You Make or Break It. What will you do?

I wish I could post a lot more often. It makes me a better person than I think it makes an impact on other people. I know that I talk about missionary work a whole bunch, but hey, it's everyones duty. There are people out there. Talk to any return missionary. They will probably tell you of the miracles they witnessed while they were out preaching to the world. 

I'd like to start off with a quote by one of most popular speakers in conference. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland counseled:

"I frequently say to missionaries in the field, "You make or break your mission every morning of your life. You tell me how those morning hours go from 630 am to the time you're in the street in your mission. Whatever time it is; you tell me how those hours go and I will tell you how your day will go. I will tell you how your month will go. I will tell you how your year will go and how your mission and your life will go." 

I love this quote because it can also impact those who are not on a mission. Whether your morning consists of seminary, or if you go to work. What we do before we leave the house spiritually, will impact us the rest of the day. Saying your prayers before you start your day will keep you close to your Father and Heaven. You will be able to serve your fellow men with Christlike love, be an example, and you will see the blessings that you receive everyday from keeping the commandments.

Ezra Taft Benson once spoke on the power that prayer brings to us in our lives. "All through my life the counsel to depend on prayer has been prized above almost any other advice I have ever received. It has become an integral part of me, an anchor, a constant source of strength and the basis of my knowledge of things divine. Our Heavenly Father is always near. … Thank God we can reach out and tap that unseen power, without which no man can do his best." Prayer essential to our salvation. We receive personal revelation when we are on our knees talking to our Heavenly Father. We all are on the Earth for a purpose, and in order to achieve that, prayer is key. If we pray with real intent, having a desire to know, we will receive answers for matters that apply to us at that time. Continue to pray. Every day. 

When you go on a mission, it sets your life on a straight(er) course. You are changed. If you take those morning studies seriously, you will be grateful for it. Your understanding of the Bible and the Book of Mormon will deepen and you will bless the lives of others through the Holy Ghost and your knowledge of the word of God. Prepare every day to serve the Lord. Especially before your mission. You have two years to serve your mission and your whole life to think about it. We also all have the opportunity to serve missions when we are older with our eternal companion. So now, preparation applies to everyone! :) 

I know that as you and I prepare for our missions that we will perform on this Earth that we will feel of God's love for us and better know what we need to do next. I love the simplicity of the Gospel. We can live with our family and friends together forever! This Church is full of imperfectness. We will never be perfect on this Earth and we continue to strive to be more like Christ. You make it or break it. What will you do? I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.