Dear Sisters and Elders –
Today, I would like to share two experiences I read from your letters last week. Each of these experiences illustrates important missionary principles.
The first experience relates to finding:
“Miracles are happening President! As you know, we have been trying to find new investigators. We prayerfully read through chapter 9 as a companionship and received a lot of inspiration and many ideas on how to find people in our area. We brought these ideas up in ward council and they have been really supportive. I have literally felt a shift in the ward attitude about us and missionary work.”
There are a few very important finding principles in this experience. First, the missionaries sought revelation from God to help them find people in their area. Second, even though they had read Preach My Gospel Chapter 9 many times, they reviewed it again as a companionship to determine the finding methods God wanted them to use in their unique area at this specific time. When we use Preach My Gospel properly, it becomes a catalyst for receiving revelation from God. And third, these missionaries shared their experiences with the ward council and involved them in the efforts.
The second experience relates to teaching:
“My companion and I have decided that for every lesson we teach—to members, to nonmembers, to anyone—we will stick to teaching only principles from the discussions in PMG. So, rather than merely sharing a scripture that would help whatever problem that particular person is facing, we meet peoples’ needs by teaching the principles in the discussions. The result has been amazing! And not even necessarily for the person we're teaching—it’s made our missionary work a lot more meaningful. I feel so much better about our work here and I feel more invigorated and excited to teach people. The lessons seem to have more meaning and we're getting more out of it by practicing over and over the principles we teach to our investigators.”
Important principles are also taught in this experience. First, the missionaries are not straying from the doctrinal principles found in Preach My Gospel. These doctrines are pure truth and they facilitate a witness from the Spirit. Second, they practice teach these principles regularly. As a result, they teach with greater power. Finally, teaching the core doctrinal principles helps not only those they teach, but also generates a greater enthusiasm for and testimony of the gospel within the missionaries themselves.
As a companionship, please review each of the experiences and associated principles above. Identify ways that you are currently using these principles in your proselyting. In addition, prayerfully consider how you can implement these principles more effectively in your finding and teaching. If you take the time and effort to do this, I promise that the Lord will help you to become more powerful in your capacity to bring souls to Him.
Thank you for your excellent examples. It is an honor to serve with each of you!
Love,
President Pingree
