A Game-changing Experience

 I typically write about lighthearted things in my blogs. This is not one of them. Actually, my next couple posts will be serious and probably personal (this post will be personal). I'm going to try my best to write about what I am prompted by the Spirit to write.

The title of this post is taken from a topic that Bother Crockett mentioned in his talk today in sacrament meeting. A game-changer is one who brings innovative ideas to a business. He pointed out that the game-changer represented Heavenly Father and that the business is us. Brother Crockett gave an example of a man who had a game-changing experience that brought him to dedicate his life to the Lord. I believe that Heavenly Father blessed me with a game-changing experience these past two days that, like this man, had brought me to dedicate my life to the Lord. My life gradually changed these past two days. It was not until Elder Holland's remarks at sacrament meeting that I realized that I will never be the same.

A lot that that has gone yesterday prepared me for today. I talked to Sister Ludlow about serving a mission during the service project. Something that stuck out to me was that she wanted to serve a mission so that she could share all that she has learned about the Gospel. She also pointed out that she wanted to serve a mission because she loved the Lord. What she said reminded me of why I wanted to serve a mission. I forgot about those motives. I feel like that is a part of why I lost the fire to serve a mission.

After the service project, Alicia and I talked about serving a mission as we were walking to the Old City. As I was rambling on trying to figure out the numerous reasons to why I was unsure about serving a mission, I realized that a huge reason was that I was afraid of going on a mission. She told me that I should not pass the opportunity to serve a full-time mission because of fear. She asked me, "do you know where fear comes from?" I knew exactly where fear came from.

Alicia also mentioned that the mission will be the worst of times and the best of times in your life. That reminded me of a concept that a forum speaker mentioned to us this past Wednesday night: With high risks come high returns. I have been taught this concept before, but I felt like I most needed it now in regards to serving a mission. It is kind of a stretch applying the risk-return concept to serving a mission because if one deals with a high risk situation, there is no guarantee one will get high returns out of hit. I do believe that serving a mission is a high risk, but I know that through diligence and faith on the Lord one is guaranteed high spiritual returns from serving a mission.

Also watching "Life is Beautiful" for the first time last night helped me gain a better perspective on life. Even in the worst of times, you can make life beautiful through joy. It is a very touching movie that I would recommend everyone to watch.

As I took the sacrament today, I truly comprehended how much the Lord loves me and how much I needed to return that love. Jesus Christ is a completely righteous man, yet He took upon Himself all of the sins of the world. He died for me. I fully comprehended today that Christ's love for me is the purest and the most sincere love that could ever be shown to me. It made me realize how much more I needed to show my love and devotion to Christ.

After the Crockett family spoke before leaving Jerusalem after living here for 3 years, Elder Holland gave us the last remarks. He has been here on vacation, so he has been staying in the Jerusalem Center these past couple days. What he said changed my life. What he said was like no other talk I have ever heard. His talk was on a plane of its own. The Spirit was unbelievably strong. Maybe I felt this way because his remarks were directed to the Jerusalem Center students. It felt like God was talking directly to me. As he was speaking, my future life flashed before my eyes. I could see the next generations that would come after me. I could feel eternity. I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience the whole time. I will be posting the notes that I took of Elder Holland. All though I took notes on quite a bit of what he said, I know that they won't do his talk any justice. His talk is one of those you have to have been there to understand.

After his talk, I realized that I need to devote my life to the Lord from now on. Only now do I have the heart and willingness to serve the Lord. I need to be a disciple of Christ 24/7 and not just on Sundays (or in Israel's case, Saturdays).

As a result, I feel more content with the idea of serving a full-time mission. We even had a lesson on missionary work in Relief Society right after sacrament meeting. I think God has been trying to tell me that I should serve a full-time mission. I determined that I am going to start filling out my mission papers this Fall semester.