Sunday Lesson: Nov 16th

Proclaiming the Gospel to the World, Chp. 21, was our lesson this past Sunday. Sis. Kay Bashford really helped us all to engage ourselves and helped us to think of missionary work in a little different light.

Not too long ago, just a few generations, it was very common for young newly married men to be called as missionaries. The same happened to President Joseph Fielding Smith. Elder Smith served in England and wrote letters to his new bride, always filled with love and testimony. In one Elder Smith's letters he wrote, "I know that the work I have been called to do is the work of God or I would not stay here one minute, no, I would not have left home. But I know our happiness is dependent upon my faithfulness whie I am here. I should be willing to do this much for the love of mankind when our Savior could suffer as He did for us." Do we feel the same as President Smith? If we have this same testimony and belief, it should motivate us to be better missionaries.

President Smith" was not able to make one convert, di not have opportunity to perform one baptism, although he did confirm one convert." Even though Elder Smith did not see the results of his labors, "he found comfort in knowing that he was doing the Lord's will and that  he was helping prepare people who might receive the gospel later in their lives."

Sis. Bashford pointed out to us that we all have the blessing of the restored gospel in our lives. What are the things we have because of the church? Some of these things include temples, the Plan of Salvation, the authority of God on the earth (Priesthood), ordinances, a living prophet, and knowledge of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. These truths should be, need to be, shared with all those around us. President Smith said, "The promised day is now dawning. This is the appointed time for the preaching of the gospel in all the world and for the building up of the Lord's kingdom in every nation. There are good and upright people in all nations who will respond to the truth....The gospel is for all people, and the Lord expects those who receive it to live its truths and to offer them to those of their own nation and tongue....I believe that our success in the world depends largely upon the attitude of the Saints. Your responsibility is to be living witnesses of the truth and divinity of the work."

In Mosiah 28:3 we learn about the feelings of the Sons of Mosiah, who were great missionaries. They were to teach the gospel to their enemies, the Lamanites. "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

Many of us get nervous and worried about how to talk to others about the gospel. We need to talk to people in a matter of fact way. If we can get more comfortable about exposing people to our feelings and beliefs then that is the first step. Just like President Smith's mission was all about planting seeds, that's what we need to do, start planting seeds, In Preach My Gospel it says, "Your success is measured primarily by your commitment to help others become members of the Savior's church and enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost, not by the number of converts." If our hearts are in the right place, and we can learn how to talk more freely and openly about our beliefs, the rest will start to fall into place.

Here are some things we can do to be a better missionary:

Let the Spirit testify to people through you.

Love others and desire their salvation.

Live worthy of the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Develop Christlike attributes.

Help build up our ward by working where you are assigned.

Pray to recognize someone who is ready to hear about the gospel.

We concluded our lesson time by role playing missionaries and a potential investigator. We were paired with sisters that we probably normally wouldn't be paired with, and some amazing conversations were had. This was a good way to practice being a missionary, or an investigator, and start thinking about ways we can talk to people about the beautiful truths of the gospel. The Savior loves all of us, we are all God's children, and He wants us all to return to Him. Let us be excited about this marvelous work and do our part that we have covenanted to do.

You can read the entire lesson from the manual HERE.