Why would young people want to give up two years of their lives to become a missionary representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The best explanation I can think of is found in the moral behind the classic story penned by Mary Mapes Dodge. "The Story of Haarlem", in which a little boy discovers a leak in the sea wall. He selflessly puts his finger into the hole, to plug the leak until help arrives.
In a similar way these young missionaries choose to serve, without thought for themselves. They have found something of value in their lives and desire to share. They gain no monetary reward, in fact they pay their own way. They gain no increased social standing in their congregations and willingly put their lives on hold for 2 years.
So what can be so important as to motivate at present 80,000+ young people to share.
The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us where we came from, why we are here and where we are going. Knowing the answers to these three basic questions puts a whole new perspective on our lives. In fact the miracle is, IT CHANGES LIVES.
Imagine a world where everyone understands and accepts every other living person as a Spirit brother or sister of a loving Heavenly Father. A world where everyone grasps that we were sent to this earth by a caring Heavenly Father to learn and grow, much like parents here send their children to school. Imagine life knowing that we can see and be with our loved ones after our time on earth.
The missionaries you will meet can tell you how to find out all these things for yourself. Their greatest joy is seeing the joy in others. There are not many groups of young people that can say that!
It’s hard to move forward when you don’t know where you’re headed or why. God’s plan gives us the answers to life’s most basic questions like, "Where did I come from?" "What’s my purpose here?" And, "What happens when I die?" Knowing the answers gives us hope and helps us find peace and joy.
Click HERE to learn more about this plan
So next time you bump into a pair of Mormon missionaries, have a chat and remember,
they could be thousands of miles from home.
So next time you bump into a pair of Mormon missionaries, have a chat and remember,
they could be thousands of miles from home.
