Missionary Guide Selections

NOTE: This is a cut down version of the Missionary Guide and should not be subsitiuted for the original publication.

Introduction (p. 1)

Your purpose as a missionary is to help people come to Christ through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. As the people you teach open their hearts, listen to your message, and obey the Lord's commandments, they will feel the Spirit of the Lord. They will be converted when they feel the Spirit and act on the promptings they receive.

You can help people become converted by using a process called the commitment pattern. To use this pattern, first, you prepare others to feel the Spirit. When they are feeling the Spirit, you invite them to make and keep the specific commitments found in the missionary discussions. After they accept your invitations, you follow up to help them keep the commitments they have made. If an investigator expresses concern or doubt during the process, you help him resolve the concern. Then he will be better able to make and keep the commitments that lead to conversion.

Your ability to help people become converted depends primarily upon what you are (your attributes) and what you do (your skills). You will need to develop Christlike attributes and effective proselyting skills.

There are many Christlike attributes that you should strive to develop during your mission and throughout your life. No doubt you already live righteously. You understand the importance of gospel knowledge and testimony, faith and hard work, and charity. As you carefully study the Missionary Guide, you will further develop these attributes and your ability to bring others to Christ.

There are a number of proselyting principles and skills that you should use to help others accept the gospel. These include building relationships of trust, helping others feel and recognize the Spirit, finding out what people understand, presenting the message, inviting people to make commitments, following up on those commitments, resolving concerns, and planning. The Missionary Guide will explain these principles and skills and give you an opportunity to learn and practice them.

Your goal is not to memorize a list of instructions to help you develop an attribute or skill. What is important is becoming Christlike and using proselyting skills effectively and naturally in your work. As you study, practice, and apply what you learn, the skills and methods described in the Missionary Guide will become natural and spontaneous. You will be able to use them with the gifts and talents that the Lord has given you.

Making proselyting skills natural and spontaneous is like becoming a good athlete. When a basketball player joins a new team, he brings with him certain natural abilities and acquired skills. Some of these skills will have to be refined or adjusted. Entirely new skills may need to be developed. These skills must be learned as a set of steps. For instance, when the basketball player is learning to dribble, he must learn to keep his eyes up and his fingers curved and flexible. Again and again, his coach will drill him on these and other parts of the dribbling skill.

During competition, however, the coach and player focus solely on skills--dribbling, passing, shooting, defense-rather than on the parts of each skill. The player combines basic finger and eye positions naturally and spontaneously to achieve expert dribbling.

Like the basketball player, you bring to your mission unique attributes and skills that will serve you well. You will be invited to develop other attributes and skills during your mission. You can learn these by identifying and analyzing their parts. Remember, though, that you will apply them naturally and spontaneously as you work to bring souls to Christ.

The Purpose Of Missionary Work (p. 4)

Your preparation began long before your mission--before your birth, in fact Most likely, you were among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God. Even before [you] were born, [you], with many others, received [your] first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men (D&C 138:55-56).

Before we came to earth, God called a council in heaven. There he presented his plan for our happiness and salvation. As part of the plan, God gave us free agency and commandments. He allows us to choose to obey or disobey. Since he knew that we would make some wrong choices, he provided a Saviour for us. Our Savior would make it possible for us to repent and become clean from sin.

In accordance with God's plan, we came to earth to gain a mortal body and to be tested. God created Adam and Eve, giving them free agency as well as specific commandments. When they chose to disobey by partaking of the forbidden fruit, they were cast from the Garden of Eden. They became subject to both spiritual and physical death. Adam repented, was baptized, and received the Holy Ghost. In this way, he overcame spiritual death.

In the meridian of time, the Savior was born on the earth. His mother was Mary and his father was God, our Heavenly Father. In Gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of mankind. He suffered the pain of all of us so that we would not have to suffer if we would repent. Three days following his crucifixion, he rose from the grave. His resurrection provided the victory over death and made possible our return to our Heavenly Father.

The Savior's resurrection made possible the resurrection of all mankind. But God's greatest reward--eternal life--is reserved only for those who follow God's plan. Since the time of Adam, Jesus Christ has told us what we must do to follow that plan. The fourth article of faith summarizes his instructions:

AOF 4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We must have faith in Christ, repent of our sins, receive the ordinances of baptism from one holding authority, and receive the Holy Ghost. We must also endure to the end by making further covenants and receiving other ordinances. We must do all that we can. The grace of Christ then makes it possible for us to return to the presence of God.

It is very important that you understand the doctrine presented in this section as the Lord has taught it. The following activity will help you do this. Throughout your mission, refer often to the scriptural references provided.

The Council In Heaven

D&C 138:55 I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.

D&C 138:56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

Abr. 3:22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

Abr. 3:23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

Abr. 3:24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

Abr. 3:25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

Abr. 3:26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

Abr. 3:27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

Abr. 3:28 And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.

What Satan Did During The Council In Heaven

Moses 4:1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying--Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

Moses 4:2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me, Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

Moses 4:3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

Moses 4:4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

Free Agency

2 Ne. 2:27

Hel. 14:30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.

Hel. 14:31 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.

D&C 58:27 Verily, I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

D&C 58:28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

The Fall

Gen. 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Gen. 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Gen. 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

Gen. 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast

Alma 12:21 What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever.

Alma 12:22 Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain, now we see that Adam did fall by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, all mankind became a lost and fallen people.

Alma 12:23 And now behold, I say unto you that if it had been possible for Adam to have partaken of the fruit of the tree of life at that time, there would have been no death, and the word would have been void, making God a liar, for he said: If thou eat thou shalt surely die.

Alma 12:24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.

D&C 29:41 Wherefore, I, the Lord God, caused that he should be cast out from the Garden of Eden, from my prescence, because of his transgress, wherein he became spiritually dead, which is the first death, even that same death which is the last death, which is spiritual, which shall be pronounced upon the wicked when I shall say: Depart, ye cursed.

D&C 29:42 But, behold, I say unto you that I, the Lord God, gave unto Adam and unto his seed, that they should not die as to the temporal death, until I, the Lord God, should send forth angels to declare unto them repentance and redemption, through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son.

D&C 29:43 And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation--that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal life, even as many as would believe;

D&C 29:44 And they that believe not unto eternal damnation; for they cannot be redeemed from their spiritual fall, because they repent not;

D&C 29:45 For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey.

Adams Repentance And Baptism

Moses 6:52 And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.

Moses 6:53 And our father Adam spake unto the Lord, and said: Why is it that men must repent and be baptized in water? And the Lord said unto Adam: Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgression in the Garden of Eden.

Moses 6:59 That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;

Moses 6:60 For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;

Moses 6:64 And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water.

Moses 6:65 And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.

Moses 6:66 And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou are baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever;

The Atonement

Alma 34:8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Alma 34:9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

D&C 19:16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

D&C 19:17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

D&C 19:18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink--

D&C 19:19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

AOF 3 We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

The Resurrection

Mosiah 16:6 And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.

Mosiah 16:7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

Mosiah 16:8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

Alma 11:42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

Alma 11:43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

Alma 11:44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

Alma 11:45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.

