Collin's Homecoming Talk given on November 13, 2022
Good morning, Brothers and Sisters. For those that don't know me, my name is Collin Steele. I'm 21 years old, and I just recently got back from serving a two-year mission in the Chile Puerto Montt mission which is southern Chile. Just a quick run down of the mission it is the very southern part of Chile that goes all the way down basically close to Antartica and sadly I did not get serve in the furthest area which is Punta Arenas, but I did get to serve in a place called Coyhaique which is basically Patagonia and the interesting part about our mission, whenever there were transfers you didn't know if you were going to get on a bus, a plane, take a bus and a plane, plus transfers and taxis, or if you were going to have to get on a boat to go to an island. I really enjoyed that aspect of the mission. Being in Coyhaique was interesting because when. I got to Chile I thought the only other time I would be on a plane would be when I went home but I ended up going on a plane many more times than. I imagined.
But honestly, serving in Chile taught me a lot of things and today I would like to share some of those experiences and try my best to center them on two main points; Christ-like attributes and God's Plan. I feel that those two things shaped my mission and shaped me into who I am today. Christ-like attributes became a really big part of my mission, especially the last year. It became the focus as I was really studying. When I first started my mission I didn't always enjoy studying and I felt that something was missing. I felt like I needed something, and I felt like I really wanted to change. As I was wondering, as I was pondering of how I could change, Christ-like attributes came to the forefront of my mind. I learned that Jesus Christ was and is my perfect example. If I studied him and studied who he was, what he did, then that's the person I knew that I wanted to be.
I think most of you that have served a mission are familiar with Preach My Gospel and the section titled Christ-like Attributes. I definitely spent a lot of time in that section and studying those Christ-like attributes. I think almost every one of my District councils that I did had something to do with Christ-like attributes, definitely invited the District to do the activity many times. I just loved hearing other people talk about Christ-like attributes because there was always something new for me to learn about who Jesus Christ was and I always wanted to try to add things to who I was and of course take things away that I knew I didn't want anymore. I think the mission is a great place and I have heard it's the best place to learn how to be or be a new person because no one really knew who I was before the mission. I had the opportunity to make new friends and I could be the person I wanted to be and the person God wanted me to be. As I was studying Christ-like attributes, studying in the scriptures, definitely in the New Testament I really found a lot, especially in the Gospels, where it talked about Christ's life and how he treated the people. I knew that is what I wanted to do. I knew that I wanted to treat the people in the way that Jesus Christ treated them. I prayed for Christ-like attributes, I studied them, and always knew that if I prayed for them I would be tested in some form or fashion for that attribute.
When I was praying for more faith, I knew I was going to be faced with a lot of challenges. If I was praying for patience, I knew that was going to be tough because I didn't really have a lot of patience before the mission, so I knew anytime I prayed for patience that I was going to be tested in many ways. Over the course of my mission three main Christ-like attributes stood out to me over and over again: Faith, charity, and patience.
Faith to me was something I taught in everything. Anytime I went door to door, faith was something I always started out with because I knew almost every single person in Chile had some sort of faith. Most of the time they would tell me "I believe in Jesus Christ, but in my own way." Their way was I believe but I don't go to church. As I taught them about faith, I had to teach them that faith leads you to action. I used the example of you're looking for a job, the best job, and you're going to pray and say you want the best job. Are you just going to sit around in your house or do nothing? Or are you going to go out and try and look for a job? Are you going to try to develop the things you need to do to get this job? I needed them to understand that faith really does require action. Just like whenever we are trying to develop our testimony. We can't just say we want to believe and then sit around and do nothing. We have to study, we have to work, and things will come.
I quote I found from Elder Richard G Scott emphasizing the importance of faith says “The need to exercise faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely essential. It is the foundation of the Plan of Salvation. When that exercise of faith is coupled with sincere effort based upon a willingness to hearken to His counsel, great personal growth and blessings follow.” I think that that is more than true because as it says when faith is coupled with sincere effort" and it also says "willingness to hearken to His counsel" because when we are trying to develop our faith we are not going to be doing our will but we have to be doing what God wants us to be doing even if that thing is very hard. Before the mission I knew and I felt a very strong feeling that there were people in Chile that needed me. I definitely kept that faith throughout my mission and one of my main goals was that I would be able to find all the people that needed me, and needed me specifically. That's why I was still my goofy self because I knew that southern Chile needed me. It didn't need a cookie cutter robot. That wasn't me, and I knew I just had to be myself. Of course do the things I knew I was supposed to do but 100% be my 100% authentic self. Over the course of my mission, I definitely feel like I was able to find all those people.
