Reflections from some of the first
One Million Missionaries
The week of June 25, 2007 the Church announced it had passed the 1 million mark in the total number of missionaries who have served since 1830.
We know that Joseph Smith’s brother Samuel was the first missionary. He felt he had very little success in his journey – only able to sell one Book of Mormon to Mrs. Green. She passed the copy of the book on to her Brother Brigham Young.
No one knows exactly who the 1 millionth missionary is – nor does it really matter.
Five years ago I did a survey of 145 Returned Missionaries for a university project. Seventy six percent of those I surveyed were Canadians who served missions. Here are some of the comments:
Why did you go on a mission?
Received personal revelation. I needed to go.
Relationship with spirit makes it impossible not to go. (Prospective Missionary)
You go at 19. However, I stayed on my mission to bring souls unto Christ.
Memories from your mission
(list the three that come to your mind)
In Europe. A member came into church one Sunday. She had lost track of the church since World War II (30 years earlier).
Convert first one I taught who was my age – we “grew up together.” Day of baptism she called and said she was glowing.”
Convert – word of wisdom showed article that said one drink a day is healthy. However she said "I will live it because it is a commandment." She threw away dvds that were in appropriate. Would I have done that?”
Contact knew the truth but family and priest stopped her.
Convert. I felt unworthy at the baptism because it was so special.
What is the greatest blessing you received from going on a mission?
“I can now be an example to my son.”
“Future wife would only marry an RM”
“Testimony deeper.”
“Most important convert on my mission was myself.”
“Testimony increased from living and seeing others change.”
“Seeing others change. Nothing else could teach that.”
“Being apart of others lives and seeing them change in most cases for the better. This was something I couldn’t have experienced in any other way. NO PHD or any degree could teach what I learned during those two years, by allowing me to wear the name of the church I was allowed access to so many things and experiences that would never have happened otherwise.
What was your Greatest Challenge on a Mission
-tracting, I was too shy”
“disobedient companions ”
“talk to strangers shy”
“special time (goes fast)”
“exhaustion; sadness that others weren't making good choices”
“Learning to follow the spirit.”
How Did Your Mission Affect Your Personal Spiritual Life?
“The difference in my life is black and white. My life is altered for eternity. I’m scared to think about what I would be like if I hadn’t served a mission;
worldly selfish small testimony. I’m always in awe when I look back and
see how my mission has changed my complete way of thinking and acting.
its amazing what god can do with your life when you turn it over a to him.”
“Without the strength gained on my mission (20 years ago) the trials
of the last five years would have ruined me.”
“Recognize spirit. Heavenly Father can help us daily.”
“Aware of people’s concerns and needs for spirituality.”
“Spiritual Quantum leaps were taken.”
“Before I had a testimony, now I understand.”
“Draw on spiritual experiences. Something to fall back on in weak times.”
“Without it I wouldn’t have what I have now.”
Concluding Question:
A Mission is_____ (fill in the blank)
-There’s no way to explain the joy and growth that comes to a sincere full time missionary. No expression of words gives a mission justice” [coming from one who struggled to be worthy to go]
-Life Changing Experience
-19 year old boys some good some good off
“Learned in 2.25 years what it would have taken 20 years normally.”
“One of the greatest things you can do.”
““A stepping stone to life big step he planned it happened
so many personal blessings received and given”
“Essential to spiritual strength”
“An invaluable experience to be acquired no where else”
“A great experience that can positively effect your life and lives of
family and friends forever”
“An entire life span in miniature”
“A microcosm of life Charles Dickens quote “It was the best of times it was the worst of times.”
“An opportunity to attempt to repay the Lord for his great blessings and to serve his children”
“The most amazing spiritual experience you'll ever have”
“A commandment and a wonderful experience”
“Heavenly Father's way of making a Christ like man of young boy and of finding ready those ready for church”
“A training ground for future leaders in the church”
“A wonderful spiritual feast”
“The hardest most satisfying experience I ever had”
“My goal to go as a retired couple”
“Everything”
“Like nothing you've done before or will do again”
“Eternally perspective changing”
“The greatest way to learn about yourself, life and grow closer to
Father in Heaven”
“Indescribable; has to be experienced”
“An experience that teaches one so much so quickly that could never be learned any other way in one lifetime”
“The best thing you can do for yourself and others at the same time.”
“Best education in the world”
“The lord's university”
“Fun”
“An elevator in the perfecting process”
“Everything you could experience (good, bad and ugly) in just two years”
“An opportunity and privilege that should not be passed up; it is life altering.”
“Great experience, wouldn't give it up for $1million and wouldn't do it again for $1million”
“The most precious sacred work with lots of eternal experiences you
can never have it anywhere but on a mission”
“The most worthwhile and rewarding tough experience you will ever go through”
“The best two years of one’s life.” I’m sorry I hate to say such as hackeneyed cheeseball phrase, but it really is an amazing experience if you allow it to be.”
