The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(11/2/97)
"If we were fully united as a people in our missionary work, we would
rapidly hasten the day when the gospel would be preached to all people
without and within the boundaries of the organized stakes of Zion. If
we are not united, we will lose that which has been the lifeblood and
which has fed and stimulated this Church for a generation." — Harold
B. Lee, Conference Report, April 1950, p.96
(11/3/97)
"Have you taught a Sunday School class and felt when you finished that
you had really taught someone some principle of the gospel that had
really helped him or given him a brighter look on life? Remember the
feeling of peace and joy that followed? Have you ever taught someone
the gospel and received that feeling of joy because he had accepted
what you had been teaching? The thrill of missionary work!" — Eldred
G. Smith, Peace, General Conference, April 1972
(11/4/97)
"Brothers and sisters, we must ever keep in mind that missionary work
throughout the world requires great sacrifice, and all of this
sacrifice, effort, and exhaustive preparation of missionaries may be
in vain if those who accept the gospel do not receive a loving and
warm welcome by the members of the Church." — M. Russell Ballard, The
Hand Of Fellowship, General Conference, October 1988
(11/5/97)
"As disciples of Christ, we need to feel genuine charity for one
another. As we do, new light will come into our own lives. This
charity is essential in missionary work, but we must never allow
ourselves to treat our neighbors only as potential converts. We have
had the sad experience of seeing members of the Church who attempted
to convert their neighbors and friends and, when they did not respond,
withdrew their friendship and neighborliness. We must not be so
anxious to share the gospel that we become insensitive to the feelings
of others." — M. Russell Ballard, The Hand Of Fellowship,
General Conference, October 1988
(11/6/97)
"As members of the Lord's Church, we must take missionary work more
seriously. The Lord's commission to 'preach the gospel to every
creature' (Mark 16:15) will never change in our dispensation. We have
been greatly blessed with the material means, the technology, and an
inspired message to bring the gospel to all men. More is expected of
us than any previous generation. Where 'much is given much is
required.' (D&C 82:3.)" — Ezra Taft Benson, Our Responsibility
to Share the Gospel, General Conference, April 1985
(11/7/97)
"The great need today in missionary work is to have all the members,
every member--those who bear His name, those who have had a
witness--pull aside the curtains of fear and reach out in love to our
friends and relatives and neighbors and let them know that we really
care about them and warm them with our love, that they may know that
we really do care for them as our brothers and sisters, that they too
might enjoy these great blessings." — Rex C. Reeve, Sr., "Feed My
Sheep", General Conference, October 1980
(11/8/97)
"I would like to pose one or two points for your consideration,
particularly to you young brethren. First, will going on a full-time
mission have an adverse effect on a future athletic career? When I
started coaching at BYU in 1962, there was a prevailing attitude that
missions and football did not mix. As a result, very few players went
on missions and returned to play the game, the feeling being that a
young man could not go into the mission field, preach love for two
years and return with the desire to play a physical contact sport such
as football. Many felt there would be a loss of coordination, specific
techniques, and the strength and the conditioning necessary to perform
at a high level of competency required for major college athletics.
This attitude prevailed until our beloved prophet, President Kimball,
proclaimed that every man of missionary age should prepare himself for
a mission. As a result of this proclamation, many more of our athletes
started going on missions. It has been our experience that if a young
man decides to go on a mission, he cannot only play well when he
returns, he will often play better." — LaVell Edwards, BYU Head
Football Coach, Prepare for a Mission, General Conference,
October 1984
(11/9/97)
"Never have we had the opportunity which we have today to get our
message before the world. Almost all over the world the Church is
well-spoken of. Never has it been so easy to get a gospel
conversation. Never has the Christian world been weaker than it is
today. Never has there been a need, such a great need, for what we
have. We must share the gospel with others. That is our
responsibility—every member a missionary. That is the call of prophets
of God." — Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,
p.208
(4/6/99)
"If you want to
secure the friendship and affections of our friends, go to work and
comfort them with that light which you have received, remembering
those blessings came down from God, and that by doing this you are
only doing what every man should do." — Teachings of Lorenzo
Snow, p.70
(4/7/99)
"Life is an 'open-book' exam, but the problem is that most of the
students don't have the 'book', or refuse to open it—a fact that ought
to spur us on as Church members to share the gospel more widely so
that life would be meaningful for more people." — Neal A. Maxwell, For
The Power Is In Them, p. 19
(4/8/99)
"I am grateful to have a host of friends in the various churches of
the world, scattered in different places. I am grateful for those
friendships, but I will not be satisfied until I can share with them
some of the things which they have not yet received. And that is the
thing we must keep in our minds- it is our responsibility to bear the
word." — George Albert Smith, General Conference, October 1950
(4/9/99)
"I believe we members do not have the option to extend the hand of
fellowship only to relatives, close friends, certain Church members,
and those selected nonmembers who express an interest in the Church.
