Missionary Purpose and The Challenge of Change

Our Missionary Purpose

states that we "invite others to come unto Christ by

by helping them to receive the Restored Gospel

through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement,

repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost,

and enduring to the end." Focus at the MTC included

a substitution of "myself" for "others", and the understanding

that "repentance" actually means CHANGE for the better.

During the past two weeks or so, we have had opportunity

to hear testimonies and life stories

(or in one instance receive impressions from a photograph)

that I have found inspiring, for varied reasons

and on different levels. 

Change is on our mind as we make a transition from

the leadership of Pres. & Sis. Blair to new incoming

Pres. & Sis. Beck. The "bend in the road" phrase above was presented

by Sister Coleman, companion of Mission Pres. Counselor,

at a Zone Conference address.

I love what it says about facing change and making a choice.

During our first Sunday in our new Ward in

Merrimack, we listened to the budding testimony of

college student Davis Biddle, whose family had lived

in the ward boundaries previous to his leaving for

college, then transferring to the locale where he was

again within the circle of contact with young people

from the family of former associates

of his parents who are members of the Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Searching for a more spiritual life led him to discussions,

increased friendships, missionary lessons, conversion

and eventual baptism in March of this year.

Bro. Biddle mentioned that his only conflict with

tenets of the Word of Wisdom involved his love for

sweet tea. When the teaching Elders challenged him

to test his faith as described in Moroni 10:4-5, he told them

he would do it, but wanted to wait until the freshly made

gallon of tea in his fridge was consumed. "That's not how

it works," they explained. "You need to show that you believe

and want help to believe by taking action immediately - 

not when it is easiest or more convenient."

This image is of a 10-11 year old girl in the Derry Ward

whose lovely name is Temple Joy.

I have not met her, but as Recorder, I deal with the images

of those completing their convert baptism.

Temple deals with shyness, and that may have led to

her postponing this important day and ordinance beyond the usual

eight years of age. She also was reticent when it came

to having the standard day-of-baptism photo taken.

Instead, this poignant, candid photo was offered to the Mission.

It impressed me and I couldn't get young Temple out of

my mind. With permission from Temple and her father,

I am allowed to share it. For me it displays the tender nature

of each Child of God who comes to the "edge" of this change,

and pauses to reflect and consider what it will mean

to choose to follow Christ.

Life is filled with so many things that are sometimes difficult.

We all have different challenges.

I know that God cares about each of us,

and that the opportunities He and His Son Jesus Christ

extend to us are intended for our benefit and development.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am thy God and will strengthen thee.