Why Mission Presidents' Should Love Their Missionaries

Mission presidents are instructed by the General Authorities constantly to love their missionaries and to love the people in their mission fields. I remember my own mission president M. Russell Ballard telling us continually that we must love the people we serve and of his love for us his missionaries. He really loved the people of Toronto and the country of Canada. CTM missionaries are still considered like children to him. He checks up on us from time to time to make sure we are on track in the gospel. He even reads this blog from time to time.

Russell Ballard liked to pride himself on the fact that he never lost a single missionary. He told me once that President Thomas S. Monson had a similar record back in the 1960s when he was president and he intended to go home with a similar record. President Ballard was not a mamby pamby kind of guy. He had some challenging missionaries including me that wore his patience thin. His approach to love was pretty straight. He would tell you what he thought was right. If he didn't like something you did or said he would poke you in the sternum to get your attention. You knew he always cared about you. Today the majority of us former missionaries still attend the Ballard mission reunions in the fall in the Holladay Stake Center even though more thirty years has passed. There are many times over half the missionaries there coming from distant states. He recently started preparing us for his death by asking us to keep the missions alive when he is gone. None of us believe he will die for many years but I know I will still go out of respect and love.

A couple of years ago the CTM missionaries and members wrote comments in a 30 year tribute volume for the Ballards and seventy percent of our missionaries said: "You are just like a father to me." Mission presidents must love their missionaries like their own children. Loving your missionaries can make a difference in the lives of missionaries. Missionaries whose mission presidents love them become as fathers to them.

The first thing mission presidents should do when a new missionary arrives is to tell them they love them and how much they appreciate the elder of sister being there.

Ezra Taft Bensons suggests: "Greater emphasis should be given by mission Presidents to the kind of welcome and orientation their new missionaries receive when they arrive in the mission field. As an example, the spirit of a mission is immediately conveyed to the new elder by the way he is greeted at the plane. How he is received by the mission president and his wife, and the spirit that is conveyed by the mission family and by the mission staff have a tremendous impact on a new missionary. Mission Presidents should be fully and personally involved in the orientation of their new missionaries and should spend ample time in addressing them as a group and interviewing them individually. The new missionaries need to feel the spirit and love and concern of the man who will be leading them for the next two years, and this responsibility should not be delegated. It is important that mission Presidents do all in their power to first save their missionaries. Then, their missionaries will be capable of saving others. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 21 June 1975).


The staff should greet the missionaries with open arms, with love in their hearts, with "Elder, or Sister, welcome to the greatest mission in the Church. It's great to have you with us. We're delighted you're here. You're going to love it." How much better is that than to try to lord it over the new missionaries or make them feel that they are "greenies," that the staff knows everything and the new missionaries know little or nothing about missionary work. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 21 June 1975)."

My favorite quote on the subject of loving missionaries is by Ezra Taft Benson, who says to mission presidents: "President Harold B. Lee once instructed a group of new mission presidents to "save the missionaries and they will save the people." The key to saving anyone is to love them. It is still true that "a person doesn't care how much you know as long as he knows how much you care." (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, Salt Lake City, Utah, 25 June 1986)."

Use your zone conferences to express love for your missionaries: "Of course, every six to eight weeks, you will be interviewing each missionary at zone conference. These personal interviews and counseling sessions are vital to a missionary's success. He will feel of your genuine love for him, your trust in him, and your expectations of him. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1986)."

President Benson also suggested: "You can share your genuine love and concern for your missionaries in other ways: Read carefully his weekly letters to you. This reading should never be delegated to anyone. Read these letters with the Spirit and with discernment. A short follow-up letter from you to a particular missionary speaks volumes.

Always make your own transfers of missionaries. You can receive helpful suggestions from your assistants, but because you know best the missionaries and their needs, you should personally make the transfers. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1986).

He also said: " The philosophy of a mission president should be, "Once you're my missionary, you're always my missionary," and he should be as concerned about his missionaries' salvation after their missions as during their missions. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 21 June 1975)."

Henry D. Taylor said something very profound: "As we have called missionaries, also branch and district presidencies and others to positions of leadership and responsibility, we have pointed out to them that "often men are called not for what they are, but for what they may become." Now, it is an easy thing to give advice and counsel like that. Sometimes those words come back to us, so in giving counsel it might be well to keep in mind this adage, to "let our words be sweet and tender because tomorrow we might have to eat them." (Henry D. Taylor, Conference Report, April 1958, p. 122)."

Thomas S. Monson instructs mission presidents: "The Lord will bless you as you look upon each of these young men and women as your son or daughter. I always feel comforted when a mission president has a son or daughter in another mission. All of a sudden, he is much more understanding of what missionaries will do, and much more anxious to save the missionary, rather than transfer him somewhere else. Take care of these precious missionaries. (Thomas S. Monson, [Mission Presidents’ Seminar], Church News, [30 June 1990]: 7)."

Spencer W. Kimball says: "We hope that you will love your missionaries and cause them to love you, for love turns the wheels of this world. Make them your sons and daughters as did Paul make his fellow workers. He said of them, Timothy and others,"...my own son in the faith...my own beloved son..."

I hope that all are your beloved sons, for love will develop far more than critical leadership. I wish that every missionary would love his mission president as I did Samuel O. Bennion, who presided over me, for though I somewhat feared him, I respected his judgment, accepted his recommendations and did my utmost to sustain him fully. I loved my mission president. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 20 June 1975, p. 5)."

According to Joseph B. Wirthlin the key to motivating missionaries is teaching them to love the things the Lord does: "Help your missionaries see that they must come to love the things the Lord loves. Their obedience, their service, their commitment will then grow from love for the Lord and not from fear, or habit, or desire to measure up to parents' expectations.

This begins to stretch their hearts to love God's children. . . . Let us never forget that love is the essence and evidence of a true disciple. (Joseph B. Wirthlin, [Mission Presidents’ Seminar], Church News, [30 June 1990]: 4)."

Gordon B. Hinckley says to never give up on your missionaries: "We send you with love and our prayers and our respect and our confidence, charging you to love your missionaries and work with them. Take care of them. Do not give up on them. Work with them. Love them into activity. Love them into righteousness. Love them into obedience. Be a father to them. Be as a mother to them. Be kind to them. They will never forget you. They will remember you all the days of their lives. They will name their children after you. They will send you wedding invitations, more than you want to receive. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 23 June 2000)."

President Kimball talks about why he loved his own mission president: "These young missionaries are precious, fresh, new, unsullied, and impressionable. It is our hope that you may be able to return every one of them without exception to his home at the termination of his mission with a strong testimony and a clean upright life. He will grow up and love you as his parents, mission president, and his wife, as I have loved my mission president all of my life. These budding flowers will become completed buildings, completed workers. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, June 1977)."

Thomas S. Monson tells mission president that love is like the Balm of Gilead: "I bear witness to you that we're led by a prophet and that indeed; the gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest and most beautiful pearl that we shall ever experience by feel, by sight, by hearing. Let us remember that the great trait of the Savior's which will guide you in the darkest day on your mission, as well as the brightest sunlit day, is the principle of love. Please keep this uppermost in all of your activities, and you will return as Brigham Young said, "Bearing your sheaves with you."

I bear witness to you that love is the "balm of Gilead,” . . . the formula for success for any mission president and his wife called today, yesterday or who will be called tomorrow. (Thomas S. Monson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, Church News, [30 June 1990]: 7).

Ezra Taft Benson says even if a missionary needs discipline do it with love: "Give sincere praise and encouragement. If discipline is ever necessary, discipline the missionary with love and not by degrading him. Be a good listener. Encourage him to tell you what is in his heart. Be genuinely concerned about his welfare. Make notes of items discussed in interviews that you wish to follow up on in future sessions. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1986)."

President Benson also said: "You can share your genuine love and concern for your missionaries in other ways:

Read carefully his weekly letters to you. This reading should never be delegated to anyone. Read these letters with the Spirit and with discernment. A short follow-up letter from you to a particular missionary speaks volumes.

Always make your own transfers of missionaries. You can receive helpful suggestions from your assistants, but because you know best the missionaries and their needs, you should personally make the transfers. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1986).

Finally President Benson tells mission presidents to express appreciation to an elder as he goes home for a job well done: "As a missionary comes to the close of his mission, your final interview with him should be a spiritual experience for both of you. Let him know how much you appreciate his missionary service, how much you love him, and how proud you are of him. Let him know that he will always be your missionary and that you expect him to continue to be an excellent member of the Church all of his life and to live as he has taught others to live. And let him know that as you meet him again in the months and years ahead, your greatest concern for him will always be "Are you faithful?"

Yes, I would challenge you to love your missionaries with all your heart and to be genuinely concerned about their spiritual welfare, now and always. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1986)."