Limiting or withholding our fellowship seems to me to be contrary to
the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Savior offered the effects of his
atoning sacrifice to all mankind. He said, 'Remember the worth of
souls is great in the sight of God' (D&C 18: 10). Can we justify
doing less?" — M. Russell Ballard, The Hand of Fellowship,
General Conference, October 1988
(4/10/99)
"We can experience no greater joy than to see the light of the gospel
shine in the eyes and face of a newly baptized brother or sister who
has 'spiritually been born of God,' who has 'experienced [a] mighty
change in [heart],' and who has 'the image of God engraven upon [his
or her countenance!]'" — Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, November
1995 (October Conference) page 76
(2/19/01)
"Now, I think our prophet today is telling all of us, in this
day and time, to go and bring in those people who are out on the plains.
Each worthy young man should go on a mission. And each one of us, though
we may not be called to active missionary service, can be on a mission
and be involved in a cause that is greater than we are, the greatest
cause of all in the world: the salvation of each of our Father’s
children." — James E. Faust, "Go Bring Them In from the Plains," Ensign,
July 1997, p. 7
(2/20/01)
"When I was a missionary in London fifty years ago, my companion and I
would shake hands in the morning and say to one another, 'Life is good.'
Life in the service of the Lord is good. It is beautiful. It is
rewarding." — Gordon B. Hinckley, "Live the Gospel," Ensign, Nov. 1984,
p. 86
(2/21/01)
"One of the most important and rewarding ways in which we can serve our
fellowmen is by living and sharing the principles of the gospel. We need
to help those whom we seek to serve to know for themselves that God not
only loves them but he is ever mindful of them and their needs. To teach
our neighbors of the divinity of the gospel is a command reiterated by
the Lord: 'It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his
neighbor' (D&C 88:81)." — Spencer W. Kimball, "President Kimball
Speaks Out on Service to Others," New Era, Mar. 1981, p. 48
(2/22/01)
"In April of 1980 I entered the Missionary Training Center and began to
learn Spanish to prepare to serve in Madrid, Spain. While in the MTC, I
knew that I was doing the right thing. In my heart I wanted to someday
return to play basketball. Yet at the same time I decided that even if I
never played another game of collegiate ball I wouldn’t regret the
decision that I had made." — Devin G. Durrant, former BYU basketball
star, "Missions—Only You Can Decide," Ensign, May 1984, p. 35–36
(2/23/01)
"One hundred and forty-four years have come and gone since that first
humble missionary set out to carry the message of salvation to a
confused world. In fulfillment of the all-important, God-given mandate,
this great work has gone forward through the years unabated. It is a
dramatic chapter in the history of a 'peculiar people.' But in all the
annals of Christendom there is no greater evidence of courage,
willingness to sacrifice, and unbounded devotion to duty. Men, women,
and children all have joined in this heroic effort with no hope of
material reward." — Ezra Taft Benson, "Missionary Work: A Major
Responsibility," Ensign, May 1974, p. 105
(3/4/04)
"Our main task is to declare the gospel and do it effectively. We are
not obligated to answer every objection. Every man eventually is backed
up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand. 'And if they
are not the words of Christ, judge ye,' said Nephi, 'for Christ will
show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at
the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and
ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things.'
(2 Ne. 33:11.)
Every man must judge for himself, knowing God will hold him accountable.
The Book of Mormon is to be used 'for a standard unto my people, which
are of the house of Israel,' the Lord says, and its words 'shall hiss
forth unto the ends of the earth.' (2
Ne. 29:2.) We, the members of the Church, and particularly the
missionaries, have to be the 'hissers,' or the tellers and testifiers,
of the Book of Mormon unto the ends of the earth." - Ezra Taft Benson, "The
Book
of Mormon Is the Word of God," Ensign, Jan. 1988, p. 4
(4/6/04)
"When we can look outside ourselves with the same intensity of concern
and desire that Enos did and offer up prayers of faith on behalf of
brothers and sisters in nations now closed to us, then perhaps the doors
will be opened-even by miraculous means, if necessary." - Dean L.
Larsen, "Prayer:
The
Missionary Tool in Everyone's Hands," Ensign, October 1977, p. 38
(5/28/04)
"Those who speak easily and often of the restored gospel prize what it
has meant to them. They think of that great blessing often. It is the
memory of the gift they have received which makes them eager for others
to receive it. They have felt the love of the Savior. For them these
words are their daily, hourly reality: 'There is no fear in love; but
perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that
feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved
us.' (1 John
4:18-19.)" - Henry B. Eyring, "A
Child and a Disciple," General Conference, April 2003
(6/18/04)
"I testify that the Lord expects us to bring souls unto Him by inviting
all men to come unto Christ, and by so doing, find Him ourselves. It
truly is 'the thing... of the most worth unto you.' (D&C
15:6.) In fact, your very ordination is 'to preach faith and
repentance and remission of sins, according to [his] word' (D&C
53:3), 'that you may bring souls unto [him].' It is the greatest
offering that man can give to God. (D&C
15:6; see D&C
29:7; Alma
17:11; Alma 29:9;
Alma 31:34-35).
