Let us Recommit Ourselves to the Gospel.

“I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will—or should—serve at this earlier age.” This was President Thomas S. Monson’s announcement in his opening remarks at this past General Conference.  When I first heard this, I was wondering if it was a dream. When I finally realized that it wasn’t, (this was a few days later…) I was so excited. It puts things that much closer for me. I’ll be in the field in 3 years! It really is causing me to be more focused on the Gospel because I want to be a good missionary and we all should recommit ourselves to preparing for a mission. “Perspective missionaries will be asked to enhance and improve and take more seriously, their pre-mission preparation. This should include: total personal worthiness, supplemented by gospel study of the Book of Mormon and the Standard works of the Church, seminary classes, and systematic study of the missionary handbook, Preach My Gospel.” (Jeffrey R. Holland). I have also realized that I need to be making the right choices in my everyday life, because one bad choice can hurt me along the way.

I know that because of this announcement I must(among a few):
1. Study His Gospel everyday
2. Learn to teach how Christ teaches
3. Try my hardest now to love everyone
4. Be more selfless
5. Always have the Spirit to be with me (never be in a place where it is hard to hear his still small voice.
6. Establish a good connection with my Father in Heaven through daily prayer.

In D&C 11:21 it reads: “Seek not to ^adeclare my word, but first seek to ^bobtain my ^cword, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my ^dSpirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the ^econvincing of men.” Jeffrey R. Holland insight in this new announcement is as follows: “It means that God is hastening His work. And He needs more and more willing and worthy missionaries to spread the light and the truth and the hope and the salvation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to an often dark and fearful world.” We need to commit ourselves to being completely worthy as Elder Holland has advised us. God only sends the most worthy to do His work. (D&C 105:35 - There has been a day of ^acalling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are ^bworthy.) Russell M. Nelson in his talk at this conference gives the youth of the church some counsel. “All missionaries, younger and older, serve with the sole hope of making life better for other people. The decision to serve a mission will shape the spiritual destiny of the missionary, his or her spouse, and their posterity for generations to come.” I know that this Church is true and that this new announcement was indeed inspiration from Heaven and we need to answer the Lord's call. I love this Gospel and I cannot wait to get out and preach the truth unto the world. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. Here is a link to this past conference, if you did not get a chance to hear all of conference, I strongly urge you to do so! It is so awesome! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/10?lang=eng