A Labor of Love

We hear it all the time..."Why do you give up two years of your life to serve a mission?"

I usually reply with something like this:

"Because I know the gospel is true. It's brought me a lot of joy, and I want to share that joy with you."

Missionary work isn't easy, but it is so worthwhile. There is no work more rewarding. The Lord promised great blessings to those who serve as missionaries in Doctrine and Covenants 18: 15-16—

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! 

That promise is what gets me through on difficult days. It's what keeps me going when I've biked 23 miles in humid, 92-degree weather (that was Saturday!). It's what lifts me up when I'm discouraged because people don't respond to our message the way we'd like them to.

I'm reminded of another scripture—this one in the Bible—which testifies of the importance of faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Proverbs 3: 5-6)