In fact, you 'received [your] first lessons in the world of spirits and
were prepared to [labor] for the salvation of the souls of men.' (D&C
138:56.) You cannot fail." - Gene R. Cook, "Inviting
Others
to 'Come unto Christ'," Ensign, November 1988, p. 37
(6/25/04)
"The contrast between the motive to help and the motive to use can even
be seen in some Church service. A missionary with a motive to use 'his'
mission for personal growth and 'his' baptisms to gain recognition for
'his' accomplishments is a phony and a failure. His motives and
attitudes are transparent. Companions, leaders, and investigators will
soon recognize and resent a missionary who sees them as mere objects to
be used for his benefit. A missionary who sees himself (or herself) as a
servant of the Lord, an instrument in his hands to do his work (Alma
17:9), has the motive to help others. That attitude and motive is
transparent also, and its fruits are trust and love from all with whom
the missionary associates." - Dallin H. Oaks, "Pure in Heart," [Salt
Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], p. 30
(10/24/04)
"It is not an easy thing for us to defend the position that bothers so
many others. But, brethren and sisters, never be ashamed of the gospel
of Jesus Christ. Never apologize for the sacred doctrines of the gospel.
Never feel inadequate and unsettled because you cannot explain them to
the satisfaction of all who might enquire of you. Do not be ill at ease
or uncomfortable because you can give little more than your conviction."
- Boyd K. Packer, "The
Peaceable
Followers of Christ," Ensign, April 1998, p. 67
(10/25/04)
"Because of the temptation to intellectual pride, always remember that
the sun rises and shines on gentle and simple alike, so the light of
truth beams as directly upon the simplest and humblest of God's children
as upon you. Do not, therefore, be ashamed of spiritual truths, Do not
reject them or think you must amend them because they are common to you
and to those who have not had the advantage of higher education. Be not
ashamed of Jesus Christ because the poor believe in him and some of the
mighty of the world do not. Do not let your scientific intellect discard
truths merely because they are not subject to demonstrable proof. Open
your hearts and souls so that you may have understanding of spiritual
truth. Your natural associations will be with persons of culture, but
keep close to those who have warm hearts, character, faith and
testimony. Devote yourselves to the calls that shall come to you in life
to render service to others and service to God." - Howard W. Hunter, BYU
Speeches of the Year, 1960
(10/26/04)
"Elder Delbert L. Stapley, who served as a member of the Council of the
Twelve a number of years ago, quoted Paul in his epistle to the Romans:
'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation.' Then Elder Stapley added: 'If we are not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ, then we should not be ashamed to live it. And if
we are not ashamed to live it, then we should not be ashamed to share
it.'" - Thomas S. Monson, "That All May Hear," Ensign, May 1995, p. 4
(1/3/05)
"We know how to go out to teach. We know how to find people and how to
cultivate their interest. We know how to apply sound teaching methods.
All we need to do now is for each of us to become converted, to arise
and go forth in the power of our knowledge and by the Spirit. Truly the
admonition of the Lord to Peter, 'and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren,' is happening today. As the Holy Ghost
descended upon Peter and his associates at Pentecost, so has this divine
gift been given freely to us. We have had, ever since 1830, the power of
the Holy Ghost guiding and strengthening our leaders and loyal members.
The gospel has been carried through the fervent witness of untiring
missionaries and members until we now have organized units of the Church
in more than two-thirds of the countries throughout the world, but there
are uncounted millions yet to hear." - S. Dilworth Young, "When
Thou
Art Converted," Ensign, June 1971, p. 40
(3/16/05)
"It is incumbent upon the members of the Church who have had the gift of
religious freedom to share this knowledge and testimony with the peoples
of the world. Do not underestimate the profound influence-politically
and socially-of the principles of the restored gospel upon all of
mankind." - David B. Haight, "Filling
the
Whole Earth," Ensign, May 1990, p. 24
(8/8/05)
"Brothers and sisters, all of you out
in the wards and stakes and in the districts and branches, I invite
you to become a vast army with enthusiasm for this work and a great
overarching desire to assist the missionaries in the tremendous
responsibility they have to carry the gospel to every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people. 'The field is white [and] ready to harvest' (D&C
4:4). The Lord has repeatedly declared this. Shall we not take
Him at His word?" - Gordon B. Hinckley, "Find
the
Lambs, Feed the Sheep," Ensign, May 1999, 110
(9/3/05)
"Your message should be: I know that God lives; that he has revealed
Himself personally, by which we know He is in the likeness of man;
that in answer to prayer His Son Jesus Christ has revealed Himself to
His Prophet Joseph Smith and restored again the true plan of
salvation; that by means of His revelations the true Church of Christ
is organized upon earth, with an authorized Priesthood to officiate in
its ordinances, and to receive continual revelation for the building
up of His Church upon the earth. Repent all ye people, therefore, turn
from your sins, be baptized, and by God's authorized servants ye shall
receive the Holy Ghost as a light to your path, and a guide to your
feet." - J. Reuben Clark, "Messages of the First Presidency of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," 6 vols. (Salt Lake City:
Bookcraft, 1965-75), 4:341
12/17/06
"And now, my dear brethren and sisters, I speak no idle words
when I give you assurance that we are in a position to make an
inestimable contribution to the betterment of human relations in this
anxious, distracted world. We are a relatively small group among the
populations of the earth, but we are not reliant only on ourselves and
our own strength. God is at the helm of this ship, which is his kingdom,
sailing through troubled waters. He has charted the course. He has
chosen the pilot, his servant, tested and true, to keep us on course.
