Testimony

 Just over five years ago I left on my mission for South Africa. I can't really believe how long it has been since then, it feels a lot shorter. (I know most of you are probably thinking, "I've been home Longer.")

When I entered the mission field I thought it would all be knocking doors, finding families to teach, and baptizing those families. Well, for those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to serve a mission, there is a lot more to it than that.

My mission president looked old and tired when I met him for the first time. He had been out for six months at that time and I learned later that he had just recently sent home close to 18 missionaries early because of serious disobedience which ended their worthiness to serve. 

When he pulled me into his office for my first interview he said, "Elder Stubbs I need you to teach the gospel to more than just the people of South Africa, I need you to teach it to your fellow missionaries." 

I learned that sometimes the later was even more important than the former, because without missionaries with testimonies there is no way to spread the gospel.  

As my time went on the missionaries that were once disobedient (in the words of my mission pres.) "either repented or went home" and we received more and more stellar missionaries who were ready to serve God. Over the two years I watched my mission president get younger.

At the close of one of my final Zone Conferences, which was filled with the spirit, my mission president looked at me and said, "You know Elder Stubbs, this mission has come a long way in two years. You and I have seen a lot change. We couldn't have had a Zone conference like that one when you first got here."

   

Throughout my two years I met some of the best families and had some of the best experiences of my life. I also experienced some of the lowest lows I have ever had. You can imagine the joy and excitement that comes when someone gains a testimony of the restored gospel and want to be baptized. 

Now imagine the opposite in devastation when you meet someone who gains that same light and testimony, and yet for some reason or other rejects the gospel and decides not to be baptized. 

     

I experienced both on the very last day of my mission. 

Every one you see in the pictures above were baptized my very last Saturday, but because of some perceived offense after the baptism only three showed up to church the next day to be confirmed.

 I am still haunted by the choice of one young mother to take offense where none was meant and thus lead her children away from receiving the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.

When I look back on my mission I can honestly say that I had the best experience I could possibly have.

I loved it.

I wont say I loved every minute of it because there were a few in there that genuinely stunk, but if you were to ask me what my favorite part of my mission was I would have to say teaching.

Now I don't mean just teaching investigators I also mean teaching district meetings, new missionaries, and teaching on exchanges.

I also really loved being taught.

By my mission president, my districts leaders, my companions, and the many wonderful members of the wards I served in. 

I cherish these memories.

So why am I reminiscing now? What cause your little brother Richard to suddenly get the urge to write a lengthy bog post about his mission?

Well it comes in two parts.

First:

Facebook is depressing. I have recently read many posts from former missionaries in that were in my districts while I was their leader which have really broken my heart.

Men who I heard testify with great boldness of the Gospel and its restored truths. Men who I looked up to and who I loved serving and teaching with.

Now they are posting their support for Gay Pride, and their utter hatred of all things religious while drinking beer on their back porch on easter Sunday.

I ache for these men who once called me in the middle of the night for a priesthood blessing and taught with me in the homes of investigators with power and authority.

Then I ask myself, What happened to these men who once stood boldly in the face of opposition and said, "I know that these things which we teach are true, and nothing you say can change what I have felt and witnessed to be true." 

Sin, apathy, pride, perceived or genuine injustices. These could all be the culprits.

I wish I could gather all of them once again in to the churches of Medowridge, Langa, Mdantsane, and George to teach them what I know, still, to be true. I wish I could preach with such power that it would shake them to their very core and cause them to come to repent as Alma the Younger did.

But, like Alma the Younger, I know "that I do sin in my wish" for it is given unto all men to choose. Whiter it be liberty and eternal life through the great mediator, Jesus Christ, or captivity and death through the devil.

I know that I can't change their paths for them and at this point sending a message or posting a comment on their pages would just fall on deaf ears.

So why do you get to hear me rant?

Well that's my second reason for posting a lengthy blog post.

There is so much social upheaval today. I don't need to go into detail will all the things that are pressing upon my mind and heart like, but I can see the literal fulfillment of the scripture which says that in the latter days people will call good, evil and evil, good.

This is happening today. When good people try to stand up for what is commanded by God they are called "bigots", "religious zealots", and "close minded".

Members of the church find it more and more difficult to stand against the tide of social pressures coming from friends within and without the church to succumb to sin or, in the very least, to be complacent and silent in the face of great evils.

In the wake of all this I find my self thinking of those I love the most, my family, and I wonder:

Do you know the Church is true?

Do you have a testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Do you know, I mean really know, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was called as prophet to restore Christ's kingdom on earth for the final time before his second coming?

Do you have a testimony of Jesus Christ and his Atonement?

Forgive me if I sound accusing, that is not the point.

What I really am trying to say is that sometimes the hardest people in the world to share your testimony with is your own family. I know I don't do it often enough because I fear I will sound preachy or condescending.

My greatest fear is that you will disagree.

I love you all so much, I love your examples to me and how much you teach me everyday. I could not have been an upbeat and happy missionary without all the support of my siblings and parents.

I was successful on my mission because I had the example of four brothers and sisters who went before me leaving a legacy of faith and testimony. Thank you for your continuing example as you serve in your various church callings, in your own homes, and in the world at large. I love hearing your faith building experiences, they build my faith too.

I want all of you to know that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.

I know that Joseph Smith did in reality see God the Father and his son Jesus Christ in the sacred grove.

They called him to be a prophet and through him restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ which until that time had been lost in apostasy.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Each time I read it my testimony of it grows for it testifies of Jesus the Christ and his glorious gospel.

I also know that Pres. Thomas S. Monson is a true and living prophet today. I know that when he speaks it is as if the Lord himself were speaking to us today. I know that we will never go wrong if we follow the living prophet today.

Finally I know that Jesus Christ lives. He is my savior and redeemer and I have felt to sing the song of redeeming love. I know that the Atonement works if we seek to repent and follow God. I know that we can live with God again because of His son Jesus Christ, and if we are faithful and obedient to the commandments which he has given us on this earth we will receive all that the Father hath for that is what he has promised us.

I share these things with you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all. Thank you for bearing with me while I shared that.