Missionary of Sweden

One of the most exciting moments I've experienced in my life has probably been the opportunity that I had to serve as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in the wonderful land of Sweden. I am honestly one of those people that never really looked forward to serving when I was at younger age, mainly due to the fact of how scared I get with public speaking and teaching to others. But the service that I did in Sweden has definitely been the greatest aspect that helped shape who I am today and many of the talents that I have acquired while serving there is have been quite priceless.

There is no better place on earth for me, I am so blessed to have been able to serve there. My ancestors immigrated from Sweden a couple centuries ago, and since then no one in my family has been able to return and so the fact that I was able to do so is indescribable for us all. While I did manage to make it to the northern parts of Sweden the majority of my time was spent in Stockholm and Gothenburg. As to religion the Swedes have their own state church, but it is much similar to the Lutheran Church. The LDS Church is not so great in Sweden but it is on a remarkable growth. Also the members in Sweden are the strongest members that they have seen so far growing up. The average Swede is very interesting, Swedes are the people that love keeping to themselves. It is not like them to really open up, smile, or wave to you on the streets. In contrary it almost seems like they have a natural glare in their eyes to ward off anybody who may do so, which one can only imagine how difficult this would be to teaching about the church. Swedes don't like opening up to people on the street let alone talking to someone about politics or God. Many people I know who visited in Sweden have had the impression that Swedes are a very rough folk. But as you get to know a swede you learn how lovely they actually are. While they are rough on the outside they are very mellow in the center. So when you become friends with the Swede you would definitely be friends for life and would do anything for each other! I treasure the friends that I have made in Sweden and again this opportunity that I had to live there for 2 years has been awesome experience. In fact, it would be wonderful to move back there someday!