D&C 88:97 And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven--

D&C 88:98 They are Christ's, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.

What Man Must Do To Obtain Eternal Life

3 Ne. 31:13-21

3 Ne. 11:32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

3 Ne. 11:33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

3 Ne. 11:34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

3 Ne. 11:35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

3 Ne. 11:36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

3 Ne. 11:37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

3 Ne. 11:38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

3 Ne. 27:13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you--that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

3 Ne. 27:14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil--

3 Ne. 27:15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

3 Ne. 27:16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

3 Ne. 27:17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

3 Ne. 27:18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

3 Ne. 27:19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

3 Ne. 27:20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

3 Ne. 27:21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

The Purpose Of Missionary Work

D&C 18:10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

D&C 18:11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

D&C 18:12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

D&C 18:13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!

D&C 18:14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

D&C 18:15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father!

D&C 18:16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

D&C 29:7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;

D&C 84:20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

D&C 84:21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

D&C 84:22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

What Missionaries Should Teach

D&C 33:10 Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

D&C 33:11 Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.

D&C 33:12 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and remember that they shall faith in me or they in nowise can be saved;

D&C 49:11 Wherefore, I give unto you a commandment that ye go among this people, and say unto them, like unto mine apostle of old, whose name was Peter:

D&C 49:12 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end;

D&C 49:13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;

D&C 49:14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.

D&C 53:3 Take upon you mine ordination, even that of an elder, to preach faith and repentance and remission of sins, according to my word, and the reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;

The Conversion Process (p. 9)

In order to accomplish your purpose as a missionary, you should understand the conversion process from the nonmember's point of view. President Gordon B. Hinckley explained:

It is not an easy thing to make the transition incident to joining this Church. It means cutting old ties. It means leaving friends. It may mean setting aside cherished beliefs. It may require a change of habits and a suppression of appetites. In so many cases it means loneliness and even fear of the unknown ("There Must Be Messengers," Ensign, Oct. 1987, p.5).

What happens in the mind and heart of a nonmember to make him want to join the Church? It is impossible to answer that question specifically for every person. Some general changes occur, however, with most people. Understanding these processes from the nonmember's point of view will help you better accomplish your purpose.

The most important process in conversion is for people to feel the Spirit of the Lord. President Ezra Taft Benson has said: If there is one message I have repeated to my Brethren of the Twelve, it is that it's the Spirit that counts. It is the Spirit that matters. I do not know how often I have said this, but I never tire of saying it--it is the Spirit that matters most (mission presidents' seminar, 3 Apr. 1985).

Feeling the Spirit alone, however, is not enough to convert someone. When nonmembers feel the Spirit, they are free to obey or disobey. In order to be converted, they must obey God's commandments.

When people feel the Spirit and obey Cod's commandments, the Lord changes their hearts.

It is your privilege to act as a servant of the Lord and help people feel and recognize the influence of the Spirit. It is also your obligation to invite them to obey and apply gospel principles in their lives. You help them make the transition from feeling the Spirit to obeying the Lord's commandments.

While these changes may be difficult to make, you should not hesitate to ask people to repent. The only way you can help people return to live with God is by helping them feel the Spirit and inviting them to change.

A Missionary's Purpose - Convert Baptisms (p. 12)

As an authorized servant of the Lord, your purpose is to bring people to Christ through repentance and the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. All who are accountable for their actions must receive the ordinance of baptism before they can enter God's kingdom. Christ told the Nephites:

3 Ne. 11:38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

As a missionary you will be asked to set goals for baptizing people, invite people to be baptized, and perform or attend baptismal services. Throughout this process, you must understand the difference between goals to increase the number of baptisms and goals to bring more people to Christ. Numbers by themselves are not important and will not save the children of God. Every missionary, however, should have the goal to bring more and more people to conversion and baptism. Numbers are meaningful only as they represent children of God.

The number of baptisms alone is not the important thing. What is important is for you to see conversion from an eternal perspective. Realize that as you help people feel the Spirit, develop faith, repent, become converted, and be baptized, you are helping them return to live with our Heavenly Father.

Despite your best efforts to teach and baptize, people may exercise their free agency and reject your invitations. For missionaries who truly seek to bring souls unto Christ, this will be a painful experience.

There is a temptation in such circumstances for missionaries to try to deny their disappointment. They might stop talking about baptism, for example, and feel threatened when baptism is mentioned as a goal. Or they might rationalize that other missionaries are letting numbers become more important than people. They may feel that their hard work is unnoticed. "Besides," they may think, "I can't help it if the Browns decide not to be baptized."

Do not yield to this temptation. One of the attributes of a true disciple of Christ is that he allows himself to feel sorrow for the sins of the world. He is developing the Christlike attribute of loving people even though their actions cause him grief.

The great missionaries of the Book of Mormon were able to keep their minds focused on bringing souls to Christ even when their messages were rejected. (Alma 8:14; Hel. 10:3).

Accomplishing The Purpose Of Missionary Work (p. 16)

Experience has shown that some of God's children are prepared to accept the gospel and receive baptism, no matter how effective the missionaries may be. People who are prepared are commonly called "golden contacts." There Is a larger group who may be baptized, depending on the missionaries' effectiveness. They, too, are "golden" seekers of truth.

Some missionaries feel that what they do will not make much difference. They feel that those who are prepared will join the Church no matter how effective the missionaries are. The fact is that you can help people from both groups become converted and baptized. You have been called and given the authority to preach the gospel to everyone-well prepared or not. The fifth article of faith refers to you:

AOF 5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

You have been called of God through a prophet. You have had hands laid on your head by one in authority. You are to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. You can make a difference because God has his hand upon you. He has said:

D&C 84:88I 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.

You have received your call from a prophet. But you are free to make choices that will keep you from bringing souls unto Christ. Disobeying the commandments and mission rules, for example, will hinder your work. A more common obstacle, however, is the feeling that you have learned all that you need to know. You may think, "I'm tired of studying," "I already know all about that," or "This doesn't apply in our mission." You may indeed be doing well, but the Lord can teach you more. Within the short period of your mission, you cannot learn all there is to learn about saving souls.

The key to continued growth is humility. The Lord will teach you as you look to him. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn. Ask the Lord to teach you what you need to know and do to bring more of his children to him through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. The Lord will bless you as you make this kind of effort to become an effective instrument in his hands.

Your efforts to learn and grow can be focused on three general areas:

• Developing Christlike attributes,
• Learning principles and skills that will help you proselyte more effectively.
• Continually setting goals to help more of our Heavenly Father's children return to live with him.

As you become more familiar with Heavenly Father's plan for our happiness and salvation, you can begin to understand the worth of souls. You can feel the urgency of sharing the gospel message. As you live worthily and seek inspiration from the Spirit, the Lord will speak to those you teach through you. His voice, the scriptures tell us, will be your voice (D&C 68:4-5).

