Your Missionary Experience

The Savior’s ministry exemplifies the two great commandments. The first is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” The second is like unto it: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). We first love God. Because we love Him, we love His children. And one way we express our love for God’s children is by serving them as our neighbors.

You have a specific purpose as a service missionary. It is given to you by the First Presidency. It should guide you in your sacred call to serve Heavenly Father’s children:

• Help others come unto Christ by serving with loving kindness as the Savior would. Minister in His name to the one through the power of the Holy Ghost and live as an example of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, covenant keeping with God, and enduring to the end.

Your service is for Jesus Christ, and you are invited to serve and become like Him.

Your mission didn’t begin the day you were set apart. And it won’t end the day you are released. A mission is more than putting on a nametag in the morning and taking it off when the day is done.

Your mission experience demonstrates your commitment to Jesus Christ and your desire to serve others in His name. Since your baptism, you have been on the covenant path that leads to eternal happiness, joy, and peace. Your mission experience can change you. You should take those changes with you for the rest of your life.

From an eternal perspective, your mission is a way to help you become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon teaches, “I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). Your mission is a unique time in your life to discover the joy of serving the Lord and others.

The Lord said, “If ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:3). You have the privilege of dedicating this period of your life to serving the Lord by serving others in His name. In this calling, you have opportunities to give service that will bless other people, your own life, your family, the Church, and the organizations where you serve.

Each of us is sent to the earth with different abilities and talents. With your unique talents and abilities, you can make a meaningful contribution to God’s work.

Enjoy your mission experience as you love God and love your neighbor. This is a time to rejoice and to experience lasting happiness and peace through Jesus Christ.

True disciples of Jesus Christ are obedient. The Savior taught, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Keeping the commandments means that you willingly and faithfully do what the Lord asks because you love Him. Obedience also means that you keep the commandments with “joyfulness” and with “gladness and singleness of heart” (Colossians 1:11; Acts 2:46).

Jesus Christ is the example of perfect obedience. Everything He did was according to the Father’s will. Follow Him by doing your best to keep His commandments and live the service missionary standards.

Being obedient and faithful also means that you strive to learn, grow, and improve. Correct mistakes quickly. Repent without delay. Show that you are faithful and obedient by taking personal responsibility for your actions.

You will be blessed when you follow the commandments and the missionary standards and use good judgment. Realize that even when you keep the commandments, you may experience discouragement, sickness, or other challenges (see 2 Nephi 4:17–19; Alma 26:27). The Savior also experienced these things (see Alma 7:11–12; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8). He promises, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18).

God loves you. Choose to keep the commandments because you love God. Do not try to make deals with Him or treat your obedience as a transaction to obtain specific blessings.

Agency, or the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is one of God’s greatest gifts to His children. Our eternal progression depends on how we use this gift. As we choose to follow Jesus Christ and His teachings, we will experience joy.

Our moral agency enables us to learn, grow, progress, and follow the Savior. Because we have the gift of agency, we are “free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men” (2 Nephi 2:27).

You are responsible for the decisions you make. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness regardless of your circumstances.

You are also responsible for developing the abilities and talents God has given you. Your mission is a time to learn to be accountable to Him for what you do with your abilities.

Your mission is also a time to learn to be accountable for how you use your time. Do not waste time by being idle. Be willing to work hard. Choose to be consistent and dependable. Do many good things of your own free will (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:27–28). See “Ministering with the Power and Authority of God” by President Russell M. Nelson.

The First Presidency has given the following service missionary objectives:

• Provide an opportunity for all willing young women and young men to serve the Lord and increase in testimony of Him.

• Help each service missionary prepare for a lifetime of service.

• Provide needed and valuable service to the Lord through serving in Church and community organizations.

Faithfully serve the Savior in His name and in His way both during and after your mission. “Focus on Christ as you seek to cultivate His attributes. … Pray for God to bless you with these attributes” (Preach My Gospel, 124). These attributes will help you fulfill your missionary purpose and become a more devoted disciple of Jesus Christ.

During your mission, you will have opportunities to build new spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual skills. These skills will bless and influence you in all aspects of your life.

God invites you to dedicate yourself to Him throughout your life. Mission standards such as personal study, goal setting, and the righteous use of technology will bless you on your mission and for the rest of your life.

Let the commandments in the scriptures and these missionary standards become lifelong guiding principles. As you follow God’s commandments and standards, He will direct, bless, and guide you throughout your life.