Even before joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was impressed with the missionaries. You can't miss them. Those well dressed, clean shaven young men with their telltale white shirts, ties and name badges riding bikes or walking the streets and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. And with increasing visibility, modestly dressed, wholesome young women in their dresses or skirts with their unmistakable name tags bringing a message of love, peace and hope to anyone who will listen.
When I was eighteen or nineteen years old, the last thing I had on my mind was teaching the gospel. Talk about God with a bunch of strangers? No way. I was only interested in graduating from high school and getting on with my life - going to college, starting a career, and making money.
Growing up in the Midwest, I would see these young men occasionally, but never interacted with them. Whenever I did see them, I wondered what they were doing, why they were always in pairs and why they were dressed so nice in their white shirts and ties, and dress pants walking the streets or riding bikes? What were they selling? I had no idea they were part of a religion and trying to share a gospel message. When I was living in Orlando, Florida, I saw them there, also. Though I was curious about these young men, I was never curious enough to find out what they were up to. In 1994 I moved to Aztec, NM. It was in Aztec that I had my first encounter with the missionaries. One day they showed up at my front door, and they had a message for me.
I admit that, at first, I was more interested in them than I was in their message. I wanted to know who they were, how old they were, where they were from and what they were doing? These two young men patiently answered my questions and explained that they left their homes and families for two years to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ for their Church. I remember asking them why they would do this and why weren't they going to college or doing other things kids their age were doing? I was surprised that they would spend two years talking to strangers about their religion and about God. These young men were well-spoken, confident in their message, and dedicated to their cause. In a word, they were impressive. Though I admired them for their selflessness, I wasn't interested in their message. I wasn't interested in reading the Book of Mormon or hearing about the "Mormon" church. I used the excuse that I was a member of another church. Truthfully, I was a member in name only and never attended. At that time in my life, I just wasn't interested in religion, so I sent them on their way and thanked them for stopping by. Other sets of missionaries would occasionally stop by and try to share a gospel message with me, but I still wasn't interested. I was impressed with them, but not ready for their message. That would change in 1999.
By the early fall of 1999, my soon-to-be husband, Mark Hathcock, had introduced me to the Church. My neighbors, Gary and Margaret McDaniel, brought me a copy of the Book of Mormon, which I started to read. Then I was introduced to the missionaries, who would teach me "the missionary lessons" and change the trajectory of my life. God sent me Elder Stahr and Elder Kellogg. What a couple of wonderful young men. I took to them instantly. They were engaging and funny, yet serious when it came time to teach each of the lessons. I would often have Mark and these two Elders over for dinner prior to the lessons. I was able to learn more about them and their families. Again, I was impressed.
They taught me that I am a child of God; actually I am His daughter. I never thought of myself that way before. They also shared with me the plan of salvation, and that I had lived before I came to this earth and that God had a specific plan for me. They taught me about the ancient Church, the great apostasy, about prophets, Joseph Smith's First Vision, and the Restoration of the gospel. They shared with me the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His love for me and because of His grace, I could repent of my sins and be forgiven. They taught me more about the coming forth about the Book of Mormon and its importance; that it is a second witness of Jesus Christ and a second witness of the Holy Bible. They taught me how to have personal and sincere prayer with God. What they taught me changed how I viewed my life and my future - both for time and eternity.
But some of what they had to teach was hard to hear and would be even harder to apply. The word of wisdom? I shouldn't drink alcohol? But, I really like drinking a glass of wine with dinner. Alright, I will give up alcohol. Keep the Sabbath day holy? I shouldn't work or shop on Sunday or go to the lake? There would be three hours of church instead! What? Alright, I'll do my best to honor the Sabbath day. The law of tithing? You mean I should give 10% of my hard earned money to the Church? Why? Okay, I think I can do that. I can understand why many people don't want to join the Church. Elder Stahr and Elder Kellogg were teaching me a higher, holier way of living. This message is about changing your life to align your will with God's will. It is about becoming someone better than I already was. It all resonated with me; it was all true.
I started to understand what having the Spirit with me felt like. I never felt anything like it before. When Elder Stahr and Elder Kellogg thought I was ready, they invited me to be baptized. On October 16, 1999 I entered the waters of baptism. On October 17th I was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have never looked backed. It was the best decision I ever made in my life.
I have kept in touch with my missionaries. About fifteen years ago, I traveled to Portland, Oregon to attend the temple marriage of Andrew Stahr to his wife, Linda. I remember Andrew's mom expressing surprise that I would travel so far to attend Andrew's temple wedding. I remember telling her that if Andrew could dedicate two years of his life teaching the gospel, then I could take a weekend of my life and attend his wedding. And in September 2017, Mark and I hosted a reunion with Andrew Stahr and Nathan Kellogg and their families at our mountain retreat in Mancos, CO. It was wonderful seeing them both still strong in the Church and teaching their children the gospel of Jesus Christ. Again, I was impressed. Andrew recently expressed to me that every good thing that has happened in his life is a direct result of serving a mission. Apparently, serving a mission not only changes the lives of those the missionaries teach who accept their message and join the Church, but it can also have a life-long impact on those who serve a mission.
I still love the missionaries. I have them over for dinner and try to get to know them. I am still impressed with these fine young men and women. Just a few years ago one of our sons, Michael, served a mission in the Vanuatu Port Villa mission. It was an exciting time for our family. Next month our granddaughter, Aspen, will begin her mission in the Pocatello, Idaho mission. I am grateful that these young people, and even senior missionaries, are willing to serve God in this way. God sends His missionaries into the world to share His gospel with His children because He love us. Those who choose to serve a mission do so because they love God's children, too. My life has been blessed because God sent me Elder Stahr and Elder Kellog twenty-two years ago. I love Andrew and Nathan, and they love me. That will never change.
Why I love the missionaries: using their ingenuity, skills, talents and the love they have for their Savior to share His gospel.
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