He should also teach them to love the scriptures. "Missionaries, you must learn to love the scriptures. Mission Presidents, you can help your missionaries by referring to the scriptures often and by personally showing them the application of the scriptures in missionary work. Do this and missionaries will come to love certain scriptures which give them inspiration and motivation. (Ezra Taft Benson, "Keys to Successful Missionary Work," Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 20 June 1979)."

One of the greatest things a mission president can do to show his elders and sisters he loves them is to stay in touch with them on a weekly basis. Ezra Taft Benson says: "I strongly recommend that a mission president correspond with all of his missionaries through periodic circular letters (not a monthly publication). This can help build a great spirit in the mission. If the letters are written with the spirit of love and encouragement, they will help tremendously in keeping the enthusiasm of the missionaries high and help them to remain faithful and effective. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 21 June 1975)."

I agree with John Maxwell who said: "“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I think the best way to motivate missionaries is to show genuine concern for them. Mission presidents need to remember their missionaries in their prayers and stay in touch with them. Communication between mission president and missionaries develops a relationship of caring.

In my own field three men have now gone on to become mission presidents. I think they were exceptional leaders because of the example of one of the greatest missionaries in my opinion of all times--M. Russell Ballard. Russell Ballard loves his boys. All mission presidents would do well to follow his example.

Role of Mission Presidents in Shaping and Motivating Missionaries

One the major things that mission presidents do is to shape the lives of their missionaries by motivating them to serve well. My mission president M. Russell Ballard used to tell us missionaries that the reason we had zone conferences was so he could motivate us to keep working. He told us that missionaries were like a wind-up toy that unwound as we went through the days between conferences from rejection, the cold winters in Canada and the hard work required to sustain our missionary efforts. President Ballard told us that he wished he had a magic wand so he could tap us with it and we would be miraculously wound up and able to go out like the Energizer bunnies.

Gerald J. Day in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism says: "The mission president trains, counsels, assigns, and gives spiritual support to each missionary.... The mission president, under supervision from Church headquarters, establishes mission rules, study patterns, goals, and discipline. His assignment requires constant travel to zone conferences, which are also testimony meetings, at least every six to eight weeks. The president and his wife have direct contact with the missionaries by phone, mail, and personal visits. They continually foster programs of goodwill, service, and understanding."

President Spencer W. Kimball was very clear on the point: "Speaking of the motivating of people, and getting them to work, that's our responsibility--to give. Eloquent sermons may brighten the life; to use expressive words may stimulate; but the evidence of our greatness, the proof of our effectiveness is in the area of motivation, to get them to do something.

I think Brother [Robert]Simpson brought me a little card which is on my desk yet: "Do it!" And I like the thought that is behind it, and I think you need to have one of them on your desk, and when an idea comes to you, get busy and "Do it!" And find a way, if there isn't already one.

If we can stir our leaders in the stakes and the missions to set higher goals and encourage them in their accomplishments, we have proved our mettle. If we can stir missionary leaders to get their missionaries to awaken their souls and then, in turn, to motivate the people to believe and repent; then we have achieved. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 23 June 1978)."

President Kimball clearly taught mission presidents to set the example: "Mission presidents and regional representatives must realize that you can never light a candle unless there is A SPARK FROM WITHIN YOURSELF. You can never give the priesthood unless you have it. You can never convey enthusiasm without a liberal supply. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 27 June 1974)."

President Gordon B. Hinckley tells mission presidents: "I hope, my brothers and sisters, that you can infuse your missionaries with the spirit of capturing every great opportunity that comes their way.... They will have disappointments; you’ll have disappointments. Discouragement can become contagious. You must rise above it and lift those about you. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “First Presidency Trains Mission Presidents,” Ensign, [September 1999]: 76)."

He also told them in 1996 at the mission presidents' seminar: "I would hope that as mission presidents, if you did nothing else during the time you’re in the field, you would strive to create within the lives, the hearts, the souls of your missionaries, a love for Jesus the Christ."

In encouraging the new leaders to create a love for the Savior in their missionaries’ hearts, President Hinckley observed that such a love can come from reading the Bible and the Book of Mormon and by pondering and practicing what one reads.

President Spencer W. Kimball had lots of good advice on how to motivate missionaries: "Millions of people have spoken of Paul and Peter and James and John. You new mission Presidents are to be trusted now with these many precious souls, local and foreign and it will be your privilege to lead these numerous missionaries to the fountain of truth unsullied, unfolded in the majesty of light and splendor from the opening heavens in all the simplicity of its nature. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, June 1977)."

President Kimball said that mission presidents are creators of men: "As a mission president, you will be set apart by a member of the First Presidency of the Church or of the Council of the Twelve to stand foursquare on your own feet with your advisor and supervisor to do the important work in this great day.

You become a kind of creator, taking new people who have been differently trained and making them great leaders and inspired family people, to love the Lord, the Master.

It will be your privilege to take hundreds of boys, barely out of their swaddling clothes, sometimes spoiled and pampered boys, and to change their lives. Yes, to change their lives, to make their lives richer and more meaningful.

You become a creator in the sense that you take the unimproved, untrained, uninspired, sometimes selfish young men, and in two years make of them adults, sons of God. You will take of these young men, unpolished shafts, and make them smooth and attractive. You will, in fact, make of these young men hunters and fishers as spoken of by Jeremiah, for you will act with the Missionary Committee and for the Lord wherein he said: "Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." (Jeremiah 16:16). You will inspire them that they may so for the Lord what he did when he was on the earth. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1976)."

He says to mission presidents "You are not ordinary people. You have been selected from numerous great men and women, and we deem you and your wives to be very special leaders in the kingdom. We expect to turn over to you a goodly share of the missionaries for your care and keeping and training, about 150 to 200 in each one of your missions. They are promising young men and women, and we expect that you, by example and precept, will give them a careful training and leadership which will make them faithful, able, efficient, well-trained leaders in Church government for the rest of their lives." (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 20 June 1975, p. 1).

He also says to make sure they have meaningful assignments: "It will be your responsibility to see that the missionaries are inspired, motivated, and indoctrinated. It will be your responsibility to see that the schedules are stimulating and productive. It will be your responsibility to see that your missionaries do not waste time and that you do not use the missionaries generally for errand boys of extra, unnecessary work. There must not be a waste of manpower; there should not be six or eight or ten missionaries in the mission home doing the work there when three or four can do it. Missionaries in the office should also be proselyting missionaries in every mission. Sometimes the productive work of missionaries is diluted as would be a liquid poured into a sieve. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 20 June 1975, p. 4)."

Gordon B. Hinckley in "We Have a Work to Do" explains: "[A] factor that substantially blesses missionaries so that they may be productive in their sacred service is the caliber of men we have presiding over the missions. Those who serve in these capacities are not novices; they and their wives are mature brothers and sisters of broad experience. They stand as leaders and advisers, teaching the young missionaries and counseling older couples who come to them, protecting them from pitfalls into which they might stumble. (Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Have A Work To Do," Ensign, (February 1988): 5).

He also tells mission presidents to rise above discouragement and see the positive of their overall mission experience: "You are going to get discouraged in this service. I have no doubt of it. I hope you do. It will humble you down a bit. There will be no arrogance in the face of discouragement. But look ahead, my dear brethren and sisters, look ahead to the years down the line and see the flowering of your effort. Because as surely as the sun rises in the morning, this work will come into flower in the missions where you serve. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 23 June 2000)."

President Thomas S. Monson says about missionary success: "Now, a word about mission presidents. Their philosophy is that of a teacher who says, “No one fails in my class.” They’re responsible for the missionaries’ success. Every missionary wants success, and the mission president shows how to achieve success.

He helps each missionary to work, but more significant yet, he helps each one to work effectively so that the kingdom of God will grow under his inspired direction. Remember: “I am with you always,” said the Lord (Matthew 28:20). In addition, the great promise found in the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants is yours: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (v. 88)." (Thomas S. Monson, “The Five M’s of Missionary Work,” New Era, [March 2007]: 45).

Robert D. Hales suggests devoted service and testimony can lift missionaries up: "We don't give our testimony, and lives in death in the same manner that Joseph Smith, the martyred Prophet, gave his life. Rather, we give testimony by devoted service in our lives each day to live and to strengthen others. If your missionaries can understand this principle of the gospel, it will make them successful not only on their missions but for the rest of their lives. (Robert D. Hales," Mission Presidents’ Seminar: Apostles Counsel Embarking Leaders," Church News, [2 July 1994]: 5)."

Dallin H. Oaks tell mission presidents they should lead by the Spirit: "A few years ago I heard an illuminating admission by a mission president. He was an educator by profession. When he left his professional position and took up his duties as a mission president, he brought large stacks of professional materials on training and leadership. He intended to use these materials to help his missionaries. At his first mission leadership meeting, he assigned several zone leaders to present some of these materials to the assembled missionaries.