This ship, like the ark of old, bears all the essentials for the
re-establishment of the personal reign of the Lord Jesus Christ in the
earth, and the essentials for the exaltation of man in the celestial
presence of God the Father and the Son. This ship will eventually come
to its point of refuge in the harbor of a peaceful world. With all my
soul, I plead with you, my beloved brethren and sisters, to stay with
the ship, lend a helping hand, and persuade as many of our Father's
children as you can possibly reach to avail themselves of the safety,
the security, and the glorious promise awaiting all who cleave unto the
Lord, our Master and Deliverer." - Stephen L Richards, "Conference
Report," October 1953, Morning Session, p.103
3/9/07
"The prophecies of Isaiah
and of Nephi (see 2
Ne. 10), Zenos (see Jacob
5), and Ezekiel (see Ezek.
37), to mention only a few, all describe the panoramic
process of the scattering and gathering of Israel. Each of us has an
obligation to participate in the gathering of the children of Israel.
Throughout the entire Doctrine and Covenants the Lord admonishes
us to open our mouths and share the gospel with others. He further
commands those who have been warned to warn their neighbors (see D&C
88:81). As with all other commandments, obedience begets a
wonderful promise: as we share the gospel with others, our sins will be
forgiven (see D&C
84:61). The Lord further promised: 'How great will be your
joy if you should bring many souls unto me!' (D&C
18:16.)" - Spencer J. Condie, In Perfect Balance, p.210
4/5/07
"While we should be pleased to
testify to the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to
all who will hear our message, there are times when all that we can hope
to accomplish is to help those who are not members of the Church better
understand our basic beliefs. There are many people who know a little
about us, who are curious and who wonder about us but who are not ready
to change their lifestyle or make eternal commitments. We need to be
prepared to teach them in ways that they can understand and appreciate,
even if they are not prepared as yet to respond to spiritual promptings
and to accept the gospel in their lives." - M. Russell Ballard, "How
Is
It with Us?," Ensign (CR), May 2000, p.31
5/15/07
"Now, while we live and labor let us magnify our calling. Let no man be
found recreant to his opportunities. Let us not turn our backs upon the
blessings of the Lord, but day by day go faithfully on blessing our
father's children. We have no hard feelings toward any of our fellowmen;
we have no occasion to. If they misunderstand us, misquote us, and
persecute us, we should remember they are in the hands of the Lord, who
has said, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' and who further has said,
'I will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is expected to
forgive all men.' So when we partake of the sacrament of the Lord's
supper, as we do from time to time, let us purge from our hearts all
feeling of unkindness toward one another and toward our brothers and
sisters who are not of our faith. Let us labor day by day that our
Father may bless us. If we have His Holy Spirit, the people with whom we
come in contact will feel it, because it will permeate the atmosphere in
which we live, and they will partake of it and drink it in, even though
they may not desire so to do. Let us magnify the Lord by keeping His
commandments. Let us popularize His work by laboring to build it up and
extend it among the children of men. Let us magnify one another by
speaking good only, and by strengthening the hands of those who are
weak, and assisting those who are less patient than ourselves." - George
Albert Smith, "Conference Report," October 1906, Afternoon Session, p.51
8/4/07
"There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven from before the foundation
of this world upon which every blessing is predicated, and unless we
observe that law, we cannot enjoy the blessing. The Lord has told us
that. If people disagree with us, if our Father's other children do not
believe the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in this latter day to the
Prophet Joseph Smith, that ought not to incur our displeasure. It ought
to enlist our sympathy, because if we know, as Philip knew when he
testified of the man who came from Nazareth, we could invite our friends
to come and see. If we are just as sure as that, we will let our light
so shine that others, seeing our good works, will be constrained to
glorify our Father in heaven." - George Albert Smith, "Conference
Report," October 1949, First Day—Morning Meeting, p.7
10/17/07
"The growing prominence of the Church and the
increasing inquiries from others present us with great opportunities
to build bridges, make friends, and pass on accurate information. But
it can also present a greater possibility of misunderstanding and
sometimes even prejudice if we allow others to define who we are and
what we believe rather than presenting it ourselves.
