Don’t Compare!

Some years ago in the UK, there was a very popular tv advert, for a financial services company with a Welsh tenor Wynne Evans, who played a fictional Italian opera singer Gio Compario.
His dulcet tones and the catchphrase “Go compare” to this day reverberates through my head.
“GoCompare, GoCompare! We provide the know-how so you can get the price down. You’ll thank your stars that you went to GoCompare!”
It is my experience however, we do too much comparing ourselves with others.
It is a growing global obsession.
We can fall short when we are sucked into the idea of comparing our worst to others best, our weaknesses to their strengths.
“But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”— 2 Corinthians 10:12
“When we compare ourselves to others, there can be only two results. Either we will see ourselves as better than others and become judgmental and critical of them, or we will see ourselves as less than others and become anxious, self-critical, and discouraged. Comparing ourselves to others is rarely productive, not uplifting, and sometimes downright depressing. In fact, these comparisons can be spiritually destructive, preventing us from receiving the spiritual help we need.” – Vern P. Stanfill
Social media can especially be misleading.
A friend’s social media persona may look perfect, but guaranteed they’ll be struggling with things too.
Me included!
No-one is perfect.
When you compare your life to the life you think your friends on social media have, you will almost always come away feeling despondent and discouraged.
Mark Twain once said, “Comparison is the death of joy.”
And Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Comparing ourselves never brings joy.
In short, by comparing yourself to others, you are holding yourself back.
Remember, each of us are uniquely different.
You’ll find yourself much happier when you – Don’t Compare!
Instead, start celebrating the differences that make you uniquely you!

Questions of the Soul

The autumn winds of seasonal change are blowing.
Leaves are whirling and twirling, falling to the ground.
It was a chilly wet morning in Rotterdam on Wednesday.
Monic and I were already in the church, snug in a comfortable room, busy with coaching conversations.
Upon finishing one conversation, I went to find the next missionary.
And there they were.
Resting.

Chilly

The Sister Missionaries were a little tired and cold.
Huddled together, wrapped in their jackets, they were warming themselves, comforted by the toasty radiator.
All week long, like their colleagues, they’d been boldly sharing messages about the Book of Mormon, outside on street corners, busy high streets and in parks filled with fallen autumnal leaves.
Physically, their hands and feet may have been a little cold, yet spiritually, their hearts and souls were glowing, filled with a flame of fire, burning brightly, fuelled by their faith in God and their knowledge of Him.
Thawed by the radiator and warmed by our conversation, they were ready to start all over again.
Doing what, you may ask?
Providing answers.

Questions

Daily, missionaries are asked lots of questions about life – 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍.
• Is there a God? (Alma 22)
• Does God know me and care about me? (2 Nephi 26:24)
• Does God answer prayers (Enos 1)
• Why is life so hard sometimes? (1 Nephi 17:3)
• How can I find peace and joy? (Mosiah 2:41)
• What is the purpose of life? (Alma 34)
The Book of Mormon addresses all of these questions and more.
It is my witness that The Book of Mormon brings warmth and comfort in times of difficulty.
Perhaps you are whirling, twirling, tired or cold, physically or spiritually?
Are you in search of an answer?
Then speak with a missionary today and read the Book of Mormon.

Hand in Hand

As I sat listening to the testimonies of 16 departing missionaries heading home in a few weeks’ time, my thoughts returned to a memory, a clear image from my childhood.
I was 4 or 5 years old.

To the store…

My mum had asked me to go to the corner shop, to buy a loaf of bread.
I duly did so, returning with the bread, and chewing a toffee.
She asked, “What are you chewing?”
“A dainty” (a toffee), I replied.
She had given me the exact money for the bread.
At that point, I confessed, I’d stolen it and chewed it all the way home.

And back again…

Gently and lovingly, she took me by the hand, and escorted me back to the corner shop, to confess my guilt and pay for the stolen goods.
In those few minutes of real need, mum was there… to help, support, guide, lead me along, and walk with me, by my side.
That day, I learned an important lesson in life.
Rushing into my mind, came a reflective connection.
I thought about each of the 16 missionaries and the one-by-one moments I’d had with them.
As each of them stood to share their personal testimony, I had a very bright recollection; a specific thought was impressed upon my mind.
Metaphorically, I took them by the hand to help them find their way, like a parent with a child.
Gently and lovingly.
One-by-one.

Moments

A coaching conversation, a walk around the park, kneeling in prayer together, in studies with one another, a role play, a priesthood blessing, a telephone call, talking at the dinner table, having a meal in a restaurant, or simply travelling in the car…

Moments, just like mum had helped me to face a struggle decades ago, I was now there for each of them in their time of need, trouble, or distress.
I felt gratitude.
I felt privileged.
I felt honoured.
In our times of need, we were there “hand in hand,”  side by side, for each other.
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)
As we freely show the Saviour’s love through our actions and service to others, we too can feel the same love in return.
How can you feel the Saviour’s love?