As the meeting wore on, the mission president sensed that something important was missing. He realized, he told me later, that he was trying to accomplish his mission leadership training by following a professional model instead of by doing it in the Lord's way. He stopped a missionary in the middle of his presentation, apologized to him and to the group for making the wrong assignment, and asked a missionary to bear his testimony. As they went forward this new way, the Spirit of the Lord settled over the meeting. Testimonies and resolves were strengthened, and the necessary leadership training was given. The mission president had learned the importance of doing the Lord's work in the Lord's way. (Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord's Way, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1991, pp.1-2)."

According to Joseph B. Wirthlin the key to motivating missionaries is teaching them to love the things the Lord does: "Help your missionaries see that they must come to love the things the Lord loves. Their obedience, their service, their commitment will then grow from love for the Lord and not from fear, or habit, or desire to measure up to parents' expectations.

This begins to stretch their hearts to love God's children. . . . Let us never forget that love is the essence and evidence of a true disciple. (Joseph B. Wirthlin, [Mission Presidents’ Seminar], Church News, [30 June 1990]: 4)."

Ezra Taft Benson says: "Motivate your missionaries. Let your missionaries know they are engaged in the greatest work in all the world--saving the souls of our Father in Heaven's children. Let them know they have been called by inspiration and revelation to your mission at this time for a sacred and holy purpose--for truly they have. Let them hear from your lips that they are serving exactly where the Lord wants them, that for them they are in the best mission of the Church, that you have every confidence in them and great expectations for them, that they cannot fail in this work, and that they have been called to succeed and succeed they will. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1986)."

He also said on this occasion: "Yes, motivate your missionaries to good works. Expect excellence in their performance. Run a mission that is disciplined but abounds with love--a mission that is on fire, but is sensitive to the individual needs of missionaries.

Let them know of the joy that will fill their hearts when they have taught an investigator with love and with the Spirit, when they have given the baptismal challenge by the Spirit, and when they have seen a wonderful family enter into the waters of baptism. Let them feel of the great missionary spirit of Ammon, who brought thousands of converts into the Church and then exclaimed: "My joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God" (Alma 26:11).

Let them feel of the spirit of the modern day challenging and testifying missionary who prays every morning to "lead me this day to a family that I can fulfill my purpose. I will testify unto them by thy power without hesitancy or fear and will lead them by the power of the Spirit to baptism into thy kingdom."

Motivate your missionaries to labor with all their heart, might, mind and strength--for that is where the joy is--to go home at the end of each day "tired in the Lord" to be renewed by the Lord in the morning.

Motivate your missionaries to be obedient—not because they have to but because they want to in order to receive the blessings of the Lord and to be effective instruments in saving His children. (Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 25 June 1986).

I agree with John Maxwell who said: "“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I think the best way to motivate missionaries is to show genuine concern for them. Mission presidents need to remember their missionaries in their prayers and stay in touch with them. Communication between mission president and missionaries develops a relationship of caring.

Missionary Letters--Daejeon Korea

Anyhow just so you know, a mission is kind of tough and it's not just because I'm a girl. If you can really learn how to pray right now then it will really help you out a lot later. I wonder what it's like for ya'll in Saudi Arabia. I bet it's pretty weird. Anyhow I think your probably a good kid but just so you know the things you decide right now will really define the rest of your life. They probably tell you stuff like that in youth too, but things that seem important and unimportant are all making a difference of who you will be. I think you could be a pretty kick butt missionary. Do what you can to know what God wants you to do in your life. There are a lot of things we don't have control of ( I wish more people would just listen to us) but there are things that no one can make you do. You really are free to make whatever decision you want. The best thing is to follow whatever plan that God made for you. Find out if he loves you. I know he does. Sorry I'm kinda boring because I'm a missionary and I just think about the gospel all the time, but a mission is the best thing I ever did. I love you, write me again

Honorably Excused from an LDS Mission

When I was living in Laie, Hawaii I first became aware of the great growth that a severely challenged person can face. A young man whose father was a professor at BYU-Hawaii spent long hours helping his son prepare to cope in the world as he approached his eighteenth birthday. The local bishops felt he was incapable of having the comprehension to even be baptized. His parents struggled with this but worked diligently with him to make sure he had the basic life skills to survive when one day they would depart from this world. From sixteen to eighteen they took him patiently to a thrift store where he was able to work. He began to gain confidence in his ability. I watched the young man progress so that he was able to tie his shoes, make a basic meal, and hold down a job. It was a marvelous experience seeing his father baptize him on Temple Beach. That day I witnessed a miracle. The man is now in his thirties and still living at home but he had made some great gains in his life's development. He was never able to serve a full-time mission but he is still a wonderful man. One day he will be able to stand alone in this world. There are many young people in the church who face similar obstacles.

Sometimes through no fault a young man is physically or mentally unable to serve a mission. If they are not able to handle a local mission they are excused outright. There are however a large number of young men and young women who are able to function normally. This group has many who can serve local missions.

For the last thirty years leaders have from time to time helped young men and women find service opportunities. In recent years with a larger numbers of missionaries serving it has become more challenging for local leaders particularly with the emphasis on raising the bar find opportunities. Since 2002 there has become a more institutional awareness of the need to provide opportunities for those who want to serve but are turned down from going on a full-time proselyting mission.

Many bishops and stake presidents are trying to find ways for otherwise worthy young men or young women to serve in the church in meaningful ways. Many people who are emotionally or physically challenged can still make worthwhile contributions. There is a growing number of young people who can do much good in their local communities who cannot handle the rigors of the challenging full-time missionary routine. An excellent post The Ammon Approach last week talked about humanitarian aspects of missionary work that these young people could help with.

The First Presidency in a letter dated December 11, 2002 instructed Church leaders about the principles of eligibility for full-time missionary service. The instructions stated: “Full-time missionary service is a privilege for those who are called through inspiration by the President of the Church. Bishops and stake presidents have the serious responsibility to identify worthy, qualified members who are spiritually, physically, and emotionally prepared for this sacred service and who can be recommended without reservation. Those individuals not able to meet the physical, mental, and emotional demands of full-time missionary work are honorably excused and should not be recommended. They may be called to serve in other rewarding capacities.”

David F. Evans of the Seventy says: "We also know that there are some who, for health or other reasons, are honorably excused from service. We love them and know that our Heavenly Father will provide compensating blessings in their lives as they serve in other ways and live faithfully."

L. Aldin Porter of the Seventy expands the concept: "There are some who have significant physical, mental, or emotional problems that would prevent them from accomplishing the demanding work of full-time missions. These individuals should be commended for their desire to serve. They should also be assured that when such circumstances make it difficult or impossible for them to serve full-time missions, they are honorably excused. They should then, of course, be ready to accept, when called, other assignments from their local priesthood leaders. Opportunities to serve in the kingdom of God go far beyond full-time missionary service. Regardless of our health and circumstances, each of us can, with calls from those who preside, find satisfaction in testifying of and assisting the Savior and his kingdom."

Dr. Donald B. Doty, Chairman of Missionary Department Health Services committee tells those with serious physical or mental challenges: "During the course of preparing to serve, prospective missionaries may discover serious physical or emotional issues. Prospective missionaries and their parents should be completely candid in disclosing all health issues and medications on the missionary recommendation application.

Unfortunately, some health problems can present insurmountable obstacles to serving full-time proselytizing missions. The First Presidency has stated: “There are worthy individuals who desire to serve but do not qualify for the physical, mental, or emotional challenges of a mission. We ask stake presidents and bishops to express love and appreciation to these individuals and to honorably excuse them from full-time missionary labors.” In such cases, service missions can be a great blessing, allowing individuals to live at home and receive appropriate medical care while growing and maturing in the service of the Lord. Parents, bishops, and stake presidents can help in encouraging and arranging appropriate opportunities.

Opportunities for service missions can also be found at the Church Web site www.lds.org. Select “Other Resources,” then “Mission and Service Opportunities.” Continuing higher education or technical training to allow better coping with chronic impairment is also an admirable alternative. "

M. Russell Ballard says if a young person cannot serve they need to move forward in their lives: "we recognize that it may not be wise for some of our young men and young women to face the rigors and challenges of a full-time mission. If priesthood leaders excuse any of you from full-time missionary service, we ask you and your families to accept the decision and move forward. You can prepare to participate in the saving ordinances of the temple and find other ways to be of service. And we ask all of our members to be supportive and to show great love and understanding in assisting all of our faithful youth in their various Church callings."

In 2007 Elder Ballard repeated it again in greater detail: "Young men and young women with serious mental, emotional, or physical limitations are excused from full-time missionary service. They shouldn’t feel guilty about that. They are just as precious and important to the Church as if they were able to go into the mission field.

But while they don’t serve full-time, they can take every opportunity to find and help people join the Church. They can be member missionaries in college, at work, and in their neighborhoods. They ought to go forward, have a wonderful and full life, and help build the kingdom wherever they are. Not all of the Apostles serving today were able to serve a full-time mission in their youth, some because they were required to serve in the military. But they all did missionary work. They all brought people into the Church.

