An Unusual Christmas Gift

Last week I had the opportunity of interviewing 130 missionaries prior to our Christmas programs, dinners and games. Typically I will allocate at least 10 minutes per missionary in our regular interviews. But due to our Christmas programs, I had to shorten the interviews down to just 3 minutes per missionary.

One of my most important responsibilities as a mission president is to help each missionary dig deeper within himself (or herself) so that they can climb higher than they’ve ever been. This requires concentration, continuity and time! What can be accomplished in just 3 minutes?

I found a formula that led to an amazing series of interviews. Many times over the four-day period I wished for a hidden video camera – recording what I was hearing – for the purpose of sharing with parents. And then once the parents had wiped away the tears of joy, I would send the recordings to psychologists who would say, “This can’t be real, this can’t be legitimate, and this must be a set-up.”

What follows is one of my interviews:

“Elder, where were you last year at this time?”

“I was at home, getting ready for Christmas.”

“Was there a Christmas tree?

“Oh yes.”

“And Christmas decorations? And good food being prepared in the kitchen?”

“Oh yes.”

“Elder, how have you changed since last year at this time?”

“That’s a big question. Well, I guess you could say that I’ve changed about 180 degrees.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The things that used to be important are no longer important. I’ve learned to love all kinds of people. I’ve come to know my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and I feel of their love for me. I’m learning what the Atonement means and how to apply it to my life. I have never been happier in my life. I love serving other people. I’m not thinking about myself all the time.”

“Elder, thank you for sharing this with me. Now, when you talk to your parents on the phone on Christmas day, will you please share with them what you just shared with me? Tell them that you want to share a few things with them – and then open up with these deeply personal feelings and observations. It will be one of the best Christmas presents your parents could ever receive. Do you know why?”

“No I don’t.”

“Your parents have been praying for you ever since you were born. By sharing these personal things with them, you’ll be telling them that you are ‘coming unto Christ’. The same thing you’ve been asked to do as a missionary – that of inviting others to come unto Christ – you have been doing on a personal level while serving in this mission.”

“Wow, I never thought of it that way.”

“And Elder, after you share this with your parents, will you please thank them? Elder, what will you be thanking them for?”

“Um….everything??”

“Yes, exactly right. And it means more to you now than it ever has in your life. And after you thank them for everything, please tell them how much you love them. Because this too means more to you now than ever before.”

“I’ll do that President. Thank you.”

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These short little three-minute interviews were proof positive of the transformational power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The laboratory environment of a mission allows us to see, first hand, the impact of a life devoted to service, prayer, scripture study, and teaching the gospel while, at the same time, stepping away from a world of vulgarity, sexual temptations, pride, competition, sarcasm and sin. The revelatory words found in Romans 12:2 have never rung more true, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Our missionaries are proving the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. What is His will? It is the same as His work and His glory -- “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). The way our missionaries think and act has been transformed. They achieved this transformation by letting go of the ways of the world…by not conforming to the behavioral expectations of a secular society. Through the daily schedule of missionary work, their minds have been renewed. They have literally changed their minds about what is important in life. They have never felt stronger, more confident, more free, more charitable and more powerful. They have never experienced such clarity of thought and confirmation of purpose.

Can this way of living lead to peace of mind and happiness of heart? The answer is yes. Yes for the missionaries and yes for you and me.

Our Father in Heaven has outlined a way of living, a true Plan of Happiness, which guarantees these results independent of the trials, conflicts, setbacks, pain and challenges of life. Jesus Christ invited all to, “Come follow me.” Follow Him in word and deed. Renew your mind to a new way of seeing yourself and the world in which you live. Allow the Holy Ghost to temper your pride and your prejudice. Perhaps your life won't change 180 degrees, but even a change of 30-60 degrees will be worth the effort!

A simple three-minute interview produced a message of infinite power and hope. And this is why it will always be remembered as a most unusual Christmas gift.

Mike Murray
Christmas Day
December 25, 2008
Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission
Media, PA