Missionaries, the Best of Us.

The Field Is White

     So you all have heard me go on and on about the amazing young men and women who are the Missionaries of our Church.  I have extolled how amazing they are and how much I admire them.  To me, the fact that these young people voluntarily leave their homes and family so that they can go where ever they are needed is astounding.  I sometimes wonder if I would have had that kind of courage when I was their age.

     Two things got me really pondering the Elders and Sisters who work so hard all of the time.  We had to say goodbye to two of our Elders since both members of the same duo were transferred today.  I think that is easily one of the hardest things about being Mormon and spending time with these incredible kids.  No matter how much you may wish otherwise, eventually they will have to leave.  You become incredibly attached to them in a very short period of time and then you have to say goodbye.  So Elders Garber and Anderson said goodbye today with hugs and pictures.  The other was the weekly blog from the amazing young girl in the pictures.

    She is the daughter of a very dear friend who is currently on her Mission a very very long way from home.  She is living in conditions that are a far cry from the ones that she experienced growing up.  (Cold water showers from a bucket.  Brrrrr.)  Given the almost insane level of entitlement so many young people have today with wanting the latest Iphone or the hottest new tablet, I think most people would be amazed that she would willingly give all that up for many months to leave her home and family so that she can help others.

     I jokingly tell people that even if one day I stopped believing in the Church and Heavenly Father, I would probably stay in the Mormon Church.  Even if I somehow came to feel that our Modern Prophet did not receive revelations from God, I would keep attending Church and doing everything I could to help.  

     The reason for this is that (and keep in mind I have had experiences with many different faiths over the decades) the Mormon People are some of the kindest, most loving people I have ever met.  They go out of their way over and over again doing everything they can to help people, even people not of their faith.  From almost the day they are born, they are taught that the best way to live a good life is to help others.  I see this everyday when ever I am with anyone of my Faith.

     I am new to the Faith.  It has been less than a year since my Wife and I were Baptized.  I admit that I have not seen everyone in the Church and I concede that there are probably Mormons out there who may be just as jaded and dishonest as the rest of the world.  Matter of fact, the law of averages pretty much promises that is true.  However, all of the people I HAVE met and all of the things that I have experienced so far along this Trek have been amazing and uplifting experiences.  I wouldn't trade a moment of it for anything in the world.

     As long as our Missionaries are among the first people that everyone meets we should be pretty well off.  As long as they are the ones that continue to be shining examples of our Church and Our Faith, I think the best examples will always be set.

     If you want to read about someone who is truly amazing, read Hermana Gisseman's Blog and you will truly be inspired.

I say these things in Jesus' Name

Amen