Our teacher asked us an important question: Why does the world need the gospel? Pres. Benson answered the question this way, "It is my conviction that the world needs, as it need no other thing, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the people of the world want what the gospel will give, but they do not realize it. They want the anchor which the gospel provides, which gives them the answers to the problems that face them; that brings them a feeling of security and a feeling of inner peace. The gospel is the only answer to the problems of the world, my brothers and sisters." He also said, "The world is hungry for true religion, and we have it."
"The real purpose in sharing the gospel is to bring souls unto Christ, to teach and baptize our Heavenly Father's children so that we may rejoice with them." We all share the great responsibility of sharing the gospel. Now that we know how important it is to share the gospel with those around us, Pres. Benson encourages all of us, no matter what our age, to be missionaries. Young men and young women need to have a desire to serve a mission at a very young age. Pres. Benson teaches, "The home is the seedbed for the preparation of young men. And every young man should be prepared in his home to serve." Senior missionaries are also very important. They are able to share the gospel in so many unique ways. "Many older couples could serve missions. In so doing, they will find that a mission blesses their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren in a way that could not otherwise be done. It will set a great example for their posterity."
The most fruitful missionary work is done by members. Pres. Benson says, "Member-missionary work is one of the great keys to the individual growth of our members. It is my conviction that member-missionary work will raise the spirituality in any ward where applied." We are taught that, "The Lord expects us to be missionaries, to live the gospel - yes, wholly, and to help to build up His kingdom....The Lord will sustain members in their missionary responsibility if they just have the faith to try."
Full-time missionaries and member-missionaries alike, need to have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is "the greatest tool which God has given us to convert the world." We learn that, "The Book of Mormon is the great standard we are to use in our missionary work. It shows that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It contains the words of Christ, and its great mission is to bring men to Christ. All other things are secondary."
President Benson gives us four ways to be a successful missionary. First we must have the Spirit of the Lord. It is impossible to share the gospel without the Spirit guiding us. "It's the Spirit that counts. It is the Spirit that matters." Second we need to acquire humility. We need to be humble and full of love, which does not mean weakness or timidity or fear. We can be humble and also fearless. Third love the people. "Our hearts must go out to them in the pure love of the gospel, in a desire to lift them, to build them up, to point them to a higher, finer life and eventually to exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God."Fourth work diligently. "One of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work. If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people, and he will be happy."
All of us, member missionaries and full-time missionaries alike can all learn from what Pres. Benson teaches. If we follow his guide, miracles will happen and more people will come to know and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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