Elder Russell M. Nelson pointed out the work of salvation excludes no one. God wants all of his children to return to Him and to qualify for Eternal Life. Members and missionaries should have a single purpose and a unified vision. Success comes when members are involved and invitations are extended and it is crucial for members to get to know investigators. As Elder Jeffry R. Holland noted, we ought to be eager to share the gospel.
After almost nine months and 70 posts, this blog is getting more views than ever and I thought I would take this opportunity to explain why I started this blog. When the announcement was made changing the ages of eligibility for missionaries I was inspired and felt a desire to help young people prepare to serve. I knew too many missionaries when I served who did not know why they were there, or who were there for the wrong reasons. It is my belief that we have not always done a good job in preparing missionaries to serve.
There are exceptions as there are many wards and stakes out there which do a good job. I was fortunate to attend for eight months an excellent missionary prep program in my stake. Because of this I felt that I had a head start on most of the missionaries who were with me in the MTC.
In many ways, the challenges are greater now than they were when I served. For example, missionaries today are being asked to make lesson plans for the discussions they will teach. Gone are the days when the discussions were tightly scripted.
Okay, so why the name "The Whole Missionary" for this blog. A couple of years ago I was reading an article in the U.S. Naval Institute's periodical Proceedings entitled “Developing the Whole Sailor” and I could not help but think of how to relate it to missionary work. The article discussed the importance of character and integrity and I started thinking about what makes up the “Whole Missionary.”
Are character and integrity important for a missionary? The answer can be found in the fourth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, which missionaries everywhere repeat in groups as often as once a week – they did in my day, at least, and in my mission we also recited The Standard of Truth.
“. . . See that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.”
What do character and integrity demand of the missionary? They demand hard work. I hope that you are not disappointed in the simplicity of the answer. Actually, hard work might be an understatement when it sits alongside serving with all your heart, might, mind and strength.
What other attributes make up the Whole Missionary?
“And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.”
Considering the emphasis in the broadcast yesterday, perhaps we should include members to those who might benefit from this blog. As Elder L. Tom Perry said, members must change the way they think about missionary work. Door-to-door tracting is largely ineffective -- though a few of the Lord's sheep may be found this way -- the most success in sharing the gospel comes as members and missionaries work together.
Members and missionaries should be one in purpose in missionary work. Elder Perry noted that by our membership we are commissioned to invite others to come unto Christ. It is time for us to understand that we as neighbors should share the gospel, and that we should extend our invitations with the proper love and respect. The need and opportunity, said Elder Perry, has never been greater.
I should add here this disclaimer: I do not have a calling or any authority and cannot speak for the LDS Church. I write only from my perspective as a returned missionary. Any an all mistakes are mine alone.
Also, feedback, comments, and questions are welcome.
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