Missionary Work
“The answers to the world’s perplexities are, in fact, found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ . . . The more we can bring others to see the gospel in action, the more they will be willing to at least tolerate us, then to encourage us, and eventually to cooperate with us.”
– Truman G. Madsen
“May we ever remember that the mantle of membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not a cloak of comfort but rather a robe of responsibility. Our duty, in addition to saving ourselves, is to guide others to the celestial kingdom of God.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“We cannot lead or draw others to Christ unless we stand closer to Him than they do.”
– Neal A. Maxwell
“As surely as the Lord has inspired more missionaries to serve, He is also awakening the minds and opening the hearts of more good and honest people to receive His missionaries.”
– Neil L. Andersen
“We accept the responsibility to preach the gospel to every person on earth. And if the question is asked, you mean you are out to convert the entire world? The answer is, ‘yes’. We will try to reach every living soul.”
– Boyd K. Packer
“The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished , and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
– Joseph Smith
“Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.”
– Francis of Assisi*
“I wanted to thunder and roar out the Gospel to all nations. It burned in my bones like fire pent up… Nothing would satisfy me but to cry abroad in the world, what the Lord was doing in the latter days.”
– Brigham Young
“You know no more concerning the destinies of this church and kingdom than a babe upon its mother’s lap. You don’t comprehend it… This church will fill North and South America. It will fill the world.”
– Joseph Smith
“Live in such a way that people who know you but don’t know Christ will want to know Christ because of you.”
– H. David Burton
“The first great commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, might, mind, and strength; and the second was like unto it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. And the best way in the world to show our love for our neighbor is to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which He has given us an absolute knowledge concerning its divinity.”
– Heber J. Grant
“Every member a missionary!”
– David O. McKay
“Apparently [President Moyle] had been told that some missionaries in the mission had said that they had their ‘free agency’ and therefore didn’t have to get up at six in the morning unless they wanted to. President Moyle explained that it had been [their] right to choose whether [they] served a mission or not, but now, having chosen to serve a mission, [they] had exhausted [their] agency on that matter. [The missionaries] now had no right but to get up in the morning and do the other things required of a good missionary.”
– Joseph Fielding McConkie
“A most significant evidence of our conversion and of how we feel about the gospel in our own lives is our willingness to share it with others.”
– M. Russell Ballard
“There remain, however, areas of the world where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely. As did President Spencer W. Kimball over 32 years ago, I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel. As we prayed then . . . we saw miracles unfold as country after country . . . was opened. Such will transpire again as we pray with faith.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“If the missionaries do it alone, they will knock on doors day after day and the harvest will be meager. Or as members we can assist them in finding and teaching investigators. . . . Brothers and Sisters, all of you out in the wards and stakes and in the districts and branches, I invite you to become a vast army with enthusiasm for this work and a great overarching desire to . . . carry the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.”
– Gordon B. Hinckley
“You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is. You must be sure if you would rescue the man, that you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul.”
– Harold B. Lee
“Remember that when you help another up a mountain, you are a little nearer the top yourself.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.”
– Joseph Smith
“Missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the Priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are and that is why we are here – today and always.”
– David A. Bednar
“When I was a missionary in London fifty years ago, my companion and I would shake hands in the morning and say to one another, ‘Life is good’. Life in the service of the Lord is good. It is beautiful. It is rewarding.”
– Gordon B. Hinckley
“I have asked mission presidents in many parts of the world this question: ‘How many missionaries do you have in your mission who are really spiritual and also lazy?’ There isn’t one in all the world. Laziness and spirituality don’t go together. The most spiritual people I know are also some of the hardest working people I have ever met. So if you want to increase your level of spirituality, work hard. Magnify your callings within the church. Really work!”
– Joe J. Christensen
“Preaching and talking mean but very little unless our lives are lived in perfect harmony with our teachings.”
– Heber J. Grant
“If you want to give light to others you have to glow yourself.”
– Thomas S. Monson
“The most persuasive gospel tract is the exemplary life of a Latter-day Saint.”
– Gordon B. Hinckley
“Sharing the gospel is not a burden but a joy. What we call ‘member missionary work’ is not a program but an attitude of love and outreach to help those around us. It is also an opportunity to witness how we feel about the restored gospel of our Savior.”
– Dallin H. Oaks
“You are already wonderful missionaries, better than you think you are, and there is more where that comes from! The 12-hour-a-day, heavy-duty effort we’ll leave to the full-time missionaries, but why should they have all the fun? We are entitled to a seat at the abundant table of testimony as well, and fortunately a place has been reserved there for each member of the Church. . . . Above all else we can live the gospel. Surely there is no more powerful missionary message we can send to this world than the example of a loving and happy Latter-day Saint life. The manner and bearing, the smile and kindness of a faithful member of the Church brings a warmth and an outreach which no missionary tract or videotape can convey. People do nor join the Church because of what they know. They join because of what they feel, what they see and want spiritually. Our spirit of testimony and happiness in that regard will come through to others if we let it.”
– Jeffrey R. Holland
“Forget yourself and go to work.”
– Bryant S. Hinckley
“Missionaries leave their families for two years so that others can be with their families forever.”
– Unknown
“We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”
– Madeline L’Engle