Ezra Taft Benson (left) British Mission 1921-1923I have often wondered the meaning of the parable where the Lord has a keeper give positions to many men at different hours--the third hour, the sixth hour, the ninth hour and even the eleventh hour--and I have wondered there if the Lord was trying to tell us that new converts may also proselyte as well as the "born in the wool" people. Is the Lord trying to tell us that stake missionary work is vital and important? (Spencer W. Kimball, "Lengthening Our Stride," Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 3 October 1974).
Some years ago a friend of mine was called on stake mission. His daily work was managing a sizable supermarket. One of his customers was an elderly woman of means and prestige in the community. My friend developed a genuine empathy for her, did everything he could to express his appreciation for her patronage, and tried to fill her every request; he made it a point to carry her groceries to her car, open the car door for her, and see her homeward bound. He always smiled, spoke kind and gracious words, and gave her a friendly wave of the hand. She loved him for his friendly, helpful expressions of good will.
To his surprise, he happened to knock on her door one night while tracting with his stake missionary companion. She opened the door cautiously at first, then, seeing who was there, opened the door wider and happily exclaimed, "What a pleasant surprise!"
He explained that he was not wearing his grocery man's hat that night but was calling on her as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She said in response that she had her own religion, that for years she had refused to listen to the Representatives of the Mormon Church and had no interest in its message. But she exclaimed, "With you, it is different. Please come in. I want to hear what you, a splendid Christian gentleman, have to say."
That was only the beginning. We don't need to tell the whole story. It is enough to say that she joined the Church and loves it--because her heart was softened by this outstanding Latter-day Saint.
His experience illustrates the second point to effectively reaching those who are supposedly unreceptive--build a bridge of friendship before the subject of religion and Church involvement in broached. A relationship first established on the basis of good feelings will help to dissolve fears, uncertainties, and antagonisms and will open doors to understanding and acceptance of the gospel. (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Worth of One," Ensign, [January 1983]: 19).
In every district, in every mission, in every stake, there should be stake or local mission groups. Every man should give to the people his testimony. Every one of you, every one of you should be a missionary in addition to whatever else you are doing. You have neighbors, you have friends, you have fellow workers; it's your responsibility. You cannot go into eternity and look the Lord in the face if you've done nothing toward teaching the gospel to others. Have your wives do the same. Have your children do the same. Little children have brought thousands of people into the Church—little girls and little boys who have invited their friends to go to Primary. And that is the seed from which a great orchard has grown, and many converts. (Spencer W. Kimball, Sao Paulo Brazil Area Conference, 1 March 1975).
When missionaries are called to serve locally, great benefits accrue to the Church in local areas. First, the missionaries can speak the language fluently so that no language training is necessary. Second, the acceptance by local people to the missionaries of their own nationality is superior to the reception received by non-nationals. Third, the great benefit which the missionaries themselves receive through their mission experience is not exported from the local area but serves to strengthen and build the kingdom in the homeland. Thus, there must be increased emphasis on the preparation of young men and women to step forward and carry the missionary responsibility in their own lands. (Ezra Taft Benson, Language Training Mission Groundbreaking. Provo, Utah. 18 July 1974).
Do you know what stake mission leaders and stake missionaries spend more time doing than anything else? Our research shows it is attending meetings, planning, and coordinating. These are good things, but sometimes we spend too much time reporting what we have done or planning what we will do. In contrast, stake mission leaders and stake missionaries invest considerably less time in what makes the most difference: personally interacting with their nonmember and less-active member friends and converts. (M. Russell Ballard, “Members are the Key.” Ensign, [September 2000]: ).
Individual missionary work on the part of active members conforms to the Lord’s way with indifferent Church members and with non-members alike. In the Doctrine and Covenants we have the word of the Lord as follows:
“Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads” (D&C 88:81-82).
From this revelation, I understand that the Lord expects every person who has received the gospel to be a missionary for him throughout his life—-not necessarily go abroad by special call only, but to seek opportunity to preach the gospel to his non-member neighbors as well. We should not be afraid to offer to our neighbors or any person who is desirous of obtaining salvation, that which, if accepted, and its precepts followed, will be to them as valuable as it is to us, which is of more value than anything else in life or than life itself. (George F. Richards, Conference Report, April 1950, p. 24).
As disciples of Christ, we need to feel genuine charity for one another. As we do, new light will come into our own lives. This charity is essential in missionary work, but we must never allow ourselves to treat our neighbors only as potential converts. We have had the sad experience of seeing members of the Church who attempted to convert their neighbors and friends and, when they did not respond, withdrew their friendship and neighborliness. We must not be so anxious to share the gospel that we become insensitive to the feelings of others. (Russell M. Nelson, LDS General Conference, October 1988).
