(Since this girls camp has come and gone...I figured I could post this on the blog. It was so inspirational, I couldn't resist)
Girl's Camp Letter:
Dearest Young Women of the Orem 3rd Ward.
I just love you. I hope you know that.
I have learned many things since being on my mission but one of the greatest things that I have realized is just how important member missionary work is. Sharing the gospel with people you know is so much more natural and successful than just finding people to teach by tracting. Half of the baptisms we see here in Ohio are from member referrals. Our Heavenly Father intended for us to share the happy message of the gospel, whether we are serving a full time mission or not.
So who are the perfect member missionaries? When I was your age I surely didn't think myself. I was young, inadequate, and lived in Orem Utah where everyone was already a member, right?
Wrong, so very wrong.
It teaches in D&C 4 that if you have desires to serve God, you are called to the work. Period. Do you desire to serve our Father in Heaven? Well congrats. You are officially responsible for the call you've been given, to spread his gospel! You have all been told time after time by modern day prophets that you are a member of a chosen generation, that you are commissioned to build up the Kingdom before the Second Coming.
You all have a unique situation where you are exposed to new people almost everyday. Your social pool is larger than your parents.The young people you meet are more ready to hear the Gospel, and change their lives so they can be closer to God. You are blessed with boldness. You are blessed with time. You are blessed with strength. You are blessed to be in this gospel, with firm testimonies of your Savior, at a young age. You are so blessed because God loves and trusts you.
I was sitting where you are just a year ago. I know that it is easy to feel inadequate, scared, or hesitant in sharing the gospel. But if you remember nothing else from this letter, remember this:
God loves you.
He has prepared you to be here at this time, with these strengths, and with these weaknesses. We will never be dirty, broken, or weak enough to lose the love of our Father. He has the power to completely change us, the power to reveal who we really are: Divine Daughters of God with potential we cannot imagine.
He does not need perfect, experienced, mature people to be his missionaries. He needs you.
He needs young people who realize that they are blessed to know Him and His plan for them. Young people who are willing to put their faith in his love and transforming grace. Young people who are willing to serve with all their heart, might, mind, and strength. He needs you to come to him, and be made whole.
I know that it is through the love of our Father in Heaven and the Sacrifice of His Son that we are able to find true happiness. As we strive to follow his will for us, we will find more joy than we could ever imagine. We have much in store for us, all we need to do is ask. I have never felt more love than when I became a missionary and felt God's love for the people I teach. It is breathtaking. We are all priceless in the sight of God. I want nothing more than for all of you to feel God's love for others by serving them, and in turn, come to know just how much he loves you personally.
It is our responsibility to share this knowledge. God has trusted you to teach others by example, word, and deed. Thank you all for your service and for being true disciples of Christ. Never forget that we promise to take his name upon us. Everything we do should live worthy of his name. Do all you do in love, love for God and all his children, and everything will be just fine.
I love you and can't wait to hear about your missionary experiences.
Sister Mary Mitchell
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