Ballard - Write Down a Date - October 1984

Elder Ballard has recently been called to serve in the missionary department for the church.  He talks about the overwhelming task of sharing the gospel with every one of God's children on the earth.

• At the present time, more people are born in one day than are baptized into the Church in one year. The magnitude of our missionary task can appear to be overwhelming. Yet the assignment to the members of the Church is very clear. We are to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to every human soul.

But just because it is overwhelming, doesn't mean we will not try to do all we can.  He shares a quote from Boyd K. Packer and President Spencer W. Kimball that discusses our role in sharing the gospel.

• Elder Boyd K. Packer, said: “Since baptism is essential there must be an urgent concern to carry the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. … We accept the responsibility to preach the gospel to every person on earth. And if the question is asked, ‘You mean you are out to convert the entire world?’ the answer is, ‘Yes. We will try to reach every living soul.’ Some who measure that challenge quickly say, ‘Why that’s impossible! It cannot be done!’ To that we simply say, ‘Perhaps, but we shall do it anyway.’”
• President Spencer W. Kimball declared, “The Lord has told us that our sins will be forgiven more readily as we bring souls unto Christ and remain steadfast in bearing testimony to the world, and surely every one of us is looking for additional help in being forgiven of our sins.”

Elder Ballard says that when we take the sacrament, we state that we are willing to take upon us Christ's name.  He says that when we do this, we have the obligation to demonstrate our love for Christ by sharing the gospel with others.

• When we partake of the sacrament, we covenant that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and that we will always remember Him and keep His commandments. Is there any better way that you and I can demonstrate to the Lord our love for Him than to share His gospel? We need not be sent to far-flung cities or set our feet on distant lands to be missionaries. Our next-door neighbors, friends, acquaintances, family members, relatives, and the stranger down the street are all part of the world with whom we should be sharing the gospel message. No member of the Church needs to wait for the ward, stake, mission, or any Church organization, to lead them in doing this work. Each one of us should be actively involved in sharing the gospel because we love the Lord with all of our hearts and because we desire to serve Him.

Elder Ballard gives us a specific challenge on how to petition the Lord for assistance in knowing who we can share the gospel with.

• Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son have not left us alone in this great work. They have promised to guide us if we will but ask them for help.
• May I suggest a simple way in which each one of us can exercise our faith and start our personal missionary service. Write down a date in the near future on which you will have someone ready to be taught the gospel. Do not worry that you do not have someone already in mind. Let the Lord help you as you pray diligently for guidance. Fast and pray, seeking guidance and direction from our Heavenly Father.
• Many, if not all, of you will have special spiritual experiences as the Lord inspires you. I know from my own personal and family missionary experience that the Lord will enlighten your mind. He will sharpen your vision of this work by bringing names of nonmembers to your mind that you have never before regarded as potential members of the Church. As you continue, you will be blessed to know what you should say and how you should approach each person.
• Brothers and sisters, you will notice that I did not suggest that you write down a name, but rather that you write down a specific date. The key to our success will be to ask for divine guidance that we might be directed to those who will accept the gospel.

Elder Ballard concludes with a reassurance that sharing the gospel brings forgiveness and that Heavenly Father is pleased with us when we reach out to His children and share the gospel.

• No joy equals that of bringing the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into the life of one of Heavenly Father’s children. Missionary experiences can bring to every member of the Church the calm reassurance that his sins are in very deed being forgiven. Our Heavenly Father will love us for proclaiming the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ, to all of His children on the earth.

Sharing the gospel is something that we should all be engaged in.  Strengthening our families, friends, and fellow ward members is also needed.  We are promised, as we reach out to others to bring the light of Christ to them, we will have the spirit with us to lift us up.  People need the teachings of the Savior in their life so they can get on the right path to eternal life.  It is our obligation to help people get on the right path so they can assist in sharing the gospel with more and more of Heavenly Father's children.