FAIR's Rising Generation

Archive for May 16th, 2009

I’m a big fan of missionary stories. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love the story of struggling companions who endure grueling weather and opposition and finally find a family at the last door of the street that keenly wants to be baptized. As they say in the Field, this is the stuff dreams are made of.

When I arrived in Sydney, Australia at the beginning of my mission, I fully expected to participate in similarly wonderful stories.

I quickly found that perspective and attitude played a big role in how I saw events–whether I amazing coincidences were mere chance or subtle miracles. My companions and I loved swapping stories. There is one that I particularly loved from my companion, Elder Jensen.

Elders Jensen and Zang were in a middle-of-nowhere town called Dubbo with only a small branch to work with. Imagine a small dusty town where every door has been knocked on by missionaries for months. People comfortable living away from anything exciting wanting only to live their lives without interruption hear “knock, knock, knock” by a couple of strange preachers trying to persuade them to change. Their reaction? Well, missionary work is tough in those kinds of places. Since the traditional approach didn’t work so well, Elder Jensen and Zang threw in a few less than normal strategies into their days. For example, they liked to cook for the members of the branch and build them up.

One day, the two missionaries decided to make pancakes for a young woman in the branch and surprise her with them–no reason why…just to be nice. When they arrived, the woman courteously thanked them for the gift. They left happy, knowing they did something small but nice for the sister.

She told the missionaries later how they helped her make one of the most important decisions of her life. Before they arrived, her boyfriend had given her an ultimatum: “Choose the Church or choose me.” She struggled all day to decide which path she would pursue. She loved him but knew that leaving the Church would compromise her search for happiness.

However, when Elder Jensen and Zang dropped by, she immediately knew which choice would make her happiest. Not knowing they were led by the Spirit, the two elders saved her from leaving the Church and missing out on so many great blessings from remaining active.

Simple acts of kindness do more good than we sometimes imagine. If we keep a healthy attitude and perspective, we will see ourselves participate in miracles for others when they need them most.

What missionary stories inspire you?