"Generally, there is no problem with those who are personally acquainted with our members. But there are millions upon millions who are not acquainted with any members of our faith. I would hope that those who know very little about the Church would seek to learn more about us. I would hope they would get to know our members rather than judging us by the misinformation given by those who do not know and in some cases by those who would deliberately mislead or defame.
"You as members can help this to happen by reaching out and sharing with others the basic information found in the Articles of Faith, along with such things as the facts, faith, families, and fruits of the gospel.
"We should also remember that sometimes the best way to answer people’s interest can be by how we live, how we radiate the joy of the gospel in our lives, how we treat others, and how sincerely we follow the teachings of Christ." - M. Russell Ballard, "Faith, Family, Facts and Fruits," General Conference, 6 October 2007
12/24/07
"This Church is not merely for me and
for you who are in the Church. I must begin with myself, undoubtedly.
My own salvation comes first; but unless I give of my strength to the
winning of other souls for God, my own salvation will be incomplete.
That applies to all of us. It cannot be otherwise if we follow the
message given us this morning by our prophet and leader. We have a
calling, not merely to build the Church of Christ, and to save
ourselves therein, but also a commission to save the whole world. We
are, as it were, set apart, consecrated for that great purpose. All of
Israel must remember, every man or woman who enters the waters of
baptism must keep in mind, and every child that comes into the Church
must be taught that by the ordinance of baptism we accept the great
and divine commission to serve the Lord in building his Church. It
will then be easy to keep the commandments of God, to lay aside or
meet courageously the temptations that face us. To stand alone, saying
selfishly, 'I have
received the gospel; it is good to be a Latter-day Saint'
will not be doing our duty; but, when we say, 'Now,
I
have received this great blessing. I shall pass it on to others';
there comes the flowering in the hearts of men of the gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ." - John
A.
Widtsoe, "Conference
Report," October 1946, First
Day—Morning Meeting, p.14
12/29/07
"I feel weighing upon me greater
today, than I ever have in all my life, the responsibility of going into
all the world to preach the gospel to every creature. I tell you, my
brethren and sisters, this must be done. We have witnessed signs that
bespeak the coming of the Redeemer of the world, through wars and rumors
of wars and through pestilences; but I recall also his prophetic words
which he said, 'This gospel
of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, as a witness to all
men, and then shall the end come.'
That responsibility still weighs heavily upon us, my brethren and
sisters. O, what a responsibility to know that we have within our hands
that power that can save men, and what a responsible position we will be
in if we do not do all that is within our power to take this and give it
unto those who have it not, who are in the world!"
- Rey L. Pratt, "Conference
Report," April 1921, Afternoon
Session, p.66
1/11/08
"Brethren, you have the great
honor, yes, the great responsibility of feeding the sheep of the Lord
Jesus Christ. If I were to ask you. 'Do
you love Jesus Christ?' with one
accord I am sure you would respond in the affirmative, and in response
to such, I feel sure the words of the Christ would come down through the
centuries, declaring again, 'Feed
my sheep; feed my lambs.'" - Joseph
L. Wirthlin, "Conference
Report," October 1945, Afternoon
Meeting, p.107
10/15/08
"You
might be asking yourself: How can I assist in missionary work? In what
ways can I participate? There are two fundamental truths to keep in
mind as you embark on the work. First, have a clear understanding that
God loves all His children and desires their salvation. In
Doctrine
and Covenants 18:13 we read, 'And
how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth.'
Second, our message of Christ and His restored gospel is the most
important gift you have to give."
- Silvia H. Allred, "Go Ye Therefore," General Conference, October
2008
11/11/08
"What
a
tremendous impact we can make in the lives of so many less-active
families and of those who are not members of the Church when we accept
the Savior's invitation to feed His sheep and help everyone to come unto
Christ!" - Eduardo Gavarret, "Returning
Home," General Conference, October 2008
3/3/09
"We
have a great responsibility to conserve our membership. We listen to
and know about national conservation but still when these, our
brethren and sisters, accept the gospel it is just the same as the top
soil, which very often is taken from the top of the earth and washed
away to the sea. They become lost and much of the responsibility is
ours, because we do owe them our helping hand. As Mosiah said, we must
bear their burdens with them, and only in bearing their burdens and
knowing that we have the truth can we discharge that covenant which we
have made. Most of us who are here listening to these services today
made a covenant that we would do anything for the Gospel, even
to the giving up our lives, if we were called upon to do so, and we do
need to carry this truth, which I bear witness and testimony of today.
We have the responsibility to carry that truth to the hearts of the
membership of our Church."
