So recently we got a new Mission President and Mission Mom, President and Sister Andersen! They are so great. They inspire me with their humility and genuine love for the Lord and for us missionaries. We just had a meeting last week with the leaders of the mission, and they made this comment that made an impact on me. They said:
"We thought we came out on a mission because we love the Lord. But by being here we now realize we are having this experience because He loves us."
Like I have mentioned in other posts, we are all on a mission here on Earth as divine children of Heavenly Father. We have purpose and limitless potential. And believe it or not, we are having this life experience because He loves us. It all makes perfect sense! President Uchtdorf, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, once said, "Love is the grand motive of the Plan of Salvation". I have learned that the Plan of Salvation is a plan made for each of us to reach our full, divine potential.
On our life missions we are here to experience and to grow. That includes learning from trials and opposition; and if we are sent to grow, that requires having experiences that stretch us. Life isn't as easy as we may have thought, but it wasn't supposed to be. We are promised that it will all be worth it. Heavenly Father sent us here so we could learn eternal happiness and become who He wants us to be.
Knowing that we would not be able to reach our full potential by ourselves in mortality, Heavenly Father saw the need for a Savior, to come and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Our older brother, Jesus Christ, volunteered to perform an infinite atonement so that we could progress eternally so that we could reach our potential. It would have been impossible without Him, and He did it because He loved the Father and He loved us.
Like I have mentioned in other posts, we are all on a mission here on Earth as divine children of Heavenly Father. We have purpose and limitless potential. And believe it or not, we are having this life experience because He loves us. It all makes perfect sense! President Uchtdorf, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, once said, "Love is the grand motive of the Plan of Salvation". I have learned that the Plan of Salvation is a plan made for each of us to reach our full, divine potential.
On our life missions we are here to experience and to grow. That includes learning from trials and opposition; and if we are sent to grow, that requires having experiences that stretch us. Life isn't as easy as we may have thought, but it wasn't supposed to be. We are promised that it will all be worth it. Heavenly Father sent us here so we could learn eternal happiness and become who He wants us to be.
Knowing that we would not be able to reach our full potential by ourselves in mortality, Heavenly Father saw the need for a Savior, to come and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Our older brother, Jesus Christ, volunteered to perform an infinite atonement so that we could progress eternally so that we could reach our potential. It would have been impossible without Him, and He did it because He loved the Father and He loved us.
"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation." -2 Nephi 26:24
So brothers and sisters, what are your goals in life?
A very wise teacher promised us that on conditions of righteous living and obedience to God's commandments, we would achieve all of the righteous desires of our hearts. He said, "Whatever your goals may be, I promise you will surpass those goals. God has much greater goals for you that you will achieve. I hope you have high goals, because you will exceed those too."
We have no idea the great blessings that the Lord has ordered for us. The promise of those blessings is in obedience.
I think that obedience paired with charity is key to reaching our divine potential. It is no wonder why the first and greatest commandment is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." -Matt. 22:37
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." -Matt. 22:39
A very wise missionary once taught us, "you cannot fully develop any spiritual gift, without charity."
If we practice Charity in our lives, then we will want to be obedient. Which in return will help us develop and become who the Lord wants us to be. Just like the Savior taught, which links Charity and Obedience together, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." -John 14:15
Think about this- Imagine looking back on your life when your mortal mission is over, what things will you want to look back on or remember? What lessons will you have learned?
So let us enjoy life! (Not just endure it.) Let's serve those around us, and find the peace and happiness that comes from righteously living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's improve ourselves by setting goals to be better every day, and let's keep our faith and trust in the Plan that our loving Father has made for us. I know that we can live happy lives and reach our highest potential, which is Celestial Glory in the Kingdom of God, as we apply and follow the example that the Savior has set.
Reach high!!
