I am Dedicated to Preach the Gospel

October 25, 2012

Hello from the greatest mission in the world!

October is almost through as we enter the last few days of the transfer. It has been almost 25 months since I opened up my mission call. I just can't believe that! It’s gone so, so fast-and it only speeds up every week.

Elder Green's time is almost up. He leaves in about a week, just after all the dust from the transfer is settled. My new companion, and Elder Green's replacement is coming into Brampton today to work with us and shadow us in preparing for and executing the transfer happening over the next few days. This process is a miracle. A mission president and a few missionaries kneel and pray, make lots of inspired changes to where Elders and Sisters should serve, and then we pound out travel plans, bus routes, car swaps, opening and closing apartments, incoming and departing missionaries, trainer meetings, new missionary meetings, a temple trip, and prepare for our upcoming zone leader council meeting early next week. The way that everything fits together without any missionaries and details missing is an absolute miracle. The Lord truly quickens our minds and sharpens our intellect to make this process happen every 6 weeks.

An insight that I've been thinking a lot about lately came from the incoming missionaries from last transfer. There were 21 that came in-a huge group. The evening of them arriving we had a testimony meeting at the mission home. All the new missionaries were able to bear their first testimony in the mission field. There was a measurable difference in the spirit that came from different missionaries as they shared their testimony of the gospel. The spirit was always recognized as testimonies, experiences, and convictions were shared that were centered on the power of the Atonement. Missionaries who know the power of it by their own experience are far better prepared and powerful than those who do not. This applies to many more people than just new missionaries. Any church member who has a testimony of the reality of the Atonement will be more motivated to magnify their calling, love and serve others, pay tithing, sacrifice for others, work through challenges, and stay true to the faith than those who do not. Having a personal experience with the Savior should be something that we strive and push for every single week. By keeping covenants and prayerfully setting goals at the sacrament table, we can have a PERSONAL spiritual experience similar to those talked about in 3 Nephi11:15. I testify that He lives-I have felt His redeeming power and His infinite love and forgiving attitude. All can feel of these things for themselves and know by personal experience.

Elder Green and I will be having another baptism on our final Sunday together. He is an amazing fellow from India. He has been here for 2 years, and was attracted to Christianity by his good friend who was baptized 3 months ago. He saw changes in his friend as he accepted the Atonement, and wanted them for himself. By living the gospel, he has experienced a change of heart and has desires to serve Christ and live according to His law.

Despite the excitement of transfers, and meetings and conferences with other missionaries, the most rewarding and joyful experience I have ever had is watching someone you love be baptized. I never want to stop having these experiences, even long after my missionary tag comes off. I am dedicated to preach the gospel the remainder of my life. The happiness, peace, and power of God that enters your life are real as you share your testimony of Him who loves and knows us perfectly. I'm happy to have had my mission experience up to this point!

Elder Porter