How Great The Importance To Make These Things Known

Many people wonder why young men and women of the LDS Church choose to give 18–24 months of our lives to serve missions. We are busy with school, dating, family, and career goals. We have many opportunities to advance ourselves in the scholastic, social, and professional worlds. So what drives us to leave all of that behind?

When I first decided to open my mission papers, I wanted to go because of the changes I knew I would see in myself. I want to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord for the rest of my life, as a young adult and then a wife and mother, as well as a teacher and leader in the church and a member of my community. I knew that dedicating a year and a half to learning and teaching the Lord's word would prepare me for future service in a way that other things could not.

So I put in papers. Pretty soon I had a mission call in my hands. When I opened that call, I felt the Spirit witness that my decision was good. I began to study and prepare to leave. In my study, I came across a scripture that hit me hard. In 2 Nephi 2, Lehi teaches his son Jacob about the importance of missionary work:

6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

 8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

This scripture changed me. I still want to prepare well to serve the Lord my whole life, but my understanding has become more focused on Christ. As I read this passage, I felt so much joy, peace, and gratitude for my knowledge of a Savior who overcame both spiritual and physical death out of His perfect love for me. And I had a strong desire to share that love and joy with others.

I know that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer. Through Him, all men will be resurrected. Because of His sacrifice, we have the opportunity to repent and live with Him again. I know also that his atonement can change us now, in this life. It can strengthen us to overcome hardship, help us to find peace and forgiveness, and heal us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Christ lived the perfect life and yet He descended below all and He understands my every feeling perfectly. I am excited and honored to "make these things known" every day for the next 18 months as His representative.