Priesthood leaders are encouraged to help every faithful, righteous young man and woman serve. For example, they can assist the bishop as ward missionaries. They could work at a bishops’ storehouse. If they live near a temple, they can serve in many ways there. Priesthood leaders need only think of ways and then move forward."

In 2003 Richard G. Scott offered this advice to the honorably excused: "Your physical or emotional circumstance may be such that you have been excused by the President of the Church from full-time missionary service (see “Statement on Missionary Work” attached to First Presidency letter, 11 Dec. 2002). For you there are other ways to render meaningful service compatible with your condition. Your bishop or stake president can help you identify such service where you live. It could be in a Church family history center, temple, welfare project, employment center, or in a local hospital, care center, shelter, or elsewhere. There are many places where help is needed. You can live at home and contribute powerfully. Such a call can be for a few months or longer. Your stake president will come to know where you should serve and for how long. He will then issue a formal call. Whatever your call may be, study the message of the Restoration with materials full-time missionaries can provide. Then look for opportunities to share that message. As you conscientiously do that, you will be led to individuals that will be touched to learn more."

Peter James Marrelli is one of this group of young men. In the February 2008 Liahona he describes how due to health problems he was not able to serve a mission. Instead he served as a local Church service missionary in the Audiovisual Department in the LDS Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. His description showed the dedication he paid to being on time and producing good work. I admired his conscientious dedication to his volunteer job.

It is an inspirational article. Jacob and Jeff Balls were also determined to serve. Jacob worked in his stake teaching a class for eight year old children preparing to be baptized. Jeff worked in the Idaho Falls Temple cafeteria. Both boys also served as ushers in their ward.

I am sure there are many examples of young people who have contributed through being honorably excused. Let me know of your experience or thoughts by sharing them after this post.

Is Raising the Bar A New Concept or a Re-emphasis

I joined the Church in 1974. At that time there was a systematic effort to raise the number of missionaries. Spencer W. Kimball who was prophet said "every worthy young man should serve a mission." I think many of us fail to realize what he meant by this statement. Did this mean anything different from the current focus given in the last few years when a few of the brethren have talked again about raising the bar.

In 1974 at the Regional Representatives' Seminar President Kimball said in an address entitled "Lengthening Our Stride: A Challenge to the Priesthood": "“now is the time to upgrade our standards.” President Kimball urged that holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood fulfill their responsibilities in proselyting, reactivating, and preparing all young men for missionary work.

President Kimball said that “so much depends upon our willingness to make up our minds, collectively and individually, that present levels of performance are not acceptable either to ourselves or to the Lord. In saying that, I am not calling for flashy, temporary differences in our performance levels, but a quiet resolve on the part of General Authorities, Regional Representatives of the Twelve, stake presidents, bishops, mission presidents, and branch presidents to do a better job—to lengthen our stride.”

Greater effort needs to be put forth to prepare all young men in the Church for a mission, said President Kimball. This motivation and encouragement should originate with the family and be supported by the priesthood organizations and other organizations of the Church.

Too often, he said, the Church is losing its young men because of inactivity of their fathers or of both parents. “We must break that recurring cycle,” he urged. “We must hold more of our Aaronic Priesthood young men.”

President Kimball said that a young man should be challenged early in life with the goal of fulfilling a mission. “He must be helped and guided to save money, to keep himself morally clean, to prepare himself spiritually, to learn to teach, to relate to others.”

Let us contemplate this statement: "We have instructed bishops, stake presidents, mission presidents, and branch presidents to recommend only worthy people for the missions. Too often we find those who have been unworthy, who stir their sympathies and with that of their families; pressure, they recommend them to the missions, thinking, "Oh, well, they'll get along all right." but as stated before, I am sure that much of our trouble in the mission fields and perhaps even the reduction of converts may be because some of our missionaries are unworthy and unprepared. They must not recommend deeply unworthy, immoral boys, those who are too deeply entrenched in their sins. They must not even encourage those who are slightly immoral to go unless they have done a lot of work with them. (Spencer W. Kimball, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 2 October 1975, p. 4).

Even Boyd K. Packer said on this subject: "Now I want to talk to that young man who has already stumbled, who has already made the type of mistake that can disqualify one from serving a mission. I challenge you; I especially challenge you, to prepare for your mission. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off. It will be harder than you know. But it will be possible. Where is your young manhood? Use the cleansing power of your priesthood. Go to your bishop. it is your duty to go--your duty! He will help you erase a sad episode from your life. We need you! We have the world to teach and warn. We have the world to convert. The Lord really needs you." (Boyd K. Packer, "Come, All Ye Sons of God," Ensign, [August 1983]: 70-71).

David B. Haight tells us in 2000 of a young man struggling that sound very similar to the raise the bar philosophy: "“Preparing for my mission has been a long struggle. After deciding to serve a mission, it took almost one and one-half years to overcome problems in my conduct.”

Some letters describe long periods of repentance, of experiences like Alma’s, in which he was “racked with torment” and “harrowed up by the memory of my many sins” (Alma 36:17). Gratefully, they also speak of the “exquisite and sweet” joy that comes through repentance and forgiveness (see Alma 36:21).

The Lord commands His missionaries to be clean: “But purify your hearts before me; and then go ye into all the world, and preach my gospel unto every creature who has not received it” (D&C 112:28). The sacred powers available to those who are ordained of God and sent forth can only be exercised by those who are “purified and cleansed from all sin” (see D&C 50:26–28).

The First Presidency has stated, “Full-time missionary service is a privilege, not a right, for those who are called through inspiration by the President of the Church. Missionary service is literally service to the Lord and His Church. Its objective is not primarily the personal development of an individual missionary, although righteous service invariably produces that result” (Letter, June 19, 1998).

Priesthood leaders have specific guidelines to ensure that missionaries are spiritually, physically, emotionally, and morally qualified to serve. It is a disservice to the Lord, to the Church, and to the prospective missionary to issue a call when the requirements are not met.

We appreciate the many young men and women who live worthy of a mission call. We have deep gratitude for those who repent and taste the sweet joy of the Atonement. We encourage those who are unable to serve because of physical, emotional, or other reasons to seek other avenues of service, as might be suggested by parents and Church leaders. (David B. Haight, “A Spiritual Adventure,” New Era, [June 2000]: 6).

Let us contrast that with the new bar.

L. Tom Perry in 2007 says about the same thing: "Personal worthiness is the minimum spiritual standard for serving a mission. This means that you are worthy in every way to make and to keep sacred temple covenants. Do not disqualify yourself from the blessings bestowed on those who serve in this very special calling by committing acts of transgression which will make you ineligible to serve."

In 2002 at the priesthood session of October General Conference M. Russell Ballard called for "The Greatest Generation of Missionaries" to live a higher standard.

Elder Ballard says in 2007 something similar to President Kimball: "In 2002 we raised the bar for missionary service. That means the requirements to be a worthy missionary need to be understood and lived by young people early on. They need to avoid the mischief of the world. Of course, repentance is possible and is a great blessing. But those who stumble must make their repentance true and complete, and that could take time. It may even require First Presidency clearance before they can serve. Raising the bar doesn’t exclude anyone; it just requires more thorough—and sometimes very difficult—repentance. I plead with the youth, don’t get into that! Don’t put yourself through that. Just stay worthy.

Now, there may be some young people who consider themselves unworthy or incapable of serving in spite of what they hear from their bishops or branch presidents. But here’s the reality: priesthood leaders have the keys of endorsement. If the priesthood leaders indicate that a person is worthy and he or she is called, then he or she should exercise faith in that call and serve the Lord in full confidence that he or she is worthy and able. (M. Russell Ballard, “How to Prepare to Be a Good Missionary,” New Era [March 2007]: 10).

The First Presidency in a letter dated December 11, 2002 instructed Church leaders about the principles of eligibility for full-time missionary service. The instructions stated: “Full-time missionary service is a privilege for those who are called through inspiration by the President of the Church. Bishops and stake presidents have the serious responsibility to identify worthy, qualified members who are spiritually, physically, and emotionally prepared for this sacred service and who can be recommended without reservation. Those individuals not able to meet the physical, mental, and emotional demands of full-time missionary work are honorably excused and should not be recommended. They may be called to serve in other rewarding capacities.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Missionary work is not a rite of passage in the Church. It is a call extended by the President of the Church to those who are worthy and able to accomplish it....It demands that those who serve as missionaries be worthy in every respect....I am confident that raising the bar on eligibility will cause our young people, particularly our young men, to practice self-discipline, to live above the low standards of the world, to avoid transgression and take the high road in all their activities.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Missionary Service,” First Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, 11 Jan. 2003, 17.)

