When your efforts feel invisible and your calling feels heavy, how do you keep going? This reflection on Alma’s experience in Ammonihah reminds us where joy really comes from — not from results, but from faithful, wholehearted effort.
Category: Missionary Mail
A collection of letters, thoughts, and advice I have shared with missionaries–my own and others–over the years.
“Go Forth from This House…”
Speaking about those preparing to leave on missions, Joseph Smith prayed during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple: “And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels…
ALL Things
The Lord tells us in Doctrine and Covenants 88:6: “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;” ALL. There is nothing that Christ did not descend below. Why did He willingly do that? So He could comprehend ….
Transfers: Smile Because They Happened
Transfers during your mission can be hard, but in the long run they bring a lot of joy.
Small Things
Sometimes we may not see the results of all of our efforts. This might cause us to get discouraged or tired. We may be tempted to give up. But there is a promise made to those who stay the course: “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great…
“Great Things Await You”
Joseph Smith received Section 45 of the Doctrine and Covenants at a time when many were not investigating the Church because of some rumors and misunderstanding about the Church. I don’t know if the Saints were discouraged or what, but the Lord gave them a little glimpse into what lay ahead for them. In verse…
Why the Book of Mormon?
A few weeks ago you mentioned something about so much emphasis on the Book of Mormon. I’ve been thinking a lot about that and some of my thoughts are below. I’ll just focus on three of those for now. The Book of Mormon Is a Second, Clarifying Witness I imagine most of the people you…
“Stay in the Boat”
No matter who or where you are, no matter how or when you struggle—there is always hope.
Qualifying for the Work: “An Eye Single to the Glory of God”
We often hear the phrase “an eye single to the glory of God” associated with what qualifies someone to be a missionary (see D&C 4:5). Yet, the Lord uses the phrase in D&C 27 when explaining what we use as the emblems of the sacrament is not as important as why we do it. “For,…
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