1 Year On Mission

All -

Crazy stuff on Sunday I hit one full year as a missionary. Can't believe it's already been a whole year. It's been the fastest and slowest year of my life. So many challenges, experiences, memories, and blessings. I'm grateful for each one. And how they have shaped me into who our Father in Heaven wants me to be. As I look back to who I was last year I've noticed a lot of change. Good change for sure. I feel my priorities are much more aligned with God's will for me. I have a greater understanding of His plan. My spiritual sensitivity has grown. I know what is most important in this life. I feel a greater love for all around me as I try to see them as Christ does. I've seen the spirit change and soften people's hearts, as they humble themselves before God. My testimony has grown in so many ways. In the divinity of The Book of Mormon, in the prophet Joseph Smith, the Restoration as a whole, our Father's purpose and plan for us, how much God and our Savior love us, in our modern day prophet and apostles, the power of prayer, repentance, priesthood blessings, in how the Holy Ghost speaks to me, and I know with absolute conviction that this is Jesus Christ's restored church. But most of all in our Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement. The love he has for each and every one of us is truly incomprehensible. He knows us perfectly and was willing to sacrifice himself because of the love He has for us. And I thank God every day for the knowledge He has blessed me with. I absolutely love sharing it with the people of South Africa. Even with all the hard days this has been the happiest year of my life. And that's what sharing the Gospel and serving others with charity does to a person. As It says in Luke 10:27 "...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind..." I can say with upmost confidence that I try my absolute best eveyday to love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind. It's hard to compare the joy that comes with helping His children learn, grow, and make sacred covents with Him. And there's nothing else I'd rather be doing. All glory to God "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..." (Alma 26:12). What a blessing it is to be but a tool in His hand. I know he will strengthen me and prepare a way for me to accomplish what he has planned for His people. 

As I was thinking about what has happened this last year a scripture came into my mind. It's found in one of my favorite chapters in The Book of Mormon, Alma 26. And it's verses 14-16.

"14 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell. 

15 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work. 

16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."

I feel just as Ammon does. I cannot express even the smallest part of which I feel with words. I've felt His love stronger than i ever have for myself but more importantly I've been able to feel that same love for His children. When one has even the tiniest glimpse of how He sees them, your compassion and love grows exponentially. I love God with all my heart. And I rejoice every day for the blessings He has given me. And I'm humbled to have the opportunity to be one of His representatives in these last days. My heart hurts for those who harden their hearts against Him. Please come, repent, and feel the pure love and joy of the gospel. I know The Book of Mormon and Bible to be the word of God, that those apostolic keys have been restored back to the earth. I know Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and the Savior Jesus Christ. This is His church and I know Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. And I know He loves you more than you can understand. This is but a small part of my humble testimony In the sacred name of Jesus The Christ amen.

-Elder Quick