Subtitle: The Scriptural Foundation of Our Responsibility to Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Scripture References:
Scripture References:
“A GREAT and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.” – D&C 14:1
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:19-20
Words of Wisdom From Our Church Leaders:
“The missionary work of the Latter-day Saints is the greatest of all the great works in all the world.” (CR, October 1921, p.5) – Heber J. Grant
“There is no joy that can compare with that of a missionary who has been made the instrument of the salvation of a soul.” (CR, April 1918, p. 73) – Orson F. Whitney
“We are the messengers, and we have the acceptable message.” – Spencer W. Kimball
“When men go forth in the name of Israel’s God, there is no power on earth that can overturn the truths they advocate.” (JD,
12:396) – John Taylor
Good afternoon brothers and sisters. The theme of my message to you this afternoon is the Scriptural Foundation of Our Responsibility to Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would like to discuss this matter in four brief sections. First, I would like to talk briefly about the meaning and the purpose for missionary work. Second, I would like to discuss the message behind missionary work. Third, I would like to discuss the methods of missionary work and finally, I would like to briefly discuss member missionary work.
First, let us define what a missionary is and discuss briefly the purpose of missionary work. Webster’s dictionary gives us a rather general definition of the word missionary. A missionary is defined as one sent on a mission, especially one sent to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country. So then, what exactly is this mission? This mission that a missionary is sent on is to do the work that our Heavenly Father has commanded him or her to do. President Spencer W. Kimball once said, “If we do not do our duty in regard to missionary service, then I am convinced that God will hold us responsible for the people we might have saved had we done our duty.” (Ensign, October 1977, p. 5). Concerning this matter of missionary work, Elder Bruce R. McConkie had this say, “In the day of wickedness just preceding our Lord’s return there is to be a great harvest of souls. We live in that day, the day when the harvest is ripe. We have deluded ourselves long enough with the thought that this is a day of gleaning only. This is not a day of gleaning, but of harvest . . . Now this work is going to succeed. This is absolutely guaranteed, it is the eternal decree of the Lord.” Orson F. Whitney once said, “There is no joy that can compare with that of a missionary who has been made the instrument of the salvation of a soul.” (CR, April 1918, p. 73). And President David O. McKay in Conference in April 1959 made the profound statement “Every member a missionary!” (CR, April 1959, p. 122).
It does not matter if we wear the black name tag as do our full time missionaries. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we all are called to serve as soldiers in the Lord’s Army. All of us may never have the opportunity to serve a full time mission for the Church or find ourselves as members of the Church serving in a foreign land but that does not exclude us from doing the work that our Heavenly Father – our Great Commander in Chief -- has commanded us to do. Our mission field is found right in our own back yards. We have an awesome responsibility to share the Gospel with all whom we come in contact with – family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and classmates.
So then, what is the purpose of missionary work? Alexander B. Morrison sums it up this way, “The very purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [is] to invite, encourage, and assist all of God’s children, both living and dead, to come to Christ, “and lay hold upon every good gift” (Moroni 10:30), that “ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 30:2). That is why we do missionary work.” President Gordon B. Hinckley further clarified the purpose of missionary work when he said, “The work of the missionary is everlasting in its consequences. Acceptance of the gospel at the hands of a true and dedicated teacher affects not only the recipient, but also generations who are to come after the recipient.” (Ensign, May 1983, p. 85). And President Ezra Taft Benson reminds us that “Missionary work – the preaching of the gospel – has been the major activity of the true Church of Christ whenever the gospel has been upon the earth.” (JE, June 1970, p. 95).
Missionary work affords us the opportunity to manifest our love of the Savior, who has commanded us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) It also affords us the opportunity to express our love to all mankind. It affords us the opportunity to testify of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the World as well as an opportunity to build our faith in Christ and to teach His saving and comforting doctrine. In D&C 14:3 we read, “Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, who desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.”