In 2007 L. Tom Perry reiterated the letter and gave it a new twist: "The bar was raised by the leaders of the Church, and now the minimum standard for participating in missionary work is absolute moral worthiness; physical health and strength; intellectual, social, and emotional development." The new raise my bar doesn't just include moral worthiness. It includes absolute moral worthiness. That means anyone that commits sexual transgression will not be able to go on a mission."

In an interview in 2004 on missionary work Richard G. Scott said: "They need to stay as far away from the boundaries of sin as they can. That gives them the greatest happiness as they’re preparing. It assures them the greatest capacity to be led by the Spirit and to be the examples they need to be in the mission field.

Almost any young person can recite the “Rs” of repentance or some other way of describing it. What they really need to do, though, is understand the gravity with which the Lord views some transgressions and not commit them."

His colleague Charles Didier of the Seventy in the same interview said prevention should be practiced: "I wish we could teach the youth how to avoid the need for major repentance. Prevention is better than redemption. We need to teach them to have a spirit of love for the Lord and His commandments. If they have that, we don’t need to establish barriers where we tell them, “If you go over that, you cannot serve.”

Daryl H. Garn of the Seventy takes a hard stance on moral worthiness: "Some young men have had the notion that they can break the commandments, confess to their bishops one year before they plan to go on a mission, and then be worthy to serve. The repentance process is far more than planned confession followed by a waiting period. We often hear this question of one who has transgressed: “How long will I have to wait before I can go on my mission?” Keep in mind that repentance is not simply a waiting game. The Savior said: “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost” (3 Ne. 9:20).

Now is the time to kindle that fire. President Hinckley has said, “We simply cannot permit those who have not qualified themselves as to worthiness to go into the world to speak the glad tidings of the gospel” (First Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 2003, 17). We now understand from the First Presidency’s statement on missionary work that there are transgressions that will disqualify young men and women from missionary service (see “Statement on Missionary Work from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” 11 Dec. 2002).

H. David Burton agreed we need to take a strong stand against immorality: "The term “raising the bar” is often used in the world of sports to describe achieving higher levels of performance. The use of a sports metaphor may help describe why it is critical to respond to what President Hinckley asked us to do last conference when he said: “I hope that our young men, and our young women, will rise to the challenge [Elder Ballard] has set forth. We must raise the bar on the worthiness and qualifications of those who go into the world as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

A year ago we experienced a wonderful Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. For most Olympic events, athletes must attain minimum levels of achievement in order to qualify to compete. Our lives are similar to the Olympic qualification process in that we need to achieve and maintain standards in order to participate in the important spiritual events of life. World-class athletes have a disciplined daily routine. They master the skills demanded by their sport. Only then can they qualify to participate in the contest. And that’s the way it is.

Young men, if you want to be world class and qualified to be participants in the really important events of life like priesthood ordinations, blessings of the temple, and missionary service, you too must develop a disciplined daily routine of honesty, virtue, study, and prayer. And that’s the way it is.

Olympians know and understand the rules that govern their sport. Broken rules can bring severe penalties and even disqualification. At the last Olympics, failure to observe rules associated with performance-enhancing drugs brought medal forfeiture. One of the harshest penalties levied on an athlete occurs in the game of golf. Just signing a scorecard with an incorrect score entered for any one of the 18 holes brings disqualification. There is zero tolerance. It doesn’t matter if the error benefits or hurts the individual; the penalty is the same—disqualification.

After more than 50 years, I can still hear the words of a tournament official: “Sorry, son, we must disqualify you for signing an incorrect scorecard.” My disqualification came as a result of my mentioning to the official that I needed to correct my score. For weeks I said to myself: “Why didn’t I remain silent? Besides, the error was an innocent mistake. The total score was correct.” Though my performance was good enough to find me in the winner’s circle, I left the awards presentation empty-handed. And that’s the way it is.

My young friends, rules are important, even critical. In life there are also penalties, perhaps even disqualification, if rules are broken. Our participation in life’s important events may be jeopardized if we fail to follow the rules contained in our Father in Heaven’s commands. Involvement in sexual sin, illegal drugs, civil disobedience, or abuse could keep us on the sidelines at key times. You would do well to view rules as safety restraints, not as chains that bind. Obedience builds strength. And that’s the way it is."

President James E. Faust said: “There need to be some absolutes in life. There are some things that should not ever be done, some lines that should never be crossed, vows that should never be broken, words that should never be spoken, and thoughts that should never be entertained” (“Integrity, the Mother of Many Virtues,” Ensign, May 1982, 48).

The bar for missionary service has been raised. “Those individuals not able to meet the physical, mental, and emotional demands of full-time missionary work are honorably excused. … They may be called to serve in other rewarding capacities” (“Statement on Missionary Work from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” 11 Dec. 2002). We believe by following the guidelines outlined by the First Presidency, there will be an increase in the number of full-time missionaries who are worthy and prepared to serve."

Richard G. Scott tells us of the importance for the focus: "The challenges are greater now than ever. That is why the Lord needs more capable, better prepared missionaries. He needs those who are clean and pure so that they can be guided by the Spirit and can testify with converting power. Qualify to be one of those exceptional missionaries. It will not be easy. But when was anything really worthwhile easy?

The First Presidency has defined high standards of moral worthiness and the physical, mental, and emotional stability missionary service now demands. The standards are rigorous, but you can meet them. You will rejoice in the feelings of peace and confidence that come from living them. The standards were raised not to make it harder, but because missionaries now serve in an environment where spiritual guidance is absolutely essential."

Elder Scott's in 2003 offers some hope to troubled prospective missionaries which statement takes me back to the earlier years: "As a young man, the greatest growth and strengthening experience you can have at this time, bar none, is a worthy full-time mission. While a mission is not for personal advantage, the Lord richly blesses those who valiantly serve. Be one of the army of remarkable, well-prepared, devoted missionaries that are qualifying to the high standards of worthiness. Join those who have chosen to serve the Lord, wherever called, however challenging it may be.

Missionary work is extremely demanding. If you have emotional challenges that can be stabilized to meet the rigors of a full-time mission, you can be called. It is vital that you continue to use your medication during your mission or until competent medical authority counsels otherwise. Recognize that emotional and physical challenges are alike. One needs to do all that is possible to improve the situation, then learn to live within the remaining bounds. God uses challenges that we may grow by conquering them.

Your physical or emotional circumstance may be such that you have been excused by the President of the Church from full-time missionary service (see “Statement on Missionary Work” attached to First Presidency letter, 11 Dec. 2002). For you there are other ways to render meaningful service compatible with your condition. Your bishop or stake president can help you identify such service where you live. It could be in a Church family history center, temple, welfare project, employment center, or in a local hospital, care center, shelter, or elsewhere. There are many places where help is needed. You can live at home and contribute powerfully. Such a call can be for a few months or longer. Your stake president will come to know where you should serve and for how long. He will then issue a formal call. Whatever your call may be, study the message of the Restoration with materials full-time missionaries can provide. Then look for opportunities to share that message. As you conscientiously do that, you will be led to individuals that will be touched to learn more.

As I have spoken of missionary service, you may have thought, “That’s not for me.” I plead with you to prayerfully reconsider. All that I treasure most in life began to mature in the mission field. You can also earn such blessings."

Raising the Bar also has a few other items that could disqualify a young man who is socially immature depending on how exact bishops want to define it. It give bishops opportunities to preclude someone who is is overweight, limited in intelligence, and socially inept from serving a mission. It is a subjective calling that will eliminate anyone the bishops feel don't qualify.

I remember an experience back in 1980s when my own brother wanted to go on a mission. He suffered from bed wetting (enuresis). Five percent of all boys suffer from it usually up to the early teens. It is projected that two million Americans suffer at one time or another with this problem. His bed wetting lasted until he was about twenty. He just put a rubber sheet over his mattress and lived a normal life otherwise. The bishop and stake president precluded him from a mission on that basis. Between his money and mine he had plenty to go on a mission. I even had M. Russell Ballard try to talk with his stake president, who told him it was his stewardship and my brother who was morally worthy couldn't go because he didn't think he should go. He left the Church over this incident and has been inactive now for twenty years. His son is now a baptized Lutheran, the religion of his mother. I wonder if there are other converts like him who left the church because they could not serve a mission.

Apparently how that was done by bishops was not consistently applied before 2007. I don't see how this would be different for me as a new convert when I was baptized my sins were supposed to be washed clean. If not then I would have to agree with Talmage that the nail wounds are always there as opposed to Widtsoe who argued they are not.

One year after joining the church I went on a mission. I on the other hand was not morally worthy having committed some sins before joining the church in the 1970s that were unresolved due to a poor baptismal interview before my mission. I don't doubt they were washed cleaned but until I was on a mission a few months teaching the law of chastity I discovered I didn't confess them properly. I could have been sent home if they the Missionary Committee had wanted. Instead I was allowed to finish my mission. I have married in the temple and remained temple worthy throughout my life, raised eight children who are all active with two currently serving missions. I wonder if I would be another religion today if I had not served a mission. I suspect I would have left the church a long time ago. My mission made a difference in my life.

