No Regrets

There are innumerable things in life that we may end up regretting some day. But there are two things you will never regret doing.  They are: receiving formal education and serving a full-time mission.

I have done both. And I'm so happy I did!

There's not much you can take with you when you die except the knowledge you've gained while here in mortality.  Both formal education and missionary service help to increase your knowledge and learning dramatically.  And both are a privilege that not everybody gets.

The opportunity to receive a formal education used to be a prized treasure that many people would go to great lengths to be able to obtain and those who were lucky enough to have the opportunity recognized it as a great privilege.

Nowadays, especially in this country, it seems as though many people take for granted the opportunity for formal education and don't recognize its value.

For instance, many athletes are given full ride scholarships yet squander the privileged opportunity to obtain education because all they care about is playing ball.

And then others choose to forego college not because they don't have the opportunity but because they choose not to take it for whatever reason.

I have never heard anyone say that they wish they would have skipped college to start working, get married, start a family, etc. but I have heard a lot of people say they wish they would have gotten their education before or while doing those other things.

Even if you never use your degree to earn a living, it is still knowledge that you will always have and carry with you through the eternities.  Education is never a waste.  Higher education is a privilege that few people in the world have the opportunity to obtain.

Anyone with the opportunity would be wise to obtain a higher education.  And it is something you will never regret!

An even rarer privilege that even fewer people qualify for is that of serving a full-time mission.

Just for fun I did a few calculations.  Back in 1992 when I was a full-time missionary, there were only 46,025 full-time missionaries.  The world population in 1992 was 5.448 billion.  That computes to one missionary for every 118,370 people on earth. Or  236,740 people per companionship.  That's a lot of people to try and teach.

Using today's numbers--  Currently there are 7.321 billion people on earth and 85,187 full-time missionaries.  Even with the recent missionary surge that is still 85,940 people per missionary or 171, 880 people per companionship.  Obviously there is still a lot of work to do.  The Lord needs our help in hastening His work.

Even though serving a full-time mission is a commandment for every worthy young man, every worthy young woman is also granted the opportunity/privilege should they so choose.

I fully believe that those who serve missions gain much more than they could ever get back.  Serving a full-time mission is an education you cannot receive anywhere else.  It truly is a privilege that not many people qualify for and those who do qualify would be foolish not to jump at the chance to serve a mission for the Lord. Indeed it is a privileged honor.

Just yesterday I read about one young man who recognized what a rare, precious opportunity it is, and he went to great lengths to qualify to serve a mission.  I will paraphrase his story.

A young man from New Zealand who is a convert to the church decided he wanted to serve a mission as he was approaching his mid-20s.  His mission application was rejected because of a visible tattoo on his neck. This young man was heartbroken yet still determined to serve a mission. He was willing to do whatever it took to qualify to serve a full-time mission for the Lord.

He tried laser tattoo removal several times which didn't work and was extremely painful.  He was nearing the cutoff age of being able to serve and was getting discouraged. But he persevered and prayed for the Lord's help and continued going to Mission prep classes.

His Mission prep teacher ended up being his answer to prayer.  He helped him by connecting him with a dermatologist who could cut the tattoo out of his neck.  And he also was kind enough to fund the surgery for him. The surgery was a success. The young man said that it was a miracle that he had absolutely no pain during the recovery process. He now qualified to serve a mission.

His mother was so inspired by her son's dramatic change and determination that she was baptized shortly before he left on his mission. He served honorably in the Dallas-Fort Worth Mission.

That young man truly recognized the tremendous value and privilege of serving a full-time mission.  And went to great lengths to qualify to do so.

Yes, serving a mission is a rare opportunity granted to those who qualify.  It is also a great responsibility and commandment given to every worthy young man.  But as always, those who choose to accept that privileged opportunity are blessed beyond measure as are their families and those they serve.

The knowledge and experience gained in those few short 18 or 24 months provide a solid base you will use throughout your life.  And you will draw on those experiences to guide you and help you throughout your life.  It is an education you cannot get anywhere else. Based upon my own experience I can easily say that my mission was a much better education than was my college education.  But I treasure both.

 Serving a full-time mission for the Lord is something you will never regret.

Anyone with the opportunity to serve a mission and receive higher education would be wise to do so.

Life is too short to be stupid.

"O be wise; what can I say more?" -- Jacob 6:12

That's my two cents.