LDS members share Christmas memories from mission

SALT LAKE CITY — Those who serve full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints typically spend at least one Christmas away from their families.

This Christmas season, some LDS stakes in Utah County have invited returned missionaries to share a Christmas picture from their mission with a description of what made the holiday memorable with the accompanying hashtag #mymissionchristmas.

For many people, it was their most memorable Christmas, because they got to help others, according to #mymissionchristmas committee member Blake Hadley.

The purpose of #mymissionchristmas is to give people an opportunity and an idea of what they can do to share the gospel and the true meaning of Christmas online, Hadley said.

The online campaign is also an opportunity for returned missionaries to reconnect with old friends, LDS Church members and investigators of the church.

Hadley said he hopes the campaign will "create a lot of buzz, a lot of people sharing their experiences and kind of just sharing the gospel and help the people reconnect with friends from their mission, really."

Many have participated in the campaign. Instagram user greenmachine1913 wrote that the Christmases she spent on her mission were some of the most special she can remember.

"It was hard being away from home and family, but God found little ways to show me His love," she wrote. "From sweating my brains out with 3 other girls crowded around one small fan, to crying with a group from another faith as we sang silent night together. Whether we served missions or not, may we all remember the reason for the season! I know Christ was born and lived a sinless life. He makes it possible for us to feel peace in this life and suffered in our behalf. He is our way home."

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