Dear Sisters and Elders –
One of the chief characteristics of an effective missionary is an intense desire to serve God (D&C 4:3) and to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life" of others (Moses 1:39).
The sons of Mosiah were powerful missionaries that were filled with this type of desire. "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble (Mosiah 28:3)."
How do we develop this deep-felt desire to help others gain eternal life?
In Preach My Gospel, we learn of at least three ways:
First, "as [our] understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, [our] desire to share the gospel will increase (p. 2)."
To gain a powerful desire to share the gospel with others, we must understand the Atonement and have personal experiences with It. Howard W. Hunter explained, "Any time we experience the blessings of the Atonement in our lives, we cannot help but have a concern for the welfare of others. ... A great indicator of one's personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others. ("The Atonement and Missionary Work," seminar for new mission presidents, June 1994)."
As we receive forgiveness of sins or gain added strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our gratitude and love for God the Father and His Son will grow and we will have a greater desire to share the gospel with others. We need to seek opportunities to apply the Atonement in our own lives.
Second, "as [we] treasure up the words of the scriptures and latter-day prophets by study and faith, [our] desire to share the gospel will increase (p. 19)."
Studying and understanding true doctrine also invigorates within us a greater desire to share the gospel. For this reason, the daily missionary schedule provides us with significant gospel study time. An effective 8:00 AM personal study and 9:00 AM companion study each day are critical to developing and maintaining a desire to serve.
Third, "as we obey God, He blesses us. ... He helps us change the desires of our hearts (p. 62)."
Keeping the commandments and following the standards in the Missionary Handbook increase our desires to share the gospel. Our sacrifices to obey help us to qualify for this greater desire. Conversely, as we disregard commandments or mission rules, our desire to share the gospel decreases and we become discouraged.
In addition to the steps above, pray for an increased desire to share the gospel. Our private pleadings to God along with our acts of faith and service to others help our hearts to change and our zeal for the gospel to increase.
I invite you, as a companionship, to examine the current level of desire you have to share the gospel with others. Review the steps from Preach My Gospel for gaining this desire. Discuss other ways that you can gain greater desire to spread the gospel. Identify those things you are doing well. Set goals and make any necessary improvements. As you do, I promise that you will not only increase your effectiveness as a missionary, but you will also find greater joy and happiness in His service.
With much love,
President Pingree