It's often said that a mission is the best two years of your whole life. A missionary that I love and respect said, "I can't quite agree with that. I would say that it isn't the best two years of your life, but the best two years for your life." I can agree with that.
My mission has been full of trials, just like life normally is. Does anyone love tribulations? Who loves struggling? Really though?
Not this guy.
We know from the scriptures that God will consecrate all trials to be for our good if we turn to Him, specifically in Section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It reads in verse seven:
And if thou shouldst be cast into the apit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the bdeep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to chedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of dhell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee eexperience, and shall be for thy good.
The key part is that "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." If I may, I like to add this: "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good and the good of others!" Let me explain. Towards the beginning of my mission, my Dad sent me a copy of a talk that he gave in Sacrament meeting on trusting in the Lord. He told of a long event that happened in Yellowstone National Park that I now echo:
From 1926 - 1995, the main predators of Elk, wolves, were taken out of the Park for the good of the Elk herds that were becoming too thin. Elk, weighing from 500lbs. to 700lbs. (some even getting up to 1,300lbs.!) had little to fear from anything else in the park. Life was easy for them! They didn't have to watch their backs, worry about straying too far from the herd, or drinking too long at the riverside. They had nothing to do but sit about and graze, drink, and be merry - the easy life, if you will. Imagine that being like your biggest problem being gone, whatever it may be. It would be fantastic.
However, the side effects were much farther reaching than ever thought beforehand. Elk over-browsed the trees that grew along the banks of streams and rivers - willows, cottonwoods, and all other shrubs and life that prevent erosion. Birds lost nesting space. Habitats for fish and other aquatic species declined as waters became broader and shallower and, without shade from stream side vegetation providing shade, warmer.
Aspen trees in Yellowstone's northern valleys, where elk winter, were seldom able to reach full height. Elk ate nearly all the new sprouts.
Coyote numbers climbed. Though they often kill elk calves, they prey mainly on small mammals such as ground squirrels and rodents, reducing food available for foxes, badgers, and birds of prey.
The list goes on - elk were overpopulated, other animals lost homes and a place in the park, and so on.
Something had to be done. In 1995, wolves were reintroduced to the ecosystem. Let's look at what has happened since then.
Elk population has been halved.
Aspen groves are coming back nice and strong.
Coyote population has also declined.
Willows, cottonwoods, and the other vegetation have re-stabilized stream banks, helping restore natural water flow. Overhanging branches again shade the water and welcome birds.
Beaver colonies have risen dramatically now that stream banks are lush with vegetation, especially willows (a key beaver food.) Beaver dams create ponds and marshes, supporting fish, amphibians, birds, small mammals, and a rich insect population to feed them.
Wolves don't cover their kill, so they've boosted the food supply for scavengers, notably bald and golden eagles, coyotes, ravens, magpies, and bears.
Again, the list goes on. Isn't it strange that one decision made roughly 70 years earlier for the good of one group could have such a negative impact on the rest of the parks inhabitants? Reintroducing that one 'trial and tribulation' for Elk helped out so many others. It's rather far reaching.
So it is with us and our trials. "...all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good and the good of others!" The next verse, eight, in section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants reads as follows:
The aSon of Man hath bdescended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
Think for one second. Christ Himself asked while suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane if there was any other possible way, if He could have His cup removed from Him. Nevertheless, He did as our Father asked and suffered. What if, like the Elk, He had not had His greatest trial? What would that mean for the rest of us?
Life would be pointless. Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we would live a short 80 years, if we were lucky, and then die. All for nothing. Sure, we would grow and be happy in this life, but would there be any hope for the life after? Would there be anything after for us?
No.
Lucky for us, Christ went through with it. Because of His greatest trial, we are more than blessed - we are promised immortality and eternal life with our families. Our gratitude for Him is only matched by His eternal love for us.
And, as our perfect example, we should emulate Him. We don't have to love our trials. We may want something easier, and smooth life. Yet, think how many people may depend on us! Our mothers and fathers. Our sisters and brothers. Our wives and husbands. Our sons and daughters. Our coworkers. Our neighbors. Our students. Our clients. Our friends. Our enemies.
We can't possibly think of who we bless by our suffering.
So the next time you want to have it easy, think of this: I'm blessing someone else. Take President Monson's advice and, "do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks." (Three Goals to Guide You)
Christ is ever watchful and mindful of us. He will always be with you and watch over you. I promise you that.
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