Four years ago, I left for my LDS mission to Arizona. I was called to the Scottsdale mission. On this anniversary I am thinking back on my mission and one big question that keeps coming to my mind. Does the Lord accept my service? This is a question many missionaries have when coming home and often the answers are personal and spiritual. Other times the answer is subtle and often unrecognizable. It can be easy to look at success as how many people you baptized and how many people came back to church. However, now that I am back from my mission I have changed my perspective and idea on this subject. I am one of those that has received subtle promptings and impressions, but I haven’t really received a for sure answer on what makes an acceptable mission. . . until now.

While pondering I had a distinct impression from the Spirit. I felt impressed to look back on what I learned from your mission. Did I change for the better? Did I come closer to Christ? Have I become converted to the Gospel? These questions are what every returned missionary should ask themselves. In D&C 18:15 we learn more about where our Joy and acceptance comes from.

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

With this scripture in mind I want to share what I have learned from each area I served it. In a mission for the LDS church we are assigned to different areas within a mission. I served in 4 different areas within my two-year mission.

Scottsdale, AZ

The first area I served in was in Scottsdale, AZ. I was a brand-new missionary with no idea what I was getting myself into. I was new, green and ready to talk to everyone. I was very quickly humbled through denial, pushback and disappointment brought on by others. This was one of the harder points in my mission. I don’t want to focus on the disappointment, but focus on the light I found here.

This light was imminent in the members, my missionary leaders and investigators we were teaching. I learned through these hardships how to rely on the Lord and his Spirit. I learned how to find joy in each day and love the people we are around. I began to see people as children of God and our brothers and sisters. I started to see the good in those around me.

My trainer taught me during this time the importance of truly knowing the scriptures. He taught me the importance of knowing what we are teaching and then have scriptures to back these doctrines and principles up. This love of learning the scriptures carried on and helped me through the rest of my mission.

In this part of my mission I began to fall even more in love with family history and genealogy. I learned the power that family history has on opening the hearts of those whose hearts might otherwise be closed. Through family history testimonies where solidified and strengthened. After three months of serving here it was time for me to go up to White Mountains.

Eagar/Springerville

Moving up to Eagar/Springerville changed my life. This area has some of the brightest, faithful, friendliest and down to earth people I have ever met. In this area I learned the power of righteous priesthood holders. There where so many great examples of a man doing his duty and fulfilling his responsibilities. If someone committed to do something you can be pretty sure that it will get done. This influenced me greatly and sparked a desire to be that kind of priesthood holder in my own life and wherever I go after my mission.

In this area I learned the power of service and how it has the power to change hearts. It may not happen right away, but it is a process. I served in this area for almost 8 months and had plenty of different companions here. Some had conflicting personalities, yet we each had the same purpose of being there. This purpose was to serve those in this community and to bring others unto Christ. With these different companionships I can easily say that I learned something different from each one, but they always centered around our purpose as missionaries.

One final thing I learned from serving here is the power of love and how its influence can reach past time and events. There will always be a special place in my heart for these people and all the areas I served in. I love that I still can keep in contact with these individuals and show my love for them. It doesn’t take a lot of energy to show your love and it can make the biggest difference. This is how missionary work should be done, out of love for those you meet. It is so important to look at others through the eyes of Christ. When we do than we can see the potential everyone has.

Taylor

The next area I moved to was Taylor, AZ which is about an hour away from Eagar. I would say the number one lesson I learned in this area is patients. Though I did not have a single baptism while I was in this area, seeds were planted and hearts where changed. There was a couple that I was working with there for the entire six months I was there. They were baptized about two months after I left that area. They took a little longer in learning the gospel and understanding the doctrines, but kept progressing in their understanding of the gospel each time we met. It was amazing to be a part of their conversion and see the change each week as they made changes and commitments towards living the gospel.

Another amazing lesson I was there are those closest to you that need your help. Whether it is missionary companions, family members or close friends, there are those that are placed in your path that need the help that only you personally can bring. This is seen through all the companions I had, but especially in the companionships during my time in Taylor. They were the perfect people to help me and vice versa. They either had the right personality or talents that benefited me and helped me progress. This went the other way as I was the perfect person to help them.

Pinetop/Lakeside/McNary

The final area I served in was Pinetop-Lakeside and McNary which is a part of the Apache Indian Reservation. This was my longest stay in an area. I was here for nine months. In this area I had the opportunity of really coming to know and love people of all walks of life. I truly came to see people as God’s children and as special spirits. Everyone is unique and offers something different. We each contribute to this world of ours and make it a better and brighter place.

I learned also that is important to become friends and gain trust with others. We all can easily pick out people that are doing something out of routine and not out of love. When we truly love others, they can feel it as well. Then they will be more receptive to messages and commitments that you give them. It hurts when individuals you love are making bad choices, but you still love them no matter what. That is very important.

As you can see our missions are not always defined by how many baptisms we have, but it is also defined by how we are changed and how we apply what we learn. Our missions are just for a small moment, but affect us forever. I am working on learning from my mission and becoming a better individual, son, friend and human being. We all can make this world a brighter and happier place. Let’s go out and serve!

What lessons have you learned from your mission? We all can learn from other experiences. Share, Like and Comment down below!