Lessons on Missionary Service
Lesson No. Nineteen
Service Brings Blessings to Individuals and to Families
Missionaries are anxious for the well-being of their families – When Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon went on a mission to Canada they left their families in Kirtland, Ohio where there was great danger. Of course Joseph and Sidney were concerned. In a journal entry for October 12, 1833 Joseph wrote: “I feel very well in my mind, the Lord is with us, but have much anxiety about my family.”
The Lord’s promise to missionaries concerning their families – In response to Joseph and Sidney’s concerns about their families the Lord gave them the following divine assurance: “Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in my hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power” (D&C 100:1).
The Lord blessed our family while on our mission – The Returning Mission President’s Report I submitted to our Church leaders at the end of our mission asked me to “Describe your family’s experience during your mission. What did you do to make it a rewarding experience for them?” My answer was:
“Our mission has been a marvelous experience for the entire family. Sister Lunt and I have grown together in marvelous ways that we had never expected. I have seen such great growth in her and have been reminded so many times what a wonderful companion she is.
“Our oldest son John was with us for the first year of our mission, during which time he had many occasions to work with and observe my assistants. He learned what is expected of a missionary and what good missionaries do. This gave him an excellent start when he went on his mission to Ukraine Kiev. He has been an outstanding missionary. He will enter BYU this fall with a scholarship.
“Our daughter Sarah was with us for two years and graduated from an all-girls parochial high school at the top of her class. She made many friends with both the students and the administration. The school accepted seminary in place of the religion class they required in their curriculum. She has just completed her first year at BYU and has a four-year scholarship.
“Our three youngest children Christine, Michael, and Catherine, have prospered in the mission field. They enjoy being with the missionaries and have become aware of the importance of being a positive example because people observe what they do and expect good things from them.
“Our oldest daughter Michelle was married the month before we came and has lived in our home in Salt Lake City while we were gone. She has graduated from BYU while we were gone and has given us our first grandchild.
“We have experienced the reality of the promise of the Lord that he will bless the families of missionaries.”
Our testimony concerning the blessing that come from service – In June 2011, President Henry B. Eyring called us to return to Kentucky to serve as the Louisville Kentucky Temple President and Matron. At the end of the interview we expressed our gratitude for the opportunity to continue our service in Kentucky. We asked President Eyring if anyone ever declined such an opportunity to serve. He responded that if they did they would forfeit the blessings that the Lord always gives to those who serve in His Church. This reminded us of the truth of the Book of Mormon teaching “that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).
Our family, individually and collectively, has received a multitude of blessings that come from service. We have been prospered and protected in every needful way as we have served in the Lord’s Church and Kingdom on the earth. This has given us great reason to rejoice and thank the Lord for His tender mercies and loving kindness.