Elder Yeske, Why Are You On A Missions?

This post is in response to the only person who voted on my next topic during the past month. Whoever you are, Thank you for Voting. :) As always, I want to know what you want to know, but only by you the reader voting or commenting will I be able to answer your questions.

I myself have pondered this question on and off for the past 6 months (Good heavens ... it doesn't really seem like it's been that long, but it's true, that's how long I've been away from home here in Montana) I've come up with two simple, yet very appealing answers for myself. In this post, I will mention and discuss the first of which; "I'm serving a Mission because Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ asked me to, and I want to do Their will."

No, this isn't me admitting to some grand vision of the Father and the Son like Joseph Smith experienced, (visit http://mormon.org/faq/the-first-vision for more information about Joseph Smith's Vision) but I am admitting two very bold statements:

Thomas S. Monson, Prophet.

1. I believe that there is a prophet on the earth today, Like unto Moses, Noah, or Abraham of old, who can and has informed us of the Will of Heavenly Father. One of the things that that prophet has told us (as well as many prophets through out all of time for that matter) is that God wants us to try to give every person a Chance to receive this restored Gospel. Bold? I think so. But then again, if God really directs this Church as I and millions of others believe, do you really think he would be meek about his own existence? I don't. I believe that He speaks, not spake, and I believe that He is Bold in doing so. And why shouldn't He be? He is God! He is the Father of our Souls! He is the creator of countless worlds! He has all Power. He has all authority. He loves us infinitely, and He intends to show us that Love in one way or another.

2. I feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have spoken to me through the Holy Ghost to tell me that what the prophet has spoken about the necessity of Missionary Work is true.

A very successful missionary, Dan Jones

As a young Boy, I always had a fondness for the missionaries and the work they did. Sure, it was a fairly tail fondness, because I never thought about the two years where you only get to "See" your parents through a video screen, the long nights worrying about friends, family, and acquaintances, and the brutally hot or cold (Montana...) hours of knocking on doors that are less likely to answer positively and enthusiastically than the Sky is likely to be lit on fire tomorrow, but a fondness I had, none the less.
As I grew older I began to think about my opportunity to serve. Would I take it? Should I go? Should I stay? Did I really even believe what missionaries teach? How could I find out?

Joseph Smith, See 3rd ¶.

 Well, as any member of the Church can tell you, the age old story of the question of "Where do I find truth" is answered by James in the New Testament. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." -James 1:5 Knowing this, and knowing that Joseph Smith took that challenge and supposedly got an answer, I decided to try it out myself. Unfortunately, It didn't come right away like I'd hoped... no, I didn't feel like I got any answer at all when I tried praying in my "Sacred Grove"...
A couple years later, when I was 15-ish and still pretty lost, We were challenged by out Bishopric (Appointed "Leaders" of a small group of members of the Church known as a ward) to read the Book of Mormon entirely in just one summer. Realizing that I'd yet to do that in my life, I took the Challenge. Throughout the summer, I would regularly grab my Book or Mormon and spend 5-30 minutes, depending on how much time I had, Reading; not praying like I should have been, but at least reading. As was always part of the plan, the last 5 days of Summer we went on a camping trip into the High Sierra Mountains. There, as a group of Young Men ages 14-19 or so, we enjoyed lots of activities such as hiking, fishing, rock climbing and, as you may have guessed it, reading the last few chapters of the Book of Mormon. However, there we did exactly what I should have been doing all along. Every time we read, we would pray to ask Heavenly Father is the Book of Mormon was True. Every time we would finish, I would walk away with more of a good feeling in my heart, until the last day when we finished the Book each on our own. From that day on, I have not had to wonder if the Book is true. I know it. I feel it with every fiber of my being. I cherish that experience, and now that I have put in much effort, when I pray for further Guidance, I can literally feel the Holy Ghost directing my thoughts to testimonies I have read in the Book of Mormon, or Testimonies and talks I have heard in Church. Indeed, When I asked heavenly Father if I should serve a Mission, He told me in a profound way that it was my Responsibility, as well as my Opportunity.

After all, He is "The Good Shepherd"

And so, when I get discouraged, home sick, tired, sore, drained, or oppressed, I can always refer back to the Lord's Council; both that which he has revealed through his Authorized servants, the Prophets, and that which he has given directly to my heart.

So, stay at home, play video games, watch movies, get fat, and waste time? Not a Chance. God has shown me a better way, and a better goal, and that is why I am here. May the Lord Bless each of us with our own guidance as to how we may serve him and rejoice in his love and council. This is my humble prayer, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.