Singing sensation David Archuleta, whose second-place finish in the 2007-2008 American Idol competition made a star out of the wholesome then-16-year-old with the amazing voice, has put his lucrative career on hold to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is sometimes referred to as the “Mormon Church” in the media. Archuleta, now 21, is at the age when most young Mormon men leave their families, friends, education, and careers behind to serve for two years at their own expense, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in one of over 340 missions world-wide. Sources close to Archuleta say that he will be serving in Chile.

Mormons believe strongly in the admonition of Jesus Christ to his early apostles to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mormon missionaries have been sent out regularly since the earliest days of the Church’s existence. Currently, the Church has over 55,000 full-time missionaries serving throughout the world, with another 22,000 in various Church-service missions such as providing humanitarian aid or acting as guides at historic sites. Since the 1960s, every worthy and able young man has been encouraged to serve as a missionary during young adulthood, and many young women serve as well. Archuleta’s sacrifice in putting his career on hold for two years to serve a mission at his own expense is just one example of the many sacrifices made by young Mormon men and women as they choose to spend their time and money in the service of God.

The Missionary Training Center

Archuleta’s missionary service will begin with a four- to eight-week stint in one of the Church’s Missionary Training Centers (MTC for short), where he will study Spanish, Mormon doctrine, and teaching methods. Missionaries find the MTC to be a challenging and rewarding experience, full of spiritual and intellectual growth. They have the opportunity to learn from Church leaders and even to sing from time to time, as was demonstrated by Archuleta’s brief appearance as a member of a large MTC choir during the Church’s recent General Conference. Mostly, however, a missionary’s time in the MTC is a period of intense training in preparation for their assignment to teach the gospel to those who will hear their message.

After the MTC, missionaries are flown to the area of the world where they will serve. Greeted by their Mission President at the airport, they are assigned a companion, usually one who has been in the area for a while and is comfortable with the language and with the missionary lifestyle. They are then sent out with their companion to settle in to an apartment and begin preaching the gospel. It can be a little overwhelming to a new missionary to attempt to communicate in a new language, which frequently seems to bear little resemblance to the language they just studied at the MTC, and adjust to a new culture. Nevertheless, most new missionaries quickly develop a deep love for the people they serve that overcomes their cultural and language difficulties.

Giving Back to God

David Archuleta, like many Mormon missionaries, views his missionary service as a chance to develop a closer relationship with his Heavenly Father, and to “give something back” for the many blessings he has received. Archuleta has asked his fans to honor his choice to serve a mission by respecting his privacy and allowing him some personal time with God. In a video blog released just before leaving on his mission, Archuleta spoke about his desire for privacy as he begins his time of dedicated service to the Lord:

It’s a decision everyone knows about, but it’s a very personal thing. I wanted to keep it that way, so I hope you guys respect that. I’ve been able to bring you guys on this journey so far, but I hope that you guys will respect that this will be more of a personal thing; that I’m trying to focus on something else now, not my career, not trying to do music.

During his farewell address to members of his local congregation in Salt Lake City, David Archuleta sang an old Mormon hymn about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation:

The Spirit Of God

The spirit of God like a fire is burning;

The latter-day glory begins to come forth.

The visions and blessings of old are returning,

And angels are coming to visit the earth.

We’ll sing and we’ll shout with the armies of heaven

Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb.

Let glory to them in the highest be given,

Henceforth, and forever, Amen and amen!

According to one source, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The people of Chile are lucky to have such a talented, amazing young man sacrifice his time, money, and talents to come and teach them about Jesus Christ. Maybe they’ll even get to hear him sing.

Additional Resources:

David Archuleta’s final video blog to his fans

Contact Mormon Missionaries

David Archuleta singing with an MTC Choir

The Missionary Training Center

http://meetmormonmissionaries-org.en.elds.org/?p=1228

Two missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, the “Mormon Church“) were killed in a tragic hit-and-run accident while riding their bikes in Donna, Texas. Elder Trevor R. Strong, and Elder Derek Jason Walker were killed. Elder Strong had extended his mission and only had about 3 weeks left before he was coming home from his mission. The two missionaries were faithfully serving the Lord and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the McAllen, Texas Mission . Elder Russel M. Nelson, an apostle of Jesus Christ for the Church, was in attendance at Elder Strong’s funeral. Elder Nelson said that Elder Walker “has been transferred — he is still a missionary.” He spoke words of comfort to the family.