Christlike Attributes (p. 20)

There are many Christlike attributes that you can develop. This chapter will discuss the following:

• Gospel Knowledge and Testimony
• Personal Righteousness
• Faith and Hard Work
• Charity

Gospel Knowledge And Testimony (p. 21)

Your ability to teach the gospel and share your testimony depends largely upon how well you understand gospel principles and how much you believe them. The scriptures are one of the most important ways in which you learn these principles. This section will help you study the scriptures more effectively. Then you will be able to understand them and use them with confidence.

The Lord has counseled, Seek not to declare my word, but seek first to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word (D&C 11:21). If you prayerfully study his word, you will be blessed with increased testimony and knowledge of the gospel. Then you can better serve others.

Look up each of the following verses and find the specific blessings promised to those who study the scriptures.

• Rom. 15:4
• 2 Ne. 32:3
• Alma 31:5
• D&C 11:21
• D&C 18:34-36
• D&C 84:85

As you study the scriptures each day, particularly the Book of Mormon, your testimony and knowledge of the gospel will increase. The foundation of your testimony will be the following four truths:

• Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Redeemer,
• Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
• The priesthood has been restored to earth and of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

Through scripture study, your love for the Lord and his work will grow, and the Spirit of the Lord will be with you.

As you pay the price to learn and apply scriptural truths, the Spirit will whisper truth to your heart You will begin to understand what the Savior meant when he said, And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost (3 Ne. 12:6).

You will gain knowledge and testimony from studying the scriptures. Study alone, however, is not enough if you are to fully understand the scriptures. You must also pray and ask the Lord to bless you with understanding. As you prayerfully study and ponder the scriptures, your testimony will grow and you will find truths to help you in your work.

Personal Righteousness (p. 26)

Righteousness is goodness and worthiness. You must be living basic gospel principles to be able to declare, in the words of Alma: And this is my glory, that perhaps 1 may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy (Alma 29:9).

In this section, you will study several major elements of righteousness. obedience, repentance, prayer and fasting, and recognizing communication from the Spirit.

Because Heavenly Father has given you your free agency, he will never force you to obey or to be righteous. However, he will support and reward you as you show your love for him by honoring his commandments. (D&C 93:1; D&C 82:10)

When your goal is to become like Christ, you may fall short in your daily attempts. Through the atonement of Christ, however, you are able to repent of your sins and be cleansed through the power of forgiveness. (Alma 34:32; 2 Ne. 4:16-17; Alma 26:22)

Repentance is not something to avoid. It is a blessing given to you by a loving Heavenly Father that will help you progress. As you repent, you will become more righteous. You will be better able to help others repent and desire to serve the Lord.

What every man and every woman in this world needs in order to keep himself or herself free and unspotted from the sins of the world, is the power of self-mastery (Gospel Ideals [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1953], p. 212).

Having a prayer in your heart, or praying continually, means to remember the Lord and feel prayerful all the time. You may find yourself thanking God for the blessings you have or asking him for special help. The prayers of your heart will help your investigators to feel the influence of the Spirit and become converted.

Prayer and fasting are not the only ways to develop self-mastery. But they are essential in becoming more like Christ. (Isa. 58:6-12; Matt. 17:19-21; Alma 5:46; Hel. 3:35)

Fasting and prayer strengthen you against temptation and improve your relationship with God. They increase your spirituality by creating an atmosphere in which the Holy Ghost can work with you and with those you teach.

President Benson counseled a group of newly called mission presidents: the Spirit is the most important single element in this work. With the Spirit magnifying your call, you can do miracles for the Lord in the mission field. Without the Spirit, you will never succeed regardless of your talent and ability (mission presidents' seminar, 25 June 1986).

Following the promptings of the Spirit is at the very heart of missionary work. Elder Bruce R. McConkie has said: Now we want to carry this message to the world in the way that the Lord wants us to carry it. We want to preach the truth in purity and in perfection, and to do it in the way the Lord wants it done. The only single formula whereby we may do this is for us to live. . , that we can be guided by the Holy Ghost. We must be guided by the Spirit (in Conference Report, Oct. 1949, p.76; or Improvement Era, Nov.1949, p. 72?).

You must learn the difference between your own desires and feelings, and the promptings of the Spirit. Revelation from the Lord will always be in harmony with the scriptures and revelations of the Lord's prophets.

You can improve your communication with the Spirit by living the commandments and working hard. Elder Boyd K. Packer discussed another way to gain knowledge through the Spirit. He stated: Oh, if I could teach you this one principle. A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it! Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that 'leap of faith,' as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two. 'The spirit of man,' as the scripture says, indeed is the candle of the Lord.' (Prov. 20:27.)

It is one thing to receive a witness from what you have read or what another has said; and that is a necessary beginning. It is quite another to have the Spirit confirm to you in your bosom that what you have testified is true. Can you not see that it will be supplied as you share it? As you give that which you have, there is a replacement, with increase."' ("The Candle of the Lord," Ensign, Jan.1983, pp. 54-55).

Righteousness is the goal of all of our Heavenly Father's children. You will become more righteous as you obey the commandments, repent, pray and fast, and learn to recognize communication from the Spirit. The Missionary Handbook is an important tool; refer to it daily. Study the rules in the handbook and learn the principles upon which the rules are based. Qualify yourself to be guided by the Spirit in your work.

Faith And Hard Work (p. 31)

Faith is power. Christ teaches us, If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me (Moro. 7.33). As you exercise faith, Christ will help you achieve what he asks you to do. (see James 2:17)

President Spencer W. Kimball discussed the special help we can receive when we work diligently: God magnifies right efforts of the di1igent. I find that sometimes when I have skimped on my time and my efforts, I feel a loss of the intensity of the Spirit.

But, when I do not limit my time or efforts, and lose myself in ... [others] needs, I find myself somewhat in the position mentioned by the Prophet Joseph, who said, '. . Great things shall be accomplished by you from this hour; and you shall begin to feel the whisperings of the Spirit of God; and the work of God shall begin to break forth from this time; and you shall be endowed with power from on high.' (D&C 2:182.)" (The' Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward I,. Kimball [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987, p.177).

Charity (p. 35)

The Bible Dictionary defines charity as the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds or benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive ("Charity," Bible Dictionary, LDS edition of the King James Bible). (see Moro. 7:45-48; 1 Cor. 13:4-8; 1 Cor. 8:1; Moro. 8:17)

How Charity Is Developed

Charity is a gift from God and must be received from Cod. Like all other gifts, it comes from obedience to that law upon which it is predicated (D&C 130:21). The prophet Mormon identified the law upon which the blessing of charity is based. He declared: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ (Moro. 7:48).

We should seek the gift of charity through earnest prayer. We can also develop this gift by serving Heavenly Father's children. King Benjamin taught: Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:16-17). The desire to serve others is at the center of missionary work. Those who feel charity do things for others out of sincere love, without expecting something in return. As you develop love for others, you will look for opportunities to serve in whatever ways you can. (see Alma 17:11, 19-39, 18:1-21)

When our prayers are accompanied by righteousness and service to others, the Lord will bless us with the gift of charity.