The cool thing to me was that it wasn't just people that I found to teach, but something I learned over the course of my mission was that there were also members who needed me. Members that weren't as active in the church that needed me. There were missionaries out there that needed me as well. I think that was a really big eye opener for me that of course it wasn't just about finding people, but about truly connecting to the people. I was also there for the members. There are two examples of big faith-promoting experiences for me that I would like to share a quick story of someone I called Abueli.
At this point I had about 8 months in the mission and I was serving with my favorite companion, Elder Villcheres. We working very hard in a very large sector. (There were only two companionships in that sector, and as of today there are four companionships now, and is the largest sector in the mission). It was a very, very busy, not stressful, but very busy to be serving in that sector at that time. We were always going from house to house, having to use something like Uber that was using all of our monthly money. We knew we had to get from one place to another and didn't want to be walking two hours to get to the next appointment. One day, I remember it was a Sunday, we had lunch at a member's house and we had things set up four every hour. Now, a lot of times even if things are scheduled back to back, appointments fall through, but this day everything was happening on schedule. Everyone was confirmed and it looked like we had not planned the best because of how tight the schedule was. We were walking super fast trying to get where we were scheduled to be by 5, but there was something telling us there was someone we needed to find. As we continued to make our way to a member's house we heard someone call out from behind us. We saw an older lady and she said, "Hola." Usually when people say that they are just being polite saying hi and not expecting you to stop. We were super close to the member's house, we looked at our watches, and knew we didn't have much time. She motioned for us to come closer and she walked toward her gate, and we walked toward her. She told us that she had been attacked by a dog (I'm thinking, ok this is interesting..) She then shows us a nasty bite on her leg, and I decided we would keep listening. Then she told us she recognized us and then we found out that her husband was a Jehovah's Witness but she never felt anything whenever the Jehovah's Witnesses were over at her house. She always remembered the LDS missionaries when they would stop by her house that she enjoyed talking with them, but what would end of happening was they would set a return appointment, but according to her, they never showed up. I don't know if that was for lack of communication, if they thought she wouldn't progress, I don't know, but we promised her that we would come back. We offered to teach her a lesson on the spot, and we would just be late to our appointment. She said that was ok, and to come back. We came back, and you could see the smile on her face when we came back because she saw that we were serious and genuine when we said we were coming back. We were actually with a member whenever we taught her lessons. We ended up teaching her about 50% of the principles when the Word of Wisdom came up. I don't know how it came up, but she knew everything about the church. She told us that she had been waiting for us, and that is when my companion invited her to be baptized, and she accepted. She wanted to be baptized and would've done it the next day if she could! We needed to get her to church, teach her a few more things, and two weeks later she was baptized. Afterwards, she told us that the day we walked by she had been laying in her bed and had a feeling that she needed to go outside her door. She didn't know why, but she did. She struggled to get outside, but when she got outside she saw us. That was a true faith promoting experience for her to tell us that and I know because we were willing to listen to the call, to stop and talk with her, and to come back and see her. She also told us she had dreamed about being baptized. I know that she was someone we needed to find, and she is someone who is very special and a very special part of my life.