Elder Nelson said that Elder Strong “was dutifully and completely on his errand from the Lord. He was a missionary in the loftiest sense of the word.”

For Elder Strong, missionary work continues on the other side of the veil, Elder Nelson said. Still, the Lord understands the pain of those mourning the loss of Elder Strong. “Our tears testify of our love for this wonderful, exemplary elder,” Elder Nelson said. “Your Redeemer knows exactly how you feel.”

Although Elder Strong was killed a week after he was originally scheduled to return home from his mission, Elder Nelson urged the Strong family to “not torture yourself with ‘what if’ questions.”

“To get through this,” he said, “we need to couple forgiveness with faith … be faithful … live our religion … and one day you will see Trevor as he is: a brother, a saint, and a son of the living God.”

The knowledge that death is not the end of this life, and that families can be united together in the next life, gave both families of the tragedy much comfort. Elder Strong’s oldest brother David Strong said, “Because of our Heavenly Father’s plan, we haven’t lost anything. It will be just a little while longer before we see Trevor again. But we know where he is, and what he is doing.” Mormons believe that through Jesus Christ and His gospel, we all will be resurrected and have the opportunity to live with our families again in the next life in an eternal relationship. This doctrine brings peace to many saints who mourn. It is a message that Mormons wish to share with all the world.

Elder Walker’s funeral was on the same day in Fairfield, Idaho. Again the spirit of the funeral was focused on the hope of God’s plan of happiness for all of us. Elder Cardon a member of theSeventy, which is a group Mormon leaders who oversee different areas of the Church in the world, expressed love and appreciation for the plan of salvation of our Heavenly Father that allows families to be together again. Elder Walker’s father:

expressed his gratitude for all the people who had reached out to his family. “There are not words enough to express the peace that I feel,” he said. “We know that you grieve with us, but we also want you to rejoice with us.”

He said that there was peace in knowing his son had given his life while doing God’s work. “We know he was doing what he was supposed to be doing, where he was supposed to be doing it, in the way that it was supposed to be done,” he said. 

For a full report on this story, please visit Deseret News.

Please visit the Mormon news official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to read the Church’s statement on the deaths of the missionaries.

Since I was a little kid, I have always felt strongly and talked about going on a mission when I was old enough. It was something that I was sure I was doing, and because of that, it was something my parents felt sure about too. But something changed when I got older. When I hit the age of seventeen or so, I just didn’t feel like a mission was something that was right for me. So, like everything else in my life that I didn’t think too much about, I pushed the thought aside, only to have it brought up every once in while by my father. My father and I are a lot a like in many ways, and sometimes, I think that scares him. He could see that my behavior was just like his when he was my age, and serving a mission changed his life.

For years, my father would tell me that I should go on a mission, but instead I joined the Army. Even while I was in training and when I got home, my father persisted in his belief that I should serve. Five years after I got home from Army training, my dad and I were sitting at a table at a pancake restaurant. With a hopeful look on his face, he caught my eye across the table, and like he had so many other times, stated. “I really feel like you should go on a mission.” And like so many other times, I sighed and rolled my eyes a little, when a thought came in to my head. I made a pact with my dad, that for 3 weeks, we would be the best, spiritually, that we could. Then at the end of the three weeks, with the New Year coming, I would receive my yearly father’s blessing. If it says in my blessing that I am supposed to go on a mission, then I will go. My father agreed, a bit timidly, and we shook on it.

After three weeks of preparing, I came over to his house on a Sunday evening, ready for whatever answer I was going to get. Finally, the moment had arrived. I received a blessing from my father, who’s a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder, and got a confirmation that I WAS supposed to go on a mission. Also, in the blessing, I was told that the reason I didn’t feel it was right before, was because it wasn’t. People that I’m supposed to find and bring into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were not ready for me then, but they are now.

The next day, I made an appointment with the bishop of my congregation and got started on preparing for a mission. But it wasn’t as easy of a process as I had thought it would be. There were complications and simple things that were missed, over and over again, delaying my time that I could have been in the mission field. It was getting overwhelming and stressful, to the point where I wanted to give up and just not go on my mission. On one particularly stressful night, I got down on my knees and prayed for strength and for patience. A part of my blessing started to play over and over again in my mind, like a broken record. “The timing will be just right, everything will fall into place.”

