Elder Holland speaks about missionary work and specifically, what members of the church can to do to help in the effort. Several key points are highlighted as Elder Holland provides guidance on making our efforts meaningful. He begins by talking about why member involvement is so important.
He speaks of the value of our example to those that are interested in the church. People see things in others that they want in their lives.
He speaks of the importance of prayer. Praying for the missionaries is important, but so is praying for those that are meeting with the missionaries. We should also include ourselves in our prayers. We can pray that experiences will come to us and that we will be ready when they do to share the gospel with others.
He provides simple guidance on what we should do when the Lord brings someone into our lives that is interested in hearing a little about the church.
Finally, he speaks about the new program the church has created making pass-along cards available. What a simple way to share our basic beliefs with others.
Elder Holland provides simple words of wisdom about how to be a member missionary. I love that the examples he uses are part of our everyday lives. There is nothing difficult about bringing up a gospel discussion, living our lives in a way that projects the light of Christ, and have a genuine conversation with someone about things they value most in their lives. I am going to challenge myself to step up a little more and share a little more each week with someone. I am going to take his advice and use the pass-along cards more. I find that if it doesn't change the lives of the people that I talk with, it sure has an effect on my commitment to live my life better.
- Initial investigators may come from many different sources, but those who are actually baptized and who are firmly retained in activity in the Church come overwhelmingly from friends and acquaintances known to members of the Church.
He speaks of the value of our example to those that are interested in the church. People see things in others that they want in their lives.
- Above all else we can live the gospel. Surely there is no more powerful missionary message we can send to this world than the example of a loving and happy Latter-day Saint life.
- People do not join the Church because of what they know. They join because of what they feel, what they see and want spiritually. Our spirit of testimony and happiness in that regard will come through to others if we let it.
- Asking every member to be a missionary is not nearly as crucial as asking every member to be a member! Thank you for living the gospel.
He speaks of the importance of prayer. Praying for the missionaries is important, but so is praying for those that are meeting with the missionaries. We should also include ourselves in our prayers. We can pray that experiences will come to us and that we will be ready when they do to share the gospel with others.
- Thank you also for praying for the missionaries. Everyone prays for the missionaries. May it ever be so. In that same spirit, we should also pray for those who are (or who need to be) meeting the missionaries.
- We can also pray daily for our own personal missionary experiences. Pray that under the divine management of such things, the missionary opportunity you want is already being prepared in the heart of someone who longs for and looks for what you have.
He provides simple guidance on what we should do when the Lord brings someone into our lives that is interested in hearing a little about the church.
- When the Lord delivers this person to your view, just chat—about anything. You can’t miss. You don’t have to have a prescribed missionary message. Your faith, your happiness, the very look on your face is enough to quicken the honest in heart. Haven’t you ever heard a grandmother talk about her grandchildren? That’s what I mean—minus the photographs! The gospel will just tumble out. You won’t be able to contain yourself!
- But perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more.
Finally, he speaks about the new program the church has created making pass-along cards available. What a simple way to share our basic beliefs with others.
- For those who find it difficult to initiate missionary conversations—and many do—the Church’s newly produced pass-along cards are a lovely, effortless way to let others know some of your basic beliefs and how they may learn more.
Elder Holland provides simple words of wisdom about how to be a member missionary. I love that the examples he uses are part of our everyday lives. There is nothing difficult about bringing up a gospel discussion, living our lives in a way that projects the light of Christ, and have a genuine conversation with someone about things they value most in their lives. I am going to challenge myself to step up a little more and share a little more each week with someone. I am going to take his advice and use the pass-along cards more. I find that if it doesn't change the lives of the people that I talk with, it sure has an effect on my commitment to live my life better.
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