I promised in an earlier post to try and produce some upbeat posts on Sunday. So here are some reflections on LDS missionary service prompted by remarks I heard in church a couple of weeks ago.
A recently returned missionary who served in Eastern Europe talked about her experience. Plainly the work is difficult, opposition to the LDS message and program is sometimes pointed, and LDS membership in that part of the world is small. Then a gentleman who served some years ago in an area of the United States that was experiencing remarkable success talked about how that mission at that time baptized hundreds and hundreds of individuals each month. Missionaries were so busy teaching they really had no need, and literally no time, to go tracting door-to-door to find new contacts. He said he didn't knock on a single door his entire mission. He noted what a challenge it is, but what fine work is done, by missionaries laboring in areas where the Church is young and proselyting success is a rare event. They are laying a foundation for future growth and success by those who come in later years. Yes, the LDS missionary experience covers the whole spectrum, depending on where and when one serves.
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