirituality as before, but it is possible. As Ammon, I declare to all who will listen that I will praise my God forever because of the miracles I saw on my mission. I will forever be grateful for the short 18 months I got to be a representative of the most loving, humble and perfect being to walk this earth, even Jesus Christ.
I testify that God lives, He really knows all His children. I know and testify that Jesus is the Christ! The promised Messiah and I testify that He lives! He broke the bands of death and rose triumphantly. He is the Christ. He lives. He loves. He blesses. He forgives. He enables.
I thank God for my mission every day and will forever be grateful for the miracles He allowed me to see and for the mighty change He wrought in my heart.
I testify of this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
