On Tuesday, we got to see Elder Holland. We were about 1000
missionaries. It was a historic meeting, all four Santiago missions got
together for a conference. Elder Holland was very excited to be in Chile again.
He said that he loves it here.
They shared some excellent talks. Something I liked was that
he said that a lot of times we talk about going home from the mission as
returning to "real life," or going back to "the real
world." But he said that it shouldn't be that way. One of the most
powerful things he said, as he passionately hit the pulpit with his fist, was "This
is real life!"
He advised us not to waste time asking why the mission is so
hard. Because "salvation is not a cheap experience." It shouldn't be
easy for anyone, and it certainly never was easy for Christ, His Apostles, or
the prophets. But it is so worth it to do everything you can to try and help
someone find their way back to God. Sacrifice is fundamental in the salvation
of a soul. Christ always asks us to take up our cross... I don't think He meant
it would be easy.
He also quoted Elder Perry in saying that this time period
is equally important historically as the First Vision, the translation and
publication of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of the priesthood. We
are making history as we share the gospel like never before.
If we want to be successful, he said, we have to kick when
we don't want to kick, and stroke when we don't want to stroke. (Reference to
swimming.) When we think we can't do anything else, or we don't have any energy
left, we have to give it all. That is the moment when we have to decide just
how committed we are, if we really want to finish. Because they give out the
prizes at the end of the race, not in the middle, and it's always easy to start
a race.
Anyway, it was really great, and it has helped me out a lot.
I hope you're all doing well.
The Book of Mormon is true.
Elder Garrett
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