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Home Teaching
Message: A Word for the Hesitant Missionary
Disciples
of Jesus Christ have always been
under the obligation to take His gospel to the world (see Mark 16:15–16).
Nevertheless, sometimes it is difficult to open our mouths and speak about our
faith to those around us. While some members of the Church have a natural gift
for talking to others about religion, others are a little hesitant or may feel
awkward, embarrassed, or even fearful of doing so.
To that end, may I suggest four things that anyone can do to
follow the commission of the Savior to preach
the gospel “unto every creature” (D&C
58:64).
Be a Light
A favorite saying of mine often attributed to St. Francis of
Assisi reads, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”1 Implicit in this saying is the
understanding that often the most powerful sermons are unspoken.
When we have integrity and live consistently by our standards,
people notice. When we radiate joy and happiness, they notice even more.
Everyone wants to be happy. When we members of the Church
radiate the light of the gospel, people can see our happiness and sense the
love of God filling and overflowing in our lives. They want to know why.
They want to understand our secret.
That leads them to ask questions such as “Why are you so happy?”
or “Why do you always have such a positive attitude?” The answers to these
questions, of course, lead perfectly into a conversation about the restored
gospel of Jesus Christ.
Be Conversational
Bringing up the subject of religion—particularly to our friends
and loved ones—can seem daunting and challenging. It doesn’t have to be.
Mentioning spiritual experiences or talking about Church activities or events
in casual conversation can be easy and pleasant if we invest a little courage
and common sense.
My wife, Harriet, is a wonderful example of this. When we were
living in Germany, she would find a way to work Church-related topics into her
conversations with friends and acquaintances. For example, when someone asked
about her weekend, she would say, “This Sunday we had an impressive experience
in our church! A 16-year-old young man gave a beautiful talk in front of 200
people of our congregation about living a clean life.” Or, “I learned about a
90-year-old woman who knitted more than 500 blankets and gave them to our
Church’s humanitarian program to be shipped to people in need all around the
world.”
More often than not, the people who heard this wanted to know
more. They asked questions. And that led to opportunities to talk about the
gospel in a natural, confident, nonpushy way.
With the advent of the Internet and social media, it is easier
today to talk about these things in a conversational way than ever before. What
we need is simply the courage to do so.
Be Full of Grace
Unfortunately, it is so easy to be disagreeable. It happens too
often that we argue, belittle, and condemn. When we become angry, rude, or
hurtful with people, the last thing they want is to learn more about us. It is
impossible to know how many people have either left the Church or never joined
because someone said something that hurt or offended them.
There is so much incivility in the world today. Because of the
anonymity of the Internet, it is easier than ever to say toxic or grating
things online. Shouldn’t we, the hopeful disciples of our gentle Christ, have a
higher, more charitable standard? The scriptures teach, “Let your speech be
alway[s] with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to
answer every man” (Colossians
4:6).
I like the idea of our words being clear as a sunny sky and full
of grace. Can you imagine what our families, wards, nations, and even the world
would be like if we could adopt this simple principle?
Be Filled with Faith
Sometimes we take upon ourselves too much credit or too much
blame when it comes to others accepting the gospel. It’s important to remember
that the Lord doesn’t expect us to do the converting.
Conversion comes not through our words but through the heavenly
ministrations of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes all it takes is one single phrase
of our testimony or about an experience to set in motion the softening of a
heart or the opening of a door that can lead others to experience sublime
truths through the promptings of the Spirit.
President Brigham Young (1801–77) said he knew the gospel was
true when he “saw a man without eloquence, or talents for public speaking, who
could only say, ‘I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that
the Book of
Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith
is a Prophet of the Lord.’” President Young said when he heard that humble
testimony, “The Holy Ghost proceeding from that individual illuminate[d] my
understanding, and light, glory, and immortality [were]
before me.”2
Brothers and sisters, have faith. The Lord can magnify the words
you speak and make them mighty. God doesn’t ask you to convert but rather to
open your mouths. The task of converting is not yours—that belongs to the
person hearing and to the Holy Spirit.
Every Member a Missionary
My dear friends, today there are more ways than ever for us to
open our mouths and share with others the joyful news of the gospel
of Jesus Christ. There is a way for everyone—even the hesitant missionary—to
participate in this great work. We can each find a way to use our own
particular talents and interests in support of the great work of filling the
world with light and truth. As we do so, we will find the joy that comes to
those who are faithful and courageous enough “to stand as witnesses of God at
all times” (Mosiah
18:9).
Teaching from This Message
One effective way to teach is to “encourage those you teach to
set … goals that can help them live the principle you have taught” (Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 159). Consider
inviting those you teach to prayerfully set a goal to share the gospel with one
or more people this month. Parents can discuss ways younger children could
help. You could also help family
members brainstorm or role-play ways to bring up the gospel in regular
conversation and think of upcoming Church activities to which they could invite
a friend.
Youth
Sharing with a Friend
By Adriana Vásquez, Colombia
One day while studying for my seminary class, I had a beautiful
and distinct impression. As I was reading over the lesson for the next day, I
saw the face of a friend from school and had the strong feeling that I should
share my testimony with her.
Despite the clarity of this impression, I was afraid. I was
worried that my friend might reject me, particularly because she didn’t seem to
be the kind of girl who would be interested in joining the Church.
I thought back to a talk by Sister Mary N. Cook of the Young
Women general presidency in which she challenged us to work hard and be
valiant.1 I wanted to be like this, so I wrote
this girl a letter and testified of the truthfulness of the Church and of my
love for the Book
of Mormon. The next day I slipped a copy of the Book of Mormon,
together with my letter, into her bag.
To my surprise, my friend was very receptive to the gospel.
Starting that day, she would tell me about what she had learned in her study of
the Book of Mormon. A few weeks later, I introduced her to the missionaries.
Almost immediately, she received a confirmation from the Holy Ghost that
what she was learning was true. The missionaries and I cried as she told us of
her feelings. My friend was soon baptized, and her parents were amazed to see
the changes that had occurred in her.
I am so happy I was able to overcome my fears and help bring the
gospel into her life.
Note
Children
I Can Be a Light to Others
President Uchtdorf says that to be a light to others, our words
should be “clear as a sunny sky and full of grace.” Our words should be happy,
honest, and kind. What can you do or say to be a light to others? To find a
hidden message in the boxes below, color in black the boxes that say or do
things that are mean or hurtful.
|
“Thank
you” |
Be
happy |
Be
a peacemaker |
“I’ll
share with you” |
Be
polite |
|
“I’m
sorry” |
Argue |
“It’s
good to see you” |
Fight |
“I’d
love to help” |
|
“Please” |
Be
kind |
“Get
out of my way” |
“I
love you” |
“You’re
welcome” |
|
Get
angry |
“Good
job” |
Give
a compliment |
“Let’s
be friends” |
Ignore |
|
Help
someone |
Insult |
Gossip |
Bully |
Be
gentle |
You could write in your journal five nice things you plan to say
to family
members or friends.
“Sharing a Calling”
cji
2/1/13
Awakening from a long
sleep
needful of so much to
be done
well rested and now
to be tested
whether or not the
Gospel to share;
We’ve neighbors -
friends who care
what we believe our
time invested
especially our love
of Father’s Son
sharing a calling to
do or to weep!
Copyright © 2013 – cji
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