Saved for these Latter Days

This has been something that I have been studying out for a while now.

For those who have not heard the EFY Medley (or want to listen to it again because it is amazing) you might want to listen to this first:

(Side note: I got to sing a new version this in a fireside that was conducted by Sister Janice Kapp Perry- the woman who wrote both the songs sung in this medley. Needless to say, I was crying the entire time.)

All of my life I have been told (along with all the other youth) that I was saved for these latter days. We sing about it. We hear talks about it. We have Sunday School lessons about it. This Sunday, Elder Russell M. Nelson gave a wonderful CES Devotional about this idea. It sparked some questions in my mind...

Why was I saved for these days?
What do I have to offer?
How can I make a difference?

I would like to tell you about an experience that happened almost a year ago...

The week before General Conference in October, I started thinking about a mission. I knew that I had a year to decide whether or not to serve a mission because at the time the age for a woman to leave was 21. I started getting things in order. I talked to some friends about it. I went to an advisor to adjust my graduation plan. That Friday, I told my parents about my desire to serve a mission.

Less than 24 hours later, President Thomas S. Monson announced that the mission age was changed. Girls could now serve at 19 if they so desired. This changed everything. I no longer had a year to decide- I could leave right then if I wanted to. After General Conference that day, I just started crying. I wanted to serve so badly, but it did not feel right at that time. I wanted it to be right. During the Priesthood session of conference, my mom and I went to the store and I had a mini breakdown in the car.

Don't get me wrong here! I was/am so excited for the mission age to change and everything that this means for the spreading of the Gospel. But it was really hard when I wanted to serve, but I did not feel right about it. I prayed, I fasted, and the answer was still a firm 'Not right now.' I was willing to accept that, but I would be lying if I did not admit it was hard. Everyone else in my apartment announced that Monday at FHE that they would be starting their mission papers. I had to hold back tears when I was the one who had to say that I would not be serving a mission right now even though I wanted to say that I was.

Now, many of my best friends are serving missions around the world. From Portugal to Honduras to Detroit to Nicaragua. The gospel is going forth! It is wonderful! For a while, I felt like this was the way to live up to the idea of being saved for these latter days. I thought that I could only contribute to the work if I served a mission.

For the past year, I have been trying to find my purpose. I have studied it out. I became closer to my Heavenly Father and my brother Jesus Christ. I realize that I can make a difference even if I am not serving a mission right now.

While in the temple yesterday, I was pondering this idea of being saved for these latter days. I started thinking about where I am going to be in the next year. I am going to be a teacher a year from now. This scares me. However, I have said it before, I believe that this is my purpose right now. I get the opportunity to build up the children of our Heavenly Father. I get to see them learn to read. I get to help them love learning. I am so grateful for this opportunity!

All of this being said, I will serve a mission someday. It may not be in the next year. It may not be in the next few years. It may not even be while I am single. But someday, I will serve.

However, I am serving now in a different way. And you know what? I am okay with that! Each person can serve in their own way for their own purpose. This does not have to be in the form of a mission. It can be in the form of becoming a teacher or a doctor. It can be in the form of serving in your ward calling. As long as you are living the way God wants you to be living, He will also help you know what you are meant to be doing. I know this with all my heart.

So coming back to the original idea of being saved for these latter days. To quote another song:

"As Zion's youth in latter days,

We stand with valiant heart,

With promise shining in our eyes,

Resolved to do our part.

Upon a noble past we build;

The future fills our view.

We face the challenge of our day

And pledge we will be true.

...

Through test and trial we'll have our fears,

But we will not despair.

We're here to serve a righteous cause;

Truth gives us strength to dare.

We'll love, and learn, and overcome;

We'll sing a joyful song.

As Zion's youth in latter days,

Triumphant, pure, and strong."

I love music. I got the opportunity a few weeks ago to arrange the daily devotionals for work. So I got to make all 70 of my wonderful co-workers sing this song. I love it! I love the line in the third verse that says "We're here to serve a righteous cause." It comes back to this idea that we were saved for these latter days. What is my righteous cause? How can I, as Zion's youth in latter days, end up triumphant, pure, and strong. I am trying. It is hard.

Some days, I get distracted with work and school. Sometimes I feel like all that is important in the universe is what is happening in my life right now. Lately, I have been incredibly selfish. I forget my responsibility as someone who has been saved for these latter days. I am trying to get better.

I need to just remember that I have been saved for these latter days. Heavenly Father wants me here, in Provo, UT, at this moment in time for a reason. I am trying to live my life so that I can fulfill the things that He wants me to do.

Come what may and love it!