And so far, it has. I have received my mission call, to an area that I least expected, but I’m excited none-the-less. I think that the problem I had, and that many children of my generation and a little younger have, is that we’re lazy. It’s as simple as that. We’re too lazy to do the things that we need to do, and to be patient for the result. I would like to take a moment to speak with the members and future members of the Church. There is a reason, my dear brothers and sisters, that I tell you my story of becoming a missionary. I want to show you, how long the process can take sometimes, and how to find answers when you need them. I also want to express to you, that a mission is only 15% about you and your growth. The other 85% is about those people who have no knowledge of the gospel. They live in the dark at noonday, hoping that someone will lead them to the light of the Lord. That someone could be me, and it could be you. If you are a member now, or if you’re becoming a member, I urge you to pray about whether a mission for the Mormon Church, and being a missionary of God, is the right thing for you. You may or may not get the answer that you want, or expect, but I promise you that it will be the answer that you need.

Additional Resources:

New York Times: Mormon Missionaries in Uganda

On October 25, 2002, late prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley, addressed Mormon missionaries serving in Philadelphia.  A main thrust of President Hinckley’s message was for the missionaries to live and teach by the spirit — the Holy Ghost — which enlightens, edifies and witnesses of the truth.  Short excerpts of his discourse follow:

…lift your heads out of the book—instead of just quoting from rote, to speak by the power and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and in so doing to speak into the hearts of the people. In this city of brotherly love, where people are so mean and unfriendly and have dogs that bark at you and all of those things, you just have to rely on the Spirit of the Lord, and you won’t have that Spirit unless you ask for it and work for it. I believe that with all my heart.

“And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name” (D&C 42:6).

I was holding a meeting of this kind once with President Henry D. Moyle in Chicago. We had two missions there and a great crowd of people in that hall, and we went on all day. When we separated for a break, I went out and walked around in the lobby, and a fine stylish-looking woman said, “Who in the world is this group in there, all dressed in black suits?” And I said, “They are Mormon missionaries.” She said, “They look like angels dressed in black.”

“And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (D&C 42:14).

… when you pray, do you really ask the Lord, as His servants, to speak through you, to let His power rest upon you and let the Holy Ghost bear witness to the people as you testify to them? Do you really pray that way? Have you really learned to plead with the Lord as if your very life depended upon it? It is necessary because your very life does depend on it, my brethren and sisters—your life as a missionary of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

You can’t afford to be lazy. You can’t afford not to get up in the morning. You cannot afford not to study the prophets of old. You cannot afford not to be acquainted with them and their great work. You cannot afford not to get along with your companion. You cannot afford to be thinking all the time of the girl you left at home. She is home. You are here. She has her work to do, and you have your work to do, and it is pretty important, and you only have two years in which to do it—you young ladies, a year and a half; you old people, as long as you can take it.

Now, I make you a promise. If you will give it the very best you have, you will never get over it. I told this ambassador the other day that the nations of Europe will never have better friends in the United States than the young men and young women who have served as representatives of this Church in those nations. They did not go as tourists. They went as messengers of peace into the homes of the people, where they learned to know them and love them and appreciate them and respect them. And they will never lose their love for them.

I make a promise to you that you will never lose your love for the wonderful people of the areas in which you serve. May God bless you, my dear friends, brothers and sisters, co-workers in this great undertaking, is my humble prayer as I leave with you my witness and testimony of the truth, the absolute truth of this great and singular thing, different from all other things on the face of the earth—the Church and kingdom of God, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of this I testify as I leave my love with you, in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.

By Kim W. Nelson.

Every Mormon missionary gains an appreciation for the areas where they serve. For most, their mission, no matter where it is, becomes a new adoptive home. I was in awe of the beauty, the culture, and history of my new homeland, Germany. I gained an even greater appreciation, however, for the German people. In particular, the members of the church had a remarkable influence on me. I reserve a special place in my heart for those good people to this day. One member comes to mind that instilled this love for the German saints in a very different way.

While serving in Nürnberg, I was the junior companion to Dave Williams the Zone Leader. We met regularly with the local district in their weekly meeting, which was under the direction of District Leader, Alan Hackney. I enjoyed listening to Brother Hackney because his thick Kentucky southern drawl had a way of softening the German language in an almost melodic way. Each agenda included assignments for dinner invitations from the local members. Of course the prospect of an authentic German home cooked meal was always welcomed by any missionary.

