Monday, June 8, 2015

Missionary Work (Talk)

Sunday (5/31/15)
Sacrament Meeting Talk
By: Elder Blake Morgan
Based on a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard titled, "Stay In the Boat and Hold On!"
(LDS General Conference, October 2014)


"The Lord in His goodness has provided help, including a boat, essential supplies such as life jackets, and experienced river guides who give guidance and safety instructions to help us make our way down the river of life to our final destination."

Three rules:
Rule number one:      Stay in the boat!
Rule number two:      Always wear a life jacket!
Rule number three:   Always hold on with both hands!

The boat sounds like a big help, especially when the waters outside the boat are rough and dangerous. Now, wouldn't you want to invite other people to join you in the safety of the boat? [As member missionaries, we are inviting those we care about to join us in the safety of the boat.]

In 2003, Elder Ballard gave a talk about member missionary work. In it, he states that we are all commanded to do missionary work and he follows with examples of how to go about doing so. 

[The first missionaries were called by the Savior himself.]

John 21:15-17 (Bible)
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him a third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

If we love Jesus Christ, we must feed his sheep. What does it mean to feed His sheep? It means we must share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, having a sincere desire to help bring them closer unto Jesus Christ.

D&C 88:81 (Doctrine and Covenants)
Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

We are commanded by God to warn others now that we have been warned. Elder Ballard teaches that through missionary work "we're not marketing a product. We're not selling anything. We're not trying to impress anyone with our numbers or our growth. We are members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, empowered and sent forth by the Lord Himself to find, nourish, and bring safely into His Church those who are seeking to know the truth."

Missionary work can be hard. Elder Ballard has three suggestions to overcome the challenges:
  1. We must exercise our faith and pray individually and as families.
  2. Leaders must lead by example.
  3. Member missionary work does not require the development of strategies or gimmicks. It does require faith--real faith and trust in the Lord.
As you reach out to others, share the gospel out of love. 

The Church would not have grown without missionaries and the sacrifices they make. Missionary work is hard with or without a name tag. The sacrifice may be stepping our of your comfort zone. If there is anything we [the ward missionaries] can do to help, send us a text message or give us a call. 

Here is one idea on how you can share the gospel: sharing the gospel online is convenient and fast.
  • LDS.org->Share the Gospel
  • Mormon Messages (short and powerful)
  • Hashtags
We should remember that missionary work is service and a display of love.

Mosiah 2:17 (Book of Mormon)
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Matthew 22:37-39 (Bible)
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Elder Morgan concluded with his own testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


LDS Vocabulary

Talk in Sacrament Meeting 
10-20 minute sermon in a Sunday Worship service.

Elder M. Russell Ballard
A significant church leader. A member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; one of the most senior leaders in the LDS church.

General Conference 
A bi-annual event for the LDS Church which is broadcast worldwide to all members of the church. The conference is held the first weekend in April and October, with multiple sessions.

D&C (Doctrine & Covenants)
This book of scripture is a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days. Although most of the sections are directed to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the messages, warnings, and exhortations are for the benefit of all mankind and contain an invitation to all people everywhere to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking to them for their temporal well-being and their everlasting salvation.

Member Missionary
All members of the church may perform missionary work in their own lives by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with their friends and neighbors. Members often visit with less active members, and share the gospel with part-member families. Member missionary work is carried out in love and with great respect for those they interact with. It is motivated by sincere love, and a desire for family, friends and neighbors to find greater happiness in this life and eternal joy in the life to come.


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