Tonight we received an update on Sam’s future when this letter came from the church:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The COVID-19 pandemic has required many adjustments to missionary service, including the need for large numbers of missionaries to return to the United States and Canada from around the world. The ability to reassign these missionaries—even on a temporary basis—has now become more limited by changing conditions. This has created a measure of uncertainty for many missionaries and their families.
We have prayerfully considered these circumstances and are making available two opportunities for missionary service for those who have returned and are awaiting reassignment or may yet be required to return to the U.S. and Canada. Each opportunity requires a temporary release prior to reassignment. These options, as well as opportunities for prospective missionaries and missionaries beginning their service, can be found here.
We are confident that missionaries and prospective missionaries will seek the counsel of parents, priesthood leaders and the Lord as they consider their future missionary service.
Please know of our deep love for missionaries and their families as we all continue to participate in this great work together.
Sincerely,
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
So, this means that for now, Sam is a missionary until tomorrow morning when Grant will release him. Sam has grown up so much in the four months that he has been a missionary. He has consecrated himself and devoted himself. He has seen the blessings that come from obedience. We are so grateful for the chance that he has had to serve. He will serve again too. These are the two choices given to missionaries in his situation:
- Reinstated either to original or temporary assignment as soon as conditions allow (with original end date); OR
- Returned to service within 12–18 months (with new end date)
Sam is choosing the first of the choices and hoping that he will be able to be reassigned soon, preferably to Colombia. That is my prayer for him too. Sam said he loved being a missionary because all he had to think about was saving souls serving other people. He loved being able to put the world aside and focus on the Lord’s work. I am praying that he will be able to get back to that as soon as this mess of a pandemic is over. The thing I know the most is that the Lord is in control. It may seem like a crazy messed up world, but the Lord at the helm!
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