Second, let us briefly discuss the message of missionary work. The message that we bring to the world is one of hope, love, peace and joy. In John 3:16 we read these words, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The message that we bring to the world is one that testifies of the fact that God still loves the world, and He has spoken again as an indication of that divine love. He has restored truths in their completeness – precious truths that are essential to our peace and happiness – truths that are essential to our eternal salvation. As missionaries, we testify of a restoration that is so miraculous that only the hand of God could be its author – so miraculous in fact, that it can only be fully understood and believed by those who understand the power of God and His love for all mankind.
The reward of missionary work is not necessarily converts; rather it is exaltation. Certainly, converts will come and this glorious work will move forward in the Lord’s due time, but if we do the best that we can, the rewards for us will be the same. [Compare the Parable of the Talents]. We are instructed in D&C 14:6 to “Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things.”
What a joy and a blessing it has been in my life to go out on splits with the missionaries of my Ward these past few weeks. To be able to share my faith and my testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel brings me great joy and happiness. To see the faces of “thirsting souls” as they seek to know the truth, to hear them ask questions about the Gospel and to hear them (in some cases for the first time) offer a prayer to our Heavenly Father thrills my soul beyond indescribable measure. As I strive to do those things which the Lord has commanded, I am blessed, I know that the missionaries lives are blessed and more importantly, our Heavenly Father is well pleased. I would highly encourage every member to take full advantage of the opportunities to go out on splits with the missionaries and experience these blessings for your selves. Elder L. Tom Perry once said, “More blessings comes to us in going forth to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and laboring for the salvation of the souls of men, than can possibly come to us by merely having a knowledge of the truth of our religion, and then remaining at home to mingle and labor in the ordinary affairs of life, and accumulate the wealth of this world that perishes with the using.” (Ensign, May 1984, p. 80).
Now I come to my third point, the method of missionary work. I will only mention a few things here briefly that I feel are essential in becoming a faithful and successful missionary.
1. Be a student of the Word. Spend time studying the Scriptures every day. It is through the study of the Scriptures that we come to have an intimate relationship with our Savior. We learn the principles and doctrines of His precious truths. As we learn, we should develop the desire to want to share these truths with others. Truth is meant to be shared not kept to ourselves.
2. Be diligent and watchful. By that I mean, “ . . . be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15). Look for opportunities to share the Gospel and then when those opportunities arise don’t be afraid to open your mouth. Again I say, truth is meant to be shared, not kept to ourselves.
3. Believe in the message that you are bringing. By that I mean, have a strong testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel. Know why you believe the things that you do and then be willing to boldly share that testimony with others.
4. Be prayerful. Prayer changes things. Even when it seems that no one wants to hear what you have to say, it is amazing how many doors are opened as a result of earnest prayer.
5. Be of good cheer. Know that whom the Lord sends to do His work, He also prepares. He will never leave you alone to fend for yourself. He is always there to lead and to guide. Therefore, make sure that you approach missionary work with the right spirit and the right attitude. Go forth not with the attitude that you are going to change the world in a day, but with the attitude that you can and will make a difference in the world today.
Finally, I want to close and summarize by restating the statement that President David O. McKay made in the April 1959 conference, “Every member a missionary!” That was not just a nice statement to make at that time, but rather it was a directive to every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to get busy and do the work that our Heavenly Father has commanded us to do. When Christ said unto His disciples in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” He was not saying to His disciples that this is something that you can think about doing, or something that you might want to do, but rather this was a mandate – marching orders from the Commander in Chief. There was no time for deliberation, debate, argument or discussion. He was clearly instructing His disciples that this was something that they MUST do. And my dear brothers and sisters as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, that same mandate – those same marching orders are given to us at this hour.
Everyone one of us knows someone that needs to hear the message of this Glorious Gospel. May I be so bold as to challenge each and every one of us to do our part in bringing forth His Zion by keeping His commandments in all things, and that all includes being faithful missionaries.