The Savior is our example of perfect charity. He repeatedly showed selfless caring and tenderness for others. We will increase in charity as we strive to treat others as he did. (see Mat 14:14-21; Mark 15:12-28; 3 Ne. 17:5-10)

To develop the pure love of Christ, pray with all the energy of heart and then treat others with sensitivity and compassion. As you show true charity, you will do nothing to embarrass or hurt another person or even make him uncomfortable. Instead you will forgive, encourage, and speak well of others-whether or not you receive the same in return.

As you develop charity, you will grow closer to the Lord and inspire others to do the same. You will be able to help bring about eternal changes in the lives of many including yourself.

The Commitment Pattern (p. 42)

Read Carefully D&C 50:13-24

Prepare:

Do all you can to help others feel the Spirit of the Lord. When they have this Spirit, they will want to do what is right. They will be more likely to make and keep commitments that will increase their faith. As previously illustrated, you will prepare people by

• Building relationships of trust.
• Helping them feel and recognize the Spirit.
• Presenting the message.
• Finding out.

Invite:

Help investigators to make specific commitments when they are prepared to do so. For those you teach to become converted, they must act on the promptings of the Spirit by accepting commitments. As they fulfill commitments, their faith will increase and they will draw closer to the Lord.

Follow Up:

Do whatever is necessary to help others fulfill their commitments so that they can continue to feel the influence of the Spirit. You can encourage them and help them to meet challenges successfully.

Resolve Concerns:

Help investigators to find answers to their questions through study, prayer, and discussion with you. You may need to help resolve concerns at any point within the commitment pattern - while preparing, inviting, or following up.

Using The Commitment Pattern In Leadership (p. 56)

The principles of the commitment pattern can be valuable in your work with other missionaries. As you work with the missionaries, the central commitment you will want them to make is to become better leaders. You will prepare them by building trust, helping them feel the Spirit, and finding out about them. You will invite and follow up in much the same way that you do in other areas of missionary work. By helping missionaries feel the Spirit and make and keep commitments, you can help them to magnify their callings and have more success

Build Relationships Of Trust (p. 60)

The purpose of this chapter is to help you and your companion improve in your ability to build positive, spiritual relationships with others. As investigators feel your love and concern, they will be prepared to feel the Spirit of the Lord. Begin your study with prayer, and ask the Lord to help you learn and apply the principles you study.

Many principles and skills can be used in building relationships of trust. This chapter will discuss the following:

1. Become Acquainted

2. Build on Common Beliefs

3. Show Empathy

Other principles and skills not discussed in this chapter might include the following:

4. Be dependable

5. Meet the needs of investigators

6. Show Christlike love for others

7. Listen to others

Missionaries prepare people to feel the Spirit of the Lord. When people open their hearts to the Spirit, they want to follow the Savior and keep his commandments. Your ability to prepare others to feel the Spirit depends largely on the warmth of your relationships with them. Your love and encouragement can help investigators, members, and missionaries to open their hearts to the Spirit. The following quotations from investigators about missionaries show the importance of building positive, spiritual relationships.

"They put a lot of effort into making me feel comfortable. They took time to listen and answer my questions."

"I felt that no matter what my past was like, they didn't judge me for it."

"I was touched that they would share their deepest feelings with me. respect and admire them for that."

Become Acquainted (p. 62)

One way for you to build relationships of trust with others is to get to know them better. When you share information about yourself with others, they begin to know you and want to share their experiences with you.

You can also learn much about people by observing details. Take interest in what you see around you. Many objects in a home can help you better understand the people you visit. These include pictures, furnishings, books, trophies, and toys.

As soon as you meet people, begin looking for opportunities to learn how they feel about the gospel. Share your own feelings. Also try to find common interests. This will greatly help you to build relationships of trust.

Build On Common Beliefs (p. 64)

You can build relationships of trust by building upon beliefs that you share with others. You do not need to tear down other people's beliefs to teach the gospel. Build instead upon the truths your investigators already believe. Point out the beliefs you have in common. People will feel your respect for their beliefs, and they will be more willing to listen to you. (see Alma 18:24-32; D&C 50:22)

Show Empathy (p. 67)

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in another's situation and share his thoughts and feelings. Empathy is also looking at things from the other's point of view rather than yours. As you listen to investigators, members, and other missionaries, try to understand how they feel by asking yourself: "If I were in their position, how would I react to this?" "Why are they asking those questions?" "What are they thinking and feeling?"

You have empathy when you have this feeling of understanding. But having empathy is not the same as showing empathy. A missionary can show empathy only if he has empathy.

Showing empathy means telling others that you understand or are trying to understand their feelings. If you have had experiences like those of investigators, members, or missionaries, share these with them. If you haven't, try to understand their situations and express your feelings for them. Remember that in showing empathy, you must mean what you say. When you express empathy that you do not really feel, you offend people and do more harm than good.

Help Others Feel And Recognize The Spirit (p. 72)

President Ezra Taft Benson said: if there is one message I have repeated to my brethren of the Twelve it is that it's the Spirit that counts. It is the Spirit that matters. I do not know how often I have said this, but I never tire of saying it - it is the Spirit that matters most (mission presidents' seminar, 3 Apr.1985).

Bear Testimony (p. 74)

Bearing testimony is one of the most powerful ways to help others feel the Spirit. As you testify, the Holy Ghost can witness to them that what you have said is true. The purpose of bearing your testimony is to invite the Spirit into the discussion and to testify of the truth.

You should testify of what you are teaching, rather than of something unrelated or personal. Be sure to maintain an equal relationship with your investigators. Do not share your testimony in a way that sounds as if you are better than they are.

Bearing your testimony can help an investigator when he has difficulty believing what you are teaching. Be sure to bear testimony whenever you feel you need the Holy Ghost to bear witness of the truth of what you teach. Remember the following when you bear your testimony: * Avoid words that nonmembers will not understand. * Bear a simple testimony that is related to the subject.

Share Experiences (p. 77)

When you share religious experiences with others, you help them to feel the Spirit and to feel closer to you. These experiences could include how you gained a testimony or how you received direction from the Holy Ghost. Always tell about experiences that will help your investigators understand the gospel and uplift them in some way.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said the following about sharing personal experiences: Perhaps the perfect pattern ... is to teach what is found in the scriptures and then to put a seal of living reality upon it by telling a similar thing that has happened in our dispensation and to our people and-most ideally to us as individuals ("The How and Why of Faith-promoting Stories," Nan' Era, July 1978, pp.4-5).

When you are sharing experiences, be simple, clear, and direct. Share only those parts of the experience that relate to the subject and will uplift the investigator. Use words that the investigators will understand. Do not share past transgressions, even if you are trying to help a person who is having problems that you have had.

When you share your own experiences, you encourage others to share theirs. As investigators share experiences, they begin to see how the Lord has helped them.

Identify The Influence Of The Holy Ghost (p. 82)

The Holy Ghost bears witness of God and Christ and testifies of truth. The investigators you teach may feel the Spirit without recognizing its promptings. Your responsibility is to recognize the promptings of the Spirit and to help others identify and understand what they are feeling.

Encourage investigators to express how they feel before you tell them that they are feeling the Spirit. This will help them understand what they are feeling. It will also make it easier for you to tell them that what they feel is the Spirit of the Lord.

