The Mission Clock
A Perspective for Young Men Entering the Mission Field
The Time to Serve is Quickly Far Spent
Spoiler Alert: Looking back on your mission experience, it will seem to have been as a single 24-hour day.
According to our reckoning of time, every day has 24 hours, beginning and ending at midnight.
A mission is comprised of 24 months for young men.
Entering the mission field may seem like midnight.
While there is structure, everything is new.
It is okay to feel a little apprehension.
There is a lot to learn.
A testimony to nourish.
Gospel doctrine and principles to internalize to share with others.
Finding your footing may be tricky at first.
But the Spirit begins to take hold and guide you step by step.
The Light of Christ conveyed through the Holy Ghost burns brighter to light your path even though you are still in your mission's early morning hours (months).
Then around month six…
The recognition comes that you have survived! You have even found your footing.
It's like the sun is rising.
Such an exciting time!
You are becoming conversant in the language of the land where you serve and proficient in the language of the Gospel. You have immersed yourself in reading the scriptures, studying the gospel, and learning how to teach effectively.
But, most importantly, by this time, you have learned how to recognize the Spirit, received revelation, and seen miracles in your life.
T-minus one year and counting.
Morning gives way to the bright noonday sun at month 12 of your mission, another worthy milestone.
The missionaries young in the field will look up to you. They may even be a little jealous.
Of course, there will be some customary celebrations to memorialize the one-year mark, like having your tie cut in half and other shenanigans.
But, inwardly, you will recognize you are a different person than a year earlier, having grown from boy to man.
Your spirit and testimony are blossoming.
You will be amazed at how the previous year has disappeared.
It may even concern you to think about how fast this experience will end.
Let that motivate you.
The next six months will pass like lightning, arriving at the 18-month mark.
It is early evening, according to your mission clock. NOW is the time to double down again and get to work.
As President Kimball said, time to "lengthen your stride and quicken your pace as you do your part in the great sanctifying work of the kingdom."
Suddenly, the mission clock will toll twenty-four times.
You have completed your mission.
Once again, it feels like midnight.
It will be surreal as that plane bound for home lifts off into the sky.
I am willing to bet part of you will feel your heart break as you leave the people you have come to love.
But going home is also exhilarating. New adventures and horizons await.
By serving faithfully, you will have laid a solid foundation for the rest of your mortal life.
The simple fact is, on day one, you have only 24 months to serve.
And trust me, that time will seem like a single day.
You only have one chance to serve in this particular way at this time in your life.
There will be no "do-overs."
This one day on the mission clock is your shot, and you will have a lifetime to think about it.
So, fall in love with the people and area you serve, no matter where that is.
Your natural destiny is to blossom wherever you are assigned. The Lord is the husbandman of His vineyard and will plant you exactly where He needs you.
Wear out your shoes, socks, and suits.
Rejoice as your garments turn a little gray.
Return home exhausted in body but alive and adrenalized in the Spirit.
Literally, "leave it all on the field."
You only have a total of 24 hours to get it done.
Thanks for reading and pondering with me!
Russell Anderson
P.S. If you like this post, you may enjoy even more content on my website. So go ahead, snoop around!