Missionary Work

This last month I was able to experience missionary work on multi-levels. My baby sister got home from her mission in Mexico. The very next day I was able to go with my family to the temple to see her be baptized by my dad for my grandma.

Now my grandma holds a special place in my hart. she was a giving, loving lady who cared for my aunt by herself after she was diagnosed very young with alzeheimers. It was no easy task and when my aunt got really bad, my grandma decided to move to Las Vegas to be closer to my mom who could help. My aunt took a turn for the worse and within days after arriving, passed away. Those last couple days my grandma watched my aunt strapped down to a hospital bed, kicking and screaming. My grandma felt extreme guilt for moving down. but when my sister and I were able to do my aunt's initiatory and endowment a couple years ago and my sister relayed her experience to my grandma, my grandma in awe said, "Wait. What day and time did you do that?" And my grandma swelled with emotion saying she had a clear feeling that Leslie was okay and happy at the same time.

So when my mom asked me to take my Grandma's name to the temple to receive her endowment, since I was named after her, I was so excited. It was such a special moment, to feel of my own grandmother's happiness when that time came. The happiness the gospel brings is real. And it continues to grow. Minutes later I sat, with my parents, siblings, and their spouses in a sealing room. I witnessed my grandma be sealed to her parents, then my grandma and grandpa sealed to eachother, and my mother (and aunt by proxy) sealed to their parents.

The sealing power brings a spirit that is like no other. It is powerful and it is real. I have a testimony of the temple. It is a house of the Lord where we can go to feel of our Heavenly Father's spirit on a new plane. There is a closeness to the other side of the veil. And through the priesthood, we take part in saving ordinances that are essential to live with our families forever and Heavenly Father again.

I am in awe what missionary work can do. I look at my mom, and that because someone shared the gospel with her, she was able to marry my father in the temple. Myself and my kids now have the truth in our lives. Plus my siblings. And their kids. I sat in the temple looking at all of us. And we make a pretty good crowd! It doesn't stop there. My kids' kids and so on. And even family that has already passed on get to receive the blessings. There is no bounds for missionary work. We can all take part in it.

Last Sunday our bishop wanted the ward to sing "Army of Helaman" as the closing song. I've always loved that song. And hearing a whole ward sing it was fun. It was loud. And powerful. And 'we are as the Army of Helaman... We will be the Lord's missionaries to bring the world his truth." We can all be missionaries and we are building an army to serve the Lord. I love that thought and know the Lord's side will win. Christ will come again and the righteous will be victorious. I am happy to be on his side and want to be a valiant, strong member.

One last thought, I recently finished reading "Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe" to my kids. So we watched the movie this last weekend. And man, even before our ward sang that song or I had this 'army' image in my head, I was so overcome with emotion before that battle starts. Peter on his horse. His army loud and cheering and confident, despite the fact it seemed like there was no way they could win. That wickedness was strong. It was powerful. The numbers were huge. And it seemed like it would overtake them. But that didn't stop them from trying their best. They all shout, "For Narnia! For Aslan!" And I just had that urge in me, I need to be like that! I can't get depressed about the wickedness of the world and the way it looks like it is going. Because, Christ will come. With that extra army, to trump wickedness and righteous will be victorious. Until that time comes. I will be valiant. I will proudly stand for righteousness. Read the book. Watch the movie. I love the parallels in it. :)

Anyway, let's be missionaries. For our family. Friends. And ancestors.