"Let Us Cheerfully Do All Things"

Well, this is my last email/blog out as a single full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


Time goes by, as usual. This past week has gone well. Jun Xiu was baptized. It was a peaceful and spiritual baptismal service. Jun Xiu had been afraid and apprehensive the week before. But, after she was baptized, she sent us a text message thanking us and saying that she was looking forward to learning more. We've been able to see her a couple times since then, and she is doing wonderfully well.

Frank will be baptized on Saturday. It took us four nerve wrecking interviews with him, but everything is resolved. He is such a great guy, and his desire to learn more about the Church and the gospel is a great example to us. We love his sincerity.

Things continue to go on. We're working on getting more people to progress on to baptism date. We have some great new people whom we're working with. Jessica, who we tried to put on baptism date, is going back to China on Monday, and will only be back in July. But, she'll be baptized. She asked if she could get baptized after she gets back!

Thinking about and reflecting on this journey that started almost three years ago has been.... well, it's rather indescribable. I love my my mission. I have loved serving and teaching and growing. It's still hard for me to see all the change that I think and hope has taken place. But, I have learned from the many experiences I've had. It's been easy, it's been unbearable, it's been the best and the worst days in my life. But, I have learned the things which I have needed to, that the gospel is true, that my family is the most important thing to me, that happiness comes in obeying the gospel. I know that Jesus Christ lives, that he is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that the church of Jesus Christ is on this earth again today, with all the power and authority of God. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the words of God, that through the words of the prophets of old and of the present day will bring us joy, joy that can and will surpass all understanding as we strive to follow what we know to be true.

I'm a little afraid to go back to the world, but I'm also excited to see what Heavenly Father has planned for me as I start school again, and learn to be who I can and must become.

I find comfort in a wonderful talk given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He said,

"And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead, we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives."

Faith is what I take with me, to know that with it, I have the power to do all that Heavenly Father has in store for me. I know that as I continue to obey His commandments and keep the covenants that I have made with Him, that all things will work out, and give me the experiences I need to allow me to return to live with my earthly and family again one day.

We gave a zone training yesterday. As I was searching for a scripture to close with, I came across this, from the Doctrine and Covenants, 123rd section, verses 11 to 17.

And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it— Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven— These should then be attended to with great earnestness. Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things. You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

These things are true. I am full of good cheer because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for all your love and support these past two years. I'll post more later on next week. Have a great week!

-Elder Chua