Category: Missionary

Gatherer

When I compare myself to others, my life seems small. When I look at my life by the Lord’s measure, I no longer feel that way.

As one who has made a covenant with God, you are part of the house of Israel. You have been gathered, and you are a gatherer. The centuries-long epic story of the covenant people is building to its climax, and you are a key player.

Now is the time when “Jesus will say to all Israel, ‘Come home.’”This is the message of the gatherers: Come home to the covenant. Come home to Zion. Come home to Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and He will bring you home to God, your Father.

-July 2026 Come Follow Me Manual chapter, “Jesus will say to all Israel, Come Home.”

President Russell M. Nelson has called this gathering “the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it.”

“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that.”

-Russell M. Nelson

Our silent piano

Serve a mission! Anyone who wants a blessed and happy future should consider it. The Lord knows and understands even better than you what you sacrifice and you are compensated for it.

Elder Mark Ross, February 2026

Our temporarily silent piano means that pianos throughout the world have been played by our sons. Our silent piano stands in contrast to their missionary voices sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. What a privilege to have a silent piano for a few years while a child serves a mission!

Rejection

Mark’s photo of the Northern Lights from Bornholm, Denmark

Rejection is one of the greatest teachers in life. Mark is experiencing it as a missionary, and you can probably recall a time when you’ve been rejected. I think of a small rejection I faced just last week and ouch, it still hurts.

Rejection makes us see that we aren’t going to be chosen every time; we can’t all be the favorite; the gifts we prepare won’t always be appreciated; and sometimes, the precious things we share with people will be ignored.

Let’s remember that poor reception from others can’t obliterate our efforts. We haven’t failed if we have loved, sacrificed, and shown the courage to share. And if we are unable to accomplish the big things we hoped, let’s remember that our identity and our worth in God’s eyes have never been a matter of popularity, outward measures, or appearance.

…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

What can we do when we experience rejection? It’s tempting to get discouraged, feel like a victim, or become angry. But Jesus knows a lot about rejection, and he met it with love and truth, whatever the personal cost.

Today, I am going to keep facing the winds of possible rejection and keep loving, serving, and sharing. I also take comfort that in some things, such as temple work, we see things as they really are:

There is value in giving, even if we don’t see an immediate result.

Sanchez homecoming party

My parents are getting settled after their mission. Today they spoke in church about their experiences and then we gathered in their home to enjoy a meal. The young cousins (not pictured) joined one another in the usual arrays to play while adults settled into conversations long overdue. Sunlight reached inside to illuminate a very nice family gathering. My parents are themselves, and more tender and refined because of their missionary service.