If the new raise my bar didn't include these other items it would be not much different than the earlier statements by President Kimball. Is there any room for new converts who have transgressed to go on mission. M. Russell Ballard says they have to work hard to prepare themselves to go on a mission. New converts can go if they resolve their sins and receive approval. Examining the past statements with the new statements seems to be a re-emphasis.

Mission Presidents and Sacrifice

Many mission presidents are younger than retirement age as a consequence they sometimes have to make a great economic sacrifice to go on a mission. It is true that they receive a modest living expense during the three years they serve and sometimes receive a temporary position somewhere in the church to transition them back to the workforce. I guess that is one of the reasons many mission presidents called are self-employed or have saved up considerable resources or near retirement age. Not every mission though comes from a wealthy background.

I remember my own mission president M. Russell Ballard telling us of how he had to leave his business enterprises which included H. Salt Fish and Chips franchises, Ballard Wade and Sons Car Dealership, and the Promised Valley Playhouse. While on a mission he didn't give much thought to whether his businesses were prospering. He continually told us to seek first for the kingdom of God and all things would be added to us. I remember when he was called to the Quorum of Seventy that he was asked to begin divesting himself of his business interest and totally removing himself from them by the time he was an apostle since they could prove a conflict of interest to his church responsibilities.

David O. McKay said about mission presidents: "The men who preside over our missions are chosen generally from the rank and file of the Church. They are businessmen, contractors, ranchers, college professors, lawyers, physicians and surgeons, dentists, and members of other professions. When the call comes to any such, no matter what his responsibilities or circumstances, seldom if ever does he offer an excuse but, as Samuel of old, replies: "Speak, for thy servant heareth," [1 Samuel 3:10] even though such acceptance means a financial sacrifice and sometimes the loss of political preferment." (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1953, p. 129).

In 1972 Milton R. Hunter, a member of the seventy made this observation about mission presidents in the "Miracle of Missionary Work": "The faith and devotion of mission presidents and their wives and families present marvelous stories of sacrifice and service to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and build up his kingdom.

When the First Presidency, serving as God’s holy prophets, call a man and his wife to preside over a mission, regardless of their business situation or economic conditions, the answer is yes. All personal interests are pushed aside and they faithfully accept the call from the Lord through the First Presidency to preside over a mission for three years’ time.

Each mission president’s individual call, his experiences and faithfulness in accepting that call, adjusting his economic affairs, and completely readjusting the social life for himself and family, is a modern missionary miracle.

For example, in a casual conversation I had recently with the president of one of the full-time missions of the Church, he told me that when he received his mission call from the First Presidency, he asked his employers for a leave of absence. Within three years his financial interest in the company in which he was employed would be large enough to support him and his family for the remainder of their lives.

His employers, being non-church members and unfavorable toward his going on a mission, refused to give him a leave of absence. Also, they informed him that he would lose all of his financial benefits in the company if he accepted the mission call. In spite of this terrific financial sacrifice and the loss of his job, he accepted the mission call and is now faithfully serving his church and his God.

I asked the mission president, “Why didn’t you tell the First Presidency of the financial loss you would suffer if you went on a mission at that time and ask them to postpone your call for three years?”

He replied, “The Lord didn’t call me on a mission for three years from now. He called me to serve now. My wife and I decided to obey the call of the Lord and trust that our financial affairs would be taken care of later.”

Such a sacrifice to render Christian service is certainly astounding. It is a modern missionary miracle."

President Gordon B. Hinckley assured the mission presidents' seminar particpants in 1992 "that although they may have concerns about their ability to do the work, 'the Lord will not let you down if you walk with faith and humility.'

“You will be trained in greater depth than any generation of mission presidents before you were ever trained. Your fears, your concerns, [your] sacrifices are not new,” President Hinckley commented. “They have been felt by those who have similarly gone forth since the earliest days of the Church.”

“I hope,” President Hinckley concluded, “that each of you presidents and leaders will carry in your hearts a flame of faith and knowledge from which the candles of those who serve under you will catch a light and become of the very essence of their testimonies of the work.”

In 1978 Boyd K. Packer said about mission presidents leaving their worldly pursuits behind: "What is it that would cause a man to set aside his personal pursuits, to interrupt his business or professional activities, to yield in political preference, often to give up seniority, often retirement benefits, to go anywhere on earth, without question and without any unusual compensation or persuasion—no compensation materially—simply to preside over a mission?

I recall a few years ago I was supervising the missions in western Europe. We needed a mission president with a certain language proficiency. Several names were brought forward, but none of them seemed to be right. Then one of the Brethren remembered that he had met a man—I think it was in Korea—several years before. He was a member of the Church who was in the customs service. Somehow just the mention of that name and the Spirit confirmed it. He was called, by virtue of the time pressures, by telephone to preside over the mission. I visited him a few weeks later. He was living in Washington, D.C. He was within reach of the number one office in his category. His lifetime had been spent progressing through the ranks, thinking that perhaps one day he would stand at the head of that division. His senior officer had indicated that because of a health problem he would retire early and that this man was being recommended for that position. It was just at that time that the telephone call came.

I wanted to get acquainted with him and was invited to stay overnight. He brought me a message from his superior. The message was this: “Tell that Brother Packer of yours that you’re no missionary; I’ve worked with you for 30 years, and you haven’t converted me. Tell them they’re making a mistake. And you’re making a mistake. You’re a fool.” (I’m leaving out one word.) “If you will give up your retirement and all that you’ve reached for—why? Why would you do it?”

Simple answer: he’d been called. We live to know, in this church, that the response to a call does not depend on the testimony and witness of the one who delivers the call. It depends, rather, on the testimony and witness of the one who receives it.

It was very interesting. We were looking for a man who spoke French. It was not until after he was in the mission field, and we had some opportunities and responsibilities relating to some of the problems of some members we had in Spain, that we discovered that he wrote and spoke Spanish fluently. I suppose if we’d searched through the Church for a man who spoke French, spoke Spanish, and had had some diplomatic experience, particularly as it related to customs work, we would have gone afar in the world and not found him. Yet it was through the “chance” memory of one of the Brethren that he’d met a man a few years before in Korea who spoke French that he was found. (Boyd K. Packer, Called of God by Prophecy,” New Era, [September 1978]: 33).

Elder Packer says about mission presidents' sacrificing: "Each year a number of men are called to preside over missions. In each case this requires the man's wife and family to accompany him to some distant place and live there for three years. This is a matter of great importance to the family. If the husband accepts the call he must leave his occupation, making such arrangements as he can to obtain a leave of absence from his employer or to find someone to carry on his business. Sometimes the later reentry into his employment is left unsettled. He gives up political preference, his other interests, and his hobbies. He turns away from every worldly ambition in accepting the call.

His wife is equally affected. Her home, the garden, her social position, perhaps some of her family will be left behind for the years of the call. Frequently the call comes at a time when there is the promise of marriage for one of the children, or the coming of grandchildren. The probability of that the parents will not be present during these very important occasions in the lives of their children. Children who accompany the parents are affected too, sometimes more deeply and personally than are the parents. After several years of struggle a young man may have just made the athletic team. Or a young woman perhaps has achieved some position in the school or community that is very desirable to her.

What does a person do when he is asked to set aside every personal interest and go away for three years on call of the servants of the Lord? That depends on how he regards his covenants.

I have met mission presidents and their wives in the training session prior to their departure and have met them in the distant parts of the world in the mission field. I never fail to be impressed with one thought. We are here to be tested. Who will pass the test? Are there men and are there women and are there children in the world who will turn aside from all that they hold dear to respond to a call from the Lord? Is there such dedication in the world? Insofar as these mission presidents and their families are concerned, the question has to that time been answered.

We covenant with the Lord to devote our time, talents, and means to His kingdom. (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980, pp.163-164)."

A great example of loving your enemies occurred during World War II when Ezra Taft Benson asked the Dutch Saints to help feed the German people: "While still in Europe, President Benson urged President Cornelius Zappey, president of the Dutch mission, “to find some land on which the Dutch saints might possibly grow some potatoes to take care of their own welfare needs. At the end of the first year the Dutch saints had harvested 66 tons of potatoes—sufficient to care for most of their own needs.

“Then an unusual request was made of these people. As they were assembled together in a mission-wide conference at Rotterdam to give thanks for the abundant harvest, their mission president … said, ‘Some of the most bitter enemies you people have encountered as a result of this war are the German people. We know what intense feelings of dislike you have for them. But those people are now much worse off than you are and we are asking you to send your entire potato harvest to the German saints. Will you do it?’

“They did it. …

“The following year the Dutch Saints raised about 150 tons of potatoes. In addition, they went fishing and caught sufficient herring to fill several barrels. Their response to that success was in effect this: ‘We enjoyed so much giving the German saints those potatoes last year that we want to send them the entire harvest this year along with the pickled herring!’ ” (Frederick W. Babbel, On Wings of Faith, pp. 76–77)."

