Dear Sisters and Elders -
Two stake presidents shared the following about how we as missionaries can build trust with the members. The first one said, “They need to act and speak like men and women of God. They need to have the Spirit with them.” The second mentioned, “Missionaries should be friendly with the members, but not casual. They need to maintain a level of dignity and respect because they represent Jesus Christ.” To me, these suggestions were very instructive.
While members do have a responsibility to help find people to teach, we as missionaries must earn their trust so that members will be comfortable giving us referrals.
I received an email from someone living outside our mission. In the email, he explained, “My friend had a girlfriend that was investigating the church while she was in high school. She attended church every week for months, went to firesides and even seminary. Everyone anticipated that she would be baptized at some point. For six months he and his family watched as missionaries would get transferred into the area. They would meet the missionaries and think, ‘No, these aren't the ones we want to trust with this special referral.’ Either the missionaries were not serious enough, not sincere enough, or didn't seem to carry the Spirit. Then one day, a new missionary arrived and they knew he was the one. They gave the referral and she was soon baptized. Others in their ward also gave referrals at the same time. There was a whole supply of latent referrals in the ward waiting for people to feel like they could trust the missionaries.”
This story reminds me of a statement made by Elder Russell M. Nelson to missionaries, “Don’t ask for referrals, earn them.”
“Strive to represent the Lord according to the highest standards of obedience and conduct. Keep your words, thoughts, and actions in harmony with the message of His gospel” (MH, 7). “Do everything you can to build their confidence in you as dedicated, powerful servant of the Lord" (MH, 35). As missionaries of Christ, let’s carry ourselves with dignity, sincerity, and the Spirit so that members will trust us enough to refer their friends to be taught the gospel.
I am grateful to be serving with dedicated, capable missionaries and know that we can find the “tens of thousands” as we continue to build the trust of the members. Thank you for your devotion to the Lord and His work.
Love,
President Pingree