The principles presented in this lesson will enable you to help others feel and recognize the Spirit of the Lord in their lives. The people you teach will eventually feel the Spirit as they sincerely pray to know the truth and listen to your message and humble testimony When you sense that others are feeling the Spirit, tell them what they are feeling and help them understand it. This may be the first time they have felt it. Remember the counsel of President Ezra Taft Benson: It is the Spirit that matters most (mission presidents' seminar, 3 Apr. 1985).

Present The Message (p. 86)

The purpose of this chapter is to help you improve your ability to present gospel messages. By studying this chapter, you will learn to present the discussions and other messages in an effective and spiritual way. Begin your study with prayer, and ask the Lord to help you learn and apply the principles you study.

Many principles and skills can be used in presenting the message. This chapter will discuss the following:

1. Present with Faith

2. Present the Message Clearly

3. Personalize the Message

Other principles and skills not discussed in this chapter might include the following:

4. Present correct doctrine

5. Use audiovisual aids effectively

(see D&C 50:22)

Present With Faith (p. 88)

The Apostle Paul said, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Presenting the message with faith means to have hope and confidence that those you teach will open their hearts, feel the Spirit of the Lord, and believe the gospel. It also means believing that those you teach will accept the commitments that lead to conversion and baptism. As you present your message with faith, the Lord will bless you with his Spirit. You will know that you are teaching the truth.

The less effective examples contain words that show doubt, such as "pretty sure" "think" and "best thing so far". The effective examples contain words that show confidence in the doctrines, such as "I know" and "we must". These examples are statements of fact rather than opinion.

To present a message with faith you must not apologize for teaching someone the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At times, people may not agree with the doctrines or principles you teach. Respect the right of each investigator to believe as he desires. There is no place in teaching the gospel for contention or arguing. When you avoid contention and arguing, you help to maintain an environment in which the Spirit can work. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

The gospel is one of peace, harmony, unity, and agreement. In it argument and debate are supplanted by discussion and study Those who have the Spirit do not hang doggedly to a point of doctrine or philosophy for no other reason than to come off victorious in a disagreement. Their purpose, rather, is to seek the truth by investigation, research, and inspiration (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 19661, p.161).

3 Ne. 11:29-30; 4 Ne. 1:2,13,15,18

Present The Message Clearly (p. 92)

To present the message clearly, teach so that investigators are able to understand what you are saying. You do not only use words to communicate. This section will focus on some things that will help you present the message clearly, such as varying your tone of voice, using eye-to-eye contact and using appropriate body language.

You should vary your tone of voice when you present a message. To do this, express your thoughts and feelings clearly, and pronounce your words clearly. Be enthusiastic. Vary the speed of your speech or the loudness of your voice to show excitement, reverence, or other feelings. Speak calmly even if the other person becomes emotional or angry Avoid using slang or talking in ways that may distract others or be inappropriate for a minister of the Lord.

Missionaries who teach effectively and with enthusiasm use a combination of the voice characteristics just listed.

While teaching the discussions, talking to someone at a door, or stopping someone on the street, it is important to maintain good eye contact with the person. When you do this, you show the person that you care about him and that what you are saying is important. Don't constantly stare into the other person's eyes, but look at him frequently, for a few seconds each time.

Use appropriate body language by sitting upright and on the edge of your chair. Use your hands for expression. Smiling is a simple act, but it communicates warmth and genuine love for those you are teaching. Avoid gestures that would detract from your message such as tapping your feet or bouncing your knee. By sitting properly, using your hands, and smiling, you tell others that you care for them and want them to listen to your message.

Personalize The Message (p. 96)

You should personalize your message so that people of different ages, backgrounds, and life-styles will understand it. Think about the needs of those you teach. Then use the suggestions in this section to personalize your message to meet those needs.

You can alter pace or simplify language.

You can better personalize your message if you use the discussion booklets as you teach. Experience has shown that investigators do not mind if you refer to the discussions. Missionaries who do so are often better teachers. They can concentrate on the people they teach and personalize the discussions to fit their needs.

Another way to personalize your message is to provide examples and illustrations. You can use the examples provided in the discussions, or you can create your own. Effective examples and illustrations are brief. They clearly relate to the subject and teach correct doctrine. They refer to things that the investigator is familiar with.

Use examples and illustrations when the investigator needs more explanation or clarification. Do not use too many, however; use your find-out skills to determine when the investigator understands your message.

Find Out (p. 104)

The purpose of this chapter is to help you and your companion improve in finding out the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of others. When you do this effectively, you show those you teach that you are genuinely concerned about them. They will more likely open their hearts to feel tile Spirit of the Lord. Begin your study with prayer, and ask the Lord to help you learn and apply the principles you study.

Many principles and skills can be used to find out what others think and feel. This chapter will discuss the following:

1. Listen

2. Ask Appropriate Questions

3. Ask Additional Questions

Other principles and skills not discussed in this chapter might include the following

4. Rephrase questions

5. Respond with encouragement

6. Ask nonjudgmental questions

Listen (p. 106)

Listening when other people speak will help you find out their concerns, feelings, and beliefs. Listening includes-hearing what another person says, looking for nonverbal messages, restating the person's message, and pausing to let the person think. This section will discuss these ideas.

An important part of listening is hearing what the other person says. It is easy to be thinking of what to say next while he is speaking. Be well prepared before a discussion so you can concentrate on what is being said to you.

People often communicate their feelings through nonverbal messages. These include the way a person is sitting, his facial expressions, what he does with his hands and legs, his tone of voice, and the movements of his eyes. Noticing these things will help you know what he is feeling and thinking.

An investigator who wrinkles his brow and looks at the ceiling may be showing that he does not understand what you are teaching. An investigator who keeps looking at his watch and fidgeting may be showing that he is concerned about time and has another appointment. An investigator who avoids looking at you may not be prepared for the invitation or may have something else on her mind. An investigator who looks directly at you is likely interested in the message and is thinking carefully about what you are teaching.

After listening for verbal and nonverbal messages, you may want to restate what you heard. Restating is summarizing in your own words what the investigator said to see if you understood him correctly. This also helps your investigator make sure that he explained himself clearly.

Another important element of listening is pausing. Sometimes people need time to think about and reply to a question Pause after you ask a question to let the investigator gather his thoughts and express his feelings. Do not be afraid of silence.

Of course, you shouldn't pause for too long, especially when someone feels uncomfortable or pressured to speak. Pause when you have asked a question, when a spiritual experience has been shared, or when a person is having difficulty expressing himself.

It is not easy to learn what a person is thinking from his nonverbal messages. Be careful not to jump to conclusions. Pray for the guidance of the Spirit as you try to understand the thoughts and feelings of others.

Ask Appropriate Questions (p. 110)

An important part of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ is finding out about others' thoughts, feelings, and beliefs through asking appropriate questions.

You can learn how to ask appropriate questions by practicing, gaining experience, and being guided by the Spirit. As you use this skill, others will be more willing to share their feelings and beliefs with you.

