But it was a different conversation with an elder in one of the other wards in our stake that I was speaking with yesterday that had the most impact. I did not go on a mission as a young man, mostly due to fear and a sense of inadequacy, and got married in the temple while I was 20, so missed out on the opportunity. More and more, I see how I have missed it. But this Elder yesterday, as we talked about member missionary work, said something profound. He said that he finally realized, after more than a year on his mission, that what he’s doing now is just a launching pad for the rest of his life. To him, it doesn’t matter how many folks he baptizes now, as much as how effective he is as a member missionary the rest of his life. After that, I realized there was even more I had missed out on by not going on a mission.

My wife and I are counting down the years to when we can go on a mission together, which is at 10 years now. Seriously, the waiting is killing me. I’d love to be out there with her right now.

One amazing thing about the work the missionaries do is that they’re actually out and about and on task all day everyday. Sure, they work very ineffectively at times and are underinformed about most things in the world but they are 19 to 21 year olds who, on their own initiative pretty much, go out and actually knock on doors and attend their appointments and find ways to teach people, all relatively autonomously. One could almost argue that it’s difficult to get that kind of autonomous productivity out of seasoned professionals in their fields. (Of course, the missionaries’ work ethic is prodded along by cheesy self-help type pep-talks at zone and mission conferences, but even that is somewhat remarkable given the nature of this volunteer effort — that these volunteers are committed to trying to reinforce the will to work in each other so that the days are spent on the Lord’s business, as they understand it.)

Most of all, I can’t wait to do it again. This time I will get to choose my own companion and I will be able to keep her while everyone around us is getting transferred.

At that point Elder McLaws had gone home and Elder Rutherford had replaced him.

There have been more children born into our family, and grandchildren and great grandchildren, born and raised under the covenant. There are currently 4 full time missionaries serving, and 11 that have already served full time missions as a result of my family having been tracted out and taught the gospel.

There have been over 400 people taught the gospel and baptized by members of my family or direct descendants (grandchildren, great grandchildren) of our family.

However Elder McLaws (the senior companion) went home before our family got baptized. He did not have one single baptism on his mission. We were never able to ascertain if he knew our family joined the Church. Recently I tried to contact him to give him the thanks that he deserved and he had passed away some 2 years previously.

Can I express to all of you missionaries who felt like you may not have accomplished much, that I love and respect you as a compatriot of Elder McLaws and as an emissary of the Lord. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!