Dear Gramps,
I just received my mission call to the Argentina Cordoba mission. I have two questions.
1) What can I expect to experience in Argentina as a missionary?
2) How can I prepare to enter the temple with the right spirit?
Ian, from Fullerton, California
Dear Ian,
The last time I was in Argentina for any length of time was 1969-72, when I presided as the last president of the Argentina North Mission, at which time we divided the mission into the Cordoba and Rosario Missions, and organized the second and third stakes in the country–the Cordoba and Mendoza Stakes. So there is not much that I could tell you about what to expect from your missionary service, except that regardless of the procedures and protocol, your attitude of complete, dedicated service would be all important. These two years will determine the direction of your life from then on, into the eternities. So the more time that you can give yourself to the Lord and the less time that you can use to satisfy personal interests will all be to your advantage.
You undoubtedly now have a strong testimony on the gospel. That testimony will change as a result of your missionary experiences. You will gain a much closer association with the Savior, himself. You will feel his presence, and you will hear and follow his guidance. It is, of course, his specific work in which you will be engaged, and his love for those that you will teach knows no bounds. Therefore, he will be close to you and give you the guidance to influence by the Spirit those that you teach. You will gain a deep understanding of the following scripture—
And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88).
Argentina is 3000 miles long, north to south, so it has every climate from the sub-tropics to the antarctic. The climate in Cordoba is somewhat like that in Arizona, although perhaps not quite so hot, but equally dry. You can find out much detailed information about the mission by going to the web and accessing “Mision Argentina Cordoba.”
Preparation to enter the temple—Be worthy, be teachable.
Gramps
