Opposition in All Things

"Oh girls, nevermind. Sorry to be rude, but nevermind."

"I would appreciate it if you would stop pounding on my door."

"We aren't Mormon and we're never going to be. Don't come back."

Each of these sentences were punctuated with a slammed door. Me on one side, the speaker on the other. Leaving neither of us confused as to why.

As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have a defining feature that is easily recognizable. My badge.

My badge bears my name, and the name of the church; it represents the most important parts of my life -- my family and my Savior.

And it gives everyone around me permission to scoff, scorn, and ignore me.

Wait, what?

I haven't quite figured that one out yet.

People see me, then they see my badge, then they turn and walk the other way. Or they yell obscene things from the other side of the street. Or they confront me with all the reasons I'm wrong.

For whatever reason, my badge gives people permission to dehumanize me.

I'm not immune to insults. I don't enjoy trekking the melting streets of Mesa; house after air-conditioned house turning me away. I don't like being rejected.

I do those things anyway. I wear my badge because it means something significant.

It means I have the truth. And it means it's all worth it.

It means I am a representative of Jesus Christ, and I have been called here for a purpose.

It means I have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's original gospel on the earth again.

"The truth will always be opposed."

No matter how much opposition I have to go through, I know that the work I do is worth it. This is Christ's church. We have a prophet on the earth. There is a purpose for this life.

I know it. And I know it because I asked God. I know that God answers prayers, because He answered mine; I am so grateful for that knowledge.

This gospel has blessed my life too much not to share it.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." (Romans 1:16)