There was one invitation, however, that was always filled more out of a sense of duty than pleasure. Brother Jurowatti was an octogenarian war pensioner and widower of very simple means. He had a standing monthly lunch date that the missionaries were invited to.

President and Sister Gunther had thoroughly instructed us on many do’s and don’ts. One of the ultimate insults (beleidigung) we were told, would be to turn down a German’s invitation to eat when they offer or to leave food on your plate.

Brother Jurowatti was not just old school… he was closer to Old Testament,  and as such, any seasoned missionary knew that he would have this beleidigung thing notched up to an art form if the missionaries didn’t show up. Brother Hackney understood the gravity of the situation and, as the District Leader, made double sure that someone would always take a turn to be there even though what was served would not be the most appetizing.

The Jurowatti menu was simple and very predictable. As such, the missionaries had affectionately given the limited menu items fancy names. For example; one standard fair was titled: ‘Reis Ueberlauf’. I was told this consisted of steamed rice that had been portioned out on a serving plate early in the morning to allow it to cool. At meal time, Brother Jurowatti would pour canned (woody) peaches over the rice and then sprinkle hard crusty raisins over the top. Missionaries would also be served a single glass of room temperature apfel saft (apple juice) to wash it all down. As the missionaries consumed this epicurean delight there would be expressions of ‘bitte’, ‘das schmecht gut!’, ‘wunderbar!’ etc. Sincerity was generally the one thing a good elder could fake the best. When the missionaries cleaned their plates the host, as was the custom, would offer a second helping. The missionaries would graciously but insistently decline the offer.

Brother  Hackney, was  very adept at making sure that each missionary received the opportunity to dine with Brother Jurowatti. I had become very skilled at avoiding the opportunity…until one particular day there was a back room deal that madesure I would be Brother Jurowatti’s next guest. The calendar had mysteriously been altered. Everyone had obligations on the day in question except me and a poor unsuspecting green elder, Bruder Watts, who would be doing splits with me.

I was told that because of my perceived importance (I was the junior companion to the Zone Leader, Dave Williams) I would probably receive Brother Jurowatti’s ‘best dish’, ‘Fett’.

‘What’s that?’ I inquired.

‘You’ll know it when you see it’ I was told.

We arrived at Bruder Jurowatti’s at the appointed hour, knocked once, and were enthusiastically greeted by our host. Bruder Jurowatti was much more animated and outgoing than at church…even the most casual observer could tell he was sincerely honored to have us in his home. As we were invited into the simple three room apartment, our gaze fell upon the linen draped table with three place settings. We were directed to our chairs, I was asked to give a blessing on the food then Bruder Jurowatti rose, declining our offers to help, and gingerly hobbled into the kitchen to get the food. He reappeared with two plates which he placed in front of each of us. Boiled pig knuckles, with bristles of hair protruding from the skin somehow looked out of place on a plate for human consumption. The cold congealed grease at the base of the grisly meat added to the effect. Yes, I knew ‘Fett’ when I saw it.  As he made his next trip to the kitchen he told us he had cooked it the night before and had kept it in the Kuhlschrank overnight. “Bitte, bitte, essen.”, he motioned admonishing us to start without him, as he returned with his plate. He placed his serving of ‘fett’ on the table, returned again to the kitchen, explaining as he went back and forth, that the Metzger gives him a good deal on the meat. I noted with some chagrin that our portions were more generous than our host’s.

I did not want to be the poor Elder that tested the long standing beleidigung tradition…so I proceeded with what I was obliged to do. The ‘fett’ jiggled slightly as I sank my fork into it, and… I started to eat. I remember thinking that somewhere in my short life I’d had worse…I just couldn’t recall what or when it was. One glance at Bruder Watts, who was waiting on my lead, spoke volumes. His complexion’s color wheel was dialed back several shades but he followed my lead and began to eat. As Bruder Jurowatti went back to the kitchen for apfel saft I waited for him to turn the corner. With him out of my plane of view, I quickly bare handed the biggest piece of ‘fett’ and stuffed it into my jacket pocket. Bruder Watts’ eyes grew to the size of saucers, he quickly glanced toward the kitchen, saw he was clear, and followed suit. Returning, Bruder Jurowatti  poured the apfel saft as we each chewed vigorously and commenced with the obligatory ‘danke’, ‘das schmecht gut’, and ‘wundershoerns’. Our host noticed how we seemed to be enjoying the main plate as each trip back from the kitchen, first with steamed kartoffeln (potatoes) then with steamed kohl (cabbage) our portions were noticeably smaller.

