Monte J. Brough
"One sleepless night, while serving as a mission president, I was greatly concerned about the condition of the mission. There was a need to provide some inspiration and motivation for the missionaries, but I was at a loss as to what or how I might provide it. Again my thoughts were turned to the prophet Ether because of his example of diligence and inspiration during his missionary experience. I love learning and studying about Ether because his life demonstrates qualities which I personally desire for myself, such as his supreme ability to concentrate during his service as a missionary: (quotes Ether 12:2; 13:2, 4.)
"That night I was impressed that a study of the life of Ether might provide the inspiration which was needed for our mission. Every missionary in the Church would do well to emulate this great prophet who understood the rigors of missionary work and performed at such a high level. Ether ’could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him. For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun.’ (Ether 12:2–3.)
“As a mission president, I found that this example of hard work and diligent effort was among the finest available. We challenged every missionary to learn to be an ‘Ether’ because the Spirit of the Lord could make it possible for each of them to ’not be restrained.‘ Many of our missionaries did gain this level of spirituality which ’could not be restrained,’ and thus were blessed with faith and results which had not been previously enjoyed. This, of course, resulted in a higher level of work even from early morning until late in the evening.” (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, pp. 190-91)