Dallin H. Oaks says about this sacrifice: "These senior missionaries offer a special measure of sacrifice and commitment. So do our mission presidents and temple presidents and their loyal companions. All leave their homes and families to serve full-time for a season."

Monte J. Brough says the reward is great for mission presidents leaving everything to go out on a mission: "General Authorities are not alone in this demonstration of sacrifice. Between 500 and 600 letters are sent each week to young people, senior couples, temple missionaries, family history missionaries, and others, asking them to leave their families for a time.

More than 300 mission presidents and their families and more than 50 temple presidencies accept their callings and assignments with the same spirit, knowing that their special calling is a manifestation of unique, personal revelation.

I love the revelation given to President Brigham Young:

“Dear and well-beloved brother, Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you: My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me.

“I have seen your labor and toil in journeyings for my name.

“I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take especial care of your family from this time, henceforth and forever. Amen” (D&C 126:1–3)."

M. Russell Ballard tells we must sharing what the Lord has given us if we truly love the Lord: "Every member can give his time and talents freely to the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth. No member of the Church should miss this opportunity to exercise his faith and feel the spirit that comes from humble sacrifice. Seeing the great good that the Saints in South America do with their meager means helps me realize how much more many of us in other parts of the world could do. We should never forget the Savior’s teaching: “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). He has blessed us abundantly. I think of the teaching words of one of our hymns:

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee
With ev’ry brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me
(“Because I Have Been Given Much,” Hymns, 1985, no. 219)."

M. Russell Ballard says about a mission being a sacrifice: "A mission is a sacrifice, yet your sacrifice will bring forth “the blessings of heaven.” (See Hymns, 1985, no. 27.) In reality, the sacrifice of leaving home, family, and comforts truly turns out to be a sacrifice of something good for something better."

Sometimes a mission president is blessed for his sacrifice. M. Russell Ballard related the experience of one of his friends: " I would like to share with you a story without sharing any names. I have a very good friend who was the chief executive officer and principal owner of a very large corporation. He was called to preside over a mission. Like so many of our wonderful men who have great skills, capabilities, when the call came from the Lord, he did not question. He had thought enough through his life that it was instantaneous in his mind to accept the call.

But what was to happen to the business, what was to happen to this great enterprise? Situations and management worked out for the best, but in three years lots of things can happen to a business when the guiding light is not there on a day-to-day basis. Ultimately some of the assets of the company were sold. But toward the end of the mission of this great man, an opportunity arose. Within days after his release he was back in business with a program far bigger than anything he had before he was called to be a mission president. He is presently bringing into being one of the major corporations to be based in the state of Utah.

How did he do that? I suppose he learned from the mistakes he made through his life, but, most importantly, he had learned to think straight. When the second opportunity came up, it was easier for him to define, to determine, to make decisions, and to move forward with that second opportunity. (M. Russell Ballard, "Let Us Think Straight," BYU 1983-84 Fireside and Devotional Speeches, Provo: University Publications, 1984, pp. 34-35)."

The Lord truly blesses mission presidents and their families for serving in the mission field. I always think fondly of my own mission president M. Russell Ballard and his example of giving up his worldly wealth to serve the Lord. It has inspired me to want to follow his example. Some day I hope to serve in a similar capacity so I can shape the lives of hundreds of missionaries and bring thousands of members in to the fold.

Putting the Work Back Into Missionary Work

In a recent missionary post on Mormon Matters a blogger who said some good things about sharing the gospel said he didn't like the term missionary work which got me to thinking what the term really means. With a little research I wrote this response. The effectiveness of missionary work varies among missionaries. Sometimes they are highly motivated and produce a great deal of work in terms of finding and teaching people. Other times they waste a lot of precious time and don't get a lot accomplished. One thing for sure is if they don't leave their apartments they aren't going to accomplish a lot. Missionary service is a hard back-breaking tedious task that takes persistence and perseverance.

My favorite quote on working is by President Spencer W. Kimball who admonishes mission presidents: "You are not going to overwork your missionaries. There are few missionaries, if ever any, that have been destroyed by overwork. They have been destroyed by over worry and too little work and by immoralities and other things, but generally not by overwork. (Spencer W. Kimball, Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 20 June 1975, p. 5)."

Gordon B. Hinckley on April 5, 1985 told the Regional Representatives' Seminar: "The young man who goes into the world preaching the gospel of peace loses himself and saves himself. Missionary work is one of the great miracles of our time. A transformation comes into the lives of boys. Under the leadership of good mission presidents, they subject themselves to the discipline of the mission field, and that in itself becomes a remarkable blessing. They establish habits of work. They discover the values of life that are most important. They develop in their hearts a fervent testimony that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. They develop a new and wonderful sense of the meaning of the priesthood. The future of the Church will be so much the stronger by reason of the missionary service of our young men because of the tremendous strength with which they will return to carry out their activities in life, including service in the Church. A mission is not an expense. It is a great investment. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Regional Representatives’ Seminar, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 5, 1985).

In 1993 F. David Stanley of the Seventy put work in to perspective for missionaries: "While serving as a mission president, many times missionaries would say to me, “But President, I want baptisms now.”

My answer was then and always will be, “You must work hard, be diligent, be humble, and exercise your prayers of faith.”

Young men, are you spending too much time desiring what you want to be instead of establishing a course of discipline and working hard on what you are going to be? Sitting in a home one night with two of our missionaries, the challenge was issued to a young investigator to begin reading the Book of Mormon. His answer overwhelmed us as he sat in his recliner sipping from a twelve-ounce container from the corner convenience store. He said, “It’s too hard.”

Someone once said, “Thou, O God, [doth give us] all good things at the price of labor.” (David Hume, Human News; as cited in The Macmillan Book of Proverbs, Maxims, and Famous Phrases, sel. Burton Stevenson, New York: The Macmillan Co., 1948], p. 1331.)

This young man had felt the Spirit; but, alas, the seed was sown on stony ground, and he was not willing to work hard and pay the price to gain his individual testimony. We feared that evening that he may have made a decision that could jeopardize his eternal life by the statement, “It’s too hard.”

Among the saddest events for all mission presidents to observe elders and sisters coming into the mission field not having learned how to work. President Ezra Taft Benson gave us a powerful key in one of his addresses on missionary work: “One of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for [he will have] all [his] time and talents and interest … centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988, p. 200.)

There you have it, fathers and trainers of future missionaries. There you have it, my young friends who are now preparing for your missions and you who are currently serving. If you want to be successful, start with the bottom line of work. Recently we noticed a surge in baptisms in one of our missions. The mission president was asked the reason for the surge. He said, “Baptisms come from hard work. We must work smarter and much harder.”

The prophet Alma said it very well while glorying in the success of Ammon and his brethren. He said, “Behold, they have labored exceedingly.” (Alma 29:15.)

That is a pure definition of work."

Robert L. Backman of the Seventy said: "Do you recognize how few opportunities in the past we have given our youth to take responsibilities? I served as a mission president. I don’t think any other former or present mission president would disagree with me when I say that one of the chief concerns we have when young men and young women come into the mission field is that too few of them have ever learned what it means to take responsibility. This society of ours cripples us in teaching our youth to take responsibility. They can’t take jobs. It is against the law. There aren’t enough daily chores to keep a boy or a girl busy, so something else must be evolved to take the place of them. All too often nothing has, and so our young people grow up being spectators instead of participators in the gospel of Jesus Christ."

President Gordon B. Hinckley in the New Era Special Missionary issue said: "Every missionary ought to come to realize that work, work, work is the key to getting things done, the key to success in life. There is no substitute for work, for getting up in the morning and getting at it and staying with it to get the job done. I don’t know of a greater asset for whatever lies ahead in life than the capacity to discipline oneself to work."

He also said: "No one can do this work alone. We work in pairs. “In the mouth of two or more witnesses shall [all things] be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1). We work together. There is no place for prima donnas in the mission field. Our efforts are largely team efforts, and what a marvelous thing it is to learn to work with other people."

In the same issue, M. Russell Ballard stresses the importance of learning to work even before a mission: "Prospective missionaries need to learn to work. They ought to have a job and save money for their missions. Every mission president would concur with me that the missionary who has worked and saved and helped pay for part or all of his or her mission is a better-prepared missionary. Working and saving for a mission generates enthusiasm for serving and gives a young man or a young woman a good work ethic. Whatever else missionary work is, it is work!

Working toward a mission and being accountable for their own lives helps young men and young women emotionally as well. They know within themselves that they can succeed no matter where they are sent and no matter the circumstances. They know they are tough enough to handle anything in a world that is becoming less interested in the things of God. We need missionaries with that kind of self-assurance."

