We cannot praise the Lord enough or thank Him too profusely for His bounteous blessings to us. In an uncommonly expressive outpouring of emotion, Ammon recounts before his brethren the trials and blessings of their missionary labors and rejoices in the triumphs of conversion presided over by “the Lord of the harvest” (Alma 26:7). President Ezra Taft Benson discusses the trials, challenges, blessings, and joys of missionary work:
We must not allow ourselves to become discouraged. Missionary work brings joy, optimism, and happiness. We must not give Satan an opportunity to discourage us. Here again, work is the answer. The Lord has given us a key by which we can overcome discouragement: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30.)
In the Savior’s time the purpose of a yoke was to get oxen pulling together in a united effort. Our Savior has a great cause to move forward. He has asked all of us to be equally yoked together to move His cause forward. It requires not only a united effort; it requires also complete dependence on Him. As He said to His early apostles, “Without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5.)
Our work will be light and easy to bear if we will be dependent on the Lord and work.
We must not worry about being successful. We will be successful—there is no doubt about it. The Lord has sent us to the earth at the time of harvest. He does not expect us to fail. He has called no one to this work to fail. He expects us to succeed. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.” (HC 2:478.)
We are engaged in missionary service to testify of the greatest event that has transpired in this world since the resurrection of the Master: the coming of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, to the boy-prophet, Joseph Smith. We are sent out to testify of a new volume of scripture, a new witness for Christ.
Missionary work provides us the happiest years of our lives. I know whereof I speak. I have tasted the joy of missionary work. There is no work in all the world that can bring an individual greater joy and happiness. (Come unto Christ [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1983], 95)