- Desla S. Bennion, "Conference Report,"
April 1949, Afternoon Meeting, p.57
4/6/09
"If we comply with it, by
brethren and sisters, or my friends, if all men and women would comply
with it, then they would have shed into their souls such light, and
peace and joy, that the riches of the world would sink into
insignificance beside it. So long as they bask in the light of the
Spirit, there is nothing on earth would tempt their feet to stray in
forbidden paths. Then would they know the virtue of newness of life,
then would they feel the freedom that comes when men accept the truth,
and their sins have been forgiven and stripped from them. Then would
they realize the promise which Christ made when He said: 'This
gospel is not Mine but His that sent Me; and if any man will do His
will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I
speak of Myself.' When men
have that assurance and testimony, they are strong in their hearts to
do the bidding of God, and pity the sneer of the skeptical. They would
pity those who do not see and understand, and would give all that is
theirs to bring them to the knowledge of the truth; and they are rich
in the possession of this truth, beyond the riches that the world can
conceive or give."
- Joseph E. Robinson, "Conference
Report," October 1908, p.27
8/11/09
“Miraculous things happen when members join with missionaries and
share pure testimony with those who are not members of the Church. For
example, while many people were touched by Alma’s testimony in the
land of Ammonihah, when Amulek stood and added his testimony to
Alma’s, ‘the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than
one witness who testified’ (Alma 10:12). The same thing can happen
with us today. As we stand together the Lord will help us find many
more of His sheep who will know His voice as we unitedly share our
testimonies with them.” - M. Russell
Ballard, “Pure Testimony,” Ensign (CR), November 2004, p. 40
4/6/10
“These latter days are a time of great
spiritual thirst. Many in the world are searching, often intensely,
for a source of refreshment that will quench their yearning for
meaning and direction in their lives. They crave a cool, satisfying
drink of insight and knowledge that will soothe their parched souls.
Their spirits cry out for life-sustaining experiences of peace and
calm to nourish and enliven their withering hearts.
“Indeed, ‘there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties,
and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the
truth because they know not where to find it.’ Let us work with all
our heart, might, mind, and strength to show our thirsty brothers and
sisters where they may find the living water of the gospel, that they
may come to drink of the water that springs ‘up unto everlasting
life.’” - Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Living Water
to Quench Spiritual Thirst,” Ensign (CR), May 1995, p. 18
7/8/10
"If we could teach the world the proper concept of God and Christ and
our relationship to them, and do it in such a way that it would sink
into their hearts and impel them to study the teachings of the Savior,
then apply them in their lives, all these troubles that we worry about
now would cease. But the trouble is, men are avaricious; they are
selfish; they are ambitious for power. They have nearly all of the
attributes which, if left unbridled, lead to these terrible
consequences. It is only the Spirit of God and Christ coming into the
heart of man that can change his nature so that he will serve properly
his fellow men." - Antoine R. Ivins,
"Conference Report," October 1951, Afternoon Meeting, p. 32
8/20/11
Not very long ago, my family and I had the opportunity to preside over
the Australia Sydney Mission. I had come out of the Missionary
Department, and I suppose my missionary views were very conservative.
At any rate, as we began our work in the Australia Sydney Mission, we
had some modest, but good, successes, and I felt comfortable about
what we were doing—until President Kimball spoke to us. In his own
manner and in his own way, he said, “Brother Dunn, Loren, we must all
lengthen our stride.” And I got the message. - Loren C. Dunn,
"Receiving a Prophet," Ensign (CR) April 1983
9/3/11
Our call to cry repentance to all people is a direct consequence of
the infinite and eternal Atonement. (See D&C 18:10–14.) It is by
teaching the gospel and administering the ordinances that the
Atonement becomes effective in a person’s life. As Paul said, “How
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall
they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14.) - Jack
H. Goaslind, Jr., "Our Responsibility to Take the Gospel to the
Ends of the Earth," Ensign (CR) October 1983
The deep and powerful influence which has reached out across time
and space, often into far and hidden corners of the earth, has the
effect to snatch people from their normal life patterns and bring
them to Zion.
Since the Church was organized in 1830, the gospel net has
encircled and drawn together many millions of people who, either
through their own personal experience, or through receiving the
teachings of their parents and grandparents, have found the way to
eternal life.
This means that for those who receive the message, the confusion
of ages about how to come to Christ has ended. -
10/21/11
From every man, young and old, who bears the priesthood, I ask for a
stronger and more devoted voice, a voice not only against evil and him
who is the personification of it, but a voice for good, a voice for the
gospel, a voice for God. Brethren of all ages, unbind your tongues and
watch your words work wonders in the lives of those “who are only kept
from the truth because they know not where to find it.” - Jeffrey
R. Holland, "
12/18/11
Remember, brothers and sisters,
through our faith, our trust in the Lord, and our good works, we can
bring many souls unto the Lord. We can enjoy the blessings of living
with them in the kingdom of our Father. - M.
Russell Ballard, "We
Proclaim the Gospel," Ensign (CR) October 1986
4/30/12
President Thomas S. Monson explained how we can help when he said: “Our
missionary experiences have to be current. It is not enough to sit back
and ponder former experiences. To be fulfilled, you have to continue to
naturally and normally share the gospel.”
