Dear Luke,
You didn't get to write last week so you're lucky enough to get two letters from your big brother this week! Don't read these during the hour or so you have to write. Take pictures of them and read them later.
Serving a mission is a big sacrifice. Everyone sacrifices two years that could be spent studying, working and dating. Everyone sacrifices their past times and hobbies; no books outside of the missionary library, no camping, no swimming, no shooting, no winter sports, no TV, no video games, etc. All also sacrifice interaction with their family and friends. Most sacrifice money. Many sacrifice job opportunities and many others sacrifice scholarships, and much more.
Young men decide to make this sacrifice for all kinds of reasons. Some go for good reasons. Some have a sincere desire to share a Gospel that has brought them so much happiness. Some go because they feel it is their priesthood duty. Some simply want to follow the prophet. Others go for not so good reasons. Many feel cultural pressure. Others are only looking for adventure and an opportunity to travel. Still others may be hoping for better dating prospects at BYU upon their return. Of course the list could go on and on.
I remember wondering in the MTC if I had chosen to serve a mission for the right reasons. At the time, I felt that my greatest motivation was my family. I wanted you all to be blessed. After reading scriptures like Matthew 10:37, I began to doubt the virtue of that reason.
I would venture to say that most young men choose to make the sacrifice to serve missions for good reasons, but maybe not the best reason. There is one reason more virtuous than the others. It was the motivation behind the ultimate sacrifice; the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, italics added)
God's motivation for sacrificing His Only Begotten Son was love. Your comparatively minuscule sacrifice should be freely offered for the same reason; because you love God and Jesus Christ first, and secondly because you love your fellow man; your family and the people of Teresina Brazil. Christ taught that upon those first two commandments to love "hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:40). There too should hang, or depend as other translations put it, the missionaries.
It's OK if love for God and Christ is not yet your primary motivation. It wasn't mine when I was in your place. But whatever the current reason, good or bad, it's good that you and all of your contemporaries chose to serve. It should not be forgotten that all who "have desires to serve God... are called to the work" (D&C 4:3) regardless of the reason.
Keep in mind Elder Holland's words, "Missionaries are under obligation to come home having had at least one convert, you!"(Elder Holland Tells Missionaries to “Invest” in the Work) If you are to take up that sacred obligation, you must choose to develop the best motivation, have the best reason to serve, as early as possible. If you do, I know that you will become a truly converted disciple of Jesus Christ.
I'll finish this week's letter with a quote by Dallin H. Oaks:
"It is good to belong to our Father in Heaven’s true Church and to keep all of His commandments and fulfill all of our duties. [It's good to serve a mission]. But if this is to qualify as “best,” it should be done with love." (Dallin H. Oaks "Good, Better, Best")
I love you little brother. Keep it up!
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