Another experience was when I got to my last area in Frutillar. Right when I got there I was basically told by my companion, all the members, "Good luck because not much success happens here, but you've got this." I didn't really know how to react. I had just served in an area called Coyhaique, which was a tough area, but I was able to enjoy being there and finding success in different ways. On my second or third day there (in Frutillar) I had an overwhelming feeling that there was going to be success. I knew that I had to put my faith in God that things were going to work out. I remember sharing with my companion and writing it down in my journal that I know there are at least two people that are waiting for us, and they are going to be baptized. My companion kinda looked at me, didn't laugh, but the said, "Alright, we'll do it!" and I told him he better get ready to work! He was ending his mission, and at this point I was 18 months in on the mission, so we both knew what we were doing. I told him, "I think we will see miracles." As time went on, we prayed, put our faith in God, and we were able to meet Thais, Marcela, Cesar, and Alonso. All of those people were able to be baptized and it showed me that even though things were difficult, and it wasn't an easy sector, I knew that by putting my faith in God that I was blessed. I was also able to meet many people in these sectors, and it wasn't just about going door to door for ten hours mindlessly, but truly getting to know these people.
That leads me to charity. It was a big thing for me to learn about charity. Elder Villcheres was my favorite companion mainly because of the things he taught me and the person he helped me become. I think he is one of the best examples of charity that I have seen. I told him, as the days went on, I could see how he knew how we could get to the people. He would truly listen to the people, he truly cared for the people, and he'd always be talking about them. I knew that was something I wanted to try and see if I had that in me. I knew I wasn't going to force something that wasn't there, but I wanted to see if that part of me could come out. I told him "I am going to be watching you! I know my Spanish isn't 100% and you're a native so I'll be watching you. I want to see how you interact with the members. I want to see how you teach." As time went on, I watched him and really tried applying the things that he did. I could see as time went on and in our companionship that I was able to improve. I really saw the big jump when we weren't companions. I told my new companion, "Sorry if I'm going to be talking a lot, but I know who I am now!" I became the chatterbox and tried to relate to the people in any way that I could. It worked. I could see I really did have that in me and it was a part of me. Something that I knew I wanted and not just in the mission, but for the rest of my life. Being able to love everyone.
Something that I saw, but that I knew I never wanted to do, was to judge the people down in Chile. I think a lot of people that we talked to said they didn't want to go to church anymore it was because they had been judged. They heard things being said about them behind their back. I knew that I was never going to judge the people. I didn't have that right to judge them, but just to love them. I knew that is what Christ would do. I know He wouldn't care about the mistakes they made, but love them for who they are. I also had to learn to love myself. I knew that I couldn't love the people in Chile if I didn't have love for myself. If I want to a change and feel love, then I need to be that change. My time in Puerto Montt with Elder Villcheres was my experimenting phase and then it was time to apply it when I went to my next sector.
Coyhaique is where I feel I have a second family. If I had gone in there with judgements, it never would have worked out. These people had issues and I did not care. I just had to love them, and to this day I am still in communication with them. They are an important part of my life. I was able to continue that until the last day of my mission. Forming relationships and telling these people that I want them to be a part of my life. People would tell me that the Americans would come to the mission, complete their mission, and then go home and forget they ever served in Chile. They forget about the people and never reach out to them or think of them. I always told them I was not going to be like that. I told them that "you guys are part of my life now, and will always be a part of my life." I could see that when one person reached out, once a year, they talked about that person for the entire year. They would name them, tell me their whole life story (I think they were Facebook stalking them) but they really did love and appreciate any small gesture. I knew that that was what I wanted when I was in the mission and when I finished the mission. Those relationships that I was forming were not just for when I was there, but that I was going to keep them for the rest of my life. I am truly grateful for all of the people who I met - the members, the missionaries, and all the people I taught. They will always have a special place in my heart.