The best counsel for overcoming discouragement on a mission is to work. President Gordon B. Hinckley learned this lesson himself while on a mission to Great Britain: "Those first few weeks I was discouraged. I wrote a letter home to my good father and said that I felt I was wasting my time and his money. He wrote a very short letter to me which said: “Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work.” Earlier that morning my companion and I had read these words of the Lord: “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).

Those words of the Master, followed by my father’s letter, went into my very being. I went into our bedroom and got on my knees and made a pledge to the Lord. I covenanted that I would try to forget myself and lose myself in His service.

That July day in 1933 was my day of decision. A new light came into my life and a new joy into my heart. The fog of England seemed to lift, and I saw the sunlight. I had a rich and wonderful mission experience, for which I shall ever be grateful."

Dallin H. Oaks relates the following about the production of their work: "“None of us should be like the fisherman who thinks he has been fishing all day when in reality he has spent most of his time getting to and from the water, eating lunch, and fussing with his equipment. Fishing success is related to how long you have your line in the water, not to how long you are away from the apartment.

Some fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and have their line in the
water for ten hours. Other fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and
have their line in the water for only two hours. This last type may wonder why
they do not have the same success as others.

“The same principle applies to missionaries, whom the Master called ‘fishers of
men.’ A missionary’s line should drop into the fishing water the moment he or
she leaves the apartment." (Preach my Gospel: A guide to missionary service. Salt Lake City: Intellectual Reserve, 2004, p. 152).

A couple of interesting ideas are stressed in Preach My Gospel. One,"Accept full responsibility for your efforts. Never blame others for difficult circumstances or lack of progress. Second, "Be motivated to do your best work."

Missionaries need to realize whose work they are doing. "Missionary work is God’s work. Missionaries are but His messengers, His ambassadors. They must deliver His message to the world. That does not mean that they need no preparation. An ambassador from one nation to another needs a great deal of training to fill that position efficiently and worthily. The ambassadors of our Lord need more preparation than any representative of a mere worldly kingdom. It is a missionary’s duty to “get an understanding of the gospel, and teach it, as the Spirit directs”; but to get an understanding of the gospel, he must both study it and practice it. That is his preparation. When he is thus prepared, the Spirit will direct his utterance." (Hyrum M. Smith and Janne Sjodahl, The Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974, p. 632).

In missionary work missionaries realize that not everybody is mean and will reject them. President Gordon B. Hinckley says: "Missionary work is concerned with searching and winnowing and gleaning and teaching with love and kindness. Every missionary ought to come to realize that the world is full of beautiful, wonderful people.

Of course there are rascals. There are a lot of them around and they are meddlesome and nasty. But there are more of the good than the bad. Our mission is to find the good and make them better and teach the bad when we find them and make them good." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Mission Presidents’ Seminar: Apostles Counsel Embarking Leaders," Church News, [2 July 1994]: 5).

Orson F Whitney gives young missionaries good advice: "When I was a young missionary in the state of Ohio, I received a letter from President Brigham Young, containing these golden words: "Never condescend to argue with the wicked. The principles of the gospel are too sacred to be quarreled over. Bear your testimony in humility, and leave the result with the Lord."

That is all we can do. This is God's work, not man's, and he is doing it in his own way, and using men and women as his instruments. No man can say, of any part of the Lord's work, "I did it." No flesh can glory in his presence. The missionary does his whole duty when he bears a faithful testimony by tongue or pen, by word and deed, and leaves the rest with the Lord. (Orson F. Whitney, Improvement Era, 13 [September 1910]: 1020).

Missionaries know that missionary work is not easy. Howard W. Hunter equates it to plowing a field: "Sowing of seed is important; otherwise, there would be no harvest, and as stated in the Lord's parable of the sower, there must be good ground to bring forth a good harvest. Plowing must have been done before the sowing or there would have been no seedbed.

Of all the work of the field, plow-work is the heaviest labor. It is primary and fundamental--it is pioneer toil. A seed may be dropped anywhere, and there is no resistance, but put the blade of the plow into the ground and a thousand forces join to oppose the change. To disturb the conventional, to overturn the traditional, or to attempt to make changes in the deep-rooted way of doing things in the lives of individuals, requires toil and sweat. The heaviest work in the kingdom of God is to turn the hard surface of the earth which has been baked in the sun or covered by the growth of nature. What a change comes over land which has been cleared and plowed, row after row of evenly spaced furrows, the subsurface loosened and exposed to the sun and air and the rains from heaven, ready to be broken up and planted to seed. the wilderness is conquered and subdued.

Those who became disciples of the Master and put their hands to the plow without turning back proved themselves to be worthy plowmen. By turning over the old surfaces of tradition, they prepared the fields for the introduction and the spread of Christianity into the world.

We do not need to go back to the time of Christ, however, to find fields to plow. Fields exist today all over the world, and missionaries have been called and have put their hands to the plow. Furrows are being cut and seeds planted, and every day we see the results of the harvest. (Howard W. Hunter quoted in Albert L. Zobell, Notes to Quote, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, pp. 84-85).

Gordon B. Hinckley agrees: "Nothing happens unless we work. You never will plow a field by turning it over in your mind. You have to get out and take hold of the plow and go to work. Work is what makes things happen. You won’t accomplish anything by sitting in your apartments thinking of all the nice people to whom you would like to teach." (Gordon B. Hinckley, Guatemala City Central, North, and South Missionary Meeting, 24 January 1997).

Ezra Taft Benson tells us about putting the work back into missionary work: "One of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work. If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people, and he will be happy. Then there will be no homesickness nor worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work,--there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work." (Ezra Taft Benson, Come Unto Christ, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1983, p. 97).

In 1991 President Benson expanded the concept: "There is no greater exhilaration or satisfaction than to know, after a hard day of work, that we have done our best.

I have often said that one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.

We must not give Satan an opportunity to discourage us. Here again, work is the answer. Missionary work brings joy, optimism, and happiness. The Lord has given us a key by which we can overcome discouragement:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30; italics added).

In the Savior’s time, the purpose of a yoke was to get oxen pulling together in a united effort. Our Savior has a great cause to move forward. He has asked all of us to be equally yoked together to move His cause forward. It requires not only a united effort; it requires complete dependence on Him. As He said to His early Apostles, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Our work will be light and easy to bear if we will depend on the Lord and work.

Don’t worry about being successful. We are going to be successful—there is no doubt about it. The Lord has sent us to earth at the time of harvest. He does not expect us to fail. He has called no one to this work to fail. He expects us to succeed. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 113)."

The 1937 Missionary Handbook says: "The busy elder is the happy elder. Time is his most valuable asset, and he uses it judiciously. He well knows that at best the hours and days slip by far too rapidly for the accomplishment of all he wishes to do.

He regards his missionary work as successful men regard their daily work. Time for getting up in the morning, eating, going to and from work, and activities in various organizations is necessary, but it does not count as part of the day's work. He realizes that effective missionary work requires a full day of missionary activity. He knows that the moments are golden, that they are consecrated, and that his responsibility is great in the use he makes of them." ("Money, Time, and Talent, "The Missionary's Handbook, Independence, Missouri: Zion's Printing and Publishing Co., 1937, p. 30).


James E. Faust in the Liahona in 2007 tells missionaries: "To be called to serve as a missionary for this Church is not a right but a privilege. Missionary service is joyful, but it is not fun and games; it is hard work. The Lord’s admonition to missionaries is contained in section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants: “O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (v. 2)."

I like what Elder Marvin J. Ashton says about the desire of missionaries to do the work: "As we have experienced harassment, destruction, vandalism, and even the loss of lives, the attitude of our missionaries is not one of being afraid but of marching forward in a spirit of "carry on." Few, if any, have asked for releases or transfers as the winds of fire, destruction, and danger have blown in their paths. It is a joy to see them stand firm as the mountains around us. God will continue to help them carry on, and their work will not be thwarted but will be enhanced and fruitful."

I remember how as missionaries in the Rome Italy Mission we would recite section Four of the Doctrine and Covenants every morning about a marvelous work about to come forth among the children of men. Followed by a chant like in a football huddle. All six of us that shared an apartment in Ragusa, Sicily at Via Giovanni Meli 1/11 would circle around in our foyer and chant as we put our hands on top of each other pumping them up and down "Let's go out and really go just like Parley Brig and Joe." Then we break the huddle and go down the elevator and out on to the streets to serve the Lord.

Neal A. Maxwell puts work in to the proper perspective for us: "We need to know how to work for another reason: even our Heavenly Father’s work is really work! There won’t be any lazy people in heaven. They would not be happy there anyway, because there will always be so much to do.

If we learn to work now, we will not only be happier in this world but in the world to come, for work is one way we can show our love for others."

The most satisfying thing that a missionary can do is to get out and do some work. Find to teach and teach to find. Things can't happen when serving the Lord if you don't put the work back into missionary service and get out there. On a mission you need to work hard. Time flies when you work hard and the results are worth it. So get up and get out there. We need to put the work back in to missionary work.