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
