Seeds of Lust

“President, you’ve got to transfer me out of here.  My district leader is so hot, it’s difficult for me to focus on the work!”

“Can you hold on for the rest of the week, Sister?”

“I hope so.”

“Okay, I’ve got just the place for you.”

“Thanks, President.”

This was a real-life phone call I made to my mission president while serving for a few transfers in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission.  I was on leave from Temple Square to experience “field time” and it didn’t take long for me to understand why the Lord had called me to Temple Square in the first place.  It’s the only mission in the world where there are no young Elders. Just sisters and senior couples.  I didn’t realize until I was shipped out to Arkansas that handsome young men could be my downfall.

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And my mission president wasn’t kidding about the “place” he had for me to take my mind off boys and back to the work I was there to do.  I was transferred to a district with the shortest, goofiest looking Elders I had yet to serve with and I was grateful for it. I had no distractions and could focus on missionary work the rest of my service there.

When it was time for me to transfer back to Salt Lake City from Arkansas [to finish out my mission] I was transported to the mission home with President and his wife.  As I slipped into the back seat of their car, President mentioned, “Hey, Sister.  Pick the hottest Elder out there and I’ll let him ride in the car with us back to Little Rock.”  “Really?!”  “NO!” he responded as he heartily laughed.  “You are still a missionary.  Good grief, get in the car and stop looking at the Elders!”

What if I hadn’t called my mission president?  What if I allowed innocent relationships to blossom during my mission?  Even if the Elder hadn’t reciprocated the feelings I was beginning to have toward him, how would the next 12 weeks have been if I was constantly thinking about a handsome young man, and lost the focus on my purpose as a missionary?  I don’t want to know.

Goddard shares a list of guidelines to help people stay out of trouble.  Though he is talking about relationships with the opposite sex when a person is married, the items in this list were a red flag for me so many years ago as I was a full-time missionary.  Goddard’s suggestions include:

• Do not allow the seeds of lust to germinate.

• Never make excuses to spend time alone with a person of the opposite sex who is not your spouse.

• Do not allow your heart to dwell on anyone

• Don’t set yourself up for failure

There was much more in his counsel that pertains to clinging and spending time and energy on your spouse rather than other people or hobbies that exclude them.

I am now married to an incredibly attractive man.  We are growing together, but it is nice to be reminded to make an effort for us.  For me to go out of my way to interact with my spouse and shun any other practice that might unhealthily draw my attention elsewhere.  I hope to find ways to be intentional about loving my husband.

-Mrs.