“ Having a Sense of Peace and Purpose”
Ukraine Kyiv Mission
Quote: “When you have done your very best, you may still experience
disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel certain
that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you.” Preach My
Gospel pg. 11
Dear Elders and Sister,
It was great to have everyone during interviews. You are all such amazing individuals and are doing so much
good. Thanks for serving the Lord and these people. There were a few themes that emerged from interviews and I want to address one in the letter—spirituality. I asked many of you to rate yourself, from zero (couldn’t be worse) to 10 (couldn’tbebetter)onhowyoufeltyouweredoingphysically,emotionally,andspiritually. Tomyamazementyourated yourselves lowest on spirituality.
Spirituality is a difficult thing to define, but I found a definition that I liked on the internet. “Religion is a specific set of organized beliefs and practices, usually shared by a community or group. Spirituality is more of an individual practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose.”
There are many things that effect our sense of peace and purpose as missionaries, but below are four areas that may be opportunities for you to improve your spirituality:
Unity- “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. Our missionary purpose is the thing that unites us. As our understanding of our purpose grows, we will become more unified as companionships, districts, zones, and as a mission. The Godhead is united in their purpose. When we are unified synergy happens. Synergy happens when the total out put is greater than the sum of the individual parts (1+1= 3). When we are unified, the Holy Ghost is our third companion. When we are not unified the Spirit withdraws and we cannot teach. "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.." D&C 38:27. Forgiveness, patience, and communication are essential to becoming one. Forgive each other. Have patience with each other. Communicate often. Do not gossip. Gossip can destroy unity and has no place in the Lord’s work. Stop it when you hear it. Never be found guilty of sharing something that isn’t true about someone else. Don’t be distracted by sharing things about others that is true but doesn’t lift or is not part of your stewardship.
It was great to have everyone during interviews. You are all such amazing individuals and are doing so much
good. Thanks for serving the Lord and these people. There were a few themes that emerged from interviews and I want to address one in the letter—spirituality. I asked many of you to rate yourself, from zero (couldn’t be worse) to 10 (couldn’tbebetter)onhowyoufeltyouweredoingphysically,emotionally,andspiritually. Tomyamazementyourated yourselves lowest on spirituality.
Spirituality is a difficult thing to define, but I found a definition that I liked on the internet. “Religion is a specific set of organized beliefs and practices, usually shared by a community or group. Spirituality is more of an individual practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose.”
There are many things that effect our sense of peace and purpose as missionaries, but below are four areas that may be opportunities for you to improve your spirituality:
Unity- “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. Our missionary purpose is the thing that unites us. As our understanding of our purpose grows, we will become more unified as companionships, districts, zones, and as a mission. The Godhead is united in their purpose. When we are unified synergy happens. Synergy happens when the total out put is greater than the sum of the individual parts (1+1= 3). When we are unified, the Holy Ghost is our third companion. When we are not unified the Spirit withdraws and we cannot teach. "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.." D&C 38:27. Forgiveness, patience, and communication are essential to becoming one. Forgive each other. Have patience with each other. Communicate often. Do not gossip. Gossip can destroy unity and has no place in the Lord’s work. Stop it when you hear it. Never be found guilty of sharing something that isn’t true about someone else. Don’t be distracted by sharing things about others that is true but doesn’t lift or is not part of your stewardship.
Discouragement- “Your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and
confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Avoid comparing yourself to other missionaries and measuring the outward results of your efforts against theirs.
Remember that people have agency to choose whether to accept your message. Your responsibility is to teach clearly and
powerfully so they can make a correct choice. Some may not accept your message even when they have received a
spiritual witness that it is true. You will be saddened because you love them and desire their salvation. You should not,
however, become discouraged; discouragement will weaken your faith. If you lower your expectations, your
effectiveness will decrease, your desire will weaken, and you will have greater difficulty following the Spirit...When
you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself.
You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you.” Preach My Gospel pg. 10-11
Study Journals-I was surprised how few of you have and are using a daily study journal. “Preach My Gospel frequently asks that you use a study journal to help you understand, clarify, and remember what you are learning. Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. This practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light” (“Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86). Review your study journal to recall spiritual experiences, see new insights, and recognize your growth. Your study journal may be a bound journal, a notebook, or a binder. Record and organize your thoughts and impressions in a way that fits how you learn. Develop your own system to easily access key information in the future. Use it often to review, access, and apply what you have learned. Use your study journal to take notes and record impressions during your personal and companion study, district meetings, zone conferences, and interviews with the mission president.”
Pride- Pride has so many faces. Pride deprives us of the Spirit. “That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” D&C 88:37. When we are preoccupied with how our efforts or position look to others then we have a problem with pride. Pride retards growth and robs us of our precious time and energy. Pride also shows itself when assignments are given and we worry about why someone else less capable was chosen, or feel we are failing because we didn’t receive the assignment, or worse yet, believing that we are some how better than others because of a particular assignment. Over the years I have learned to trust the Lord and leaders and to “lift where I stand”. Since this discovery, my service in the Lord’s kingdom has been more rewarding, more peaceful, and full of personal growth.
We love you and look forward to seeing all of you in the near future at the satellite broadcast and zone conferences. .
Warmly,
President and Sister Packer
Study Journals-I was surprised how few of you have and are using a daily study journal. “Preach My Gospel frequently asks that you use a study journal to help you understand, clarify, and remember what you are learning. Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. This practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light” (“Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86). Review your study journal to recall spiritual experiences, see new insights, and recognize your growth. Your study journal may be a bound journal, a notebook, or a binder. Record and organize your thoughts and impressions in a way that fits how you learn. Develop your own system to easily access key information in the future. Use it often to review, access, and apply what you have learned. Use your study journal to take notes and record impressions during your personal and companion study, district meetings, zone conferences, and interviews with the mission president.”
Pride- Pride has so many faces. Pride deprives us of the Spirit. “That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” D&C 88:37. When we are preoccupied with how our efforts or position look to others then we have a problem with pride. Pride retards growth and robs us of our precious time and energy. Pride also shows itself when assignments are given and we worry about why someone else less capable was chosen, or feel we are failing because we didn’t receive the assignment, or worse yet, believing that we are some how better than others because of a particular assignment. Over the years I have learned to trust the Lord and leaders and to “lift where I stand”. Since this discovery, my service in the Lord’s kingdom has been more rewarding, more peaceful, and full of personal growth.
We love you and look forward to seeing all of you in the near future at the satellite broadcast and zone conferences. .
Warmly,
President and Sister Packer
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