In the less effective examples, the investigator can answer with a "yes" or "no." In the effective examples, the investigator can respond by sharing his feelings about the subject. When you ask questions that encourage the Investigator to share his feelings with you, you will find out if he understands and believes what you are teaching.

You should not ask questions designed to make the investigator give you the answer you want. These kinds of questions manipulate the investigator. You should ask questions that maintain an equal relationship between you and the investigator. To do this, ask questions to show you are interested in others' thoughts and feelings and respect what they have to say.

You should ask questions that are simple and direct. They should be specific and should relate to the principle being discussed. examples.

Ask Additional Questions (p. 115)

Many times you will notice that an investigator is hesitant or uncertain about what you are teaching. When this happens, you should ask a question and then listen. Continue to ask additional questions and listen until your investigator says that you understand his feelings. Whenever you sense that the investigator has a question or concern, stop the presentation and ask questions to find out how he feels.

As you ask these questions, sincerely try to find out the investigator's feelings and concerns. Do not make him feel that you are interrogating him. Show that you are interested in his needs and feelings.

Resolve Concerns (p. 121)

The purpose of this chapter is to teach you how to help others resolve their concerns so that they can accept the gospel and keep their commitments. Begin your study with prayer, and ask the Lord to help you learn and apply the principles you study. Many principles and skills can be used in resolving concerns. This chapter will discuss the following:

1. Discover the Concern

2. Discuss the Concern

3. Help Resolve the Concern

Other principles and skills not discussed in this chapter might include the following:

4. Answer the question

5. Give additional information

6. Give examples and illustrations

7. Show empathy

People may hesitate to share their concerns. Your attitude will often determine whether they do or not.

Discover The Concern (p. 123)

When you are teaching investigators, one of your biggest challenges will be finding out what their concerns are. For example, an investigator may say that he is not interested in hearing more about the Church. But his real concern may be that he does not want to stop smoking.

Suppose that you are suffering from poor eyesight, so you visit the doctor. He doesn't check your eyes, though, or ask you any questions. Instead, he removes his glasses and hands them to you saying, "Here, have these. They've really helped my vision." You try them on-and everything is a blur. When you explain this to the doctor, he replies, "Oh don't worry; you may have to squint a little at first, but you'll get used to it."

This eye doctor may have been highly skilled, but he did not meet your needs. He did not find out what kind of problem you had before he gave you a solution. You probably felt that he didn't really care about you.

Avoid doing what this doctor did. Show that you care for others by listening to them and showing that you understand them.

Discuss The Concern (p. 127)

When you find out what an investigator's concern is, you should discuss it with him. This will help him know what he needs to do and will let him know that the concern has not damaged your relationship.

Missionaries often feel that they need to resolve investigators' concerns by bearing testimony or by sharing experiences, scriptures, and examples. In many situations, however it is better to simply help others discover their own solutions.

Tell the investigator that you are confident he will make the right decisions. Encourage him to turn to the Lord while he seeks solutions. These things will help his faith and confidence grow.

Encourage others to turn to the Lord to help them resolve their concerns. This is a key principle to use in effective missionary work. In summary, discussing the concern means to:

• Find out if the investigator knows how to resolve his concern.
• Help him see the results of his decisions.
• Tell him that you know he can make the right decisions.
• Encourage him to seek the Lord's help.

Help Resolve The Concern (p. 134)

Sometimes investigators have concerns because they have wrong or incomplete information. They may not completely understand what them. Or, they may have heard of unusual doctrines or practices that find hard to accept such as polygamy. You should be able to explain unfamiliar ideas to investigators and help them discover what they need to do to resolve their concerns. You can do this by using your own experience, Examples and the scriptures.

Encourage investigators to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, This is a powerful way to help them resolve difficult concerns. When they learn that the Book of Mormon is truer they can accept other gospel truths, as well.

The missionary helped the investigator to see that his concern was about whether or not the Church had modern revelation. He then helped him to understand that reading and praying about the Book of Mormon would help him discover that the Church had revelation.

Some investigators will not immediately understand ideas from the discussions. When this happens, you may want to help them by using scriptures and examples contained in the discussions. Your personal experience and other scriptures may be helpful, as well, Sometimes investigators only need to feel your faith in the Lord to help them make decisions. Bear your testimony of the gospel to them. This will help them feel the Spirit, and the Spirit can prompt them to make correct decisions.

Invite (p. 141)

The purpose of this chapter is to help you and your companion more effectively invite others to make commitments. These commitments will allow them to return to our Heavenly Father. Begin your study with prayer, and ask the Lord to help you learn and apply the principles you study.

Many principles and skills can be used in inviting others to accept commitments. This chapter will discuss the following:

1 Extend the Invitation

2 Confirm the Commitment

Other principles and skills not discussed in this chapter might include the following:

3. Extend the invitation using two questions

4. Rephrase the invitation

Investigators must fulfill commitments in order to become converted. Many missionaries do not invite others to make important commitments. They fear that others may be offended or may not accept the invitation. As a result, many souls are lost. As a servant of the Lord, you must do all you can to prepare those you teach. Then with faith and confidence, invite your investigators to make commitments that will lead to conversion. It is crucial that you know how and when to invite them. (see James 1:22, Acts 2:37-38)

Extend The Invitation (p. 143)

People must make and keep commitments in order to be converted. Therefore, you must be confident, direct, specific, and clear when you invite people to make commitments.

You should invite people to make commitments because you love and care about them, not just because you have a duty to invite them. They should feel that you are asking them because you love them.

Often, missionaries hesitate to invite others to make commitments. They fear that the people will not accept or will be offended. Experience has shown that in many cases, investigators expect to be asked to make commitments and are surprised when they are not asked.

Some missionaries feel that they should invite only when they have an unusual spiritual feeling. However, in normal situations, they should always plan to invite unless the Spirit directs otherwise. When missionaries teach without inviting people to make commitments, their teaching is generally in vain. The first important principle to remember when inviting people to make commitments, then, is simply to do it.

When some missionaries invite people, they do it uncertainly and doubtfully. Then the people may not believe that the missionaries have confidence and faith in their message. You must believe that you are acting in the name of the Lord and that he will support your efforts. Have faith in the Lord. Be confident, direct, and clear when you invite people to make a commitment.

You should give people invitations that are direct and clear. A direct invitation is one that requires a "yes" or no answer. A question that begins with "will you" is usually direct. A clear invitation leaves no doubt about what you are asking the other person to do.

Investigators need to know exactly what you are asking them to do. They need to know when they should fulfill the commitment. When inviting others to make commitments, give specific instructions. If they are uncertain about what they should do, they are less likely to fulfill the commitment.

Extend invitations that show respect and love for investigators. Remember that you are not trying to get them to do something for you. You are trying to help bring into their lives the blessings that can come only as they obey God's commandments. Respect others' free agency when you ask them to make commitments. You cannot force or try to push someone into making a commitment. Extend invitations in a spirit of love.

• Ask direct, "will you" questions.
• Explain what the investigator is to do and when.
• Show respect and do not manipulate.

