Prelude to My Life in "A Major"

Well, here it is. The end. Or as Strong Bad would say "It's Over!" (If you have no idea what I am talking about, disregard or check out http://www.homestarrunner.com/ for a good time)

The California Santa Rosa Mission; a place that has come to feel like home. A place that has changed me from the boy I was to the man I have become. My mission has more or less taught me 3 basic things which have impacted my life for eternity. My mission has become the prelude to my life. It has taught me the importance of a Savior and how Jesus Christ can make more out of me than I can make out of me.

Prelude to Life (A Time to Prepare to Meet God)

Alma teaches us that this is life to prepare to meet God. I relate my mission to life like elementary school is to college. It's only the beginning of a long journey, but it still plays a huge role in who I will be and what I will later become.  Spencer W. Kimball taught us this very concept:

Your mission is preparation. It is your school for eternity. You won’t forget that, will you? This mission is not just a 2 year stretch. This is the time when you cultivate the seeds of godhood so that you can help other people on their way toward exaltation. How small are we who think of the mission as just being a stretch of time, some physical things to do, a little studying to do, some praying. This is the most purposeful thing, perhaps, you have ever done in your life and possibly the most purposeful thing that some of you will ever do. It’s up to you to let this be the prelude to your life, to let it be the beginning of a great and glorious life.

The prelude of a performance or the prelude music in a meeting is important. It sets the tone for the rest of the performance or meeting. Just like Rachminov's Prelude in C sharp minor (above), those relatively few short minutes of music playing before we get to what we came for sets us in the mood to get the most out of it. It calls our attention and excites us for what is to come.

A mission is no different. I don't know from personal experience of course, but i've seen the example of others and how their mission has set the tone for the rest of their life. They played the prelude well and are all warmed up and ready for the rest of the performance.

On my mission I've learned what I really want in life, who I want to be, and more important, who I want to become someday. I've learned what life is really about and how I can continue to improve myself. I've learned the value of time and of the importance of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Atonement is for Everyone

   I've learned that the Atonement is not something for everyone else but me. It something that is for everyone else and me. I've come to really appreciate this gift that Jesus Christ has given to all of us; the gift of change and repentance. I've seen this power work miracles in the lives of others, especially my own. I will never forget the people that have shown me the power of the Atonement to change us from carnal beings into spiritual ones and i'll never forget the simple yet powerful experiences that have changed me. I think most of all the Atonement has applied to me in this way:

 The Atonement will carry you missionaries perhaps even more importantly than it will carry the investigators. When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon, and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity, is through Him- the Way, the Truth, and the Life. –Jeffrey R. Holland

When we turn to God for help He will make us into more than we can become by ourselves

When I came on a mission I was this guy. A pretty good guy i'd say, but definetly had some things to learn. A lot more things than I ever thought I needed to learn. I found that many of the things I needed to learn were a little out of my control or ability to change. But I found that as I went to God with my weakness He turned them into strengths.

    Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life. –President Ezra Taft Benson

One of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon is Ether 12:27. Here Moroni prays to the Lord fearing that people will mock the words which he and other prophets have written (seems a little ironic since the Book of Mormon is such a powerful record testifying of Jesus Christ and of a living prophet). The Lord tells him:

"Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Moroni then says:

  "And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith;"

This passage has strengthened me in those times of worry and inadequacy. I know that our Savior has felt all of those pains and that through Him we can be strengthened. I think it is interesting that we were given weaknesses so we may be humble and come unto Him. What a blessing it is to have weakness so that we may turn to Him and feel His love.

IT'S OVER!!

 And so now begins the actual performance. The Prelude is over, but the symphony is just warmed up and ready for the opening number.

Thanks to all of you who have taught me and helped me so much. I'm grateful for each one of you.

Well, here goes something! We now open the next act, where bugs bunny will shave Elmer Fudds already bald head and Elmer will attempt to finally kill the Wabbit  Elder Crowther becomes just Crowther (haha. you thought I was going to say my first name), and the adventure of regular life begins. Though this time of my Life is over, THIS IS MY LIFE. Therefore, it will never really end. :)

Keep Smilin'!

-Elder Crowther