I leave you with my testimony that I know that there is no greater work on this earth than missionary work. I testify to you of the blessings that it brings. I further testify to you that I know that this Church is true and I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Matthew 9:37-38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Brethren, I know that He will because this is His work and His work MUST be fulfilled. That we may always be found faithful soldiers in our Savior’s Army, always ready on the alert to serve wherever we may be called to proclaim His truth is my humble prayer this day. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:19-20
Words of Wisdom From Our Church Leaders:
“The missionary work of the Latter-day Saints is the greatest of all the great works in all the world.” (CR, October 1921, p.5) – Heber J. Grant
“There is no joy that can compare with that of a missionary who has been made the instrument of the salvation of a soul.” (CR, April 1918, p. 73) – Orson F. Whitney
“We are the messengers, and we have the acceptable message.” – Spencer W. Kimball
“When men go forth in the name of Israel’s God, there is no power on earth that can overturn the truths they advocate.” (JD,
12:396) – John Taylor
Good afternoon brothers and sisters. The theme of my message to you this afternoon is the Scriptural Foundation of Our Responsibility to Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would like to discuss this matter in four brief sections. First, I would like to talk briefly about the meaning and the purpose for missionary work. Second, I would like to discuss the message behind missionary work. Third, I would like to discuss the methods of missionary work and finally, I would like to briefly discuss member missionary work.
First, let us define what a missionary is and discuss briefly the purpose of missionary work. Webster’s dictionary gives us a rather general definition of the word missionary. A missionary is defined as one sent on a mission, especially one sent to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country. So then, what exactly is this mission? This mission that a missionary is sent on is to do the work that our Heavenly Father has commanded him or her to do. President Spencer W. Kimball once said, “If we do not do our duty in regard to missionary service, then I am convinced that God will hold us responsible for the people we might have saved had we done our duty.” (Ensign, October 1977, p. 5). Concerning this matter of missionary work, Elder Bruce R. McConkie had this say, “In the day of wickedness just preceding our Lord’s return there is to be a great harvest of souls. We live in that day, the day when the harvest is ripe. We have deluded ourselves long enough with the thought that this is a day of gleaning only. This is not a day of gleaning, but of harvest . . . Now this work is going to succeed. This is absolutely guaranteed, it is the eternal decree of the Lord.” Orson F. Whitney once said, “There is no joy that can compare with that of a missionary who has been made the instrument of the salvation of a soul.” (CR, April 1918, p. 73). And President David O. McKay in Conference in April 1959 made the profound statement “Every member a missionary!” (CR, April 1959, p. 122).
It does not matter if we wear the black name tag as do our full time missionaries. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we all are called to serve as soldiers in the Lord’s Army. All of us may never have the opportunity to serve a full time mission for the Church or find ourselves as members of the Church serving in a foreign land but that does not exclude us from doing the work that our Heavenly Father – our Great Commander in Chief -- has commanded us to do. Our mission field is found right in our own back yards. We have an awesome responsibility to share the Gospel with all whom we come in contact with – family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and classmates.
So then, what is the purpose of missionary work? Alexander B. Morrison sums it up this way, “The very purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [is] to invite, encourage, and assist all of God’s children, both living and dead, to come to Christ, “and lay hold upon every good gift” (Moroni 10:30), that “ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 30:2). That is why we do missionary work.” President Gordon B. Hinckley further clarified the purpose of missionary work when he said, “The work of the missionary is everlasting in its consequences. Acceptance of the gospel at the hands of a true and dedicated teacher affects not only the recipient, but also generations who are to come after the recipient.” (Ensign, May 1983, p. 85). And President Ezra Taft Benson reminds us that “Missionary work – the preaching of the gospel – has been the major activity of the true Church of Christ whenever the gospel has been upon the earth.” (JE, June 1970, p. 95).
Missionary work affords us the opportunity to manifest our love of the Savior, who has commanded us to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) It also affords us the opportunity to express our love to all mankind. It affords us the opportunity to testify of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of the World as well as an opportunity to build our faith in Christ and to teach His saving and comforting doctrine. In D&C 14:3 we read, “Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, who desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.”
Second, let us briefly discuss the message of missionary work. The message that we bring to the world is one of hope, love, peace and joy. In John 3:16 we read these words, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The message that we bring to the world is one that testifies of the fact that God still loves the world, and He has spoken again as an indication of that divine love. He has restored truths in their completeness – precious truths that are essential to our peace and happiness – truths that are essential to our eternal salvation. As missionaries, we testify of a restoration that is so miraculous that only the hand of God could be its author – so miraculous in fact, that it can only be fully understood and believed by those who understand the power of God and His love for all mankind.
