“Look”

Welfare Self-Reliance (WSR) missionaries do not work as closely with the mission as do mission couples in the office, or those working as MLS (Member, Leader Support) missionaries, so we go out of our way to make time and energy available to the mission. Several weeks ago, we assisted the mission with transfers. For those not familiar with mission service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, young men, 18 years old or older are asked, as part of their priesthood responsibility, to serve a 2 year mission for the church. Where they go is completely dependent on the church. Young women, 19 years old or older may also serve and are called for 18 months.

These young missionaries serve two by two. Two young elders or two young sisters work together. About every 6 weeks, the mission goes through a “transfer” where some of the missionaries are moved to a difference city or with a different companion. Not everybody is shuffled, thank goodness, only about one third of those serving in the mission. Transfer day is a hectic one indeed. Along with shuffling the existing missionaries, there are those who complete their mission and are headed home, plus new missionaries entering the mission. Those going home come to Lyon for interviews and then a trip to the airport. Seasoned missionaries, called as trainers, come to Lyon to meet with their fresh new companions coming from one of the Mission Training Centers.

The couple in the office in charge of transportation must purchase train and bus tickets for all the missionaries who are moving, plus coordinate with Salt Lake City concerning flights for those arriving and those leaving. All of this mayhem transpires over two days. In volunteering to help, we were assigned the task of picking up new missionaries at the airport and transporting them to the mission home on the other side of the city. With flight delays and cancellations, we have to be flexible. This last transfer was impacted by strikes in Germany, so connecting flights had to be rescheduled and arrival times changed. Through all of this flows a stream of tiny miracles. Connections, luggage, assignments, it all comes together.

Our part this last transfer was to pick up one of the mission vans at the mission home, drive across the city to the airport and pick a group of missionaries arriving late due to flight cancellations, drive them back to the mission home and then deliver a group of Elders to the apartments they would be staying in that evening before traveling to their destinations the next morning. The mission president likes to meet with the newly arriving missionaries for the day to interview them and get to know them before assigning them a trainer. They have dinner that evening and then send them all to local apartments for the night. We arrived with the late batch of missionaries just in time for dinner, which President Léporé, invited us to share.

The love, care and concern that the Léporés pour out on these young missionaries defies description. I stood with Sister Aimee Léporé as she said goodbye to the departing Elders and Sisters. Her description was like having your heart ripped out, thrown to the ground and stomped on every six weeks. They have given their lives in the service of these young emissaries of our Savior.

Before the transfer confusion begins, the president holds a mission-wide zoom meeting for all missionaries in the mission. In this meeting, Sister Léporé talked about Joy in the Savior. We know that He pleads our cause and joy is a gift as we bind ourselves to Him. President Léporé talked about “Look” moments. In Nephi’s vision (1 Nephi 11 – 14), he was invited many times by his attending angel to “Look”. As Nephi “Looked”, he beheld many events that had unfolded before and that for him would take place in the future. Each time he “Looked”, the angel showed him more of the future of the world and the role of the Savior in all that transpires. President Léporé invited each of us to “Look”; be aware of the events transpiring around us. Be aware that all of this is the fulfillment of Scripture. Nephi was invited to “Look”, and he saw the very events swirling around us. President Léporé described the results of acting in faith from the challenges given at the last Zone conference. Though the numbers tell only a small part of the story, indicators in the mission are doubling and doubling again.

Each of the missionaries who are returning home have a few minutes to render testimony. Again, we can feel the love and devotion they have for their Savior, and the friendship and trust they have for the Léporés. Again and again, I am reminded of the strength of the rising generation. We are loosing many who listen to the jeers and mocking from those in the great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8 in the Book of Mormon) and drift away from the church, but those who remain are stronger still.

We love being here. We love being a small part of his work and witnessing the strength and testimony of the many who stand beside us in His service. We have taken to heart these last weeks to “Look”. Look at the people who surround us through the Savior’s eyes. “Look” at the work we are trying to accomplish, the events unfolding around us, the care, protection and love God extends to His children; all through the Savior’s eyes. We invite each of you to take the time to “Look”. The evil raging in the hearts of men around us can be discouraging, but “Look” at the events transpiring as did Nephi, with an angel beside us to guide and interpret. “Look” at the care the Savior has taken in creating and guiding this mortal experience. “Look” at where He has placed us, the talents He has given us, and the weaknesses He has given us to help make us strong.