Leaving a Legacy - April 2016

April 25, 2016

Leaving a Legacy

April 2016

When missionaries complete their missions, one of the things they are asked to do is leave a legacy for new missionaries who will be coming to the mission.  They are given a form that says:

           "As you finish this wonderful chapter of missionary service, you have the chance to help those that follow.  Think back to the first days of your mission.  You were full of new missionary energy but maybe not quite sure how to use it.  Take some time and contemplate about all the many lessons and great experiences that you experienced during these two years of service.  What knowledge would you have wanted in order to enhance your experiences?  What great tips of obedience or endurance would you like the next generation to know?  Now is your chance.  Please write a short letter speaking to all those that will follow."

With permission from the departing missionaries, here are some of the comments they made.

*  *  *  *  *

Some of the most spiritual experiences  I have had have been as I have been praying to the Lord and asking Him to accept my sacrifice as a missionary.

You will find that the mission lifestyle will push you to your breaking point.

The moment you decided to come on a mission, the entire path of your life changed course and Satan cried in anguish.  You will be tested and tried and you will come out on top.

There have been times in my mission when I trusted my mission president and other times less so . . . go with the first.

Have a positive attitude and fully enjoy serving the people and the Lord.

Don’t worry about what other missionaries are doing or saying . . . just do your best and try to improve every day.

Remember that you represent the Lord . . . so act the part.

Choose the right.

Follow and study Preach My Gospel.

Be always worthy of the help of Heavenly Father.  If you do what you are supposed to do, He will help you every day.

Always follow the advise of your mission president.  He is inspired and he holds the keys of your spiritual well being.

When the hard times come, don’t give up and try to work through them.  That’s how you learn and grow.

I am so grateful for you because you had the courage to come here and preach.

Be obedient and be yourself. 

If you fall short, just do better the next day.

Let the mission change you.  Become your #1 convert and you’ll be happy.

Don’t worry about being cool or bravo because no one else cares about that.

Love your companion.  Learn from him.  Teach him what you know.  Listen to him.

The language will come.  You hear that from everyone but it’s because it’s true.

This is a year and a half to two years of spiritual personal training by the Lord. 

People remember how you make them feel much more than what you say.

Be the message; don’t just share it.

Serving a mission is actually an Action.  We have to “do” a lot of things.

Trust in the Lord.  This is his work after all.

You are being prayed for by more people than you could ever imagine—even/especially by me.

Trust the Savior.  No matter what happens, you can trust that everything will be okay.

The Spirit never leads us to go against the commandments, the mission rules, or counsel of leaders. 

Love these people with your whole heart.  Pray to see them the way the Savior does.

Heavenly Father will teach you many lessons while you are here.  My advice . . . Learn from them.

It is your choice how much you will let God change you.

This is the best mission ever and you are about to start the BEST thing of your life.