Confirm The Commitment (p. 149)

After someone has made a commitment, take time to confirm the commitment with him. Make sure that he knows exactly what he is to do and that he is willing to do it. Express your confidence in him and your faith that the Lord will help him to fulfill the commitment.

• Make sure that the investigators or members know exactly what they are to do.
• Ask the investigators or members to state that they will fulfill the commitment.

Follow Up (p. 153)

The purpose of this chapter is to help you and your companion improve in following up on the commitments that others make. By effectively following up, you can help others fulfill the commitments they have made and show them that you really care. Begin your study with prayer, and ask the Lord to help you learn and apply the principles you study.

Many principles and skills can be used when following up to help others keep commitments. This chapter will discuss the following:

1. Arrange to Follow Up

2. Make Regular Contacts

When people keep their commitments to live the gospel, they are more likely to feel the Spirit of the Lord and develop faith. They will want to change through repentance and be baptized. Following up means providing support and assistance to investigators to help them keep their commitments. If you do this, they will be more likely to keep their commitments, continue to feel the Spirit of the Lord, and make future commitments.

Arrange To Follow Up (p. 155)

You should begin following up immediately after people accept an invitation. When they accept the invitation, tell them that you are going to follow up on their commitment. This will help them know that you sincerely want them to fulfill it.

Follow up with investigators between discussion appointments. After telling them that you want to follow up, make specific plans for a follow-up visit. Set a specific day and time when you can meet again. Write the appointment in a study guide or on a pamphlet, and leave it with the investigator as a reminder.

Besides telling investigators that you want to follow up, you should encourage them to keep their commitments. This is an important part of following tip.

Telling personal experiences is another excellent way to encourage others.

Make Regular Contacts (p. 159)

Make regular contacts with investigators and members after they have made a commitment. This is an important part of following up Make these contacts as often as needed to help them feel the Spirit and keep their commitments. An investigator who has accepted an invitation to be baptized, for instance, may need contact with you or a member of the Church everyday During your visits, be positive and supportive, and encourage people to fulfill their commitments.

During a follow-up contact with an investigator or member, ask questions to find out how well he is fulfilling the commitment he made.

After you find out how well an investigator has fulfilled a commitment, you may need to adjust the commitment. Doing this may help the investigator or member to fulfill it. Or, you may need to give the original commitment again.

When you follow up, you should also encourage and support investigators. Do this by sincerely complimenting them for fulfilling commitments, reading the Book of Mormon with them, offering to help in any way, sharing a favorite scripture, promising blessings, or bearing your testimony.

• Asked questions to find out how well the investigator fulfilled the commitment.
• Adjusted the commitment or gave the original commitment again.
• Encouraged and supported the investigator.

Plan (p. 167)

The purpose of your missionary work is to help more people become converted, baptized, and qualified to return to our Heavenly Father. One tool that you can use to accomplish this purpose is effective planning. Begin your study with prayer, and ask the Lord to help you learn and apply the principles you study.

This chapter will discuss the following topics:

• Planning for Conversion
• Planning Resources: the Area Book
• Weekly and Daily Planning

This chapter discusses how you can plan effectively in all aspects of proselyting finding, teaching, and baptizing and fellowshipping. Planning is the process of mapping out how you will help as many people as possible progress toward conversion.

Planning means to (1) decide how you can help more people progress toward conversion, (2) arrange. your daily schedule so that you complete the most productive activities, and (3) carry out your plan under the guidance of the Spirit and report your progress to leaders.

Of course, your plans will need to be flexible. Things will not always happen the way you planned, and the Spirit will guide you to do things that you had not planned. In general, however, planning is part of the process of studying out your decisions in your mind (see D&C 9:7-9). You can receive much direction and inspiration during the planning process.

You should usually have a planning session once a week. Then you can update your plans for a few minutes each day. Most important is that you are always trying to decide how to help people progress toward conversion.

You should schedule your time so that you accomplish the most important activities. You can use the following principles to help you do this:

• Use the most productive time for the most important activities. This time is usually evenings and weekends.
• Plan appointments and activities in the same area for the same block of time. Then you will not have to travel as much.
• After people enter the teaching or baptizing and fellowshipping pool, do not let more than two days pass without contact from you.
• Include activities for the people in all three pools in your schedule.
• Always have an alternative plan, in case an investigator cancels an appointment at the last minute, for example.
• Schedule necessary time for district meetings, church meetings, baptismal services, and preparation for such meetings.
• Be present at all appointments, and be prompt.

The Planner (p. 172)

The planning resource you should use most often is the Missionary Weekly Planner/Weekly Record of Proselyting Results. The front side of the planner (Missionary Weekly Planner) is designed to contain your goals and schedule.

You should use at least three weekly planners at a time. Then you can schedule appointments for the next three weeks. Appointments further away than three weeks, such as zone conferences, can be written in your pocket calendar. Write your weekly goals on the planner. They should be based on the people you are working with, and they should show your faith that the Lord will continue to help you find new people to teach and baptize.

Occasionally, missionaries will set goals that deal with numbers instead of people. They might just choose a number of baptisms or discussions that they think they can reach. This type of goal will not help them bring more people to conversion and baptism. You should set goals that center on helping our Heavenly Father's children return to live with him.

You should have a planning session each week to review the three pools and plan to help investigators progress toward baptism. You should also have daily planning sessions to prepare for the next day's proselyting. Pray for inspiration as you begin to plan. Follow these priorities.

Leadership (p. 246)

As shown here, the commitment pattern applies in all areas of your work, including working with other missionaries. To use the commitment pattern in leadership, (1) prepare missionaries to feel the Spirit of the Lord, (2) invite them to make commitments to learn and apply Christlike attributes and skills, and (3) follow up to help them grow.

The Savior explained the true meaning of leadership: He that is ordained of Cod and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all (D&C 50:26). While serving a mission, you will have the opportunity to lead others and thus to serve them.

• Being called to be a leader or a senior companion does not mean that a missionary is more capable or worthy than others. Rather, such a calling becomes an opportunity to serve.
• In Church service, people do not move up through leadership callings. A district leader or zone leader may be called as a junior companion after his release.
• A release is a part of a Church call and does not mean that a missionary has served unfaithfully or has failed.
• In Church service, one is always appointed to lead, so that there is order. Members should not use leadership positions to satisfy their own ambitions.
• The leader is not a dictator. He makes final decisions but counsels with his companion to reach a decision on which they can both agree.

One of the best ways to promote unity and love in your companionship is through the companion planning session (sometimes called the companion inventory). In this meeting, you can discuss and set goals for your work, your relationship as companions, and your personal lives. Hold these sessions each week, and hold other meetings during the week as needed. The best place for these meetings is your own apartment.

Your companion planning sessions should include the following (not necessarily in order of priority)

• Pray (include opening and closing prayers).
• Discuss and review personal goals.
• Discuss the progress of your investigators.
• Evaluate the previous week's proselyting goals and plans.
• Discuss and set proselyting goals.
• Share testimony with each other.
• Discuss companionship conflicts, if any.
• Finalize plans for the coming week.

