Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel

Discouragement is something most missionaries will experience, when they do, this would be a good quote to remember:

"The Lord would want you to be successful.  He would.  You are His sons and daughters.  He has the same kind of love for you that your earthly parents have.  They want you to do well and you can do it."

That was President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997, three years later he had this to say:

"The Learning process is endless.  We must read, we must observe, we must assimilate, and we must ponder that to which we expose our minds.  I believe in the evolution of the mind, the heart, and the soul of humanity.  I believe in improvement.  I believe in growth.  There is nothing quite as invigorating as being able to evaluate and then solve a difficult problem, to grapple with something that seems almost unsolvable and then find a resolution."

Missionaries will have many opportunities to learn and grow.  For some, success on a mission may be defined by their personal growth and the evolution of their heart, mind and soul.  Even to achieve other types of success on a mission, elders and sisters need to learn and prepare, including studying and pondering the scriptures.  The Lord has promised, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).  So,

Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,
Do your duty with a heart full of song,
We all have work; let no one shirk.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.

The world has need of willing men,
Who wear the worker's seal.
Come, help the good work move along;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.

The Church has need of helping hands,
And hearts that know and feel.
The work to do is here for you:
Put your shoulder to the wheel.

Then don't stand idly looking on;
The fight with sin is real.
It will be long but must go on;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.

Then work and watch and fight and pray
With all your might and zeal.
Push every worthy work along;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.

Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,
Do your duty with a heart full of song,
We all have work; let no one shirk.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.