Missionary Talk: The Blessings of Missionary Work

Good Afternoon everyone. It is so good to be here with you all even though I am scared to death to be standing up here. And because I am standing up here today, that means there are only 3 days until I enter the MTC. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ashleigh Simmons. I will be serving in the New York Utica mission, and like I said, I am reporting on Wednesday! I am so excited, but yet nervous too. So, the bishop gave me the topic of, “The blessings of missionary work.” which works perfect for me since I am going on a mission. We can all participate in missionary work. This is the Lord’s work, and He will help us do it.

Imagine with me for a minute what your life would be like if you didn’t have the blessings of the Gospel…… Have you ever felt a sense of gratitude for the blessings you enjoy each day?…… Have you ever experienced the warmth that floods your heart when you have shared your feelings with others and could sense their receptiveness?…… That warmth is the love of Christ burning within your soul and needing to be shared. I have for sure felt this love in my heart. We really are so blessed to have the Gospel!

Before now, I never saw myself going on a mission. When people would ask me as a child and young woman if I wanted to serve a mission, I would always say No way!!! Not me!!! I had my many reasons why. But once I graduated High School, started college, and was a little more independent, I started searching for myself and who I really was. As I was searching, a question came to my head. The question was, “Do I want to serve a mission? Do I really want to go on a mission? I could go on a mission.”

Right then, a mission became a possibility for me. For about a year and a half, this thought was constantly on my mind. I continued to pray, and ask my Heavenly Father if I was supposed to go on a mission. As I did this, I continued to prepare, and learn more. I figured whether I went on a mission or not, preparing for one wouldn’t hurt. It would definitely be beneficial. I still didn’t see myself going on a mission, but the option was there. Deciding on going on a mission wasn’t easy. But now that I have made the decision, and am about to embark on this wonderful adventure, I couldn’t be a happier person and know for sure that what I am about to do is a part of Heavenly Father’s plan for me and that He will help me every step of the way!

In Preach My Gospel it says, “As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase.” I have seen this in my own life! As I have learned more about Jesus Christ, and grown closer to Him, my desire to share the Gospel with others has increased. I want everyone to feel the joy I feel knowing the truth. Knowing who I am, and having a relationship with Jesus Christ has been a major blessing in my life.

The Lord’s Church has the responsibility to preach the gospel in the world. This is the foundation of missionary work. In Preach My Gospel, the first chapter is titled “My Purpose.” My purpose as a missionary is to “invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”

When we experience the blessings of gospel living, we naturally want to share those blessings with others. The Lord spoke of the joy that comes into our lives when we share His gospel: in (D&C 18:15-16) it says “If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father!” “And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!”

The Lord has declared that missionary work is the responsibility of all Latter-day Saints (see D&C 88:81) says “Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.” As a member of the Lord’s Church, you can, by goodness of your life and strength of your testimony, help prepare your family members, friends, neighbors, and other acquaintances to meet with the full-time missionaries.

The most powerful missionary message you can send is your own example of living a happy Latter-day Saint life. Remember that people do not join the church only because of gospel principles they learn. They join because they feel something that begins to satisfy their spiritual needs. If you are sincere in your friendship with them, they will be able to feel the spirit of your testimony and happiness.

After His resurrection, the Lord commanded His disciples in (Matthew 28:19) to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. In fulfillment of this command, able young men in the Church have a duty to prepare spiritually, physically, and emotionally to serve as full-time missionaries. Single women and mature couples also have the opportunity to serve full-time missions. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity I have to serve a full-time mission. Many of the general authorities have said many times that their missions are the foundation of their lifetime of service. I am sure this is true for all who have served missions, and I know it will be a part of me for the rest of my life.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “We are commanded by God to take the gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family.”

President Kimball once called missionary work the lifeblood of the Church, and indeed it is. It’s not only because new converts give the Church vitality and strength, but the missionaries themselves gain a new measure of vitality and strength as they participate in the convert’s commitment to Christ. This vitality and strength is a mighty force, an instrument in God’s hands to cause the gospel to roll forth and fill the whole earth.

The message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families. Because of the Restoration we understand God’s purpose for families: “The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.” I love this! As I missionary, I am not just helping families towards baptism. I am also helping them work towards entering the temple and receiving all the blessings held within.

On earth, family associations can be the source of some of our greatest joy. Satan is attacking the family on many fronts, and too many families are being destroyed by his efforts. The message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ makes it possible for families to be united now and in eternity. By living the principles of the gospel, families can experience peace, joy, and a sense of belonging and identity in this life. Through the light of the gospel, families can resolve misunderstandings, contentions, and challenges. Families torn by discord can be healed through repentance, forgiveness, and faith in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. “Happiness in family life most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained in principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, and work.

I am so grateful for my Family, so to know that with the sacred ordinances and covenants available in the Temples I can now be with my family eternally is so wonderful to me. It gives me comfort in every aspect of my life.

I would like to end my talk with a scripture passage. It is kind of long, so bear with me. I love Alma chapter 26. In (Alma 26:11-16) it says, “But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many might miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?

Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.

Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his longsuffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel.”

I just love verse 12. I will read it again. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many might miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. I am definitely nothing. I know that I can only do this work with the Lord. This is the Lord’s work and He will help me, and every single one of us do it.

I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. Without him, where would I be today? Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement can bring us peace, hope, and understanding, which I have found to be true many times in my life. I am grateful for my testimony that has grown tremendously, I am grateful for the opportunities in my life to look for and see the hand of the Lord in my life. I am grateful for Trials and for all the lessons I have learned from them and for how much they have strengthened me. I am so grateful for this gospel and the joy and happiness it has brought into my life. I have grown so much!

I know this church is the one and only true church! I know it with all of my heart! I know that we are all divine children of a Heavenly Father. And I know my Heavenly Father Loves me, and every single one of you. I feel His love every single day, Whether through other people, through His tender mercies. I know that if we follow Heavenly Fathers plan for us, we will one day be able to live with him again. I know that the lord works through other people to help us return to Him. I am so grateful for the knowledge that we have a Heavenly Father that will never leave us alone. To know that I can pray to him whenever and wherever I am, and he will listen. I know when we pray we will always receive an answer. It may not be the answer we wanted, or when we wanted it, but we will receive one. We just need to be ready for it. I know that the Atonement is a reality and that Christ suffered for our sins so we could live with him again. He is the ultimate example. I know that Jesus Christ did come, He did live and he will come again. My testimony I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Missionary Talk: Love One Another

Love One Another

Good morning Brothers and Sisters. It is so good to be back here in this ward where I grew up. I never saw this day coming where I would actually be going on a mission, but now that it is here, I am so excited, and so grateful, that I get to serve the Lord. As you have heard from Gracie and Brother Okamura, our topic for today is “Love One Another”. To show my love to some of my friends, I have to say a couple of things. For my friends from Babies R us I have to say, “Purple Mangoes” and to my friends at Macey’s, I have to say “Pretty Pink Princess Shoes.” there, now that I got that over with, I can move on. I feel like whenever I speak in church, or give a lesson, I am taught so much more than any of you will be taught. So I feel this is mostly for me :D but I hope that the spirit will touch you and teach you all as it has taught me.

I will start off today with a scripture. In Matthew 22:36-39 a man asked Jesus “Which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus replied: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

I found this quote by Gordon B. Hinckley which I love so much. It says, “Love is the very essence of life. It is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is not found only at the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day.” I just love the picture that this paints for me, that love is at the beginning and end of the rainbow, and it also arches across a stormy sky.

I looked up the definition of Love on the churches website. It was defined as “a deep devotion and affection. Love for God includes devotion, adoration, reverence, tenderness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, grace, service, gratitude, and kindness.” After reading this definition I noticed that each one of these words are action words. True love requires action. In True To The Faith, it says that “We manifest our love for Heavenly Father by keeping His commandments and serving His children…Our love for those around us increases when we remember that we are all children of God-that we are spirit brothers and sisters.” It is as we serve, as we take time to express interest and concern in someone other than ourselves, that we are more likely to gain a glimpse of who we really are and what we can ultimately become.

As I was thinking about what I wanted to talk about, my mind kept going back to President Uchtdorf’s talk in this most recent General Conference called, “You Are My Hands.” This was one of my favorite talks in this last Conference. In his talk he says, “When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation”… “That is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”… “As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands; our eyes His eyes; our heart, His heart.”

“Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” “Christ knew how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result.” If we are His hands, then we can do the same.

When Bishop Jenkins gave me this topic, I thought of how perfectly the lyrics to the song we just sang goes with this topic. The lyrics of this song are so beautiful and exactly what I want to become. I will read them for you again.

I want to be a window to His love,

So when you look through me you will see him.

I want to be so pure and clear, that you won’t even know I’m here

‘cause His love will shine brightly through me.

I want to be a doorway to the truth,

So when you walk beyond you will find Him

I want to stand so straight and tall, that you won’t notice me at all,

But through my open door He will be seen.

I want to be a window to His love,

So you can look through me and you’ll see Him.

And someday shining through my face, you’ll see His loving countenance,

‘cause I will have become like He is

A window to His love, A doorway to the truth,

A bearer of the message, He’d have me bring to you.

And with each passing day, I want to fade away.

Till only he, can be seen, and I become,

A window to His love.

The life of the Savior reflects His pure love for all people. He even gave His life for all of us. Charity is that pure love which our Savior Jesus Christ has. He has commanded us to love one another as He loves us. The scriptures tell us that charity is felt within the heart. We have pure love when, from the heart, we show genuine concern and compassion for all our brothers and sisters.

The Prophet Moroni says in Moroni 7:46-47, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail- but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”

Charity includes God’s eternal love for all His children. We are to seek to develop that kind of love. When you are filled with charity, you obey God’s commandments and do all you can to serve others and help them receive the restored gospel.

