Pittsburgh Mission Memoirs

I feel, since it is Christmas time, I should write a little something about what it means to me. Being at BYU means that there is a lot of singing. If you sing, you are in a choir. If you don't sing, you will be in a choir. Needless to say, being in a choir around this time of year means singing a lot of Christmas songs.(Yes, I know they aren't Christmas songs, but songs about Christ. Just bear with me on this one)
One of the songs I have sung multiple times over the past few weeks is one whose words were penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (I seem to be going through a romantic phase lately) It begins by describing the ringing of bells on Christmas day, and how they sing to the world about "Peace on Earth, good will to men." Then on the third verse, the narrator cries  "But in despair, I bowed my head/ 'there is no peace on earth' I said/ for hate is strong and mocks the song/ of peace on Earth good will to men."
This line really rings true (pun intended), especially today. All to often you hear of the hate crimes which people are performing against each other, terrible things happening in the world, someone who kills another person, the misery and sadness of the world and the pessimistic attitude of those towards the future.
But, in the poem, the bells begin to ring louder and stronger saying "God is not dead! Nor doth he sleep! The wrong shall fail; the right prevail with peace on Earth good will to men!" While this song is a Christmas song, about Christmas day itself, it really isn't about the birth of Christ. It is about his overcoming death and being resurrected; it's about the atonement and sacrifice made  of the part of all mankind; it is about the ministry of Christ and how he was the ultimate example to all of us, and how we should live our lives, always doing service and having good will toward all men.
Sure, the world may be a terrible place. But, at the same time, it is a much better place than it could be. Because of what Christ did, mankind has purpose and meaning. It's no wonder why concourses of angels were present at the birth of Christ to shout praises to God in the highest and proclaimed, again, peace on Earth and good will to men. Because of Christ, these things can come to pass.
In reality, the bells are not singing about the state of the world. They are singing about how we should feel, about what our attitude should be. We should always have an attitude of peace on Earth, with a desire for good will toward men. That is one of the beautiful messages of our Savior, and one of the things which we should remember, not only during Christmas time, but throughout the entire year. We should be as the reformed Ebenezer Scrooge, who made a promise to keep Christmas in his heart throughout the entire year. May we, too, have that same attitude of optimism.

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded." ~Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Dear Elder Anderson,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission.


And thus began some of the most thrilling, nerve-wracking, influential, growth-filled years of my life.

Hi. My name is Alex Anderson. In just a little over a month, that will change. For two years of my life, I will be known simply as Elder. I will wear nothing other than a white shirt, conservative dark suit and ordinary necktie. Every morning I will wake up promptly at 6:30 and every night I will retire promptly at 10:30. I will not go to school. I will not earn an income. I will use a computer for less than two hours every week. I will not see my family. I will not date. I will not party. My life will follow specific rules and guidelines.

Why would I do such a thing?

Because I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that through Him and his atonement, I can repent and have remission of my sins. I have a testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Gospel. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book; I have read it and asked the Lord regarding it's truthfulness and he has told me it is the most true book ever written. I know the Plan of Salvation; I know where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. I know that families can be sealed together for time and all eternity, to live in happiness and exaltation. I personally know of the power of the Priesthood, and the effect it can have in my life and in the lives of those I serve. I know that there is a living prophet on the Earth today who guides and directs this Church and receives revelation for the entire world.

And I want to share what I know with the world.