The reward of missionary work is not necessarily converts; rather it is exaltation. Certainly, converts will come and this glorious work will move forward in the Lord’s due time, but if we do the best that we can, the rewards for us will be the same. [Compare the Parable of the Talents]. We are instructed in D&C 14:6 to “Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things.”
What a joy and a blessing it has been in my life to go out on splits with the missionaries of my Ward these past few weeks. To be able to share my faith and my testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel brings me great joy and happiness. To see the faces of “thirsting souls” as they seek to know the truth, to hear them ask questions about the Gospel and to hear them (in some cases for the first time) offer a prayer to our Heavenly Father thrills my soul beyond indescribable measure. As I strive to do those things which the Lord has commanded, I am blessed, I know that the missionaries lives are blessed and more importantly, our Heavenly Father is well pleased. I would highly encourage every member to take full advantage of the opportunities to go out on splits with the missionaries and experience these blessings for your selves. Elder L. Tom Perry once said, “More blessings comes to us in going forth to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and laboring for the salvation of the souls of men, than can possibly come to us by merely having a knowledge of the truth of our religion, and then remaining at home to mingle and labor in the ordinary affairs of life, and accumulate the wealth of this world that perishes with the using.” (Ensign, May 1984, p. 80).
Now I come to my third point, the method of missionary work. I will only mention a few things here briefly that I feel are essential in becoming a faithful and successful missionary.
1. Be a student of the Word. Spend time studying the Scriptures every day. It is through the study of the Scriptures that we come to have an intimate relationship with our Savior. We learn the principles and doctrines of His precious truths. As we learn, we should develop the desire to want to share these truths with others. Truth is meant to be shared not kept to ourselves.
2. Be diligent and watchful. By that I mean, “ . . . be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15). Look for opportunities to share the Gospel and then when those opportunities arise don’t be afraid to open your mouth. Again I say, truth is meant to be shared, not kept to ourselves.
3. Believe in the message that you are bringing. By that I mean, have a strong testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel. Know why you believe the things that you do and then be willing to boldly share that testimony with others.
4. Be prayerful. Prayer changes things. Even when it seems that no one wants to hear what you have to say, it is amazing how many doors are opened as a result of earnest prayer.
5. Be of good cheer. Know that whom the Lord sends to do His work, He also prepares. He will never leave you alone to fend for yourself. He is always there to lead and to guide. Therefore, make sure that you approach missionary work with the right spirit and the right attitude. Go forth not with the attitude that you are going to change the world in a day, but with the attitude that you can and will make a difference in the world today.
Finally, I want to close and summarize by restating the statement that President David O. McKay made in the April 1959 conference, “Every member a missionary!” That was not just a nice statement to make at that time, but rather it was a directive to every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to get busy and do the work that our Heavenly Father has commanded us to do. When Christ said unto His disciples in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” He was not saying to His disciples that this is something that you can think about doing, or something that you might want to do, but rather this was a mandate – marching orders from the Commander in Chief. There was no time for deliberation, debate, argument or discussion. He was clearly instructing His disciples that this was something that they MUST do. And my dear brothers and sisters as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, that same mandate – those same marching orders are given to us at this hour.
Everyone one of us knows someone that needs to hear the message of this Glorious Gospel. May I be so bold as to challenge each and every one of us to do our part in bringing forth His Zion by keeping His commandments in all things, and that all includes being faithful missionaries.
I leave you with my testimony that I know that there is no greater work on this earth than missionary work. I testify to you of the blessings that it brings. I further testify to you that I know that this Church is true and I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Matthew 9:37-38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Brethren, I know that He will because this is His work and His work MUST be fulfilled. That we may always be found faithful soldiers in our Savior’s Army, always ready on the alert to serve wherever we may be called to proclaim His truth is my humble prayer this day. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
**This Sacrament talk was delivered Sabbath day afternoon, 19 November 2000, to the congregation of the Odenton Maryland Ward.
