Dear Sisters and Elders –
During this week’s specialized training we discussed how “God’s ways” are higher than “man’s ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9). As we trust more in God and less in our own capabilities, we will experience more miracles in sharing the gospel. All things are possible with God (Matt. 19:26; Luke 1:37).
So, how do we rely more upon God in our missionary labors? There are many ways, but one is to set, plan, and accomplish goals with Him. Please find below a description of how we can involve God to achieve goals.
1. SET an INSPIRED GOAL
The first step to accomplish a goal with God is to identify an inspired goal. This is critical. We need to know that God is behind the goal. Without this knowledge, we will not have the faith necessary to put forth our best efforts to achieve the goal and to expect His help in the process.
How do we come to know that God is behind a goal? There are two ways. First, we can receive a goal directly from the Lord. We ask Him and He answers us (3 Nephi 27:28-29) through a thought, impression, or feeling (D&C 8:1-2). Second, we receive an inspired goal indirectly from God through a priesthood leader, a companion, the scriptures, or another appropriate means. For example, the mission standard to “find a new investigator every day” is an example of an inspired goal received indirectly from God. We can confirm the validity of indirect goals through confirmation of the Spirit and by applying the test put forth in Moroni 7:13, 16-17.
2. PLAN
Once we have an inspired goal, we must devise an inspired plan to accomplish the goal. Nephi gives us a template for inspired planning (1 Nephi 17:7-11). He received a goal from God to build a ship. To begin, Nephi determined that he needed tools and that he could make them. However, he did not know where to find the ore to make the tools. So, he asked God for specific help to locate the ore. Nephi identified everything he could do on his own (i.e., make the tools) and then he asked the Lord for the specific help to do what he could not (i.e., locate the ore).
Like Nephi, we must first determine what we can do to accomplish an inspired goal. For example, if we seek to “find a new investigator every day,” we must first identify those things we can do to accomplish the goal. For example, during nightly planning we can schedule specific times and places to knock doors, we can promise to invite at least 20 people to learn about the gospel during the day, we can ask the members to invite nonmember friends for scheduled dinner appointments, or we can commit to ask for a referral after every lesson we teach. After we make a finding plan and commitments for the next day, we can plead with God for specific help to do things we cannot accomplish on our own. For example, we can ask Heavenly Father to have those He has prepared cross our paths the next day, we can plead for the strength to keep the commitments we have made, or we can pray for the Lord to recognize prepared friends and have the courage to invite them to the meal appointment or to learn about the gospel.
3. ACT and FOLLOW the SPIRIT
Finally, we must act upon our inspired plan. Despite fears or challenges, we strive to accomplish each task we scheduled and live up to each commitment we made. Certainly, the Lord may alter our plans and present opportunities that we did not expect. However, when we are living close to the Spirit, we will recognize these opportunities and take advantage of them (see 1 Nephi 4). God wants to help us to achieve goals to complete His work.
Goal setting and planning must be “acts of faith” and must involve God in order for us to “bring about much good among Heavenly Father’s children” (PMG, p. 146). God is waiting to pour out greater blessings upon us as we learn to rely upon Him more completely in our daily efforts.
I sure love you and feel blessed to serve with you in this mission!
President Pingree