A few weeks ago in my Singles Ward our sacrament meeting theme was about missionary work. I was blessed to hear from three amazing return missionaries who are now serving as ward missionaries (they assist the local missionaries in their work, they act as a liaison between the full-time missionaries and the ward members to further the work, and they teach the gospel principles class during Sunday School.).

In one of the talks given, a story was related about that return missionary. He said that before he left on his mission, he received a pillow case from his family. Each member had written him a message upon it. He then shared the message that affected him the most was from his older brother, which read:

"When you come to the end of all that you know, and you have to walk into the darkness of the unknown. You need to know one of two things. That: either, one, you will step onto firm ground, or two, that you will be taught how to fly."

What a powerful principle this is. Often when you are following the will of the Lord (like serving a mission, preparing for an Eternal Marriage, or beginning a new calling) you are led into the unknown. This can be a very unsettling thing. The natural man likes to feel control over his or her life by seeing the end from the beginning. For when you are in control then you aren't dependent on anyone or anything else. President Harold B. Lee understood this concept, when he counseled a younger, Elder Boyd K Packer,

"'The problem with you is you want to see the end from the beginning." Then he quoted this verse from the Book of Mormon, "Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6).

He added, "You must learn to walk a few steps ahead into the darkness, and then the light will turn on and go before you.'" The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ— Plain and Precious Things, President Boyd K. Packer

Walking into the darkness, to follow the will of the Lord, is the trial of our faith that all who desire to be instruments in the hands of God must face. For, to be a true instrument in the hands of God we must submit to Him completely. We must acknowledge that the pen doesn't tell the author what to write, nor the paint brush the artist what to paint.

To be an instrument, one is required to place their entire trust in the Lord, knowing that He will not let us fail, nor fall; knowing that He can see the end from the beginning where we cannot; and knowing that He knows all that is required to bring about His work. This sort of faithful trust in the Lord replaces our fear and doubt with peace and confidence which is necessary to be about His work. When that is in place then we can be like the Prophet Nephi in the Book of Mormon when he said,

"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

Nevertheless I went forth…" 1 Nephi 4:6-7

On my 22nd Birthday I went through the Mount Timpanogos Temple to receive my Endowments in preparation for serving a Full-time mission for the Church. That morning before we left the house my mother gave me one of the best birthday presents I have ever received. She gave me a journal. However this wasn't just any journal my mother explained. This was to be my temple journal.

For the next few weeks before leaving on my mission, I tried to go to the temple as often as I could. And every time I went to the temple, I would record in my journal, which temple I went to, what ordinance I did, who I went with, and whom I did work for. Along with these records I wrote any impressions, and feelings I had that went along with each visit.

I loved going to the temple. Each time I went I felt surrounded in Love, filled with the Spirit, and strengthened in my desire to live righteously. Later while on my mission, I missed being able to go to the temple, due to there being no temples within the boundaries of my mission. However, though I could not attend the temple, I brought a bit of the temple with me in the form of my temple journal.

I cannot tell you how often I would open that sacred journal and reread those entries I had made. I can tell you that each time I did so I felt an echo of that Love, Spirit, and Strength I had felt while in the House of the Lord. Each time I read the names of my dear ancestors, whom I had served by doing their work, it was as if they were right there with me, helping me to accomplish the work I was called to do.

I felt the spirit of Elijah working in me, and I know that it is in fulfillment of the prophesy found in the book of Malachi, in the Old Testament which says,

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Malachi 4:5-6

Now I have been home from my mission for almost two years. I still carry that temple journal with me, and make entries in it often. Each time I do, I am reminded of the fact that as the Prophet Brigham Young put it,

"Our fathers cannot be made perfect without us; we cannot be made perfect without them. They have done their work and now sleep. We are now called upon to do ours; which is to be the greatest work man ever performed on the earth. Millions of our fellow creatures who have lived upon the earth and died without a knowledge of the Gospel must be officiated for in order that they may inherit eternal life (that is, all that would have received the Gospel). And we are called upon to enter into this work." Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, Temple Service

A few years ago while serving a full-time Mission in North Carolina, I received a phone call. We were having a mission conference in a week. Elder Hilbig a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy was coming with his wife to speak to us. The phone call was from another sister missionary serving on the other side of our mission.

We had never served together, though we had been in the same zone before. I was shocked when she told me why she was calling. Our mission President's wife requested this other sister and me to give a musical number in the upcoming conference.

I had heard this sister sing before, so I knew our voices would harmonize. However, since we were serving so far apart, we were told that we would have to practice on our own, and then make sure to arrive at the mission conference early and run through it once or twice together before we started.

When I was told what hymn we were to sing (requested by my Mission President's wife) I didn't recognize the name. So after finishing the call I went in search of my personal hymn book. I was hoping that once I saw it that I would remember how it went, for I knew most of the hymns. When I found the hymn mentioned, I had to accept the fact that I had never heard it before.

