Dear Sisters and Elders –
As missionaries, we are here to serve others and not to serve ourselves. The scriptures highlight many who sacrificed personal interests in order to benefit others, including Ruth, Jonathan, Nephi, Mosiah, and Joseph Smith. Of course, Christ is our best example. He taught:
“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:26-28).
When we care about others more than we care about ourselves, we receive blessings. Several include:
- We come closer to Christ;
- We receive increased spiritual power;
- We gain more personal happiness; and
- Our relationships with others are better.
As full-time missionaries, we cannot fulfill our purpose effectively unless we forget about ourselves and instead think of others. We can ask ourselves:
- Do I plan, study, and teach to meet the needs of investigators?
- Do I work through exhaustion, rejection, and bad weather to find more people to teach?
- Do I follow all of the standards in the Missionary Handbook to qualify for the Spirit so I can be of greater service to God and to others?
- Do I pray for my companion and strive with love and patience to meet his or her needs?
- Do I pray for local leaders and strive with love and patience to meet their needs?
Over the next week, I invite each of us to (1) study the examples of Christ and the prophets and how they served others and not themselves, and then (2) identify our personal obstacles to caring for others more fully. As we make necessary changes, the Lord will use us more powerfully to spread His gospel and to bless others.
Thank you for your examples of caring about others more than yourselves. It is an honor to serve with you.
With great love and respect,
President Pingree
 |
| Missionaries attended the temple with their zones last week. Here is a picture sent by the West Zone. |