A Principle of Sacrifice

This week has been really interesting! We have a lot of work to do here! I feel inspired, because it's not going to be easy, but it will be worth it! I read a talk the other day that was really, really powerful, that helped me understand what missionary work is, by President Hinckley.

I am learning a ton! We had our last interviews with president before he goes home, and it was powerful! He gave me basically a personal analysis of who I am, and what he expects of me. He also told me something very interesting, that fasting works because of the principle and law of sacrifice, and the reason that we don't fast like crazy in the mission, is because we are already sacrificing! We have a right to the blessings of fasting on our mission, if we serve a mission with the attitude of fasting, that is "anoint thine head, and wash thy face." And that goes hand in hand with D&C 84:80: "And any man that shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry, neither athirst."

So really, the mission is incredible! And I began to apply this, and really behave like I was fasting, but all the time, being happy and serving with a purpose, and guess what. We found a whole family to teach! They're not super easy, but we had 4 new investigators in one day! It was awesome!!! The more I learn about being a missionary, the more I realize that it is a commitment of a member, not just a 18-25 year old young adult! It also reminds me of a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland in General Conference, where he said, speaking as Christ, "I need disciples forever."

I invite you all to really work in the work and glory of the Lord, forever. If we really are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are literally representatives of Jesus Christ in everything we do. This is what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God. I was getting my haircut today, and the lady cutting it was a Jehovah's Witness, and she said, shouldn't the members of your church share what makes them happy, to help them feel God's love? It was a really insightful moment, when I realized that there is a difference between baptism and conversion. When we are converted, we honor our baptismal covenant, as described in Mosiah 18.

I love you all, and you are really wonderful people and doing great things! Keep up the good work!

--Dallin