I am very serious about this great missionary work and about all the other phases of the program. The General Authorities go out each week to teach the people of the stakes how to organize and train and teach. We want to look after every phase of the gospel program, not just the missionary work, but that is basic, isn't it, because if we fail to get converts, the Church would dry up, eventually it would dry up and blow away. We have to have new people coming into the Church always, and if they have strong testimonies, then they are able to carry forward. (Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 2 October 1975, p. 12).
There is no question but that many are being converted in great numbers within the stakes and missions in the Church, but we must always have clear in our minds that we are not out just to make records of the number of baptisms. Our success will be measured not by how many baptisms we have made, but by how many we have brought into the Church who are now becoming active and faithful Church members. (Harold B. Lee, Munich Germany Area Conference, August 1973).
We cannot stress too strongly the need to do missionary work within the framework of priesthood correlation so that investigators are fellowshipped and tied into the programs of the Church in such a way that they become active and faithful members. (Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 4 April 1974).
When people are taught and then fellowshipped with warmth and continued interest until they are integrated into the mainstream of the Church, they are "remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way." (Moroni 6:4.) By working together, stake missionaries and full-time missionaries are able to keep new converts involved as they gain gospel knowledge and a needed testimony. They are also bringing back into fellowship the less active. (David B. Haight, CR O'88, Ensign, [November 1988]: 84).
Some of the brethren have been looking forward to proselyting the Jews. They may not be ready yet, but someday they will to fulfill prophecy. Some have had longing eyes on Israel. Do you know that in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and other large United States cities nearly half of all the Jews in the world live? At least, that's the report that came to us. Now, when the time comes to "go to the Jews," maybe our first and best field is here at home, in stake missionary work as well as full-time. (Spencer W. Kimball, "Lengthening Our Stride," Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 3 October 1974, p. 14).
A Church family in a city or a town anywhere in the world will bring another family into the Church. Soon missionaries are involved. A small branch develops, then wards and a stake. The process goes on and on in a miraculous way with local Saints and missionaries bringing the good tidings and new hope to people everywhere. The Church missionary force will continue to grow. The 25,000 young men now serving will become 35,000, then 50,000. No hand can stop the work. (David B. Haight, CR O'77, Ensign, [November 1977]: 56).
Perhaps the most pleasing note is the new dimension wherein we have some thousands of local missionaries in South America, Europe, the Orient, the South Seas, and elsewhere. They please us mightily by their devotion and their efficiency. The local ones proselyte without language training, and they proselyte without visas generally, and they know their own culture. And we are using local leaders in communities throughout the world. We are finding them to be loyal, effective, and devoted leaders. (Spencer W. Kimball, CR O'75, Ensign, [November 1975]: 6).
We have hundreds of older sisters, for example, serving as full-time missionaries. And there is a need for the labors of everyone. But the rigors of missionary work are real, and I think it fair to say that an elderly adult contemplating a full-time mission would need to be able to find an intense lifestyle a pleasant experience.
Now, when an older couple goes out, these two are companions and have had long experience in pacing themselves. But the same mutual experience is not available when we mix youth and age as companions. Lest I paint a bleak picture, however, I must say that we have had a number of fine older sisters serve successfully in the missions of the Church.
But I would think a much more preferable alternative for most older single adults would be a stake mission. The joys, opportunities, and flexibilities of stake missionary service are very little known throughout the Church. This type of missionary service would represent a much more ideal match-up to many of our people who wish to be involved in full-time or part-time missionary work. We often do not appreciate the fact that missionary work in New York or Texas or Toronto or London or New Zealand is just like calling on nonmember neighbors in your own stake.
One of the outstanding stakes in stake missionary work in Salt Lake Valley had been Millcreek Stake. Recently while there I talked to two lady missionaries who had filled full-time missions elsewhere and were now serving stake missions. Each enthusiastically said that she had been instrumental in bringing twice as many people into the Church as a stake missionary as she has as a full-time missionary. One of the most successful stake missionaries I have ever known was sister Veda Mortimer, wife of George Mortimer, who served as stake president in New Jersey. She asked that the stake and mission presidencies assign her three companions because she wanted to do missionary work most weekdays and weekends. Her success and results were phenomenal.
I think it is significant that President Kimball has placed great emphasis on stake missionary work--and I think many of our people are just now beginning to see and understand the great joy and potential that exist in stake missionary service. I would hope that many, many of our older and middle-aged couples and single adults would wish to discuss such a possibility with their leadership. ("Status Report on Missionary Work: A Conversation with Thomas S. Monson," Ensign, [October 1977]: 12).