The Savior gave us the example of His life to follow. He was a perfect man. He had perfect love, and He showed us how we must love. He showed us that the spiritual and physical needs of our fellowmen are just as important as our own. We need to love one another, just as the simple primary song “Love One Another” puts it.

As I have loved you, love one another.

This new commandment, love one another.

By this shall man know, Ye are my disciples.

If you have love, one to another.

Charity and love are both gifts from God. The prophet Mormon says in Moroni 7:48 “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that we may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”

As you follow this counsel and strive to do righteous works, your love for all people will increase, especially those among whom you labor. You will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people. You will see them as children of God with the potential of becoming like our Heavenly Father, and you will labor in their behalf. You will avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness. You will avoid judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are struggling or discouraged. Charity, like faith, leads to action. You will develop charity as you look for opportunities to serve others and give of yourself.

I have read the book “Standing for Something” by President Gordon B. Hinckley multiple times because it has so much juicy stuff in it. There is one chapter called “Love: The Lodestar of Life” in this chapter Gordon B. Hinckley writes this: “One of the greatest challenges we face in our hurried, self-centered lives is to follow the counsel of the Master, to take the time and make the effort to care for others, to develop and exercise the one quality that would enable us to change the lives of others-- what the scriptures call charity… We tend to think of charity as donations to a homeless shelter or a check written to a favorite institution that dispenses funds to those in need. But best defined, charity is that pure love exemplified by Jesus Christ. It embraces kindness, a reaching out to lift and help.”

Charity isn’t something you can just acquire in one day. It is something you have to constantly work on your whole life. I love the scripture Moroni 7:45. It reads “And charity suffered long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, and seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, nad rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Charity is so much more than just a simple act of kindness as we see in this verse. In my institute class this last semester, my Institute teacher challenged us to take this scripture apart and try to become each of these attributes. What I have done is written each of these on a piece of paper and put them in a little bowl on my side table. Every now and then I draw one of the slips of paper from the bowl and work on that one attribute. I search the attribute out in the scriptures and try my hardest let that attribute become a part of me. I also Ask my Heavenly Father for His help because I know that charity is a gift from God, and that I need His help to acquire it. As I have done this, it has drawn me closer to Christ. I want to be a better person, and I know that every day, I can be a little better, and stand a little taller. Like I said, Charity isn’t something you can acquire right away. It is something that needs to be nourished and worked on every single day.

“If you want to love God, you have to learn to love and serve the people. That is the way to show your love for God.” Through acts of service, large or small, we can learn to love more deeply.

Mosiah 18:8-9 is where we find our baptismal covenants. We have covenanted to “Bear one another’s burdens; mourn with those that mourn; and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” We have the responsibility to help them, without being urged or commanded. We have covenanted to serve those who are in need, just as Christ served His fellowmen. Christlike service may not be requested. It may be needed by someone who is a stranger to us who can never repay us. It may be unpleasant and require much effort on our part. It maybe needed at a time when it is difficult for us to give. We may receive no praise or recognition. But we serve others because we love our Heavenly Father and His children and want to help them out of the pure desire of our hearts.

Matthew 25:40, a very familiar scripture, says “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, he have done it unto me.”

So as we go back to the scripture Matthew 22:36-39 where it says “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” As we serve and love others, we will be showing our love to God, and to show our love to God, he has asked us to serve and love others.

I just want to end by saying how much I appreciate all the love that has been shown to me. I love my family so much and appreciate the sacrifice they will be making to help support me on my mission. I have the best friends in the world. I couldn’t be a luckier girl and can’t thank them enough for putting up with me and always being there for me :D I am so grateful for this gospel and the joy and happiness it has brought into my life. I have grown so much! I know this church is the one and only true church! I know it with all of my heart! I know that we are all divine children of a Heavenly Father. And I know my Heavenly Father Loves me, and every single one of you. I feel His love every single day, Whether through other people, through His tender mercies, and just through everything I have. I am so grateful for this gospel, and I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Pictures of Utica!!!!

Look how GREEN!!!

and then the green changes to colors!

I am definitely excited for the Fall colors! and pictures don't even give justice! I will get to see it first hand! Oh! and maple trees are there, so I will get REAL Maple Syrup!!!

Not too excited for winter!

Lots and Lots of SNOW!!!!!!!!!!! Uh-oh! Everyone knows how much I "love" the cold!

I'm Doomed. Hope I have good snow shoes :D

This is a picture of my Mission President and his wife! Kevin M. Bulloch and NaNon Whittaker Bulloch. Don't they look so nice :D I am so excited to meet them!!!!

New York Utica!!!

I received my LDS mission call March 31, 2010. I will be serving in the New York Utica mission. I report June 2, 2010. I am stoked to be serving the Lord and bringing the gospel to those in NY. I know this is where the Lord needs me the most, and I will make the most of my mission by serving Him to my fullest potential. This blog is where you can get updates on me. This is where we will post my letters, e-mails, and pictures! I look forward to sharing my adventures with all of you, and hope you will do the same with me. :D one month away and I will be entering the MTC! I am so excited I can't even hide it! I love you all!