All the food was now on the table and our host sat down to enjoy the meal with us. Our servings of ‘fett’ had diminished appreciably, due in large part, to secreting what we could into our pockets. It was now obvious, however, with our host seated at the table, the plates would have to be cleaned up by a more traditional means: We were going to have to eat what remained.

Between mouthfuls we talked about missionary work, our families and other related matters the entire time interlacing our conversation with compliments to the chef. I soon discovered that if I had more  kartoffeln or kohl in my mouth than ‘fett’ it would neutralize the effects of the offending food.  Bruder Watts proved to be a quick study as it became apparent that he had made the same discovery and a subtle battle ensued over who could get more kartoffeln and kohl to help diffuse the gastronomic disaster we were experiencing.  One glass of apfel saft couldn’t wash this down but we knew better than to ask for more so we sipped it carefully. I don’t believe I’ve had more satisfaction from any single glass of refreshment before or since.

Midway through the meal it dawned on me that ‘fett’ and suit coats weren’t the best combination. Sister Gunther always instructed us on proper decorum and manners and had told us we were to carry a clean handkerchief with us at all times. ‘I need to wrap my handkerchief around the ‘fett’, I thought. I pulled the handkerchief from my pants pocket and in one smooth motion, touched my nose, lightly brushed the beads of perspiration from my brow, and deftly wrapped it around the ‘fett’ in my jacket pocket. I doubt that Sister Gunther’s admonition to always carry a clean handkerchief ever anticipated such utility.

Finally, we were done. As always, we were asked if we would like more. When I said I couldn’t eat another bite, it was the absolute truth! We thanked our host and with all the dignity and grace we could muster and made a hasty departure.

When we got far enough away to not be seen or heard we both shared a common concern that our queasiness could violently erupt at any moment. We agreed that anything that unpleasant going down would certainly be worse coming up. I briefly thought there could be potential for losing the respect of a new missionary but the fear of losing my lunch overrode that moment of valor. We decided that too much activity was not a good thing so we returned to the wohnung (apartment) for some much needed ‘scripture study’. Later in the day, our stomachs had settled down enough for limited activity. We un-wrapped the ‘fett’ and took a picture of it.

I will never forget that meal….but not for the obvious reasons.

This humble Saint, of simple means honored us with his best offering…he couldn’t afford even the most modestly priced cuts of meat. Our meal stretched his meager means.

Brother Jurowatti saw us as those servants spoken of by Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith to Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7) He consecrated what little he had to the Lord and the Lord’s servants. Brother Jurowatti saw us as special witnesses of Jesus Christ and was honored to have us in his home. He loved the missionaries….they had brought him that wonderful message that had changed his life and had given him hope in the poorest of circumstances. Brother Jurowatti held us at a level of esteem I could only hope to be worthy of. No magistrate or dignitary was ever served a finer meal with more pomp or circumstance. I only hope to see him again. I owe that good brother a heart-felt sincere thanks for such a magnificent feast.

As a missionary, I learned that the German Saints have a deep love of Christ, an enduring love of His message and a profound love for His messengers. I will be forever grateful for the way they opened their hearts and lives to me while I served my mission.

By Kyle.

I grew up hearing great things about serving a Mormon mission. I had heard the amazing stories and experiences of friends who had gone before me. Almost everyone who had served described it as one of the best experiences of their lives. I just expected that if I went I was going to have those same things to say afterward.

I was assigned to serve in the England Birmingham Mission, and unlike some of my friends who had to learn new languages, I simply had to adjust to some new accents and a couple new words. I thought it would be easy. I had become quite skilled at public speaking while growing up and felt I also had a solid knowledge of the scriputres and the Church. I was confident that I could teach and open the eyes of anyone.

Wrong.
I was humbled faster than you can imagine. I quickly realized my weaknesses, as they were made known in almost every situation I was placed in during the first few days. I can remember coming home one night after spending all day talking to people who did not want to listen to me and who seemed to not like me before even meeting me. I was frustrated and wondered how I was going to keep this up for two years. I thought about all the great stories I had heard and wondered why things weren’t exactly like I had heard.

