Chapter 65: Sacrament
- Elder Jonas Childers
- Dec 13, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 12, 2024
"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."
Moroni 4:3
What a week full of craziness. Last we planned the entirety of moves, and this week we facilitated putting them into effect. We had missionaries leave the mission, we had missionaries enter the mission, and we had missionaries move from area to area. It was hard to see missionaries I've come to love leave, and weird to have it juxtaposed with new arrivals coming into the mission fresh from the Missionary Training Centre. It just goes to show that a mission doesn't last forever.
It was just insanely busy this week, and I'm coming to learn that this is simply going to be the norm for my time here. There were moments when I felt quite overwhelmed and exhausted from the travel, the 4:00 AM mornings, the midnight goodnights, and the hassle of trying to make sure everything was held together.
But, regardless of the strain, the blessings were there. I was able to do it all. I made some beautiful memories—I don't think I will ever forget standing in the 'good room' of the mission home with great friends singing the mission song as Elder Moroni played his own arrangement, and then taking them all to the airport the next morning.
Moments like that make the rest worth it. But even with those moments, by the end of the week I was drained.
How happy I was to then be able to go to Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. I remember just longing to be able to participate and feel like I could have a new week, a fresh start from all my weaknesses and mistakes. I am so grateful for the privilege it is to express my willingness to keep God's commandments each week and remember Jesus Christ.
The word 'willingness' is important there because no matter how hard I try, I am going to fall short. Luckily, I and all of you may receive the promised blessing of the Companionship of the Spirit, who then cleanses and consoles us, simply based on our hearts—our sincere willingness—for that is what truly matters (Alma 41:6-7).
If you haven't already discovered the healing and restoring power of Sacrament Meeting, please talk to God about it. I promise there is incredible peace and joy to be had from meaningful engagement in this sacred and precious ordinance.
It gives me the strength to carry on.
Life is good.
God is wise.
Don't give up.
Elder Childers
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