Motto of The Maryland Baltimore Mission
Sister Lindsay and I have grown fond of the young men and women who serve with us as full time missionaries in The Maryland Baltimore Mission and respect them for their love of the gospel and devotion to the cause of bringing souls to Christ. From the time these young adults get up in the morning at 6:30 until they go to bed at 10:30 at night, their waking hours are filled with prayer, scripture study, searching for people to share the message of the restored gospel, teaching appointments, service to others, and follow-up contacts with investigators. Regardless of the weather or how tired they might be, the elders and sisters are out and about fulfilling their stewardship as authorized representatives of Jesus Christ. Their collective attitude is best expressed in the words of Alma found in the scriptures:
O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. (Alma 29:1-3)
The longer we serve as senior missionaries, the more we are able to see these young people mature and grow into dedicated servants of the Lord through their committed service and sacrifice. Every six weeks there is a day of transfer in the mission, which not only involves moving missionaries from one proselyting area to another; but it is also the time when new elders and sisters arrive in the mission field while others who have completed their errand for the Lord go home. The motto of The Maryland Baltimore Mission for each missionary is to return home with honor, which is only possible through faithful service and obedience to living Church standards.
Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve tells us "when faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness. The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness. But true faith, faith unto salvation, is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ, faith in His doctrines and teachings, faith in the prophetic guidance of the Lord’s anointed, faith in the capacity to discover hidden characteristics and traits that can transform life. Truly, faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power."
Missionaries learn to trust Heavenly Father for their daily bread . . . I'm not speaking of physical food but of spiritual guidance that will lead them to the pure in heart, so they can nourish others with the Word of God. The young elders and sisters are unique children of God, and Heavenly Father knows them individually. As they are faithful in performing their work, He blesses them with messages of encouragement, correction, and direction that are fitted to their specific needs. Small wonder then that when a missionary returns home, he or she is a much different person than when he first arrived in the mission.
Although it is difficult for us to say goodbye to departing missionaries who have served well, we know that they can return home with honor because they have learned that faith and character are intimately related. Quoting Elder Scott again, "Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith." What a blessing to have served with such marvelous young people who are the future leaders of the Church and in the communities where they will live.
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