Consider the background

Group photos are always one of those things that always happen at mission leaders’ seminars.
Getting together for the group photo can be an exciting moment for everyone in it.
Yet, taking the seminar photo brings its own challenges.
The more people in the photo, the more complicated the process can get.

The Location

I’m guessing at some point there was some consideration, of the composition, the background, the location, the posing, the lighting, the focus and the timing.
Getting everyone together to create a group photo, helps strengthen the group bond and preserve special memories.
For years to come, it can also serve as a helpful keepsake to inspire everyone to work together towards a collective goal.
“…Remember our day in Ephesus together…?”

The Background

The chosen background was the Library of Celsus.
Completed in 117 AD, it was built to honour the city’s former Governor and Roman Senator Celsus, to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as his tomb.
Having a background that is relevant can be appealing and interesting.
The library was located in the very heart of the city.
Libraries are an important part of every civilization, ancient and modern as places of learning, literacy and education.
It was certainly one of the most striking buildings in the old city, an architectural marvel every tourist on our visit wanted a picture in front of.

Look closer

Reflecting upon the photograph and our experience that day and of our week together, I considered the four female statues (in the background) on the lower floor of the exterior of the library.
Was it by chance that we took the picture there or by divine design?
They are personifications of virtues:
Sophia – 𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒅𝒐𝒎
Episteme – 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆
Ennoia – 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
Arete – 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
My hope, is that all of us who visited that day and the millions who will visit in the future, will continue to immerse ourselves with the ancient virtues of wisdom, knowledge, intelligence and excellence, which are as relevant today as they were 2000 years ago.

Beguiled?

“…to trick somebody into doing something, especially by being nice to them, using flattery.”

We visited a carpet weaving centre whilst in Türkiye last week. It was captivating.

The centuries old craft uses tools, threads, yarns, looms, and many different skills.

Using a double-knotting technique and a combination of many materials, Turkish carpets take months, even years to make, resulting in a stronger, higher-quality, longer lasting product.

And so it began…

Gathering in a huge room, we received a complimentary drink.

Our guide introduced us to a bamboozling variety of rug designs, colours, and qualities.

His assistants enthusiastically unfurled endless examples, in a dazzling display of salesmanship.

Occasionally, they’d twist their wrists rotating the rug 180 degrees whilst it unfurled mid-air. A mixture of light, texture, and quality of materials caused the colours and sheen of the carpet to magically change in front of our eyes.

There were a few “oohs” and “aahs” from the mesmerised audience!

We were encouraged to remove our shoes and socks to walk on and feel the difference in quality.

The enticing allure of being sucked into purchasing a rug was overpowering for a few, including us!

We’d always wanted a high-quality rug!

And so…

We succumbed, haggled and purchased a beautiful carpet that we both agreed upon.

Afterwards, we thought, “Had we been beguiled?”

I must confess that there is a degree of nervousness and risk in such a faraway transaction.

I hope all will be well, but only time will tell…

Perhaps you have been in a similar situation?

Reflecting upon the experience, I asked myself if I was without guile?

Then, my thoughts turned to someone I knew was without any guile, even Jesus Christ.

If we are without guile, we are honest, true, sincere, tender and genuine.

All week long, we’ve had the privilege to be in the presence of and rub shoulders with, one of His modern-day Apostles, Quentin L. Cook, someone who truly exemplified the virtue of being without guile.

I thought of another who followed the Saviour; “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47)

A study of Nathanael will reveal that he spoke from his heart, without guile.

Can we say of ourselves, as Jesus said of Nathanael, that we are without guile?

Acts

I have sat in many theatres throughout the world.
Yesterday, in Ephesus, I sat in one of the most ancient.
In its day, it could hold some 24,000 people.
Starting in the 4th century BC, it took over 60 years to build.
This trip is with other mission leaders from throughout Europe.
Walking the streets of Ephesus, I imagined what it was like to live there.
New Testament
From the New Testament, we know that the Apostle Paul lived in Ephesus for up to 3 years.
Towards the end of our visit, we all assembled in the theatre to listen to LDS scholar James Toronto give a masterful discourse on the ancient Apostle.
He shared many interesting insights.
Then he started to read through Acts 19: 19-31, where there was an incident with the Apostle in the very theatre that we were gathered.
Ancient history suddenly came to life.

Apostles

Listening and reflecting in that moment, I thought about the ancient Apostle and imagined what happened that day.
As I sat pondering, I turned to my right.
Sat close by, was a modern Apostle, Quentin L. Cook.
A few moments later he addressed us and shared a personal experience he’d enjoyed with his fellow Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland who had dedicated Türkiye some years ago for the preaching of the Gospel.
The book of Acts was written by Luke, a disciple who travelled with Paul on his missionary journeys, in fulfilment of the command Jesus gave His Apostles to preach the gospel “in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
Sat with mission leaders from around Europe, I couldn’t help but draw a modern parallel to the ancient text of the book of Acts, as we 𝒂𝒄𝒕 together and testify of the restored gospel, bringing it unto “every nation, kindred, tongue and people. (Alma 37:4).
It was a sobering thought.
In Paul’s day, the Lord Jesus Christ called Apostles to preach the gospel.
In our day, I know that once again, He has called Apostles to preach the gospel for one last time.

