“How Great Will Be Your Joy”

My wife, Darlene, and I had the pleasure of serving a mission in Peru. We didn’t like certain inconveniences at the time, such as sleeping on two-inch-thick cotton mattresses, showering with a bucket and cup, and brushing our teeth with one cup of boiled water. During our mission we missed the wedding of our youngest son and the births of two grandchildren. But those sacrifices were made up for by the joy we felt in teaching and baptizing 19 people, interviewing and sending 6 young men on missions, and dedicating three new chapels in Sicuani, Marcona, and Quillabamba, Peru.

Serving a mission brought us numerous personal blessings:

• By taking time to follow the missionary study program, we read the standard works and other gospel books. What a blessing it was to learn more about the principles of the gospel together as a couple!

• Our time together as missionary companions gave us the opportunity to talk with each other and get to know each other better.

• Learning a new language was great. It was difficult, but we grew considerably.

• We had many opportunities to learn from inspired Church leaders. We sat at the feet of Apostles at the Missionary Training Center and in the mission field, and we benefited from the guidance of our mission president.

• We were enriched by encountering many different foods and customs. We learned to make fried squash pancakes, squash soup, and rice chaufa. Late one Christmas Eve, our landlady brought us a warm apple cider drink with whipped egg whites on top to celebrate the holiday Peru-style.

• We made many close, eternal friends among the people of nine Peruvian cities. We also formed friendships with numerous fellow missionaries, both young and old.

We testify of the joy that comes from teaching others about the gospel, training and assisting branch leaders, and helping members regain their faith. We learned through firsthand experience the truth of the following scripture: “And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:16).—Maurice C. Lyon, Escondido, California