Dear Sisters and Elders –
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).
As full-time missionaries, God has given us a very clear mandate - to bring souls to Christ. Our purpose drives our goals, plans, and accountability, and also provides the meaning behind our missionary activities.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained: “When missionaries have internalized the purpose of bringing people to Christ through the principles and ordinances of the restored gospel, they will understand that missionary work is not a program, it is a cause—the cause of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They will understand that they are not salesmen or technicians but divinely authorized and commissioned teachers of righteousness. They will understand that the world has no access to atoning grace and salvation but through them and the Church they represent… They will understand what they and this work are all about, and they will be up and about their Father’s business” (“Our Missionary Purpose,” Seminar for New Mission Presidents, 22 June 2008).
While we know the importance of our purpose, “It is remarkably difficult to reach the point where the missionary purpose drives missionary work… It is so easy for the means to become the end, for us to lose ourselves in missionary activities such that they become ends in themselves” (Christofferson, ibid).
Since our purpose is so critical to our success as missionaries, what practical things can we do to internalize our purpose more fully? Please find below a list of suggestions from our discussions this past week during specialized training:
- Have regular and personal experiences with the Atonement.
- Study and live the Doctrine of Christ.
- Focus on people and their needs. Love them. Pray for them.
- Evaluate the value of each activity by asking: “Did I build someone’s faith in Christ?”
- State missionary purpose often when finding and teaching.
- Bear testimony frequently, especially of Christ, His Doctrine, and the Restoration.
- Study Preach My Gospel daily.
- Memorize and recite each day the missionary purpose (PMG, p. 1) and other pertinent scriptures (3 Nephi 5:13, Moses 1:39, D&C 4, 3 Nephi 11:31-35, etc.).
- Always point people to Christ in your teaching.
- Qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
- Pray for a deeper appreciation of our purpose (1 Nephi 2:16; D&C 4:7).
As a companionship, please review the list above and consider other practical things you can do to internalize the missionary purpose. I invite you to prayerfully select one or two things and then implement them into your life. As you do, the Lord will increase your capacity and effectiveness as a missionary, and help you to be more productive and happier in your labors.
It is an honor to serve the Lord with you. We have a noble and incredibly important purpose!
With much love and respect,
President Pingree