Lifelong Disciples - You Cannot Fall!

We finished our final missionary interviews this week. What a joy it has been to spend time with each of these remarkable missionaries! I joined President Quinn in each interview since it was our last one. President Quinn shared one final piece of counsel from the Book of Mormon, found in Helaman 5:12
“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation… a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

For our Spanish-speaking missionaries, we looked at the verse in Spanish:
“Y ahora bien, hijos míos, recordad, recordad que es sobre la roca de nuestro Redentor, que es Cristo, el Hijo de Dios, donde debéis establecer vuestro fundamento…”

I love the wording “establecer vuestro fundamento”—to establish your foundation upon Christ. It feels intentional, deliberate, and unwavering.

And for those learning Hmong:
“Thiab nimno, kuv cov tub, nej yuav tsum nco ntsoov, nco ntsoov tias nej yuav tsum tsa nej lub hauv paus rau saum peb tus Cawm Seej lub pob zeb, uas yog Khetos, Vajtswv Leej Tub…”
In Hmong, I love the imagery of setting up and erecting our foundation on Christ. Not merely placing it there but building it firmly and purposefully.

*Elders Charter, Harris, Schwieder, Ollila, Brown, Braithwaite, & Finger with two perspective missionaries!*

Helaman’s instruction to his sons is powerful. In fact, this is the last chapter in which we hear from Helaman. What beautiful final counsel with an incredible promise from a father to the children he loves.

Throughout our mission, we have taught our missionaries to become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and to build their foundation on the Savior’s rock. This is the path to true joy in this life and eternal life in the world to come. What greater desire could we have for these young men and women?

In 2023, when President Nelson called us to serve as mission leaders, he counseled us to help our missionaries become lifelong disciples of the Savior. That charge has remained at the center of our service, and it continues to be our deepest hope for each and every missionary.

*Elders McCollum, Elder, Young, Pyne, with Hermanas Brimhall, Proffitt, Winderton and Jackson*

It was a privilege to share Helaman 5:12 throughout the week, sometimes up to 24 times a day! By the end, we knew the scripture well enough that we thought maybe we could even recite it backwards. It was wonderful to discuss with each missionary how we can apply this promise in our daily lives and build on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ, one where we are promised we cannot fall!

We ended the week in Fairfield with the Hmong Branch, where we enjoyed a beautiful sacrament meeting and a delicious linger-longer afterwards. Good food and visiting always helps makes church a little happier.

*President and Sister Vang with Sister and President Quinn*

Now we’re preparing for R & R’s and a Zoom call, grateful for another week filled with faithful missionaries, cherished friendships, and a timely reminder for us too, that when we build on Christ, we cannot fall. This promise brings me great peace!

And speaking of our Savior here is prompt #49. I hope you are enjoying your jounals!