The Call

March 26, 2013

Dear Elder White:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the California Sacramento Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, July 31, 2013.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language.  Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel.  You will be an official representative of the Church.  As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president.  As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life.  Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children.  We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.

You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president.  Please send your written acceptance promptly, endorsed by your bishop.

Sincerely,
Thomas S. Monson
President

So, if you haven't heard, I got my mission call at the end of March.  I submitted the paperwork basically as soon as I could, so that I wouldn't have to wait and obscenely long time in case I was called to some crazy place like Brazil.  Like twelve days later, my Stake President/recently-released Bishop gave me a text to let me know that they had made my assignment and the call was on its way.  The next Thursday (March 28th) I received a big white envelope in the mail that told me I'd be going to Sacramento.

I've come to the conclusion that a mission is always an interesting experience.  However, I think mine is going to be an especially interesting experience.  I'll be 25 when I leave, I'll have a master's degree, and I'll be serving amongst the youngest missionaries in generations.  Also, the thriving metropolis of Stockton, CA is in my mission.  Stockton hasn't been a very hospitable place in decades, but since 2007, it's ranked in the top 10 in violent crime rate (and probably property crime, too) and perennially makes Forbes' list of most miserable places to live.  These are exciting times, my friends.

Finally, I'd like to leave you with the scripture that, if all goes according to plan, will soon be gracing a plaque in the Denver North Stake Center.  I was planning on using this scripture the first time I tried to go on a mission, but it has much... much more meaning now.  I guess the Spirit testifies of truth, regardless of the timing.

"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."
-Alma 29:9