Missions can be life-changing—not only for the people you serve but also for you.
In a recent devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center, Elder Michael T. Ringwood of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke about the personal benefits of missionary service.
“We don’t often talk about selfish reasons for serving a mission,” Elder Ringwood said. “Perhaps we should.”
Elder Ringwood referenced teachings from President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Jeffrey R. Holland, who both often spoke about how their missions shaped their lives for good. For example, President Hinckley said he believed he could trace every good thing in his life back to a lesson he learned on his mission. Similarly, President Holland once shared:
“Almost always, the missionary is the one who benefits most from missionary service. That was true for me as a 19-year-old missionary, and that is true for our senior couples. That is not why we go—it’s just what happens.”
While these benefits aren’t the sole reason we serve missions, Elder Ringwood believes focusing on personal development can be a “first-class cause” that establishes a pattern of lifelong learning and contribution to our communities.
“If a mission did what it did for President Hinckley and for President Holland, it ought to be an opportunity for each of us to become better sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, students, employees, employers, and leaders in the Church and in our communities,” he suggested. “A great cause indeed—doesn’t this deserve first-class devotion?”
Learn From Every Moment
So, how can missionaries “give first-class devotion to this first-class cause”? Elder Ringwood suggests:
“You can learn from every moment of your mission. When you see someone who inspires you as a parent, be aware of what they do and make a note of what you liked. When you see a leader who inspires you, remember what they did and record what you liked. You can learn about careers, leadership, endurance, patience, and everything else you can imagine.”
And just as God places missionaries in specific areas with specific people for specific reasons, He also guides each of His children’s paths—whether we’re currently serving missions or not. No matter our life stage or calling, we can always be observing and growing.
“Our spirits crave to progress, and if we aren’t moving forward, we’re not happy,” Sheri Dew wrote. “The plan of happiness is pro-progression; thus the desire to progress is hardwired into our divine DNA. Whether we’re conscious of it or not, we crave the feeling of moving forward, learning, growing, and improving—even if our steps forward are small and intermittent.”
Similarly, in an article for the Liahona, President Jeffrey R. Holland wrote:
“Teaching, learning, and living the gospel are key principles at the heart of growing toward our divine potential and becoming like our Heavenly Parents. Sometimes we call this process eternal progression. Sometimes we call it conversion. Sometimes we simply name it repentance. But whatever we call it, it involves learning.”
So, whether you’re preparing to go on a mission, encouraging a missionary, or looking to find more motivation in your current calling or life stage, try focusing on the selfish reasons for serving. Personal development and growth not only benefit you but also ripple out to bless your families, loved ones, ward, and community.
And that kind of growth doesn’t seem selfish after all.
Read the full summary of Elder Ringwood’s devotional at the Church News.
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