Well words cannot describe the mix of emotions that are going through me right now, being home these past couple of days I am at times overwhelmed and awed at the many new things that were at one point commonplace to me.
Stay Sweet Elder Morrison
Saturday the 19th I received a call from my mission president, informing me that he had received a phone call from Elder Utchdorf of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Elder Utchdorf's instructions were simple, " All missionaries that would have left in June or July of this year were to be sent home" this was caused by the rising contention in the country. Whisperings of war had turned into shouts.
Initially I was in shock when I heard that news from Presidente Poncio, then it sunk in and I cried. I didn't want to leave this country sooner than I should, I had so many goals for my new area, a new companion, but then in an answer to a heart filled prayer, I was comforted. I sustained just a little over a month ago, ElderUtchdorf as a prophet seer and revelator. I knew this was the Lord's will, my time in that part of his vineyard was over. So Tuesday morning I boarded the plane with peace knowing that I was in accordance with God's will, that I was safe and sound and that I was going HOME.
In Atlanta I had a few moments in the airport alone, since I was the only missionary going to PDX. In the terminal I read the Savoir's words in Matthew 25, where He speaks of 2 powerful parables and teaches profoundly on service to our fellowman.
1st Parable: The ten virgins and their lamps
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
I felt the confirmation of the Spirit tell me that I was as one of the wise virgins, I had not left the mission with a lamp half full, and yes the "Bridegroom", or final day, did come unannounced, like a thief in the night. But I was ready, I gave my all to the Lord and was ready to go home, not a day did I give less than my best effort in bringing the power of the Atonement to the lives of the Nicaraguans.
2nd Parable: ¶ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 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. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I felt once more through the power of The Holy Ghost and through self reflection that I had increased my personal "talents" on the mission I had increased and magnified my office to the max. I felt peace knowing that I did give a offering worthy of all acceptation.
The last part the Lord instructed Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Once more I knew that I had served my Master and King. In the Book of Mormon I remembered and proved true the word's For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
The greatest gift I have received from my mission is that I have known my Master. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Great I AM, I know He did come to earth and did complete an infinite and eternal sacrifice to atone for each and every one of us. He is my Lord, my God, and My King. I love Him and have been honored to labor with Him in His vineyard. His gospel is perfect for us, to have peace and happiness. I testify and know that that gospel was restored to the boy prophet Joseph Smith. All of this I know through God's powerful word found in the Book of Mormon, it is true. Y testifico de estas cosas en el Santo nombre de Jesucristo Amen.
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