Stories: DIVINE MAGNETISM
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| DIVINE MAGNETISM
Temple Square Mission Sacrament Meeting
President Richard I. Winwood
March 14, 1999
Last Sunday in her testimony, Sister Odriozola mentioned something very profound. I’ve talked about it with some of you this week. But, as I’ve pondered her comments, for all of us, the significance grows. Sister Odriozola is from the Basque region of northern Spain. In her initial interview with President Snow, she wondered, since she was the first such missionary to serve on Temple Square, if anyone from her home country would visit so she could teach them. His response was “Since you are now here, the people of Basque would now come.” That prophesy was fulfilled a few days after it was pronounced when Sister Odriozola was able to host a tour of Basque people – the first to be taught in their own language on Temple Square.
The root of President Snow’s comment stems from a principle I will call Divine Magnetism. Sister Odriozola’s presence on Temple Square literally made it possible for her people to come. They would simply be drawn here for the compelling reason that God prepares people for Temple Square according to our preparedness to meet them and bring them closer to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is vitally important for every missionary serving on Temple Square to have a humble appreciation of her own divine magnetism. This principle isn’t geographic or language centered, it is rather based on each individual missionary being here and thereby creating a magnetic influence on people who will respond to her unique presentation. How? The Lord will set in motion the chain of events necessary to bring people that you alone can reach with His message. Why? Simply because you make it possible. Without you, the essential piece would be missing. You are needed to create the miracle.
As I watch each of you in your service or in our meetings I am struck by how different each of you are. Your personality differences and your varied talents truly represent a kaleidoscope. You are a rainbow of differences: culture, family, habits, language, economy, education, physical structure, intellect, upbringing, preferences, challenges, talents, testimony, etc. The equation of your make-up, collectively and individually, is as delightful as it is complex and ever changing. Each of you is a child of God, unique in design and personality. Each of you has been sent by a prophet of God to gather those of his children who are prepared to hear his message from your mouth. To fully understanding your sacred calling as a part of Heavenly Father’s plan, it is important for you to recognize that few events are truly random or coincidental. Each encounter with your guests is verily a meeting of destiny. The choices they begin making here on Temple Square, with your help, have deep eternal consequences.
Your individual uniqueness means that your challenges are different as well. Some struggle with family concerns, others with their testimony or their health, language, romance, shyness, disease, education, the future, addiction, fear, communication, or even lack of faith or hope. Again, the list is long. Yet each of these challenges, properly met and righteously mastered, forges us into the celestial being our Father wants us to be. I am reminded of a parable given in C. S. Lewis’ book, Mere Christianity: “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that these jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building a palace.” Sisters, our task is to overcome ourselves and in patience and faith, let God make of you what he will. Allow yourselves to be changed and molded in righteousness. Your potential far exceeds your expectations.
Should and understanding of our individual uniqueness coupled with our divine callings in time and space, give us a fresh perspective on our work here? Should it show in our dedication and approach to the Lord’s work? Yes, it should. It can’t help but affect us in a positive way if we are open to growing and changing. We should be happier in our callings, more tolerant of one another and we should have a sense of purpose in our assignments. For example, obedience, from this perspective does not mean an imposition on our freedom or agency, but rather it becomes a hallmark of our love for Jesus Christ and his obedient atonement. Like him, we must do what is necessary to become instruments in the hands of God – unique, incomparable witnesses of Heavenly Father’s majesty and power. Last Sunday, in a weekly letter, a sister wrote that a guest had posed a question for which she did not know the answer. She silently prayed for help and then found herself clearly and concisely answering her guest’s question! She wrote, “I learned the answer to the question at the same time he did.” She went on to explain the joy she felt in knowing that she had been, for a few moments, an instrument in the Lord’s hands, a chosen vessel of truth. This was divine magnetism at work. Opportunity and preparedness on a collision course with destiny. What price are you willing to pay for such experiences? What sacrifice would be too much?
Understanding our unique personalities and callings here on Temple Square should be an important step in overcoming the destructive tendency to compare ourselves with other missionaries and their equally unique contributions. Why can that sister gather more referrals than I? Why is she favored by leadership responsibilities while others are not? Why is she prettier, or taller, or shorter or smaller, or more intelligent, athletic, artistic, musical, graceful or whatever? Why be bothered by such questions? Each of you is different. Each of you has a different allocation of talents, challenges and corresponding responsibility – for a divine purpose. Leave it at that. Rejoice in it. The only valid comparison you should be making is a serious distinction between how you are now serving the Lord and how much better you could be serving. Doctrine & Covenants section 4 is instructive here. We must each serve with “all of your heart, might, mind and strength.” Our service will be measured, but we are not graded “on the curve.” Our service will be qualified only against our own individual potential. Anything short of 100% of your capacity for service represents a failure to achieve your objective as a missionary. It is as simple as that.
The number of referrals you gain in your average week should never be of overt concern. Referrals are not, in themselves, the test or true measure of success. In my analysis, referrals are simply a by-product of active, selfless service. Were I to list the names of the top ten sisters in terms of referral production, you would probably agree with me that the sisters represented were the most experienced, best prepared, most obedient, hardest working missionaries. Moreover, knowing them as I do, I know those listed would not be particularly concerned or even interested in how many referrals they get. Numbers are unimportant compared to the vital questions they would be asking yourselves. Did I do my best? Did I serve with all my heart? Did I sacrifice enough for the Lord? Did I honestly give every ounce of energy to my service? Answer these questions. If your answers are “yes,” then rejoice in your day or week. You’ve been a worthy and faithful servant. If you fell short of that standard, repent and strive, in the new week the Lord has given you, to prove yourself and gain the prize of knowing your offering is acceptable to Him.
Your individual uniqueness makes for interesting combinations. Mission companionships can be a delight or an awkward challenge. You don’t get to choose your companion but you do get to choose what kind of a companion you will be. In your companionship, strive for unity in purpose – focus on your divine objective of bringing people to the Savior and his true gospel. This focus must transcend all other interests or concerns – or even annoyances. Acknowledging the divine nature of your companion as well as her differences and unique challenges will be a solid bridge to understanding, cooperation and love. Be happy wherever the Lord puts you. “Bloom where you’re planted.” Find the reasons for your circumstances in selfless service. A sister approached me with excitement this week to tell me that while she was showering that morning her companion had made her bed for her. “I love her so much!” she said. Find reasons to delight your companion. She is the Lord’s anointed. Like you, she is a Princess of the Most High.
What a pleasure it is to serve with each of you. Sister Winwood and I “stand all amazed” at the rich and sacred trust placed in us. How we love you! We claim you as daughters. We are not immune to your Divine Magnetism! We are honored to be your friends. May the Lord bless you in your service. May you always have in mind your God-given opportunity and commission. May you strive with all your energy to be worthy servants – full of hope and faith in the Lord’s promises.
I share my simple testimony that we are involved in the Lord’s work. You are angels at the gates of joy. Let your lights shine. Our Heavenly Father lives and guides his Church through living prophets. Each of you has been sent here at this time for a divine purpose for at no other time could you do the work that is to be done here, now. I know God answers prayers and that thereby we may gain wisdom and comfort. The scriptures are true – they give us direction, counsel and inspiration. The Book of Mormon is the converting tool of the restoration. I am eternally grateful for my witness of it. This day, let us go out of our way to “lift up the hands that hang down.” Let us go beyond ourselves in our efforts to be about “our Father’s business.” This is my prayer for each of us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen |
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