We Were Missionaries: Recent Episodes
Bryce Peterson
A rare look into the mind and life of a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Jersey, 2001 - 2003. Bryce Peterson served from age 19 - 21.
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I realize why I was intended to stay in Toms River for my last six weeks. Alexandria is baptized, George receives a powerful blessing, and our Bible Study group extends tender farewells. Thank you, New Jersey. For everything. I loved you then, and I love you now. May God bless you for your kindness.
Elder Cox and I are thrilled to be working with people so eager to learn. We continue to sense the gravity of our callings to testify of the truth, and benefit from the help of local Church members.
I pack my things for my final six weeks as a full time missionary. We make some new and intriguing contacts, and see people we care about continue to choose troubling roads.
We discover that God knows our attitude (go figure?) and we experience powerful outpourings of the Spirit as we share the new film Finding Faith in Christ.
The bay freezes solid (not an every year occurrence), and we brace for a heavy Nor’Easter. We learn some difficult things about people we care about, and new faces are coming to church! I realize I need to refocus where I can derive true joy and satisfaction, which is in Christ the Lord.
I find myself being transferred to Tom’s River, and I’m serving with Elder Hardy for the second time. We meet a pair of young troubled brothers, as well as a devoted Bible study leader named Paul. I begin to sense my time as a missionary is winding down.
I feel deeply my kinship with the people I meet, also while struggling to navigate concerns that my heart is not always as humble and appreciative as it could be. I sense my time is running short, and recommit to pour myself into the work.
I’m transferred to a new area. We have the singular opportunity to hear the Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, in Philly. And we compare cheese steaks in Philly against NJ’s. The results were surprising.
Elder Chatterton and I seem to be finding our flow. A woman shares her incredible experience in coming to know the Book of Mormon is a true testament of Jesus Christ. And a young man is tired of being a tough guy.
We continue to be fed spiritually and literally by the great people of New Jersey, and we are thrilled to have Ed and Rose come out to Church for the first time.
We continue to enjoy the bounties of the kind people of New Jersey, but the work seems slow at times. I observe qualities in families I want to foster in a future family of my own.
Elder Chatterton and I find our groove with tracting and meet some fantastic people in the process!
I’m transferred to Barnegat, meet my new companion Elder Chatterton, and we are inspired by the goodness of so many incredible people.
The Twin Tower attacks rock the globe, we receive a temporary third companion, and I receive some new responsibilities.
My companion sets a record for the most flat tires ever incurred in two weeks, and we experience the joy of serving others in the heat. Two young brothers are baptized and Scott is confirmed a member of the Church, and receives the Holy Ghost.
I learn of my sister’s funeral, we baptize dear new converts, and work through concerns about the Great Apostasy.
Trials continue amidst answered prayers. And I receive the fateful phone call relating my sister’s passing.
I discover the joys and blessings of my Church attendance, find opportunities to share my testimony of Christ and His Restored Church, and yearn for those who suffer the trials of this world.
Accepting the call to missionary service (New Jersey, Cherry Hill Mission) was a massive leap of faith. This was the beginning of the rest of my life.