A Missionary's Motive

As missionaries we get the chance to meet so many amazing people. As a natural consequence, we get asked a few "get to know you questions" on a regular basis from our new friends. One of the most popular questions we get asked is: What made you decide to serve a mission? Often times I am only able to answer the question briefly so I want to take this opportunity to explain more fully why I decided to serve a mission.

Some might wonder why anyone in their right mind would choose to leave their lives of schooling, dating, sporting, working, and playing to stay somewhere far away with a population of strangers. Hopefully by taking my personal experiences, I will be able to shed a little light on it.

First of all, growing up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints I, naturally, have always felt that it is part of my duty to serve a mission, but there is a lot more that I believe has to happen. If it were only a sense of duty, I often wonder if I would be where I am. In fact, there have been many moments in my life where I have had doubts. The key for me was becoming converted to the gospel that I now teach. One day it kind of hit me, how amazing the message we share as missionaries is. It kind of just made me want to share it with everyone. The last and key step that made me want to go on a mission initially was that I had wonderful examples in my life, especially my older brother. We never always got along, as most brothers, but nothing meant more to me than seeing him go out and serve the Lord and hearing his amazing experiences in letters home. He is currently serving in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Mission. I don't know what I would have done without him.

The most amazing thing about it all is that since I have been out, I have discovered so many more amazing reasons why I am here on a mission. The first is that I love the people here in North Carolina. When you love someone, it is so easy to share a message that will make them happy. We never force religion on anyone but rather invite them to see and learn for themselves. The next reason is because I have never been happier in my life. In the fun times we smile and in the hard times we grow. Among many more reasons I know I am where I need to be is that Jesus Christ lives. I know it. I love Christ and the sacrifice he gave for all of us. There is nothing in the world more satisfying or exciting than seeing one of my brothers or sisters have their burdens lifted from their lives. Nothing in the world could compare to the feeling that they feel when they choose to follow Christ. It is through His grace and love that we can find true joy and happiness in this life.

God lives. Miracles happen everyday. I know that because I see them everyday. There is absolutely no way that the miracles we are privileged to see are all coincidences. I am lucky to be a missionary.

In all honesty, those are the reasons why I am serving a mission.