Fires and Flames of Faith

A few days ago, 12 new missionaries arrived at Schiphol Airport.

Their flame of faith aglow, spiritually they were on fire!

Each of them with a burning desire to share their knowledge, eager to communicate gospel truths by talking to everyone.

Years of preparation and several weeks in the Missionary Training Centre (MTC) fanned their flame of faith.

‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,’ (Mark 16:15) ‘for ye shall … [witness of] me … unto the uttermost part of the earth,’ (Acts 1:8).”

Fire

“For a piece of wood to catch fire, it must first be heated to a temperature at which it ignites, then burns by itself. The initial heating requires energy from outside. When it is ignited, it becomes self-sustaining and gives beneficial light and heat.” – Richard G. Scott

Having been around the new missionaries for a few days this week, their flame has certainly been ignited.  Just like their other missionary colleagues, they’re now providing “beneficial light and heat” to many people throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.

Your own fire of faith may be small, but I know that making principled choices, brings greater confidence in God, and then your faith will grow.

Flames of Faith

Never let your fire of faith be quenched.

How we choose to live our lives, can either increase or diminish our faith.

If its diminishing, don’t despair.

A flame of faith can grow from a tiny spark.

Missionaries come to ignite the flame of faith in some and rekindle the flickering flame of faith in others.

“First and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.”—Jeffrey R. Holland

Missionaries can help you fan the flame of your flickering faith, and catch fire, even if you feel lonely, like an isolated ember.

My experience is that embers burn much brighter and glow stronger when they are closer together.

Come and join us.

Keep your spiritual flame burning brightly.

Why not reach out to one of our new missionaries today and let them rekindle your flame of faith and ignite your fire.

Are you at a 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬?

Every day our missionaries young & old, present & past meet with people who are at a crossroads in their life, in their conversations on the street, on the bus, tram, train or plane.
They speak with everyone, everywhere.
When we come to a crossroads in life, although we may try for a while, we soon realise that we may need some help to make it safely to the other side.
Reflecting this morning upon their special roles as representatives of Jesus Christ, I was reminded of a favourite poem by Sadie Tiller Crawley.

The Upward Reach

“He stood at the crossroads all alone,
The sunlight in his face;
He had no thought for an evil course
He was set for a manly race.
But the road stretched east, and the road stretched west,
And he did not know which road was best,
So he took the wrong road and it led him down,
And he lost the race and the victor’s crown.
He was caught at last in an angry snare
Because no one stood at the crossroads there
To show him the better road.
Another day, at the self-same place,
A boy with high hopes stood.
He, too, was set for a manly race —
He was seeking the things that were good.
And one was there who the roads did know,
And that one showed him the way to go,
So he turned away from the road leading down,
And he won the race and the victor’s crown.
He walks today the highway fair
Because one stood at the crossroads there
To show him the better road.”

The Way

Daily, missionaries show many the way to go, by sharing their knowledge of “one was there who the roads did know” – even our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ.
I hope that you will allow missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to help you choose the better road.

Maturity

I am a witness to the power of missionary service.
Serving in a foreign land, learning a new language and adjusting to a different culture makes a tremendous difference in the life of every young missionary.
Departing from home, they arrive in the mission with many childish characteristics and behaviours.
It’s time to grow up!
Time passes.
Change happens.
Far from home, they become adults.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became an adult, I put away childish things ” (1 Cor. 13:11).
Unlike childlike, childish suggests irresponsibility, being self-centred and immature.
Each of us will not mature spiritually until we choose, as the Apostle Paul phrased it, to “put away childish things.”
Missionary service is intense, demanding and frequently filled with hardship.
Yet, filled with a new purpose, each young man or woman, learns about being credible, reliable, accountable, disciplined and builds relationships of trust with God and others.
They develop their faith in God, they acquire wisdom through experience, they understand how to serve and love others.
They work hard, recognising that obedience, consistency, and endurance are all keys to success.
As they also learn to lead others, they must first master themselves and be steadfast in their service.
They choose to become Christlike and follow in His ways.
Over and over again, I watch each of them mature into adulthood.
How have you chosen to “put away childish things”?

Back 2 Basics

Yesterday in our mission leadership council, we met together with one simple message, it was time to get “𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝟐 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬”.
Sometimes it can appear to be a little overwhelming to serve as a missionary, especially as we look all at once, of all that is expected of us to do.
Perhaps it is the same in life for you too?
Is it time to give your attention to the simplest and most important matters, that you may well have ignored for a while?
As we counselled together yesterday, when we get back to the basics, we discovered within ourselves an enhanced capacity to cope with our busy, complex world.
And what are those basics?
Well, they are all found in Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon.
Why not speak with one of our missionaries today, they’ll be more than happy to share some of the basic principles that will bring you real joy in your life.
© Copyright 2024 Daryl Watson. All Rights Reserved. Registered in Scotland, Company Number SC473068