I was just asked by a student to write a letter to her brother who is a missionary in Africa. I felt like I needed to share part of it here.
Dear [Elder],
I hear that you are in [Africa] speaking French. What an amazing call. My daughter is in California, English speaking. I went to Bulgaria in Eastern Europe 5 years after the Berlin Wall came down (the Wall signaling the end of the USSR Communist stronghold). It was a very crazy mission! And sometimes I envy my daughter that she gets to teach in English. 🤣❤️
But, like Alma, “I sin in my wish” because I “ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me” Alma 29:3. I loved that chapter in the Book of Mormon, because Alma is wishing to be an angel to have the ability to “shake the earth” and “cry repentance to all people.” But he consigns himself to God’s will and the work that he has been called to do. The funny thing is that Alma gets his wish. He is and angel “crying repentance to all the world” through his words.
The reason that I’m bringing this up is (1) I felt prompted to share this story and (2) it goes with a story of my own. When I was in the MTC, I was reading about the sons of Mosiah and just was amazed that they were able to bring thousands to the Savior and to the knowledge of the truth. I had so much faith and knew that if they could do it, so could I! I prayed in faith, knowing that God would grant righteous requests. “Ask and ye shall receive” Matt. 7:7-8.
But, when I went out to Bulgaria, it was not what I thought it was going to be. We couldn’t wear our name tags, the missionaries and members were getting harassed, beat-up, etc. and the Bulgarian people hated us. In my naïve mind, I thought that they would come flocking. I guess I didn’t think much about the negatives that the story talked about – hard labor and service, fights, being in prison, the persecutions that their converts experienced.
There was one more thing I didn’t think about … time. They were missionaries for 14 years. I had only been out for a few months when I realized that the prayer that I prayed in the MTC wasn’t working. After 18 months, I was finishing up and an elder from my MTC district was voice for a blessing that I asked for. In that blessing, I was told that I had done good work. That it was meaningful. And that I wouldn’t know until I went to the other side of the veil what I had done while being there. That gave me some courage about what I had done. But there were still those pesky unanswered prayers.
So, I went on with my life, college, work, etc. I became a seminary teacher. It was about my 5th year when I realized that I had taught over 2,000 students. Students that I had helped to bring to the Savior and learn truth. Hmmm … and then the story of the thousands and my MTC prayer came to mind. Now, I’ve been teaching religion for over 2 decades. At BYU-I, during my first 3 years, I taught approx. 1,000 students a year.
My point with all of this is that the Lord plays the long game. He did for Alma, He did for me, and He will for you. Alma just did the best he could do with the circumstances and promptings that he was in. Think of how many of those stories have blessed lives! I use his teachings constantly in my work.
Your work in the [Africa] will have efficacy – “and an effectual door shall be opened for them” D&C 118:3. Your job is to work, plant, be the tool that the Lord needs, and “the Lord of the vineyard labored also with” you (see Jacob 5:72). Don’t forget that every person that you meet is a chance to help bring closer to God. And that includes members, inactive members, atheists, your companions, mission president, etc. Not all of that will be in formal missionary work. Some of it will be in a smile, a wave, a kind word, a helping hand. Some will be formal teaching. Some will lead to baptisms. But you are not in it just for the numbers of baptisms – because if you are, you may miss out on all of the other opportunities of the thousands that your ministry will bring – there and when you get home after your mission. Ask the Lord for opportunities for people that you can help and serve each day. Ask Him to bring to you people that you can help Him bless. Because again, at the end of the day, He’s the one that you want to partner with. “I am able to do mine own work” He said in 2 Nephi 27:20.
I have found that He is amazingly good at doing it, and I am just so thankful to be along for the ride!
Well, my friend, I wish you the best. I added a picture of my family so that you can see that I have a son-in-law from Africa. He is from South Africa to be exact. Want to hear a cool story? My mom is also from South Africa. But that story, and the story of the missionaries who brought my Mom the gospel and how that choice to go on a mission has affected thousands of lives (kind of like Abinadi – who didn’t know that his mission would contribute to those stripling warriors) – well, that’s a story for another day. 😁
For now, know that what you’re doing has purpose and meaning. But it may take a while to see it – never forget God’s long game!
All my best,
Laryssa Waldron
Department of Religious Education, Brigham Young University – Idaho
