I was profoundly moved when I first heard President Gordon B. Hinckley mention that every new convert needs these three things. Our prophet deserves his title; for by mentioning only three things he exposed the root cause of our retention problems. He also stated that we must diligently endeavor to help converts be retained in the church.

When talking about retention, some members complain that missionaries sometimes baptize the kind of people who aren’t retained in the church very long. Sometimes missionaries grumble that members don't do their best helping new converts stay active in the church; thus causing the people they spend great efforts in finding, teaching, and baptizing to leave the church soon. These cases are minimal; however, and above all, we shouldn't waste our time blaming each other. We should ask ourselves if we listen to the teachings of our living prophet by helping every convert to obtain three things --A friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with the good word of God.

Through Jesus Christ's teachings we learn that different converts have different levels of faith. Jesus said: "Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold" (Matthew 13:3-8).

He later explained the meaning of this parable: "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matthew 13:19-23).

From this lesson we learn that preaching the gospel can be likened unto sowing. In the parable mentioned above, we know that the different types of earth represent different levels of faith. Jesus Christ is the Master of the vineyard. We members are His gardeners. The Master can't bear to see the sown seeds fail to bloom or bearing fruit. Through His prophets He calls for us to take care of His garden carefully. He teaches us how to help the seeds of the gospel sprout, grow, bloom, and bear fruit through three things. Plants themselves require three essential elements in order to grow--sunlight, water, and fertile soil. Likewise new converts require three essential elements in order to be retained in the church. These three things are: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with the good word of God. These are indispensable.

I was baptized on April 6, 1973 as a single adult. Before getting baptized, I was shy and liked to smoke and drink. At that time I was the only investigator in my family. They were opposed to me joining the church. Eventually, through faith and testimony, I was able to conquer many problems and join the church. My home branch, the Shi-lin branch, was just like a big family. I had a lot of "friends" soon after joining the church. Sister Lishur Tsai, the sister who introduced me to the gospel was one of them. They helped me, taught me, and answered my many questions. Through their friendship, I was able to break away from previous friends that had bad influences upon me.

After baptism I was soon called as the assistant financial clerk of the branch. I was responsible for the tithing and expenses of the branch. Those "responsibilities" kept me very busy. They taught me that the Lord needs people with willing hearts. Through serving others my faith increased and I experienced the joyfulness of laboring with our Lord. I also learned that when fulfilling church callings we should seek God's glory rather than our own. I learned how to use the holy priesthood to perform ordinances, do home teaching, and to bless my family and others. I found that I developed various talents through serving people, such as: conducting music, playing the piano, singing, and teaching. I also learned a lot of leadership skills like: conducting meetings, interviewing people, and presenting training. The importance of the principle of obedience was another essential thing I learned at that time. Selfless service and laboring without pay is just as President Hinckley counseled us: "Faith is like the muscle of my arm. If it is used and exercised, it will grow strong. If it is put in a sling and left there, it will grow weak" (First Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, 11 Jan. 2003, 18).

In 1973, the church established the first institute in Taiwan. I am so grateful for having the opportunity to attend the institute then. Four years later, I was one of the graduates. What I learned during those four years helped set the foundation of the gospel for me. That opportunity has been a great help to me. It also helped me to better use scriptures and gospel principles to serve members. "Nurturing with the good word of God" means that we should read scriptures everyday, learn more gospel knowledge through the Sunday school and auxiliary lesson plans (Teachings of Presidents of the Church), as well as participate in institute and seminary. Before each class, we should preview the lesson and ponder the meaning the scriptures and the lessons have in our lives. We should pay attention when attending the class, and should be actively involved in the discussion. Sharing testimony will help us grow spiritually and help us know our Savior Jesus Christ better.