A Special Tribute

At times our heartstrings are pulled when we see some of the Lord's missionaries struggle with emotional or physical challenges.  

We are all acquainted with mortal opposition including illness, disability, and death. President Thomas S. Monson explained:

“Some of you may at times have cried out in your suffering, wondering why our Heavenly Father would allow you to go through whatever trials you are facing. Our mortal life, however, was never meant to be easy or consistently pleasant. Our Heavenly Father … knows that we learn and grow and become refined through hard challenges, heartbreaking sorrows, and difficult choices. Each one of us experiences dark days when our loved ones pass away, painful times when our health is lost, feelings of being forsaken when those we love seem to have abandoned us. These and other trials present us with the real test of our ability to endure.”

Elder Dallin H Oaks goes on to say:

"Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will “consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain” (2 Nephi 2:2). We have also been taught to understand our mortal experiences and His commandments in the context of His great plan of salvation, which tells us the purpose of life and gives us the assurance of a Savior."

We pay special tribute to some of the PPM missionaries who have recently had to leave the mission to recover or work on challenges with health back home.  There is forever a place in our hearts and even back in the mission for some of them.