Always begin your planning sessions with prayer. Then individually seek the Lord's help as you review your past goals and set personal goals for the coming week. After setting your personal goals, read them to your companion, and ask for his help in attaining them.

As you finish your goal setting and planning, bear your testimony to your companion and express your appreciation for him. This will help maintain a spiritual atmosphere in which you can discuss any conflicts or concerns that may have arisen in your companionship.

Conclude your companion planning session by kneeling in prayer, committing yourselves to the goals you have set, and asking for the Lord's help. The companion planning session will be one of your greatest tools for effective missionary service. It will bring your companionship closer together as you strive to serve the Lord. The companion planning session should be held even when everything is going well in your companionship.

In order to serve the Lord well missionary companions must have the constant companionship of the Spirit of the Lord. You need the Spirit so that (1) together you can be receptive to the will of the Lord and do what he would have you do, and (2) the Spirit can confirm your teachings and testimony. The document "Companions," which accompanies this lesson, contains nine guidelines to help companions bring the blessings of the Spirit more fully into their lives. Discuss these principles during each companion planning session.

Leadership is helping others to succeed. An effective way to be a good leader is to use the commitment pattern in working with others. Leaders also teach others to use the commitment pattern. Companion planning sessions help you become more effective missionaries and leaders, and they promote unity and love between companions.

Companions (p. 249)

The testimonies of two missionary companions support each other and can have a greater effect on investigators, especially if the love and brotherhood of the missionaries are evident.

In the same way, missionary companions are able to support each other in other phases of their work. They help each other in the process of learning and growing and strengthen each other in times of difficulty.

Missionaries who develop and maintain an appropriate relationship and stay together seldom encounter problems that they cannot solve.

In order to serve the Lord as effectively as possible, you and your companion must have the constant guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. You need this Spirit (1) so that you can know what the Lord wants you to do, and (2) so that the Spirit can confirm your teachings and testimony and lead your investigators toward conversion. The following guidelines are suggested as ways in which you can bring the blessing of the Spirit more fully into your companionship:

1. You and your companion should emphasize your roles as part of a team. Make sure that you work together in a spirit of unity. At a conference of the Church early in this dispensation, the Lord proclaimed to his servants, I say unto you be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine (D&C 38:27).

When you and your companion have different opinions about what to do, you must honor the roles that you each have. The senior companion should ask for his companion's counsel and consider it carefully The junior companion, after offering his counsel, must be willing to accept his companion's righteous decisions. He should accept them with his whole heart, without doubtful feelings. The senior companion must make sure that his junior companion feels like a full partner. He must include his junior companion in the planning process and show sincere trust in him.

2. You and your companion should love and respect each other. This bond of brotherly love creates an atmosphere in which the Spirit can influence you. In 1 John we read:

1 John 4:7-8, 20-21Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of Cod; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. . . If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

When you love your companion, you show that you love God. You and your companion also help each other learn to love your investigators. To develop love for each other, you should do the following things:

a. Find ways to serve each other. When you serve someone, you show that you love him, and you also develop love for him. King Benjamin referred to the relationship between love and service when he counseled parents to teach their children to love one another, and to serve one another (Mosiah 4:15).

b. Study together each day and pray together frequently throughout each day. When you study with your companion, you increase your knowledge and skill. But you also open the door for even more intimate experiences with the Spirit. Through these experiences, you can become more unified and cooperative and develop greater love and respect for each other. The same blessings come from frequently praying together. You will find that many of your obstacles are broken down when you join in sincere prayer to your Father in Heaven.

c. Do not become preoccupied with negative thoughts. The Savior explained to the Nephites, He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another (3 Ne. 11:29). When irritations arise, companions need to remember "temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility (D&C 4:6).

Irritations, frustrations, and complaints can quickly begin to divide you if you do not disregard them or respectfully resolve them, In any relationship, different habits can cause conflict. But most of these frictions are not important and should be completely ignored. The best way to eliminate negative thoughts is to concentrate on positive ones. Focus on the good things in your companion.

d. Give necessary correction constructively and respectfully. The Lord taught that the effective priesthood bearer influences others by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned (D&C 121:41). When you feel the need to correct a fault in your companion, make sure that you are motivated by a sincere concern for his welfare, not by a need to satisfy your own feelings.

3. You and your companion should communicate with each other openly and frequently. Regularly evaluate your relationship, and respectfully express your feelings to each other. This can keep negative feelings and problems from growing and build a foundation of mutual respect and trust.

4. Be loyal to each other. Completely support everything that your companion does in righteousness, and never criticize him behind his back.

5. Obey the standards of missionary conduct and the rules of the mission. One of the ways in which you can most help your companion is to help him overcome any temptations that face him. Do not compromise on rules even if they seem unimportant, for example, the policy that companions should sleep in the same room, but not in the same bed. The rules that missionaries are asked to obey are based on years of experience with many missionaries and on the direction of the Lord's inspired servants.

When someone has a serious problem, he has almost always developed it by foolishly disobeying principles that seem unimportant. The adversary works hard against missionaries. He especially tries to make a transgression seem innocent or insignificant.

6. Be sensitive to your companion's needs and challenges, and get help when needed. Be aware of your companion's health problems. Also, be aware of his feelings so that you can help him avoid transgression and complete a full and memorable mission.

For example, your companion may break the rule that says not to touch members of the opposite sex or be too friendly with them. Or, he may have fears that keep him from working effectively and that could make him want to return home. You should be aware of these problems and seek advice from your mission president.

Do not let your companion's problems become so bad that he transgresses or has to leave the mission. You should have enough courage and love for your companion to ask the mission president for help before a problem becomes a crisis.

7. Always stay together. Staying together means staying close together, not merely within sight of one another or in the same house. Any exceptions to this rule would be very rare and obvious. Do not make exceptions for seemingly innocent activities that take companions away from each other, such as shopping, doing laundry, or even jogging. For example, do not assume that it is harmless for you to continue jogging around a park while your companion rests under a tree, or for you to be in one room with an investigator or member while your companion is in a different room. Such situations may seem harmless at the beginning, but they can quickly get out of control. Also, be careful not to be left alone when working with stake missionaries.

8. Avoid situations that could lead to problems. It is less painful to prevent a problem than to cure it. Be humble, and realize that everyone can be tempted. For example, avoid teaching members of the opposite sex alone, especially divorcees or those who are having marriage problems. Do not counsel members, but encourage them to talk with their priesthood leaders. Although such situations will not always lead to problems, you should eliminate any possibility of such problems.

9. Do not borrow money from your companion. If you are having financial problems, discuss your situation with your mission president. Never make your companion, other missionaries, or anyone else feel that they ought to lend you money. Financial problems can hurt any relationship.

What Can I Do? (p. 226)

You can also help investigators want to keep learning about the Church by being the best missionary you can be. Do all you can to develop the Christlike attributes of charity, faith, gospel knowledge, and spirituality. Then you will be able to teach with conviction and help others feel the Spirit of the Lord.

You can also help investigators by learning to use the principles and skill of the commitment pattern. You may already be able to use some commitment pattern skills effectively. Others you may need to improve upon through study, practice, and daily use.