D Keith Shurtleff

Elder D Keith Shurtleff

I have wanted to write this book for many years. Since it is the truth, as ingrained in my memory of the trials challenges and struggles attendant to my missionary service, I was always a bit hesitant to write it. I did not want to scare away prospective missionaries, or divulge any type of information that the enemies of my Savior might try to use for their twisted purposes. However, as the missions of three of my children are drawing to a close, I have finally come to realize that our youth do not need to be protected from the truth about how hard missionary service is, but rather must be taught the truth so that they can be better prepared. My fears have been allayed because I have come to realize that those who serve God as missionaries do it because they love him, and by and large such individuals possess consecrated hearts, a willingness to serve no matter the cost. With that comforting knowledge, I am at last writing the true story about my missionary service in all of its sorrow and splendor, in order to help future missionaries better prepare. My time of missionary service is most accurately described as the toughest two years of my life, at least up unto the time that I served. However, it was also among the most precious and beautiful.