Dear Sisters and Elders –
We were blessed to hear from Elder Ballard, Bishop Davies,
and Elder Nielsen this past weekend. Certainly, they shared many important
thoughts and concepts with us. Hopefully, you were able to receive personal
revelation from the Spirit concerning the things that were most important for
you. Today, I would like to summarize some of the principles taught by Elder
Ballard that I feel are especially important for our mission at this time. Some
of the quotes below came from the tri-mission meeting and others from meetings
with Elder Ballard that took place later in the day with area priesthood
leaders.
Building the Ward
"Build a strong
relationship with the bishop, ward mission leader, and ward council. Help them
to lift and build members of the ward."
“Be a resource to the
bishop.”
"Bishops should
invite the missionaries into the first 15-20 minutes of ward council and PEC in
order to discuss the names of part-member, less active, and new member
families. Missionaries should engage the ward council to find solutions to the
needs of those they are teaching."
"Leave each ward
better than when you arrived."
Gaining the Trust of Members
"To gain the trust
of the members, you must be men and women of dignity."
"At church, don't
group with other missionaries. Reach out to the members."
"A missionary's
personal presentation makes a huge difference in the ward's willingness to use
them."
"No member should
get into the chapel for sacrament meeting without first being greeted by a
missionary."
Finding People to Teach
“You will find, teach,
and baptize more people as you are anxiously engaged in lifting, building, and
inspiring others.”
“Find opportunities to
teach people who need a spiritual lift.”
“What they feel matters
more than what they know. Help others to feel the power of the gospel.”
On Teaching
"Teach simply, with
love, and by the Spirit."
"Have an excitement for the message you have to
share."
"It is critical for
missionaries to teach every day. If missionaries do not have an appointment
with an investigator, they should arrange to teach the first lesson to a member
of the ward." This lifts the member and also helps the missionary to
improve their teaching skills.
Personal Consecration
"Once you
internalize your love for Christ, you will do anything to bring souls to Him.
You will do anything to extend the blessings of the Atonement to others."
"There is a greater
urgency to preach the gospel than ever before."
"Don't do anything
to dull the promptings of the Holy Ghost."
"Commit today to
turn the balance of your mission over to the Lord. It is not your time, it is
His."
These are words from one of the
Lord's chosen witnesses in our day. The Lord explained: "Whether by mine
own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38).
I testify that as we strive diligently to apply the principles taught by Elder
Ballard, we will be blessed and the Lord will hasten the work in our area.
I sure love you,
President Pingree