Dearest Elder Dudley,
I can’t believe you’re going into your last week as a full-time missionary for Jesus Christ! This will be an amazing week. It will be the capstone to your mission! What an exciting time this is for you and the the people you serve!
You’ve worked so hard to hear the voice of the Lord as you’ve represented him the past two years. President Nelson has amazing things to say about receiving revelation in his book “Accomplishing the Impossible.” From chapter 6 “We can Receive Revelation” President Nelson says this:
The Master gave this instruction: “I the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great assail be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. To them will I reveal all mysteries [and] my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.” (D&C 76:5-7)
Revelation need not all come at once. It may be incremental. “Saith the lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receivers I will give more.” (2 Nephi 28:30) Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression.
Prophets have described what they felt while receiving revelation. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery reported that “the veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.” (D&C 110:1) President Joseph F. Smith wrote, “As I pondered over these things which are written, themes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me.” (D&C 138:11)
Every Latter-day Saint may merit personal revelation. The invitation to ask, seek, and knock for divine direction exists because God lives and Jesus is the living Christ. It exists because this is His living Church. (See D&C 1:30) And we are blessed today to be led by living prophets. That we may hearken to and heed their prophetic counsel is my prayer.
Keep working your hardest: listening carefully to the voice of the Lord, and acting immediately. You will continue to accomplish the impossible even to the last moment of your mission, including your flights home.
We love you. We pray for you. We are soooo proud of you, Elder Dudley!
Love always,
Momma
xoxoxo
P.S. SEE YOU SOON!!!
