refer in this text to Alma 17:2-5; Ensign, May 1992, pp. 11-12
“There is no living soul in all the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who has gone forth to proclaim this gospel, … who like Alma of old has had that same joy and that same happiness, when he or she has been an instrument in the hands of God of bringing some soul to a knowledge of the divinity of the work in which you and I are engaged… . I know of no joy on earth that can compare with that which comes to the heart of the … [person] who is an instrument in the hands of God of saving some soul and turning it from that broad way that leadeth to destruction, into that straight and narrow path that leadeth to life eternal.” (Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, Oct. 1922, pp. 187-188)
“There is no other labor in all the world that brings to a human heart, judging from my own personal experience, more joy, peace and serenity than proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I remember that while I was laboring in Japan, [after two years] … I received a cable: ‘Come home on the first vessel.’ When I arrived home President Smith told me that they had decided to send me to Europe [for at least one year] to succeed Brother Lyman. When I went into his office and bade him goodbye, and said, ‘I will see you in a year,’ he said, ‘We have decided to make it a year and a half.’ I said, ‘Multiply it by two and say nothing about it, and it will please me,’ and that is exactly what he did. I was there a little over three years, and never have I had sweeter joy, more genuine satisfaction in my life than during those three years, when I had no thought except the spreading of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, Oct. 1926, p. 4)
“I recall my own mission call to Argentina. After sharing the excitement of my call with my parents, I sought out my mentor, who was not a member of the Church, a former U.S. senator, to share the news of my call with him. He was not impressed, let me know in no uncertain terms that if I insisted on serving a mission, upon my return all the good jobs would be taken and I would never amount to anything. I was disappointed, but realized that he saw my future only as the world perceives. Years later I realized that my mission had prioritized my life toward family, service, and gospel principles. As an added bonus, I was far ahead of most of my former classmates in worldly achievements… . The call to missionary service rarely comes when it is convenient or easy to serve.” (Gardner H. Russell, Ensign, Nov. 1991, p. 82)
“I am grateful to bishops who helped me as a young man prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. One patient, loving bishop helped me understand that missionary service was far more important than perfecting my golf game, which had been the chief ambition of my teen years.” (H. David Burton, Ensign, May 1993, p.47)
“Truly effective missionaries have many talents, varied and beautiful, but one quality they all seem to have is the ability to stick with their comitments—that is, the power to do what they agree to do. They tell themselves to get up in the morning, on time, and do it. They don’t depend on companions, district leaders, or anyone else. They commit to the mission president that they will follow the gospel study program every morning and not run out of steam in a few days. They understand that the Lord has called them to teach and testify, baptize and build the kingdom in His name, and they are happily at their work.” (L. Aldin Porter, Ensign, May 1992, p. 45)