The Army of Helaman

I know I've been severely slacking on this blog. Why? I either have TONS to say, or absolutely nothing. As we all know, the mission has been on my mind. Right now, I have 5 days till I report to the MTC. It's become real. And it's absolutely mind-blowing!

This Sunday was the beginning of a lot of...thoughts. And feelings. All of which have helped me make realizations that are very beneficial. The start of this? I was listening to my InsideOut playlist before church. We'll Bring the World His Truth came on and...I was filled with an incredible spirit.

We have been born, as Nephi of old, 
To goodly parents who love the Lord. 
We have been taught, and we understand,
That we must do as the Lord commands.

We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."

We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord's missionaries 
To bring the world his truth.

We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer. 
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.


We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord's missionaries 
To bring the world his truth.

I don't know if there are words to express exactly what I felt Sunday morning, or the feelings I feel now in reading these words. It struck me with great force that this, this is what I'm doing. I am, now, joining the army of Helaman. I am making a stand. When I put that name-tag on, in 5 days, I will be flying my banner. It is a banner that, not only the world can recognize, but Heavenly Father will recognize.

The third verse is very powerful to me. For...I know his plan and I will - I have - prepare(d), increase my knowledge through study and prayer. Daily I learn for I have been called to take the gospel to all the world. I am a part of the army of Helaman. I have been taught in my youth. And I will be the Lord's missionary to bring the world his truth. Words cannot describe what I feel when I think this. This is real life!! It's not something I'm looking forward to, hoping for, talking to people about, but this. Is. Happening. In 5 days. Haha I'm kinda freaking out mentally about it!!

But, I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. And I know that this Gospel is so, so, SO good!! I wish I had the ability to write everything that I have experienced and gone through the past...almost 6 months, now. A lot has gone on in my life. But, it's been good (mostly) and what hasn't been good has been worth it. Or will be worth it, in the end.

Things I've learned:

*Heavenly Father's timeline is perfect. He sees things that we can't, so we need to just trust in Him!!

*Because Heavenly Father's timeline is so perfect, He also provides us with experiences, blessings, and people in order to help us to get to the point that we need to be at for things to happen in the way He needs them to.

*When we put our faith in Christ and trust Him, He will bless us and give us little tender mercies that can end up being miracles.

*Love is so, so, SO important. As well as humility. One cannot fully and completely love God and others without humility in their hearts.

*It is always worth it. I promise you that. It is ALWAYS worth it!! Doing the right thing, being obedient, following what Heavenly Father has asked you to do, everything will be worth it, because Heavenly Father will bless you immensely. And you life will be so much better than you ever thought! And you will experience a happiness you could never imagine.

*I have a duty. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have made covenants - especially after going through the temple - and I must uphold and keep them. I must be an example of Jesus Christ, and I must strive to bring others closer to Him - through love.

I'm gonna be a missionary, you guys. With all the feelings this arises in me, ultimately...this makes me so happy. More happy than I could ever express. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know it with all my heart and with my whole being. I love it!