If you brethren agree with my thinking in this matter, could we bring concerted action to a "lengthening stride" movement that would bring into the missionary activity the good members of the Church the world around. The approach and the attack will need to be planned very carefully. We will need to impress upon stake, ward, and branch leaders around the globe their opportunity and responsibility. There will be need for strong, well-organized suggestion, and a comprehensive score must be kept as a stimulant to the workers. Such a special, organized, developed program could bring many other of the blessings of the Church to more people as we have said. (Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, April 1975, p. 8).
We feel that we should now encourage stake and district Presidents in such areas of the world as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and Mexico to work diligently for the time when their local missionaries can carry the whole missionary program in their countries, thus freeing additional missionaries to carry the gospel to lands where it is not yet firmly established. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 27-28 June 1974).
When missionaries are called to serve locally, great benefits accrue to the Church in the local areas. First, the missionaries can speak the language fluently so that no language training mission experience is necessary. Second, the acceptance by local people to the missionaries of their own nationality is superior to the reception received by non-nationals. Third, the great benefits which the missionaries themselves receive through their mission experience is not exported from the local area but serves to strengthen and build the kingdom in the homeland.
Thus, there must be increased emphasis on the preparation of young men and women to step forward and carry the missionary responsibility in their own lands. This will free the non-nationals currently serving in their countries for service where the Church is just being established and does not yet have the strength to support itself locally. (Ezra Taft Benson, Language Training Mission Groundbreaking, 18 July 1974).
After a convert's baptism, stake missionaries are responsible for teaching the fellowshipping lessons to assist converts in making the tremendous adjustment that usually comes with baptism into the Church. That adjustment involves leaving old friends, old associates, and old ways. It involves repentance and commitment to better behavior. If we lose only one new convert, it is too great a loss. That loss can be avoided with well-organized stake missions whose missionaries and members work with the converts to assist them in becoming well grounded in the faith. (Gordon B. Hinckley, "There Must be Messengers," Ensign, [October 1987]: 4).
We ought to see that everyone who joins this Church is made welcome, is made to feel at home, has friends in the Church, and has something to do in the Church with which he can grow in faith and faithfulness” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Aruba Meeting, 16 March 2001).
Stake missionary work has limitless possibilities. It is one of our greatest challenges. We urge you to use it to its fullest extent. (Spencer W. Kimball, "Lengthening Our Stride," Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 3 October 1974, p. 12).
Some years ago a friend of mine was called on stake mission. His daily work was managing a sizable supermarket. One of his customers was an elderly woman of means and prestige in the community. My friend developed a genuine empathy for her, did everything he could to express his appreciation for her patronage, and tried to fill her every request; he made it a point to carry her groceries to her car, open the car door for her, and see her homeward bound. He always smiled, spoke kind and gracious words, and gave her a friendly wave of the hand. She loved him for his friendly, helpful expressions of good will.
To his surprise, he happened to knock on her door one night while tracting with his stake missionary companion. She opened the door cautiously at first, then, seeing who was there, opened the door wider and happily exclaimed, "What a pleasant surprise!"
He explained that he was not wearing his grocery man's hat that night but was calling on her as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She said in response that she had her own religion, that for years she had refused to listen to the Representatives of the Mormon Church and had no interest in its message. But she exclaimed, "With you, it is different. Please come in. I want to hear what you, a splendid Christian gentleman, have to say."
That was only the beginning. We don't need to tell the whole story. It is enough to say that she joined the Church and loves it--because her heart was softened by this outstanding Latter-day Saint.
His experience illustrates the second point to effectively reaching those who are supposedly unreceptive--build a bridge of friendship before the subject of religion and Church involvement in broached. A relationship first established on the basis of good feelings will help to dissolve fears, uncertainties, and antagonisms and will open doors to understanding and acceptance of the gospel. (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Worth of One," Ensign, [January 1983]: 19).
In every district, in every mission, in every stake, there should be stake or local mission groups. Every man should give to the people his testimony. Every one of you, every one of you should be a missionary in addition to whatever else you are doing. You have neighbors, you have friends, you have fellow workers; it's your responsibility. You cannot go into eternity and look the Lord in the face if you've done nothing toward teaching the gospel to others. Have your wives do the same. Have your children do the same. Little children have brought thousands of people into the Church—little girls and little boys who have invited their friends to go to Primary. And that is the seed from which a great orchard has grown, and many converts. (Spencer W. Kimball, Sao Paulo Brazil Area Conference, 1 March 1975).
