“Worries”
How a missionary reacts to experiences he receives while in the mission field will determine the degree to which he succeeds in this sacred calling. Anxiety is the most frequent cause among missionaries for hindering their progress and the progress of this work. It is a spiritual neurosis developed on the part of a missionary due to lack of spiritual values in life and education. He is a missionary who begins to delve into the “gospel of mysteries” and when unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion, imagines all sorts of answers. His neurosis carries over into his teaching to the extent that his confusion undermines the good work done with an investigator until the investigator likewise is bothered by the same anxieties and rejects the message of the gospel.
If you as a missionary will teach just the first principles of the Gospel as you have been taught and not concern yourself with the mysteries, the time will come when your understanding will comprehend all that the Lord has now revealed for man to know. Aside from the mysteries, missionaries have anxieties over reports, if the President will commend you or chastise you, conditions of the world, money, getting a future wife, and all such things that have no real bearing on your present assignment.
The second big cause for worry among missionaries is depression. This is a negative attitude. Unhappiness is a state of mind. Its symptoms are not always denoted by the individual, but in visiting with you missionaries we can often spot those that are depressed. Some feel that if they are not “promoted” as fast or faster than those they arrived with that they are failing and are not appreciated by the mission presidency. Or if they receive a letter with corrective suggestions and says they haven’t conditioned themselves with the positive attitude, they fall into a time stealing depression that may make such a missionary useless. Then, of course, there are outside influences – viz: the proverbial “Dear John” letter etc.
The third cause for worry is lack of faith. This isn’t necessarily the lack of a religious faith, but more so a profound lack of faith in yourself. For us, as Latter-day Saints, the future is certain. We know why we are here, where we came from and where we are going. But too often a missionary worries about his ability to do this or that. Having a complete lack of faith in himself, this is a negative attitude that will rob a missionary of his effectiveness. Every missionary should strive to follow the truths he teaches: “As man is God once was and as God is man may become”. Now let’s bring it a little closer – say to yourself, “if Elder so and so can do it, I can too!” – And then have faith that you can do it. With preparation and consistent effort you can achieve that which you admire in any other missionary.
Fourth is the inability to get along with your companions. This is usually caused by the missionary’s lack of friendliness and love for his brother. He just hasn’t learned that he must give service to others. The Lord taught “cast your bread upon the water and after many days it will return…” and also if you are asked to go “one mile, go twain”. Those who are reared with the false concept that in marriage you have to go 50%--50% with your wife, have the selfish attitude. A missionary must develop the willingness to do more than what is requested or required to avoid being called a slothful servant. Any missionary willing to go the extra mile will always have an abundance of friends.
Fifth on the list of common worries is resentment. This usually stems from failure in personal relationships, but too often it arises from a self-centeredness that causes a person to store up fancied Insults and hoard old injuries. These so called grievances are usually just little things which a missionary will harbor, not being aware of their unimportance. “To err is human, but to forgive is divine”. Become broadminded enough to accept conditions and people as they are, but always labor with a desire to improve such circumstances.
Last on the list of worries is a sense of guilt that bothers some missionaries. We find some who come into the mission field that have made grave and minor mistakes in the past and have tried to repent of them, but have continued to review those mistakes in their mind until they can’t shake off the memory. Now when you have truly repented of a sin and do not return to it you should forget it and focus your mind on serving the Lord. But to continue to worry about whether or not the Lord will forgive you – encouraging this sense of guilt - you make yourself weak. No missionary should permit his mind to be troubled with any of the above mentioned worries while engaged in this work. You know what your duties are and if you haven’t learned them then that is your very next assignment. First to learn what your duties as a missionary are and then seek to fulfill each duty this serving the Lord with “all your heart, might, mind and strength”.
This life is a probation, one of experience, a time to prove ourselves and to prepare to live in the Celestial Glory. Now is the very best time to begin.
Sincerely your brother,
Asael T. Sorensen
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