My grandson Joshua Moody will be returning home from his mission tomorrow.
Today we received his last letter before his return.
I was so touched that I want to share his letter.
Dear family,
On a particular morning 21 months ago, I was preparing to leave my home and drive to the MTC to begin my mission. I was so nervous that I could hardly eat my last meal with my family. At this moment, my dad shared one of his last pieces of advice with me: "You're only nervous because you don't know what it's like yet. If you knew the friends you'll make, the adventures you'll have, and the joy you'll feel, you would jump out of your chair and run towards your first area as fast as you could."
Now that my mission is complete, I can tell you that my dad's counsel was true. I can't even to begin to describe how much the last two years have impacted me. I could fill volumes on the wacky adventures I've had, the trials I've endured, the people I've taught, and the happiness I've felt. But as I pondered what to include in my final email, I felt inspired to focus on the one thing that is more important than everything else: the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Two years ago, when I left my home and entered the MTC, I had a strong testimony and belief in the Savior, but I was also full of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Relentlessly through the next two years, I was placed in a variety of situations that seemed deliberately engineered to challenge me as much as possible. These experiences started with little things like fear of talking to strangers and being nervous to train a new missionary, but they quickly increased in scale: the city of Paradise burning to the ground, being assigned to lead large numbers of missionaries, and spending two months in isolation trying to preach the gospel over the internet. If I was left to my own strength, I wouldn't have survived two seconds in the mission field. However, time and time again, I've been able to conquer challenges and reject temptations through additional strength that I know could have only come through Jesus Christ. I'm not the same person I was when I left; He helped me overcome my fears and weaknesses and turned me into a confident disciple of Jesus Christ who cannot be shaken.
Even more important than the change in my own life is the change I've seen in the lives of others. I'm a firsthand witness to the converting power of the gospel. I could almost see a physical change in the people I taught as they accepted the truth; their countenance changed from dim to radiant. At the beginning of my mission, I didn't expect to have much success. I felt a lot like Ammon when he said, "We have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." But the Lord blessed me beyond my wildest imaginations and I was able to baptize not just some, but many people.
"Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us. ...Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name" (Alma 26:30-31, 35).
I wouldn't trade a single minute of my mission for anything. I can honestly look back and say that I have no regrets. I gave this work everything I had, even when it was hard. I'm sad to leave the people of California, but I trust that it's the Lord's will and I know he has even greater things in store for me in the future. Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers throughout this awesome adventure. I love and appreciate all of you!
"And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my [family] and [I] shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you [at the airport]. Amen."(Moroni 10:34)
See you soon,
- Elder Moody