The work of naturally and normally sharing the gospel with those we care
about and love will be the work and joy of our lives. - David F.
Evans, "Was It Worth It?" Ensign (CR) May 2012
7/30/12
The missionary experiences of the sons of Mosiah also help us understand
how to become instruments in God’s hands. “And it came to pass that they
journeyed many days in the wilderness” (Alma
17:9). We must be willing to journey. The sons of Mosiah were
willing to step outside their surroundings and do that which was
uncomfortable. Had Ammon not been willing to journey into a foreign
land, inhabited by a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people, he
never would have found and helped Lamoni and his father, and many
Lamanites may have never learned about Jesus Christ. God has asked us to
journey, go on missions, accept callings, invite someone to church, or
help someone in need. - Don R. Clarke, "Being
Instruments in the Hands of God," Ensign (CR) November 2006
10/13/12
The decision to serve a mission will
shape the spiritual destiny of the missionary, his or her spouse, and
their posterity for generations to come. A desire to serve is a
natural outcome of one’s conversion, worthiness, and preparation. - Russell
M. Nelson, "Ask
the Missionaries! They Can Help You!," Ensign (CR) November
2012
7/21/13
He will
make you a fisher of men, however inadequate you may feel now. It
won’t be done by a mysterious process. It will be the natural result
of your choosing to follow him. Just think about what you must do to
be a fisher of men, to touch lives with faith for him. You will need
to love the people you serve. You will need to be humble and full of
hope. You will need to have the Holy Ghost as your companion to know
when to speak and what to say and how to testify. - Henry
B. Eyring, "To
Touch a Life with Faith," Ensign (CR) November 1995
9/17/13
It
would be difficult to imagine anything more exciting to do as a
young man, woman, or couple in the world today than to be a
full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. The message of the restored gospel we share is absolutely
vital. It is from God our Eternal Father for every one of His
children on earth and is centered in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
When that message is understood and lived, it can replace turmoil
with peace, sorrow with happiness and provide solutions to life’s
persistent challenges. - Richard
G. Scott, "Now
Is the Time to Serve a Mission!" Ensign (CR) May 2006
4/29/14
If members learn to use the correct name of the Church in connection
with the word Mormon, it will underscore that we are Christians,
members of the Savior’s Church.
Brothers and sisters, let us follow up and develop the habit of
always making it clear that we belong to The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. - M.
Russell Ballard, "Following
Up," Ensign (CR) May 2014
6/8/14
Each quorum should be alert to
its opportunities. All about us are those who, while living among
us, know very little about us. They see us leave for work and come
home. They see our lights go out as we retire to rest, but they do
not comprehend our deep abiding joy in the restoration, as the
spirit whispers to us peace. We have an obligation to live in such
a manner that they will see. And we have a further obligation to
open our doors, our windows, and our hearts to them so that if
they are at all willing, they cannot fail to see and, in addition,
to hear and accept. - S.
Dilworth Young, "Conference Report," April 1968, Afternoon
Meeting, p.84
9/9/14
This
Church was not formed on man’s initiative, it was not called into
being because of some brilliant leader who stepped forward with a
new plan; and therefore we cannot, we have not the power nor the
authority, to make any kind of affiliation with any other church;
and let me say with equal earnestness, no other denomination, no
church, no sect can ever affiliate as such with this, the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There have been overtures made by
some religious bodies to find out the terms under which they
probably could come in with us; and the answer has been: Come in as
every member of this Church has come in—through … the door of
baptism, that ye may receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of
hands. - James Talmage,
Conference Report, April 1920, page 104
11/2/14
It is not our purpose just to participate in discussions about the
gospel or to talk to anyone and everyone we can about the Church or
merely to set goals and make plans. These things are important, but
they are a means to an end, and that end is bringing people to
Christ. - D. Todd Christofferson,
“Why
We Share the Gospel,” Ensign, August 2014
1/12/15
I promise you that if you will
respond to the invitation to share your beliefs and feelings about
the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a spirit of love and a spirit
of courage will be your constant companion, for “perfect love
casteth out fear” (1
John 4:18). - L. Tom Perry,
“Perfect
Love Casteth Our Fear,” Ensign (CR) October 2011
3/22/15
All of us have family members or friends who need the gospel but are
not now interested. To be effective, our efforts with them must be
directed by the Lord so that we act in the way and at the time when
they will be most receptive. We must pray for the Lord's help and
directions so we can be instruments in His hands for one who is now
ready—one He would have us help today. Then, we must be alert to
hear and heed the promptings of His Spirit in how we proceed. - Dallin
H. Oaks, "Sharing
the Gospel," Ensign (CR), November 2001, p.7
6/6/15
O how glorious is the gospel! How great our responsibility to let
the world glimpse its magnificence, its comprehensiveness, its
divinity! I pray with all my soul that our temples will radiate
further interest and a desire to know God's will in the hearts of
thousands and tens of thousands of noble people who want to know the
truth. God help us all to increase our ability to spread this truth
and to help mankind to know it. - Teachings
Of Presidents Of The Church: David O. McKay, p. 125
11/4/15
When we as members make the
decision to stand up and powerfully witness for God’s doctrine and
His Church, something changes within us. We take His countenance
upon us. We become closer to His Spirit. He in turn will go before
us and be on “[our] right hand and on [our] left, and [His] Spirit
shall be in [our] hearts, and [His] angels round about [us], to bear
[us] up.” - Gregory A.