I knelt down in prayer and pleaded for help. I finally recognized that if I was going to make any kind of difference, that I was not going to be able to do this alone. The skills I thought I had and my knowledge was not enough. This was a turning point not just on my mission but in my life.

The relationship I currently share with my Father in Heaven is much different than it once was. Serving a mission helped me to understand that I need to rely heavily on Him for strength and for the ability to do those things required of me in all aspects of my life. I know that He loves me and wants me to be happy. I feel that those humbling experiences on my mission helped me to develop a much deeper relationship with God. All those great experiences I had on my mission I attribute to my willingness to finally turn my life over to Him.

“HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT OUR THOUGHTS, HIS WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS”

By Karisna.

We can’t really fathom what our Father in Heaven is thinking, because His thoughts are not our thoughts; His ways are not our ways.”

When I was a child, I loved to dream. Having been brought up by a father who was deeply rooted in the Catholic faith, my first dream was to become a Catholic nun. I always loved seeing nuns in their habits and loved seeing how people reverenced them. Another reason I wanted to be a nun is simple: I love God. I wanted to offer my life to Him for all the goodness He had given me, for the family He gave me, and the lists goes on and on.

When I told my older sister about my dream, she told me that if I became a nun, I would be locked up in a convent and would never be able to see my father or mother again! Imagine the horror that brought to my six-year-old mind. So, becoming a nun was taken off of my dream list. I am the youngest in my family, which is why I am particularly attached to my parents, especially to my father. My young mind could not fathom never seeing them again.

My father was in the military, so I grew up on military bases with the sound of men jogging in the wee hours of the morning serving as our alarm clock. Men in military uniforms was a normal sight for me, and Hummers were like school buses to all the children of the men in service. The soldiers became my instant heroes, because they fought hard for the security and the safety of the Filipino people. I admired their valor and courage. I admired them because their leader was my own father. I said to myself, “I want to become a soldier too, like my father. I want to follow his footsteps. I want to enter and study at the prestigious Philippine Military Academy, where my father graduated. I want to defend my friends and family.” However, when I verbalized my dream to others, I was bombarded with negative responses. So becoming a soldier was crossed off of my dream list.

Finally I said to myself, “This time I am sure; I am going to be a doctor.” I wanted to become a doctor because when I saw those kids in Africa on the television, my heart just went out to them. I wanted to help them. I wanted to find the cure for AIDS and make many people’s lives better. My family finally approved of my dream.

Everything was going great. I was in my senior year of high school, excited to finish so that I could start my pre-med courses. I had already envisioned myself attending my dream college, excelling in my program. Then I received the most devastating news of my life: my father had cancer. The news broke me to pieces. I received this news shortly after the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. America lamented over the loss of thousands of lives, and I felt the same despair and loss in my own life.

My mother asked me, for practical reasons, to forgo medical school and just take up nursing, because becoming a doctor was extremely expensive, and my parents simply couldn’t afford it with my father having colon cancer. I cried buckets of tears that night. For so many years I had held on to that dream; then it was simply fading away from me.

My father passed away in May 2003. The one thing he taught me that I will never ever forget is to never ask God why this happened to our family and to never ask why, of all people, my father had cancer. My father taught me to be faithful to the end. His teaching me this faith was the very reason it was so easy for me to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ as it was taught to me by Mormon missionaries in December 2004. I was baptized March 20, 2005, and was confirmed the following week.

I never really thought about my past dreams until I became a full-time missionary, for which I patiently waited, fasted, and prayed about for three years, when my mother finally allowed me to go.

During the last weeks of my mission, I remembered my dreams, and I cried again because I realized I had become what I had always wanted to become. God does answer prayers.

For eighteen months,  I became a “nun.” I was called Sister Sesante, and  I wore skirt-and-blouse combinations which became my “habit.” I became a soldier of truth, defending truth and righteousness for Jesus Christ every day. I did not have the weapons of a soldier, but rather my complete set of scriptures and my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though I did not become a doctor like I always wanted, I became a nurse, and for eighteen months as I was an assistant to the greatest Physician in the world, Jesus Christ.

This is why I truly believe that we have a living God, our dear Father in Heaven, who loves us so much. I testify of His goodness. I know everything happens for a reason. I know that better understanding His Plan of Salvation will help each and everyone of us look at trials and adversities with a brighter hope. I know for a surety that we really can not comprehend what the Lord can comprehend.

