I grew up right in the heart of “Happy Valley” (Utah’s Utah County) and one of my favorite events to attend were missionary farewells of young men and women who were about to enter the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in answer to a prophet’s call to serve the Lord. I loved the pagentry of the occasion where family and friend and Stake leaders were all in attendance to see what the soon-to-be missionary has to say.
My two favorite parts of the entire meeting were when we would all stand and sing boistressly LDS Hymn 249 “Called to Serve,” as I stood there sang my 10 year old heart out I always focused my concentration to the missionary that spoke and in my mind put myself in their shoes and imagined what it would be like to be days away from starting my mission. The second part wasn’t during the fare-well at all… It happened 18 months or 2 years later when the seasoned missionary returned and spoke with much more confidence and depth of Christ’s Gospel and sporting suntans and foreign accents. I loved seeing them before and after and seeing that they had grown so much so much. It was in those instances that I knew for myself that a mission was for me because I wanted that confidence and knowledge that evident in all returned missionaries.
Fast forward 10 years and 5,100 miles I woke up on a September morning in tiny Taltal, Chile, I asked myself “What am I doing here, I don’t understand anyone?” I didn’t have the same feelings as I did when I was attending fare-well’s and home-coming’s, it was not as glamorous and perfect as I had imagined. At on point, like I imagine many missionaries, I felt home sick and contemplated going home. These feelings didn’t last long because I started to slowly understand what people were saying and understood more what we do as missionaries.
A few month later I was now in beautiful Arica, Chile where I could literally see Peru, I attended a Zone Conference where my kind, inspired, and obedient mission president presented to us a plan to help us to teach more people . He called the program “Abrir la Boca” (open the mouth). Yeah, I kinda found the name kinda funny too, however that was exactly what it is. Apparently President Call felt that, as a whole, we all needed to open our mouths more and talk to the Chilean people. He had us set a goal to have each missionary talk to 10 people per day about the gospel. It was a lofty goal for me considering that me speaking to someone in Spanish was still a little of a struggle but I took it to heart and my companion and I stared out that next day with the goal to speak to 20 people.
The results of the initiative were quick. We found ourselves teaching 3 people that were interested in what we had to say. Because of this we we teaching more and I was blessed personally because more talking meant practice and bettering my Spanish.
I think back on the experience and I feel more than ever we need a shot in the arm to get us a jump started in talking to people to testify of the truthfulness of the gospel. This is the purpose of me starting this blog, to share the things I know to be true through experiences and confirmations through the Holy Ghost.
The Doctrine and Covenants 60:2 teaches us an important lesson:
But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
We must open our mouths as the Lord directed in this revelation. The gospel is what makes use truely happy in this life and answers every question.
It is interesting that two sections later we read in Section 62 verse 3 where we learn of the blessing of opening our mouths:
Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.
The blessings and friendships as a result of sharing the gospel are not only limited to eternal life but are also available in this mortal life.
Thanks for the post