A common theme of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is remembrance. The root word “remember” and all its varieties appear about 220 times in the Book of Mormon.
“And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual, and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” (Mos. 2:41)
“And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.” (Mos. 4:11)
“I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.” (Mos. 5:12)
Memory is one of the most popular topics in Psychology, and rightly so in my opinion. Memory is incredibly useful. There's long-term and short-term memory. There's episodic and semantic memory. There's implicit and explicit memory. Any student of Psychology is familiar with a great case study on memory involving a man named H.M. who underwent surgery to treat his epileptic seizures. Part of the surgery involved removing part of the hippocampus, a structure in the brain best associated with memory. The surgery was a success and the seizures stopped but H.M. developed severe anterograde amnesia. Although H.M. retained his old memories, he couldn't develop new memories. What's incredible, however, is that even though H.M. couldn't create new memories in the regular sense, being aware of what happened there on out, he was able to form new procedural memories meaning that he could learn how to play golf or play the piano and so forth without realizing he'd been practicing for the last couple months. This suggests that learning isn't all about remembering what the teacher says. There is something to be said about actively doing and practicing what we preach insomuch that it becomes ingrained in our very nature (See "What is Truth? Science and Faith"). Gospel living goes beyond learning the ins and outs of everything there is to know; all God asks of us is that we have faith enough to keep His commandments and to become a little better each day because of it. Heavenly Father cares much more about what we do and who we become rather than what we think we know.
Life is built brick by brick, lesson upon lesson, line upon line, precept upon precept. Everything builds upon itself. We would do well to get the most out of life's lessons if we retain the lessons of yesterday. That's why I write them down. One of the inspirations for my story writing comes from a book-turned-movie by John H. Groberg who was counseled by Thomas S. Monson to write down his experiences, said he to Elder Groberg, "John, I want you to write a book about your missionary experiences in Tonga . . . because if you don’t, that will be a chapter of Church history that will be lost". I share that sentiment that if we don't write down our experiences, that chapter of history will be lost. Even if we don't share them with everyone, even though they probably won't end up in a history book, I think it's important that each of us record our experiences and testimonies.
Whenever a missionary would leave, members would inevitably come up and say, “No se olvide de nosotros”, which means, “Don’t forget about us”. I committed to never forget those people who shared those two years with me, a few moments of which I have now laid before you which you now share. The joy of missionary work boils down to loving people. If you love the people, you are a successful missionary. The two great commandments are based on the love of God and love for one another. That's why the mission was unforgettable for me. It wasn't because of the food, or the sunsets, or the music, or the language; it was because of the people. If we can learn to love one another in this life, just imagine the extent to which it will be like in heaven and the love Heavenly Father must feel for each of us.
When we participate in the Sacrament every week, we do it in remembrance of Jesus Christ (See "Sabbath Day Observance"). I shall never forget that I’ve both seen the hand of God throughout my life, but it is something else to see it work in the lives of those you come to love. I once heard it said, “The best place to start over is in the place where nobody knows who you are”. Our past does not define who we are or who we can be. Nobody we met, whether strangers on the street, church members, or even our own companions, knew anything about our history; it was up to us to decide what kind of people we were going to be and what they would remember us by. It didn’t matter if you were lazy back in High School. Your mission companion could revere you as the hardest worker if that's what you chose to become. It didn’t matter if you used to be a shy kid. You could be remembered as a friend to all it that's what you chose to be. You choose who you want to be. To me, this conviction reflects gospel principles of faith and repentance (a personal decision to change and belief that change is possible), baptism (a commitment and commencement), and perseverance (a becoming; see "More Than Good"). Paul in the New Testament described it as “putting off the old man”, and to “…put on the new man” (Eph. 4:22-24). The Book of Romans says:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized unto his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:3-4)
Missionaries may come home taller, with a tan, a new haircut, a new accent, new mannerisms, and a million new stories. They might gain weight, or lose weight. Their taste in food and music might be different. All in all, whether externally or internally, they are different people and that is what we strive to be as people who believe in eternal progression.
The most enduring changes in returned missionaries work from the inside out. It’s easy to see that their confidence is balanced by humility. That they’re more mature. They’re responsible adults with real-life experience under their belts and a heart that grew three sizes. Not all missions are alike; experiences vary and even time can vary, but when all is said and done, they are not trophies to be compared or flaunted. They only represent a small part of what our whole lives should mean to us as life-long disciples of Jesus Christ. The real mission starts after the mission. President Morales had a philosophy of “Continual Progress” mimetic to the underlying gospel principle of Eternal Life which is literally, "Eternal Progress". Spiritual growth, testimony, and service are life-long pursuits. He warned against the danger of becoming idle, causing our progress in life to plateau because of complacency. Excellence requires going beyond what is “enough”, or “the bare minimum”. He was paraphrasing one of life’s purposes—to become perfected in Christ (See "More Than Good" and "Eternal Life: As God Is"). Enduring to the end doing all we can do. Making the most of what we have and are. Where much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48; D&C 82:3). There is a saying in Mexico, "Echarle Ganas". It basically means, "Give it your all!" It is my challenge to you that we give all we have in whatever we do, and go the extra mile.
Two years is a small amount of time. It sounds like an eternity and feels like an eternity while it is happening but before you know it, it is passed. Life as a whole is much the same in my, albeit limited, experience. The past is to be learned from, not to be lived in. By now, much has happened, and I have learned many lessons, far more than were taught by me or from any pamphlet. Each came from the spirit and experience. By works. Memories and friendships were forged that, thanks to the Plan of Happiness, can endure forever.
Returned missionaries must never forget the people. They should stay in contact with them. They should continue sharing their testimonies and taking an interest in their lives. They should strive to see that they get to the temple and endure to the end. What use is missionary work without retention?
They must press forward wherever they are. Where ‘ere thou art, act well thy part. Sure, the returned missionary will not knock on doors or wear a name tag anymore but they can find other ways to build the kingdom of God. They can start with their own family. They can serve others not only physically but by offering any act of love, even something as simple as listening to them (See "Called to Serve"). There is power in listening (See "Listen"). They can continue to share their testimony and love of the gospel wherever they go not by word only but by example. They can continue to serve in their own wards in callings (See "Prophets and Callings"), including visiting the members and ministering to them (See "Ministering to the One"). They can look for people for the missionaries to teach and go on visits with them (See "Member Missionary Work"). They can go to the temple and do family history work for those who cannot do it themselves (See "Redeeming the Dead"). You can help encourage the future generation of missionaries. There is something for all of us to do that doesn't require a name tag.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is eternal. The Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is infinite in every way (See "Great Sacrifice"). Instead of being something that is past and done, we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are future-oriented people. We know that there are things we need to do today in order to be ready for the things of tomorrow, not only in this life but in terms of our eternal life. As we go about in our personal progression, it becomes us to help the rest of the world prepare to meet the Savior (See "Return of the King -- Part 5"). I encourage you to begin wherever you are and to do the next thing you need to do. And I hope as I have tried to do with this website, we look for and pray for opportunities to "Build the Kingdom of God" where we are. This can look like so many different things; do what you feel inspired to do with your life.
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