The last Christ-like attribute that I would like to touch on is patience. It was very difficult for me before the mission to be patient, and I knew I had to learn it on the mission. This was the best place for me to learn patience and the biggest thing was being patient through all of the difficulties throughout the mission. There were a lot of difficulties in the mission, especially when I started the mission. I knew I couldn't just suffer or pass through the bad times. One of my friends in the mission explained about patience, and that is wasn't about suffering or just getting through the bad times with your head down and moping around. It's about being happy in the bad times knowing that things will work out, and take what you can get. There really were a lot of difficult times especially at the beginning of the mission. When I first got to Chile I had to do a two-week quarantine. My first area was an island called Chiloe that was in Phase 2. Phase 2 was basically you could go out for a short period of time. I got sick with an intestinal infection, was in the hospital, and lost about 25 pounds. (One of the worst experiences of the mission for sure.) Shortly thereafter we moved to Phase 1 which meant we could only be out for one hour a week, and we used that time to go to the grocery store. We would take a taxi, travel almost 30 minutes, run in and shop for 5 minutes, and then hurry back to our place. We were always hoping that the cops that were constantly roaming around would not stop us. All I wanted to do is be outside. That's all I wanted. So whenever we had an opportunity to do service outside I was there! Then I would suggest that we go ahead and just walk home. I remember getting a phone call from the mission president telling me yea, you can't be doing that Elder Steele. I made me so sad because all I really wanted was to be outside! To just be outside with the people. I knew that that was the only way that I would be able to connect with them. It wasn't being inside huddled around our one phone. It didn't feel like I thought it would, but I had to have patience. There were definitely times I wanted to give up. I am so glad I didn't give up because later in Puerto Montt I could go out and do what I knew what I wanted to do. I think that not being able to that the first part of my mission really helped me to know that I was going to take full advantage of it when I could.
That leads me into God's Plan. Knowing that everything that happened in my mission, happened for a reason. There are many things that I couldn't tell in the moment, but I can honestly look back on all of the trials of my mission and I can see it shaped me into who am I am as of right now. My quote throughout my entire mission was "Trust the Process." I have it on my wristband and I saw it every day. It really meant a lot and it still means a lot to me because we really do need to trust the process, and substitute process for God's Plan because that's what it really is. The mission and life in general is a process. A time to make mistakes and to learn and to keep improving. If we are not trusting in that process then things are not going to work out the way we want them to. We have to accept God's will and know that whatever happens is for a reason and I am really thankful that I made sure that that was a part of my life. I am going to make sure it is always a part of my life. I love being able to testify about God's plan. One of my favorite things to testify about is that God's Plan is perfect. A lot of people couldn't realize that God's Plan was and is perfect, and that God has a plan for each and every one of us.
I want to share a few things that I was able to learn and change while I was on my mission. First, my love for the scriptures. I really do love the scriptures. I was able to read The Book of Mormon and the New Testament and I have a love for them as I was able to study them and apply the learning I was getting from them. Also, a love for Jesus Christ. Learning about the example He was and the things that He did and the love that He has for me really shaped my mission. Another big one was understanding who I am. Who I know God wanted me to become. I remember telling my parents one day that I think I know the person God wants me to be. I truly think that I found that on my mission and I don't ever want to lose that. Again, the understanding of God's Plan. Also, growing closer to Jesus Christ and building a relationship with Him. The last thing is eternal friends. That's how I like to look at it and the people in Chile. I don't know if I will ever be able to see all of them ever, but that's the goal. They are my eternal friends, and I know they will always have a special place in my heart and play a role in my life. I am thankful for technology that I will be able to continue to communicate with them. I've been in communication with them, and I can already tell how happy they are that I have reached out to them.
I would like to end by sharing my testimony in Spanish.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
pictures include: The invitation to Sacrament meeting and Open House, Me proudly posing with my banner; Reagan Glenn and me; Dad, me. and Mom; Me with the Inglebys - Tanyon, Andrea, Ava, LillyAuna, and Bruce; Me and Tanyon; Gina, Paige, and Christian Mickelsen and me; Christian and me; Kaylee Wilcox, me, and Amelia Wilcox; Andy Sortor and me; Bailey Ritchie, me, and Shireen Larsen; The Clark family and me; Mallory Burton, me, and Marren Kingsford; Me with the Arnetts - Harrison, Scott, Heather, Ava, Gavin and Isabel; Open house cookies made by Sabina; Jason & Janine Bowler and Chris; Me with Aiden and Chansey Urey; Me and Aiden; Emma & Grant Casper, me and Reagan; Me with Grammy and Grandpa; Reagan, me, Grammy, Grandpa, and Aunt Lena; Me with Konnor and Shayla Mueller; Mom, Sam Smith and me; Christian, me, Tanyon, and Spencer Bowler; The Bowlers - Lincoln, Jason, Janine, Quincy, Lucas, me, Mom, Spencer, and Dad; Me and Reagan; Aunt Sabina and me.