When missionaries are called to serve locally, great benefits accrue to the Church in local areas. First, the missionaries can speak the language fluently so that no language training is necessary. Second, the acceptance by local people to the missionaries of their own nationality is superior to the reception received by non-nationals. Third, the great benefit which the missionaries themselves receive through their mission experience is not exported from the local area but serves to strengthen and build the kingdom in the homeland. Thus, there must be increased emphasis on the preparation of young men and women to step forward and carry the missionary responsibility in their own lands. (Ezra Taft Benson, Language Training Mission Groundbreaking. Provo, Utah. 18 July 1974).
Do you know what stake mission leaders and stake missionaries spend more time doing than anything else? Our research shows it is attending meetings, planning, and coordinating. These are good things, but sometimes we spend too much time reporting what we have done or planning what we will do. In contrast, stake mission leaders and stake missionaries invest considerably less time in what makes the most difference: personally interacting with their nonmember and less-active member friends and converts. (M. Russell Ballard, “Members are the Key.” Ensign, [September 2000]: ).
Individual missionary work on the part of active members conforms to the Lord’s way with indifferent Church members and with non-members alike. In the Doctrine and Covenants we have the word of the Lord as follows:
“Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads” (D&C 88:81-82).
From this revelation, I understand that the Lord expects every person who has received the gospel to be a missionary for him throughout his life—-not necessarily go abroad by special call only, but to seek opportunity to preach the gospel to his non-member neighbors as well. We should not be afraid to offer to our neighbors or any person who is desirous of obtaining salvation, that which, if accepted, and its precepts followed, will be to them as valuable as it is to us, which is of more value than anything else in life or than life itself. (George F. Richards, Conference Report, April 1950, p. 24).
As disciples of Christ, we need to feel genuine charity for one another. As we do, new light will come into our own lives. This charity is essential in missionary work, but we must never allow ourselves to treat our neighbors only as potential converts. We have had the sad experience of seeing members of the Church who attempted to convert their neighbors and friends and, when they did not respond, withdrew their friendship and neighborliness. We must not be so anxious to share the gospel that we become insensitive to the feelings of others. (Russell M. Nelson, LDS General Conference, October 1988).
I am very serious about this great missionary work and about all the other phases of the program. The General Authorities go out each week to teach the people of the stakes how to organize and train and teach. We want to look after every phase of the gospel program, not just the missionary work, but that is basic, isn't it, because if we fail to get converts, the Church would dry up, eventually it would dry up and blow away. We have to have new people coming into the Church always, and if they have strong testimonies, then they are able to carry forward. (Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 2 October 1975, p. 12).
There is no question but that many are being converted in great numbers within the stakes and missions in the Church, but we must always have clear in our minds that we are not out just to make records of the number of baptisms. Our success will be measured not by how many baptisms we have made, but by how many we have brought into the Church who are now becoming active and faithful Church members. (Harold B. Lee, Munich Germany Area Conference, August 1973).
We cannot stress too strongly the need to do missionary work within the framework of priesthood correlation so that investigators are fellowshipped and tied into the programs of the Church in such a way that they become active and faithful members. (Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 4 April 1974).
When people are taught and then fellowshipped with warmth and continued interest until they are integrated into the mainstream of the Church, they are "remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way." (Moroni 6:4.) By working together, stake missionaries and full-time missionaries are able to keep new converts involved as they gain gospel knowledge and a needed testimony. They are also bringing back into fellowship the less active. (David B. Haight, CR O'88, Ensign, [November 1988]: 84).
Some of the brethren have been looking forward to proselyting the Jews. They may not be ready yet, but someday they will to fulfill prophecy. Some have had longing eyes on Israel. Do you know that in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and other large United States cities nearly half of all the Jews in the world live? At least, that's the report that came to us. Now, when the time comes to "go to the Jews," maybe our first and best field is here at home, in stake missionary work as well as full-time. (Spencer W. Kimball, "Lengthening Our Stride," Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 3 October 1974, p. 14).
A Church family in a city or a town anywhere in the world will bring another family into the Church. Soon missionaries are involved. A small branch develops, then wards and a stake. The process goes on and on in a miraculous way with local Saints and missionaries bringing the good tidings and new hope to people everywhere. The Church missionary force will continue to grow. The 25,000 young men now serving will become 35,000, then 50,000. No hand can stop the work. (David B. Haight, CR O'77, Ensign, [November 1977]: 56).
