Why I Chose to Serve a Mission

Why I Chose to Serve a Mission

Living the gospel of Jesus Christ makes me happy every day of my life, and I want that for everyone. Because of Christ's gospel, my life has meaning and purpose. Because of Christ's gospel, I understand that God has a plan for me, which makes my future bright and beautiful. Because of Christ's gospel, I truly know that I am never alone. Because of Christ's gospel, I have joy.

Certainly, my faith is tested. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed and upset, and I fall to my knees to ask God for reassurance in a plea for help. Every time I turn to the Lord, He responds with answers and personal revelation to me that He loves me and that this is His church on the earth, and gently whispers to me, "Be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5: 36). I know that God answers my prayers. In search of answers to a specific problem, I feel His guidance.

I feel so blessed to have this church in my life. I am offered more joy and happiness than I could imagine anywhere else. But more than the joy and happiness that comes from living the gospel we learn in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, God has allowed me to know for myself that this is His church. This is the Kingdom of God on the earth.

I read the Book of Mormon and I carefully pondered the verse in Moroni 10:4 which says, "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." I wanted to know for myself if the Book of Mormon was true, so I did as Moroni suggested. I asked God with a sincere heart and real intent, having faith in Christ, if the book that I had just read was true. Immediately following that question, I felt a warm, calm and very real peace come over me. It is true, and I know it.

Through many sacred experiences, I have developed a knowledge of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. That knowledge makes me feel happy and fulfilled. And I want everyone to feel the daily happiness and fulfillment that I feel because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! And for that reason, I chose to serve a mission. As a missionary, I will teach the doctrines of the gospel to people searching for the truth and I will testify that God is real, that He loves you and has provided a Savior, namely Jesus Christ, to atone for your sins so that you can return to live with God again and receive all that He has. As a missionary, I will share why I am so happy.

I know that when God’s son, Jesus Christ, came to Earth, He taught people that they must have faith in Him, repent by making positive changes in their lives and eliminating bad habits, be baptized by someone with authority from God, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end in following His example. He meant for all people to learn this plan. He desires all men to live it because He knows it will make them happy and ensure their salvation! I want to do all I can to teach people about this Gospel, steps taught by Jesus Christ and established by God, the way to perfection. I know that doing things His way improves lives because it has improved mine! In Moses 1:39 we learn that “men are that they might have joy.” Life can be happy and rewarding for all of us! We can be happy and fulfilled! That is the plan!

Why does this knowledge fill me with the desire to serve a mission? Why does my unique experience make me believe that I might be able to help others? I know that we are all children of the same God, and I know that He has solutions to the problems everyone faces. I know that we have access to our Father in Heaven through prayer in the name of His son, and that He wants to communicate with us—I know that because He has answered me! If there is anyone anywhere who wants love, validation, comfort, peace, understanding, purpose, joy, or hope, I know that there is a way for those needs to be satisfied, and that is by following Christ. If there is anyone who is bitter, hurt, worried, lonely, guilty, lost, confused, sad, or defeated, I know that real solutions exist, and they are through following Christ. I want everyone everywhere to understand that they can follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, that they can change despite mistakes they have made, that they can choose enter into a covenant relationship with God and be baptized, that they can be comforted and guided by Spirit of God, and that they can endure to the end in following the teachings of Jesus Christ and His holy prophets, and that by choosing to do these things they will experience peace and joy in this life and Eternal life hereafter.

God has a plan for His children, and despite the troubles we face in this world, He has provided a way out and a way up. My testimony is that God answers prayers, that He loves us, that He sent His son to be an example and a Savior for us, and that He has blessed us with scriptures and prophets to communicate answers to us, in addition to those that we can receive in our hearts directly from Him. I want to share this testimony with others so that they can improve their own lives. So, why do I want to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Because I love my Savior and I love His ways, and I want all people to know that in Christ we can receive the answers and direction we seek in life.