Bishop Sean Douglas, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, serves on the Church’s Missionary Executive Council and spoke with evident affection: “I have a deep love for the missionaries of the Church. They are uniquely set apart from the world and divinely commissioned by the Savior.” He quoted President Dallin H. Oaks: We invite all of God’s children to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this. Missionaries are called to assist in this great work. Today, he reported, more missionaries are serving in more missions, and more people are entering the Church through baptism, than ever before in this dispensation.
To missionaries of every age he said: “You are an army of righteousness with the doctrine of Christ as your purpose. You are a force of faith, power, love, and joy. You are what you preach. You are not only the messengers but also living examples of the message. Make no mistake—you are doing the most important work you could be doing.”
A few months earlier he had attended a sacrament meeting where two great-nephews, brothers, spoke before leaving for missions at opposite ends of the earth. They were beaming and eager. The distance might explain some of the excitement, he joked, but their desire to serve was genuine. They reminded him of the sons of Mosiah, who “were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish” (Mosiah 28:3). That desire, rising above every personal ambition, is what makes missionaries special. It’s why they radiate the light of Christ and teach with convincing power.
For a season, all else takes a backseat: education, dating, careers, family time, and even sleeping in on Saturday. He was honest about the cost: “Yes, the Lord’s expectations are high for you! But, oh, is it worth it!” He quoted President Russell M. Nelson on the gathering of Israel: “Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.” God held this generation in reserve; they were “You were taught and prepared, before you were born, to invite God’s children to come unto Christ.” His counsel: “Take care not to become distracted. Prioritize it; don’t let anything get in the way. You are needed!”
Then he told of Elder Merlin Sanchez, from the Peru Lima mission where he and Sister Douglas served as mission leaders. Merlin was baptized at nearly 24 and, as some do, stopped participating for a time. A faithful friend helped him begin his mission papers and schedule a physical, even before Merlin had decided to serve. With help from friends and leaders, he returned to church at 25, and “A desire to serve a mission suddenly swelled in his heart.” His papers were well advanced, and once he decided, the Lord removed seemingly insurmountable obstacles one by one. Asked why he wanted to serve, he said, “I only want to be close to Jesus Christ and to follow Him.”
He became a wonderful missionary converted to Jesus Christ and His doctrine. Every experience, trial, and companion was consecrated for his good. He served twice with the same companion, eight months total; though opposite in personality, they became united in purpose, assigned together by divine design. A few months after his mission he met his eternal companion. On their wedding day he was called as a bishop (Quite the wedding gift), and today, with three children, he serves as a stake president. A mission, Bishop Douglas noted, is one of many steps on the path of lifelong discipleship. Merlin and his wife “They cannot fathom what their lives would be if Merlin had not served a mission.”
He spoke directly to two groups. To converts: A mission may not have been on your radar, but it ought to be now. To the rising generation: Place serving a full-time mission high on your list. Don’t be distracted by alternatives of far less worth. Some might be like Amulek, who confessed, “For I was called many times and I would not hear” (Alma 10:6). Prophets strongly reaffirm that the Lord has asked every worthy able young man to prepare for and serve a mission; for young men it is a priesthood responsibility, while for young and able sisters it is a powerful but optional opportunity. Pray to know if the Lord would have you serve.
He rejoiced in the response to the prophet’s call: record numbers of missionaries of all ages are finding joy in service. “There is still plenty of room and a special place reserved for each one of you! We need you! ‘Come join the ranks!’” Each has a testimony of Christ and His Atonement that can bless a world suffering without knowledge of his divine mission.
He closed with the Lord’s words to Thomas B. Marsh in 1830 (D&C 31:3–7), inviting each of us to substitute our own name: “Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.” The Lord promised that the missionary’s family would be cared for (I will prepare a place for them) and that He would “I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you.”