Perhaps the most pleasing note is the new dimension wherein we have some thousands of local missionaries in South America, Europe, the Orient, the South Seas, and elsewhere. They please us mightily by their devotion and their efficiency. The local ones proselyte without language training, and they proselyte without visas generally, and they know their own culture. And we are using local leaders in communities throughout the world. We are finding them to be loyal, effective, and devoted leaders. (Spencer W. Kimball, CR O'75, Ensign, [November 1975]: 6).
We have hundreds of older sisters, for example, serving as full-time missionaries. And there is a need for the labors of everyone. But the rigors of missionary work are real, and I think it fair to say that an elderly adult contemplating a full-time mission would need to be able to find an intense lifestyle a pleasant experience.
Now, when an older couple goes out, these two are companions and have had long experience in pacing themselves. But the same mutual experience is not available when we mix youth and age as companions. Lest I paint a bleak picture, however, I must say that we have had a number of fine older sisters serve successfully in the missions of the Church.
But I would think a much more preferable alternative for most older single adults would be a stake mission. The joys, opportunities, and flexibilities of stake missionary service are very little known throughout the Church. This type of missionary service would represent a much more ideal match-up to many of our people who wish to be involved in full-time or part-time missionary work. We often do not appreciate the fact that missionary work in New York or Texas or Toronto or London or New Zealand is just like calling on nonmember neighbors in your own stake.
One of the outstanding stakes in stake missionary work in Salt Lake Valley had been Millcreek Stake. Recently while there I talked to two lady missionaries who had filled full-time missions elsewhere and were now serving stake missions. Each enthusiastically said that she had been instrumental in bringing twice as many people into the Church as a stake missionary as she has as a full-time missionary. One of the most successful stake missionaries I have ever known was sister Veda Mortimer, wife of George Mortimer, who served as stake president in New Jersey. She asked that the stake and mission presidencies assign her three companions because she wanted to do missionary work most weekdays and weekends. Her success and results were phenomenal.
I think it is significant that President Kimball has placed great emphasis on stake missionary work--and I think many of our people are just now beginning to see and understand the great joy and potential that exist in stake missionary service. I would hope that many, many of our older and middle-aged couples and single adults would wish to discuss such a possibility with their leadership. ("Status Report on Missionary Work: A Conversation with Thomas S. Monson," Ensign, [October 1977]: 12).
If you brethren agree with my thinking in this matter, could we bring concerted action to a "lengthening stride" movement that would bring into the missionary activity the good members of the Church the world around. The approach and the attack will need to be planned very carefully. We will need to impress upon stake, ward, and branch leaders around the globe their opportunity and responsibility. There will be need for strong, well-organized suggestion, and a comprehensive score must be kept as a stimulant to the workers. Such a special, organized, developed program could bring many other of the blessings of the Church to more people as we have said. (Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, April 1975, p. 8).
We feel that we should now encourage stake and district Presidents in such areas of the world as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and Mexico to work diligently for the time when their local missionaries can carry the whole missionary program in their countries, thus freeing additional missionaries to carry the gospel to lands where it is not yet firmly established. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 27-28 June 1974).
When missionaries are called to serve locally, great benefits accrue to the Church in the local areas. First, the missionaries can speak the language fluently so that no language training mission experience is necessary. Second, the acceptance by local people to the missionaries of their own nationality is superior to the reception received by non-nationals. Third, the great benefits which the missionaries themselves receive through their mission experience is not exported from the local area but serves to strengthen and build the kingdom in the homeland.
Thus, there must be increased emphasis on the preparation of young men and women to step forward and carry the missionary responsibility in their own lands. This will free the non-nationals currently serving in their countries for service where the Church is just being established and does not yet have the strength to support itself locally. (Ezra Taft Benson, Language Training Mission Groundbreaking, 18 July 1974).
After a convert's baptism, stake missionaries are responsible for teaching the fellowshipping lessons to assist converts in making the tremendous adjustment that usually comes with baptism into the Church. That adjustment involves leaving old friends, old associates, and old ways. It involves repentance and commitment to better behavior. If we lose only one new convert, it is too great a loss. That loss can be avoided with well-organized stake missions whose missionaries and members work with the converts to assist them in becoming well grounded in the faith. (Gordon B. Hinckley, "There Must be Messengers," Ensign, [October 1987]: 4).
We ought to see that everyone who joins this Church is made welcome, is made to feel at home, has friends in the Church, and has something to do in the Church with which he can grow in faith and faithfulness” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Aruba Meeting, 16 March 2001).
Stake missionary work has limitless possibilities. It is one of our greatest challenges. We urge you to use it to its fullest extent. (Spencer W. Kimball, "Lengthening Our Stride," Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 3 October 1974, p. 12).
