Homeward Bound! July 31, 2017

As my mission come to a close I think back to the great measure of love and compassion that I have felt from all of you. I think back to the hardest moments, and without fail when it seemed that I no longer had strength to carry on it always felt like were others around me bearing my up and carrying me a long the way. My mission has been the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. The privilege that it is to know that God Lives, That Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, and that they are my Father and Brother was definitely worth the price that I had  to pay. Your prayers have been felt and I thank you for all that you have done for me throughout this wonderful journey that I have been on. It has been quite the adventure and though this chapter is coming to a close another one is opening up. With time to reflect I have come to really appreciate this poem about our mortal Journey here on earth and I think that this above anything else is what I wish you all to know today. That Jesus Christ lives, his Atonement is real and Infinite and it can carry us through the toughest moments in our lives as we trust on him and have faith.

"One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

I have felt the Love of God on my mission. I know that Heavenly Father is there and he listens to us. We are his Children and within each of us is that precious seed of Divinity. I know Jesus Christ lived and died for us, but I know as well that he lives today. That we can come to him at any moment and he will bear us up. He loves us beyond all Measure and I testify that His Atonement is real and Life changing. The Gospel is real. It makes Bad men Good and Good men Better. It is the way to living a celestial life and how we can find true happiness in this mortal journey. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and He restored Christ church in these latter days. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and it has changed my life. I love it and I will read it everyday until the day I die. Well I suppose this is it for now. I know though that in accepting that call to serve that that was a call to a life-time of service. Though these 2 years come to a close that call to serve will always be there, my assignment may change, but I will always be a missionary. I love you all thank you for all that you have done for me over these 2 years. In the words of my favorite song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I am "Homeward Bound".

-Elder Massé