Elder Drew Finlayson (Hodge Park Ward) recently returned from the Santa Ana El Salvador Mission. Elder Finlayson said he had many impactful experiences from his mission, but one stood out more than the others.

One time he and his companion had an opportunity to open the chapel at a small branch so members could clean. 

“This was an area that hadn’t had a baptism for 10 months and was struggling,” Elder Finlayson said. “We decided to make a sacrifice and go open the gate surrounding the church building because in Central America all the chapels are gated.”

But when they left, they didn’t realize the padlock got shut behind them. It wasn’t until they had gone more than 20 minutes away, when they got a phone call saying the members were locked in.

“We were debating and stressed about leaving to go back, but we came to the decision to be exactly obedient and hopefully the Lord will bless us with a miracle.”

When they returned and opened the gate and had their miracle. They talked with one of the members who had cleaned that day and were able to meet some of her friends and invite them to church the next day. To Elder Finlayson’s surprise, they showed up.

“It was one of the moments that I learned being exactly obedient is kind of important. It’s not always about a pounding, strong impression, but if you’re being a good person, choosing the right, you’ll always be guided by the spirit to do His will.”

Elder Finlayson said two Christ-like attributes he learned on his mission was diligence and love.

“ I realized that if one is really diligent and has the right motives, anything is possible. Love is the best fuel in life. I had a couple of moments that I was so frustrated, but I realized when I started to be more loving, and not treat it as a job, it started to work out a little bit more. Love made me happier. Once I understood love, I got that.

Elder Finlayson said that he wishes before his mission that he would have gone to mission prep classes and he would have spent more time practicing baptismal invites, teaching the lessons and serving with the mission. 

“I had an incredible Honduran companion that was the best teacher I had ever seen. He just was a machine. He baptised a lot of people, helped a lot of people. He was always teaching. I wish I did a lot more practice before I left for a mission.”

Elder Finlayson said his testimony of the gospel has grown exponentially since his mission. 

“It was definitely some of the hardest two years – not the most fun – but definitely the best two years for my life. I learned how to repent, learned the atonement is infinite. Jesus suffered for all my pains and afflictions, I know that he loves me and that I’m a child of god with divine potential. If I try to follow him, I will have a place to live with him.”

Elder Finlayson plans to attend BYU in Provo, UT, this fall.