This message is from a missionary email from Elder Crawford Gates to his family.
It is shared here with permission.
As I've been preparing to leave, I've reflected on my experience in York and what I have learned. The talk that came to my mind was by Elder Andersen in this last conference entitled: "The Music of the Gospel". He has a line where he says: "The dance steps of the gospel are the things we do; the music of the gospel is the joyful spiritual feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost".
I remember when I just started taking piano lessons from Jill, and we were learning some very basic Romantic piece. It was one of the hardest pieces I had ever played and the rhythm was just very difficult for me. After about two weeks of practice I had it down pat. I sat down and I played it for her perfectly. Not an accidental missed, not a note out of place. As I finished, she congratulated me and then asked me to play it with real feeling, the way it should be played. It was so magical for me, and the difference in the sound was night and day as you linger on this note a little longer and play this measure with more forte. It completely changed the way I view and appreciate music.
I think missionary work is the same way. We can follow the rules, talk to the people, teach the lessons given--and those are all necessary dance steps. But until we really feel the missionary purpose, thrill in bringing others to Christ and serving them, the motions will be forced, difficult and oftentimes not fulfilling. I have felt just a little bit of that in York so far, and it is one of the greatest blessings in my life, to begin to love the Lord's work and being in His service.