Missionary Service

POSITION STATEMENT FOR MISSIONARY WORK TOPIC

Missionary work has a special meaning in my life right now. My son is serving a full time mission in Lima, Peru. His decision was not easy as he is our only child. It was hard to think that even thought this was the right thing to do, our heart was aching from letting him go. Even though this was hard, I never doubted. When he was born, I was very excited to think he could be a missionary one day. I never picture him as a professional singer, or a politician or someone in the show business, I always imagine him as a missionary of the Lord, preaching the gospel somewhere in the world. I am so happy Ben, my son, decided to serve the Lord in all his capacity, with all his heart, might and soul. The best part is that gradually he is moving us into becoming better missionaries. He has asked us to do some missionary work everyday, he calls missionary work, the best and most important work in the gospel. He loves his mission. He said in his weekly email today, "I'm so grateful for the atonement of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is my older brother, my king, my prince of peace, and my foundation. Now I know why I needed to come to the mission. It all started with an act of faith and now its sprouting into something immensely big." This is the true church, if missionary work can grow this awesome testimony in a 19 year old young man, then I must be true.


"First, to young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and to you young men who are becoming elders: I repeat what prophets have long taught—that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord. Maintain your health and strength. Study the scriptures. Where such is available, participate in seminary or institute. Familiarize yourself with the missionary handbook Preach My Gospel."
Pte. Thomas S. Monson, "As We Meet Again" 


"Now, to those who were not able to serve a mission in their youth, may I speak directly to you. Perhaps over the years you have been burdened by feelings of regret or felt less than adequate because you did not have a missionary opportunity to serve and grow when you were younger. My advice to you: look forward, not back. Begin preparing for your mission as a senior missionary couple today! Save a little money each month. Study the scriptures. Accept Church callings. Pray to feel the Lord’s love for others and receive His love and confidence in you. You can one day claim all the blessings of missionary service!"
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Couple Missionaries: Blessings of Sacrifice and Service"


"There are few things in life that bring as much joy as the joy that comes from assisting another improve his or her life. That joy is increased when those efforts help someone understand the teachings of the Savior and that person decides to obey them, is converted, and joins His Church. There follows great happiness as that new convert is strengthened during the transition to a new life, is solidly grounded in truth, and obtains all of the ordinances of the temple with the promise of all the blessings of eternal life. President McKay showed us how to obtain such joy with his profound clarification of our responsibility to share the gospel: “Every member a missionary.”  I know many more would follow that charge were they to realize that there are many different ways to fulfill that responsibility. I will describe some of them."
Elder Richard G. Scott, "Every Member a Missionary"


"In considering missionary opportunities, many couples throughout the world have an abundant desire to serve but lack abundant means. If this is your situation, remember that the right mission call may not be to a far-off country with a strange sounding name. The right call for you may be within your stake or area. “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”  Counsel with your extended family and your bishop or branch president. As the Lord’s servants understand your temporal situation, you will be able to receive the eternal blessings of full-time missionary service."
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Couple Missionaries: Blessings of Sacrifice and Service"


"What causes hearers to “have no root in themselves”?This is the circumstance of new members who are merely converted to the missionaries or to the many attractive characteristics of the Church or to the many great fruits of Church membership. Not being rooted in the word, they can be scorched and wither away when opposition arises. But even those raised in the Church—long-term members—can slip into a condition where they have no root in themselves. I have known some of these—members without firm and lasting conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we are not rooted in the teachings of the gospel and regular in its practices, anyone of us can develop a stony heart, which is stony ground for spiritual seeds."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "The Parable of the Sower"

"Those of you in high school preparing for missions, I encourage you to participate in and graduate from seminary. You young adults should enroll in an institute of religion.³ If you are attending a Church school, consistently include a class each semester in religious education. During this important season of preparation for a mission, eternal marriage, and life as an adult, you must continue to find ways to learn and grow and receive inspiration and guidance through the Holy Ghost. A careful, prayerful study of the gospel through seminary, institute, or religious education classes can assist you in that goal."

Elder M. Russell Ballard, "The Greatest Generation of Young Adults"


"Your photograph comes up on a computer screen, together with key information provided by your bishop and stake president. When your picture appears, we look into your eyes and review your answers to the missionary recommendation questions. For that brief moment, it seems as if you are present and responding to us directly.
As we look at your photograph, we trust that you have cleared in every way the “raised bar” required today to be a faithful, successful missionary. Then, by the power of the Spirit of the Lord and under the direction of President Thomas S. Monson, we assign you to one of the Church’s 406 worldwide missions."
Elder M. Russell Ballard, "The Greatest Generation of Young Adults"


"We know from our research that most active membersof the Church want the blessings of the gospel to bepart of the lives of others whom they love, even thosewhom they have never met. But we also know thatmany members hesitate to do missionary work andshare the gospel for two basic reasons.
•The first one is fear. Many members do not even pray for opportunities to share the gospel, fearing that they might receive divine promptings to do something they think they are not capable of doing.
•The second reason is misunderstanding of what missionary work is."
Elder Russell M. Ballard, "Put Your Trust In Him"


"These missionaries go forward with faith. They know their duty. They understand that they are a vital link for the persons they will meet as missionaries and in the teaching and testifying they will experience as they bring others to the truth of the gospel.
They yearn for more persons to teach. They pray for the essential help each member can give to the conversion process.
The decision to change one’s life and come unto Christ is, perhaps, the most important decision of mortality. Such a dramatic change is taking place daily throughout the world."Pte. Thomas S. Monson, "They Will Come"

"I don’t know if missionaries realize the far-reaching impact of their work. In my own family, the blessings of the gospel have now touched four generations. Didn’t President Gordon B. Hinckley say that “when we save a girl, we save generations”? 6  I got married in the temple and have eight children. They are all faithful members of the Church, endowed in the temple. Six of them are now married and have their own children. At present there are 34 of us. And that is not all. Both my husband and I served missions, and our two sons and three of our six daughters have also served missions. Collectively we have helped hundreds embrace the gospel in many countries. Some of those converts and their children have also served missions.  Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church. There is no greater work, no more important work. It blesses the lives of all those who participate in it. It will continue blessing future generations."

Silvia H. Allred, "Go Ye Therefore"