Truth Will Prevail : June 24, 2021

 It's been a strange past couple days just reminiscing on all that's happened the past 2 years. It's really gone by too fast, but I feel like I'm a completely different person from when I began. It's really been some of the best 2 years of my life, I already know I'll miss it.

As I walked through the streets of Manchester for the last time, I couldn't stop myself from having flashbacks to the very beginning of my mission. I was just able to look back and see the changes and the memories that I've been able to make for myself the past 2 years. I feel like there's so many places in Manchester that I attach to a certain memory or person.

In Alma 26, one of the famous missionary chapters of the Book of Mormon, Ammon asked his brethren a question after he finished his mission. He said, "And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?”

And then being his overexcited self, he answered his own question, speaking words that have been quoted by missionaries time and time again:

“And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.”

I, along with Alma, am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord for the past 2 years. I'm grateful for the many miracles I've been able to see, for a deepened conversion and love for Jesus Christ, and for the many amazing missionaries, members, and friends that I've met on this wild journey.

I'm grateful that God sent me to serve in Manchester, Kendal, Manchester again, Burnley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and then Manchester yet again (It seemed at the time that Manchester really needed me haha, but I feel that in reality, I needed Manchester)

I'm grateful for the companions I served with. For Elder Beam, Elder Chen, Elder Smith, Elder Stayner, Elder Newell, Elder Chen (different one), Elder Cheang, Elder Price, Elder Sewell, Elder Newell (again), Elder Maruhi, Elder Ko, Elder Mortier, Elder Smart, Elder Bridgstock, and Elder  Newell (3rd time's the charm?)

I'm grateful for all the streets I was able to walk, for the doors I was able to knock, for the people who were willing to talk. I'm grateful I was able to serve before and also during the coronavirus, and to see the Lord hasten His work in unimaginable ways! I'm grateful I was able to fill my days teaching and testifying of Jesus Christ, of feeling the Spirit, and becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ while helping others do the same.

Manchester is sacred ground to me. It's where the Lord has allowed me to struggle, to grow, to deepen my discipleship in Jesus Christ. I'm forever grateful for all that I've learned the past 2 years.

I know that this is His work. I know that this is His restored Gospel on the earth once more, and I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. And most importantly, I know that Christ lives. 

TRUTH WILL PREVAIL  |  真理必定德胜

Elder Ensign 高长老