Chapter 59: Sacrifice

"Many are called, but few are chosen."Doctrine and Covenants 121:40 There are experiences that we have in our lives which we simply never will forget. This week, I had the opportunity to meet and learn at the feet of an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, President M. Russell Ballard, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I don't even know where to begin to try and express what I learned, how I felt, and what I hope to take away from his visit. I will, however, do my best to share what I can. President Ballard taught the Scotland Ireland Mission what it really meant to be a missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ. Missionaries, by virtue of their calling, carry with them the authority to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help administer the ordinances of Salvation to Heavenly Father's children, such as baptism and confirmation into Christ's church on the earth. He taught us the Heaven is orchestrating our lives in ways we may never understand, and that the magnitude of what we are doing may never be known by us in this life. He helped me see who I really was, or who I've been given the opportunity to become. Elder DeFeo of the Area Presidency also came and spoke to us, and he invited us all to ask ourselves the question, "what do I wish to become on my mission?" What a powerful and insightful question. I've really thought a lot about that, trying to instead focus on "what more can I become" as opposed to "what more can I do." Juxtaposed with that, President Ballard then gave us a very simple way to further become missionaries: He invited us to resolve to try and practice as hard as we could to talk to at least ten people wherever we went, everyday. Just ten people. Ten conversations. To kneel in prayer as companionships to be led to those of God's children whom he would have join His church. What a beautifully simple invitation, and yet really, the more I've thought about and pondered it, the more depth it contains. As missionaries, sometimes it can be hard to define what success even means. There are weeks and transfers when you feel like you work hard and yet you don't teach, baptize, or have people come to church. On the other side, there are times when you aren't nearly working as hard as you should and there are lessons being taught, baptisms falling into place, and people coming to church. It poses the question: what is success really? We talked about this recently with President Yates, one of the counselors in the Mission Presidency, and he taught us that success in the mission comes from what you choose to do in terms of what's in your control. We simply do what we can, and then it's up to others choices and ultimately up to God to "give the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6). This is what President Ballard is asking our mission to do—it's what he is asking me to do: to control what I can control by choosing now to commit to talking to at least ten people every single day and inviting them to come closer to Christ. Will these conversations result in people being taught? Maybe. Will people come to church? Hopefully. Will someone I talk to accept an invitation to be baptized? Well, you never know, and well, to be fair, I don't really believe that's the point. To me, the point is that by going out every single day, resolved to be a witness of Christ and looking for every opportunity I can to have a conversation with someone, to invite them in some small way to come closer to The Lord, I will in turn become a missionary. Inside. Deep down. Within myself, I will change and become more fixed in my testimony, more determined in my witness of Christ and His Church, and more devoted to the principles and doctrines of the Gospel. As I choose to sacrifice, to obey, to put myself on the line in the face of ridicule, rejection, awkwardness, the elements, etc etc, I will not only be called as a missionary, but I hopefully will become one as well, forever. How far am I willing to go to have those conversations? Many are called, but who is chosen? Those who are willing to put everything on the line. This week I invite you to ponder what you are willing to put on the line. Ponder what sacrifices you are making for the Lord, and consider what more you could give to further become the disciple he needs you to be. I promise, it is the only way, for as we are on this path of discipleship, as we are called, we must remember that he says to us, "ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you" (John 15:16). We are chosen as we sacrifice. Life is good. God is wise. Never give up. Elder Childers

Me and Elder Wilkinson after the conference, he's now home and is a good friend.

Elder Draney taking a selfie with us.

Red light

Taza with Elder Danielson and Elder Beal

Video call with Sadie for her birthday!

Pictures from helping out with the Poppy Appeal in Aberdeen!