In regards to faith and service, I want to briefly discuss one topic that is, or certainly should be, on all of your minds. Missionary work. Young men, you know that you are supposed to serve, and I know that you will all make a wonderful contribution to the missionary force. I know that many of you have your calls and that many of you are preparing to go. I thank all of you for fulfilling your priesthood duties and I feel so blessed to live in an area with so many priesthood members.
I want to specifically speak to all of the sisters in this room, which for better or for worse is most of you. I know that for some of you missionary work is a sensitive topic. Age 19 is coming closer and closer and you are probably asked daily whether or not you are planning on serving. I get it. I am right there with you.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said: There seems to be growing in the Church an idea that all young women as well as all young men should go on missions. We need some young women. They perform a remarkable work. They can get in homes where the elders cannot.
I wish to say that the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve are united in saying to our young sisters that they are not under obligation to go on missions. I hope I can say what I have to say in a way that will not be offensive to anyone. Young women should not feel that they have a duty comparable to that of young men. Some of them will very much wish to go. If so, they should counsel with their bishop as well as their parents. If the idea persists, the bishop will know what to do.
I say what has been said before, that missionary work is essentially a priesthood responsibility. As such, our young men must carry the major burden. This is their responsibility and their obligation.
Again to the sisters I say that you will be as highly respected, you will be considered as being as much in the line of duty, your efforts will be as acceptable to the Lord and to the Church whether you go on a mission or do not go on a mission.
I know the pressures you sisters are feeling, because I have felt them too. I want to remind you all that your Heavenly Father loves you the same amount whether you choose to serve a mission or whether you choose another path. Your worth as a daughter of God is not based on whether or not you serve, and your faithfulness in the church cannot be measured by missionary service. The thing that really matters is that you are striving to become more like Christ and that you are preparing to someday go to the temple.
For you sisters who have calls, I am so excited for you. Your missions will be hard, but you will draw closer to God during those hard times. I have gotten to know many of you and I know that your testimonies will bless lives all over the world.
Everyone here, whether you are a future missionary or not, can focus on serving others. I don’t want anyone to think that I am against sisters serving missions because I love missionaries! My Grandmother, and Mom both served missions, and I have a sister who will return in a month. Sister missionaries make a wonderful contribution to the missionary force, but not every sister is required to go. Whether or not you choose to serve a full time mission, you should be constantly applying Christ like attributes to your life.
In our quest to become like Christ, we must remember that Christ loved the individual. He loves each and every one of you more than you can comprehend. I testify to you that there is someone among you who is lonely, or down trodden, or is so broken that they don’t have any idea what to do next. I know that many of you are homesick, and that you are beginning to realize how hard it is to live apart from your family and friends. Some of you are struggling with sickness in the family, divorce of parents, or the death of a loved one. Some of you don’t know how you will be able to pay for school, let alone a mission, and some of you are still wondering whether or not a mission is the right choice.
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