O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him. - Morm. 9:27.
It was a very challenging moment of my life for the time had come that I was asked to give up my plan to go on a mission. My father did not want me to go, and I was in great distress.
I had to decide whether to please my father by not going on a mission or to go against his wishes and serve. Then I decided to go ahead and submit my application for a mission before my father arrived to visit me. I prayed to my Heavenly Father that He would bless me and give me courage in my decision. In my scripture study I read this passage which helped me to understand better why I felt the way I did. As I read, tears flowed down my face because the scripture gave me assurance and courage that Jesus Christ would bless me.
I was baptized when I was 9 years old, but my father had never joined the Church. When my father realized I planned to go ahead and go on a mission he was angry with me and said unkind things which hurt me. This part of my life was a time of trial for me. But I didn't give up. The scriptures tell the truth. I told my father, "No matter what you say to me I do respect you still, but for this cause, I will still serve." Then he went back home and was discouraged with what I told him.
Later, I received my mission call, and the day before I was to report to the Manila Missionary Training Center, my father, accompanied by my brother who was a returned missionary, visited with me. My father said to me, "Son, go on your way, be faithful on your mission, be the best you can be. I'm not angry with you anymore." As I heard those words from him, I cried and prayed to my Heavenly Father in thanks and gratitude. I am now here in the field serving the Lord. How blessed I am to read the scriptures.