Even worse, I had no access to a piano to learn the hymn which I was to sing before my entire mission in a week's time. I started panicking, not knowing what to do, when my companion suggested I pray. As I poured my heart out to the Lord, I received my answer.

Over the next week I learned the hymn note by note. I did this by looking at the given note in the hymn and finding another hymn I knew by heart that had that corresponding note. It was a painstaking process that took up every spare moment of my time. I worked on it and prayed morning to night, as I went about my regular mission work. During that time I came to love that hymn; for as I leaned it note by note, I came to know it word by word. Together the words and music touched my soul, as the spirit testified that the message was true.

In the end I did learn the hymn. I was able to arrive at the church early enough to run through the duet twice, before the meeting began, with my fellow missionary. When the time finally came, and we began to sing, I was aware of how our voices perfectly harmonized. At the same time I was caught up in feeling the spirit carry and confirm the message we sang to the hearts of all who were in attendance.

Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire Hymn # 145
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast..."

Text: James Montgomery, 1771–1854
Music: George Careless, 1839–1932

Years ago I experienced a Sacrament meeting that I will never forget. After partaking of the sacrament, my Bishop arose and addressed us. He had us all open our Hymn books to the First Presidency preface to the hymns, where he read,

"Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.

Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.

We hope to see an increase of hymn singing in our congregations. We encourage all members, whether musically inclined or not, to join with us in singing the hymns. We hope leaders, teachers, and members who are called on to speak will turn often to the hymn book to find sermons presented powerfully and beautifully in verse." First Presidency Preface to Hymns

My Bishop testified that he knew that this was true. He testified of the power of the hymns and their importance. He then shared his concern for us as a ward. He said that he had noticed that during the hymns many of us were not singing. We were not even paying attention to the hymns. Because of this, the spirit was not as strong in our meetings as it could and should be.

He continued by saying that this concerned him greatly. So much so that he had been praying to know what he could do, to change this. He realized that some did not sing because they didn't have good singing voices. To this he responded that he didn't have one either, but that didn't matter. For the Lord had said that the song of a heart is a prayer unto him. (D&C 25:12) The Lord never said it had to be a song of the throat.

However, my Bishop said that he knew that this wasn't why most of us weren't singing. He said that the cause of many not joining in singing was because we didn't have a real testimony of the hymns yet.

He said that after much prayer he was inspired to hold a musical testimony meeting. He told us that for the rest of our sacrament block, he would open the floor for any of us to come forth and share a hymn (and a specific verse), testify why that hymn had great meaning to us, and then the congregation (and he meant all of us) would sing that verse.

As we did so, the spirit of the Lord came so powerfully into the chapel where we sang that no one left unaffected. There were tears in many a person's eyes as hearts were touched, minds were taught, and spirits were edified.

Though I had always enjoyed the hymns before, I grew to love them that day. Now whenever I have to opportunity to sing the hymns I pay close attention to the words as well as the music. As I do so, I feel the spirit rush over me confirming the truthfulness of the message that hymn bears. I am humbled, and softened, and find that I am then ready to receive.

This last Sunday I attended a meeting with my fellow Family Home Evening Committee members. It is our calling to plan and prepare the singles ward family home evenings for those singles that are living away from home. In such cases, the ward becomes the family, and so the need and blessings of having this weekly gathering still apply.

Sometimes it is tricky to plan for an ever-changing group of individuals. What do they need? What will they be interested in attending? These questions are always asked at such planning meetings.

Usually we plan the activity, and then make assignments for the lesson, treat, and other last minute details. I was at first surprised at how much work goes into preparing for these weekly gatherings. I came to quickly respect my fellow committee members in all they did to make these family home evenings what they are.

In our meeting we decided to plan for the next three upcoming months. With summer just around the corner, which means longer/warmer days there were so many more activities available then we have in the fall and winter months. It is true that because of this, we planned some fun outdoor activities. Yet that was not our focus.

As a committee we have seen a great opportunity to plan great service. For as one sister in our group said,

"As a group of single adults we are in the unique position to be able to easily provide lots of needed service."

Service can be lots of fun, while at the same time it unites those who serve together, builds love, respect, and appreciation. It is also a way to help each of our single brothers and sisters to find a place in the group, experience the joy of being an instrument in the hands of the Lord, and to serve our Father in Heaven (who is always so quick to serve us.).

I am so excited for this renewed focus on giving meaningful service for our family home evening activities. I know that they will be more meaningful and memorable than anything else. Some of the activities I am looking forward to including:

-Helping the members of our stake in doing yard work.

-Visiting and serving at the Seville (the retirement home in our stake)

-Visiting and helping out at a local autistic preschool.

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17