In his conference address, Elder W. Christopher Waddell spoke of the inspired nature of missionary work.
“The Lord knows beforehand exactly where He wants each missionary to serve, and why,” Elder Waddell said.
He shared the account of Javier Misiego, a Spanish missionary who received a rare call to serve in Arizona. Many were confused as to why he would be called to the United States when most Spanish missionaries were called to serve in their own country.
At a the end of a stake fireside, a less-active member of the church approached Misiego. In their conversation, Misiego learned his father, Jose Misiego, was the only person the less-active member baptized as a missionary, and that the less-active member felt like a failure because he hadn’t baptized anyone else.
Elder Waddell said the less-active member touched more lives than he new.
“Through [the efforts of the less-active member], scores of lives had been impacted and blessed,” Elder Waddell said.
Elder Waddell said to the young men who had not yet served full-time missions, “the Lord knows you and has a mission experience prepared for you.”
