From Landon Burt (recently returned from Peru):
I loved my mission and learned to more truly love the Lord during my service. I learned a very important lesson on how to listen to the Spirit, be obedient, and the loving nature of God. I know that God lives and loves us. I know that he sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to sacrifice himself for our sins, pains, and sorrows, so that we can feel comfort and be cleaned of our sins. I know that we can all receive a remission of our sins through the atoning blood of Christ and have felt the cleansing power of it. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it is the truest book on this world and that it contains the words of God. I’ve seen how much of an effect it has on anyone’s life that reads it, ponders it, and applies it in their life. I know that it contains the fullness of the gospel and I love to study and read it each day. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, called to restore the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth in our dispensation. I also know that God has called a prophet to lead and guide us today. The prophet, Russell M Nelson, is the prophet of God on the earth in our time. I know that he receives instruction, revelation, and prophecy for our day. His words are the words of God.
During my mission, I was blessed with the opportunity to teach a man named Pedro. He was the most prepared person I had ever met during my entire mission. He showed up to church by himself one day and that is where other missionaries (from the ward right before us) talked to him and got his information to send to us. We went to his house that same night to teach him. I have never met someone that was so ready and open and changed BEFORE he had even met the missionaries! As we got to know him and learn more about him, we learned that he had a friend in Chile that had been talking with him about the gospel for 4 months. At the beginning he didn’t have much interest, but over time he slowly started to watch the inspiring videos she was sending him, reading the quotes, and the short passages of scripture. That obviously led to him asking questions about what he had learned and was learning. He said they called and talked almost everyday for the past month. She had invited him to come to church at the ward that was closest to him and that is why he’d shown up! Now as we started asking him more and more about what he’d learned from his conversations with her, it became very clear that he already had a testimony that the gospel was true. He said he believed the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith restored the gospel and, although only having watched a few short videos from President Nelson, believed he was the prophet in our day. I have never felt the feeling to invite someone to be baptized more strongly. He accepted the invitation with excitement to be able to be clean of his sins and enter into the path of God. He progressed very quickly and was baptized and confirmed 3 weeks later. He finished all of 1st and 2nd Nephi and had started to reread them to understand more. He had become truly converted to Christ through this almost 5-month journey.
Now, I learned a lot from this one experience. First, it plainly shows the power of member missionary work. Before in my mission, I had never met someone SO prepared as he was. He’d already made the changes in his life to keep the commandments without being invited to do so by us or by the member. All the member had to do was minister unto him in little ways. Sending videos, scriptures, and quotes to help him with what he needed, then being attuned to the Spirit when he decided to ask for more. The power of the Book of Mormon and the words of the prophets helped to open his heart so that the Holy Ghost could enter in and touch his heart. This experience shows the power of those two things and the way that God works in us. He has given each of us the commandment to minister to those around us. Lift them up. Be a light unto them. INVITE them all to come and see, come and help, come and stay. I know that by ministering in the Lord’s way, we will all see miracles like the one that happened to Pedro. We will be guided to people who need to hear the words of Christ at the exact moment that they need to hear them. We will become instruments in the Lord’s hands. We will fulfill our responsibility and the commandment to preach the gospel unto every creature on this earth. As the Lord and prophets have promised. I know there is no work that brings more JOY.
I know this work is true. I know that God leads and directs it. I know that if we start, our efforts will be blessed and multiplied. I know that God’s loving mercy will help and bless you in your journey. I share this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Landon Burt