Members of the Mormon Church believe that Jesus Christ has commanded them to take the Gospel to every creature, to every nation, tongue and people.

To do this, the Mormon Church has the largest missionary force of any church. Nearly 55,000 at given moment are preaching the message of the Gospel as restored through living prophets like Joseph Smith.

Many people have misunderstandings or misconceptions about Mormon missionaries and what they teach. This site discusses what Mormon missionaries do as they seek to teach others about their beliefs and what those beliefs are.

What will they do when they visit me?

Some people find it scary or strange to have two young men or women come into their home and begin talking about religion with their family. For many people, religion is a very personal matter and talking about it with strangers is a new experience. Most Mormon Missionaries know this and will try to make you feel comfortable. You should feel free to express your feelings and beliefs with the missionaries. Mormons believe that it is important to openly and honestly share thoughts and questions about religious beliefs, so that we can understand one another and learn better. (Read more)

What will they teach?

When the Mormon Missionaries come into your home, they will want to teach you about their beliefs and invite you to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They will eventually invite you attend Mormon Church services with them and be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We invite you to listen to the missionaries as they teach their lessons about God, Jesus Christ, prophets, and the plan of salvation. (Read more)

Eighteen LDS missionaries from the San Antonio Texas Mission sing the National Anthem before the Spurs/Jazz game on April 9th, 2011:

What will the Mormon Missionaries do when

they visit me and my family?

Some people find it scary or strange to have two young men or women come into their home and begin talking about religion with their family.  For many people, religion is a very personal matter and talking about it with strangers is a new experience.  Most Mormon Missionaries know this and will try to make you feel comfortable.  You should feel free to express your feelings and beliefs with the missionaries.  Mormons believe that it is important to openly and honestly share thoughts and questions about religious beliefs, so that we can understand one another and learn.

Most likely your missionaries will want to get to know you better in order to understand what you believe about God and Jesus Christ now.  You should share your beliefs openly, but without confrontation, just as the missionaries will share their beliefs.  They will also want to know about your family and about you since it becomes easier to talk with someone when you find that you share common ground.  Since the Mormon Church does not have professional clergy, its leaders and missionaries know what it is like to have a family and to work for a living.

The missionaries will want to meet with your whole family, if possible, since Mormons believe that strong families are important and that a message as important as the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be shared with everyone.  Every time they meet with you, the missionaries will want to pray so as to invite the Spirit of God to the meeting.  They will share with you the beliefs and teachings of the Mormon Church and invite you to share your thoughts and feelings about them. (See “What will the Mormon Missionaries teach me?”).

Finally, the missionaries will invite you to study these teachings on your own by reading the Book of Mormon and other literature. Mormons believe that everyone should find out for themselves if the message is true, and you can only do this by reading the Book of Mormon and pondering on the message you have heard for yourselves.  No doubt the missionaries will share with you a famous passage in the Book of Mormon that says:

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.  And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:3-5, pg 529)

This invites everyone to ponder, reflect on God’s glory, and only after studying the doctrines and teachings in your mind and heart, ask God through prayer whether or not it is true.  Only God can tell you that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and He will do this by the power of the Holy Ghost, sometimes called the Holy Spirit.

How will I know when God answers me through the Spirit?

Jesus taught us that the Spirit will teach us the truth:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).

But how are we to know when the Holy Ghost is teaching us?  Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon teach that one thing the Holy Ghost will always do is testify of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you (John 16:13-14).

One way to know that something is true is to see if it testifies of Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit will confirm to you in your heart that the testimony is true as you read it and pray about it.  The Apostle Paul taught us how to recognize the Spirit in our lives:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we feel love, joy, and peace enter into our hearts, we can know that the Holy Spirit is tell us that what we are reading and pondering is true for “[e]very good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).  When we feel the Spirit of God bring peace and joy into our lives we should bow down and thank God in prayer and then act on that testimony.

The missionaries will then invite you to read more from the Book of Mormon or attend church worship services at the local congregation with them.  When you feel the Holy Spirit telling you that what they are teaching is true, you should go ahead and do the things the missionaries invite you to do.  Going to a new church can be scary, but the missionaries and the members will help you, and when you attend church and fellowship with others, you will begin to feel more peace and love enter into your life from the Holy Spirit.