Mission Complete

Hello all.

For the last year I served as a proselyting missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That time has now come to an end.

As I have previously announced, I was forced to return home in September by the flare-up of a pre-existing physical medical condition. I had the greatest privilege and honor in being able to serve for just over a year in the greatest kind of work, the mission work, and I was able to see other people’s lives change for the better as they accepted God into their lives. It was a wonderful thing to see. I will miss the work greatly.

Towards the end of my mission, things were especially difficult, and I often thought that if I just worked harder or focused more on the work, then I would be able to ignore the pain, work through it, and serve the remainder of my mission. This unfortunately was not possible in my condition, and I ended up beating myself up (figuratively) for not working hard enough. Logically, I came to the conclusion that this wasn’t the right sentiment, and that I should be happy to be doing as well as I was, but it was very difficult to let this idea sink into my heart and soul.

I came home fully intending to go back out and continue serving. I was told that this may be difficult, but that it was possible, and the possibility that I could return was the key that pushed me to finally speak to my mission president about returning home for medical treatment. After much prayer and a visit to the temple over the past three months, however, it seems that this was not to be. God has other plans for me moving forward.

My whole mission I imagined that I would eventually travel to my original assignment in Barcelona, Spain. I now know that I will not be serving in Barcelona as a missionary. Instead, the Lord provided me with the incredible experience, opportunity, and privilege of serving the wonderful people of southern Arizona in Tucson and Nogales, meeting some of the best people I have ever known and experiencing things I would never have dreamt of otherwise. While at times my mission was an experiment in travail, I have been blessed to have had these experiences, and they will continue to influence me for the rest of my life.

I sincerely hope that you are all safe and well and that the Lord may keep you so.

With all my love to each and every one of you,

Wyatt Brannon