So to all my family and friends,I want to share a quote that is well loved by everybody in the New York Utica Mission, and probably by missionaries all around the world. In the NYU Mission we repeat this quote as a group at every training or meeting where President Wirthlin will be teaching us. The quote can be found in Preach My Gospel Chapter 6 under the section called Diligence.
“I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.”
–President Ezra Taft Benson
There are two parts in that quote that I love, the first being that if you work "there will be no homesickness, [and] no worrying about families". It's hard leaving your family behind on your mission, I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Saying goodbye for the last time was rough. But I have started to lose myself in this work, and because of that I don't feel homesick. I love my family with all my heart, and I miss them more than they know, but it does not distract me because I have work to be doing. I do not worry about my families well-being or health because I know they are being taken care of while I'm away. The people that I need to worry about and care for are out here in upstate New York.
The second part I love is at the very end, and is that "there is no satisfactory substitute" for work. If you want to learn to shred on guitar, rebuild old cars, or get a promotion, you have to work. It doesn't matter how gifted you are in an area of your life, you only become great through working. The same is true, as President Benson said, "especially in missionary work" and also in spiritual things. If you do not work to grow your testimony or faith in Christ, you will not progress in this life.
Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
The Lord has given each of us talents, some more than others. The servants who were given five and two talents took what they were given, and then worked. They showed their gratefulness by increasing their worth and potential. But the servant who had one did not work, and hid the gift he was given.
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made themother five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
It is my hope that this week you will look at your talents, physical and spiritual, and see if you have put in the work to show your appreciation for Him who has given them to you.
Have a wonderful week everybody.
Love, Elder Gailey
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