Missionary Work
There has been such a huge push for missionary work recently. I've been feeling a little like, why?What's the point of this missionary work? Are we really just trying to convert people to make our church grow in numbers? Is it just for bragging rights and power on who's got the biggest church in the world?
And then I read the prophet Alma's conversion story today...
Alma 36
14: Yea, and I had murdered man of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
17: And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18: Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19: And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20: And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
k hold up, can you just FEEL for this guy! He's "in the gall of bitterness" racked with "inexpressible horror" in SOO much pain.
And then...
He says he's filled with as much joy as the amount of pain he was just in?! Can you even imagine that much joy? That is the kind of joy I long for and strive to have every day. K, continue...
21: Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as my joy.
22: Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
23: But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God.
Here's the kicker:
24: Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Alma had labored for a LONG TIME. And I (and my husband) can tell you, it's not easy.
Missionary work is not easy!
But he experienced such pain, and then such great joy, that he doesn't want anyone to experience the pain he had to experience. And more importantly, he wanted them to experience the joy he got to experience. There is something so intriguing about that joy. That joy that made Alma's soul long to be there with God and His angels, rather than coming back to this earth life.
Alma's conversion story is amazing. We are told that, "when you are converted, strengthen thy brethren." THAT is why we are doing missionary work people! It's not for bragging rights on who brought the most people to church. It's not JUST to increase numbers. It's because we have been converted, born again, and we LOVE our brethren. And we want them to experience the joy that we have felt. Our conversion, and our love for our brethren may not be as great as the prophet Alma, but we can surely TRY to get there. Strive to love our brethren. Pray for them. Serve them. And we will be filled with a desire to teach them the joy that we know.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
