To Bring the World His Truth

My oldest nephew (a whopping 18!) received his mission call yesterday to the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission. He will report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT on Wednesday, February 20, a whole two days after his half birthday. This is all coming to pass about 6 months earlier than any of us were expecting due to changes in missionary eligibility age for both young men (now 18, instead of 19) and young women (19 instead of 21) announced at the October General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the announcement was made, I thought instantly of my oldest niece and nephew, Ellie and Ben, who were suddenly eligible to serve missions right now. I have been reveling in this change ever since it was announced, having received an immediate confirmation from the Spirit that this was an inspired policy. Since learning that Ellie and Ben were both getting mission papers ready and preparing to serve within just the next few months, I have felt elated at the prospect of having two missionaries from my family out in the field and all the blessings that will come to them, their family, and the lives of the members and non-members they interact with during their service.

My sister, Jen, their mom, posted the pictures they included in their mission papers and I stole them for my blog:

Ben

Ellie

Aren't they adorable? I love them so much!

Of course, when I look at these photos, I can't help but think about when Ellie and Ben looked like this:

Ellie and Ben with Grandad, Hyrum and Grace

See that proud Grandad in this photo? That's my Dad. I don't think there are very many things in the universe that made my Dad happier than having grandchildren. He was wonderful with them, he loved them completely, and they loved him right back. I also remember how happy it made my Dad to have his children serve full-time missions.

Dropping Rachel off at the MTC

With his two eldest grandchildren getting ready to serve, I've been thinking about him a lot and how thrilled he must be, to have his posterity going out to bring the world the truth, the same precious gift two young men gave him 50 years ago.

Since I heard the news about Ben's call yesterday, I've also been thinking about this scripture:

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." -- Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

And I've been thinking that maybe this goofy, wonderful, loving, wise man may be one of those angels, bearing Ben up on those hard days when doors are slammed in his face, he's not getting along with his companion, he's freezing and exhausted. If so, I can't imagine having a better one. Ben will be just fine.