Schweitzer, “Let
the Clarion Trumpet Sound,” Ensign (CR) November 2015
12/2/15
Think
what a marvelous opportunity we have! Think what a blessing it
will be if we do our part here, as we stand on the other side of
the Great Divide, when our Father shall summon his great family
together as he shall, to have these wonderful men and women,
hundreds and thousands of them who have been our neighbors, and
who have watched our lives, stand there and say: "Father in
Heaven, we owe it to these thy children of the humble
organization that bears the name of thy Son, we owe it to them
hat we have understood the truth and that we are here at the
supper of the Lamb." That is our privilege, and our blessing. -
George
Albert Smith, "Conference Report," October 1945, Afternoon
Meeting, p.174
3/1/16
We say to the honest in heart everywhere: Listen to our message;
give it prayerful, careful consideration, and then seek a witness
from on high through the power of the Holy Ghost that our message is
true. There is just too much at stake to do otherwise. We make some
strong claims in our Church; we do not apologize for that. We have
that responsibility. We have the truth. We are proclaiming the
truth. Give it careful, prayerful consideration. - William
H.Bennett, “Which
Way to Shore?” Ensign (CR) October 1973
6/7/16
As the humble servants of God—the General Authorities, the
missionaries, and others—travel throughout the world, we are
compelled to ask: What can we do for the peoples of the earth? What
can we give that no one else can? What can justify the great
expenditure of effort, time, and means to “go … into all the world,”
as the Savior commanded. We cannot change the economy of countries.
We do not seek to change governments. The answer is simple. We can
offer the hope promised by the Savior: "Peace in this world, and
eternal life in the world to come." - James
E. Faust, “Heirs
to the Kingdom of God,” Ensign (CR), May 1995, p.61
7/25/16
Well, pertaining to time—do you know how long it takes to read the 4th
Section of the Doctrine and Covenants? It contains seven verses. I have
timed myself. Just one minute and a half. One minute and a half to set
the pace of each day! There is hardly a time that I repeat it to myself
that I do not get some new thought or some new inspiration. I recommend
it to all of you. I tell prospective missionaries and those that I meet
in the field, already serving, not only to read it but to study it and
to memorize it. - John Longden, February 17, 1960, “BYU Speeches of
the Year,” 1960, p.3
9/18/16
We set forth the word of God as we have received it. We claim no
monopoly on goodness, Christian virtue, and the love of Christ. We
rejoice that millions of his adherents, of his children throughout
the world revere his holy name and seek to follow in his ways as
they understand them. We know the Spirit of the Lord strives with
men for their uplift and betterment. We are not despondent about
human nature. We have confidence in men and women the world over.
When they shall be privileged to hear the full truth of the gospel
of our Lord, countless numbers, under the influence of the Holy
Spirit, will embrace the truth. - Stephen
L Richards, “Conference Report,” October 1953, Morning Session,
p.102
10/7/16
Just as we sometimes cannot see the results of our own service given
on the Sabbath, we may not be able to see the cumulative effects of
other servants of the Lord. But the Lord is building His kingdom
quietly through His faithful and humble servants, with little
fanfare, toward its glorious millennial future. It takes the Holy
Spirit to see the growing grandeur. – Henry
B. Eyring, “Gratitude
on the Sabbath Day,” Ensign (CR) November 2016
10/14/16
Be open about your faith in Christ. When the occasion presents
itself, speak of His life, His teachings, and His incomparable gift
to all mankind. Share His powerful truths from the Book of Mormon.
He has given us this promise: “Whosoever … shall confess me before
men, him will I confess … before my Father … in heaven.” I promise
you that as you pray often and sincerely for opportunities to “stand
as a witness of God,” those opportunities will come, and those who
seek more light and knowledge will be put before you. – Neil
L. Andersen, “A
Witness of God,” Ensign (CR) November 2016
10/20/16
There are three things all members can do to help share the gospel,
regardless of the circumstances in which they live and work. All of us
should do all of these.
First, we can all pray for desire to help with this vital
part of the work of salvation. All efforts begin with desire.
Second, we can keep the commandments ourselves….
Third, we can pray for inspiration on what we can do in our individual circumstances to share the gospel with others. – Dallin H. Oaks, “Sharing the Restored Gospel,” Ensign (CR) November 2016