To be a missionary! These are the words that conjure up many thoughts and emotions in all of us. They are words that bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts. We love the missionaries! True missionaries of the Lord, Jesus Christ, become part of an elite group of individuals stemming all the way back to the very beginning. Theirs is a tremendous legacy. They form a mighty army of the noble and great ones such as Enoch, Noah, Paul, Alma, Amulek, Nephi, Lehi and the sons of mosiah. Theirs is a special calling, a high-stakes adventure, where the work is tough but the rewards are out of this world. True missionaries are evaluated by their efforts. Statistics and numbers are secondary to spirit and integrity. How they “play” is more important than the “final score”. The ultimate harvest will depend on many variables, some well beyond their control. Theirs is but to plant the seed and nurture it with their might.

Who makes up this special team? Is it the exclusive realm of the full time missionaries? We all recognize this fine group of people as an important part of the missionary effort, but are they it? Is anyone else responsible for missionary work and, as such, part of this great team? Of course. We all are! I repeat, who makes up this special team? WE do!

President David o. mckay proclaimed this now famous quote, “Every member a missionary”. He continued, “Ours is the responsibility- than ever before: …to proclaim peace and goodwill unto all mankind, to exert every effort and all means within our reach to make evil-thinking men good, and good men better, and all people happier, to proclaim the truth that each individual is a child of God and important in His sight…” Every member of the church is a missionary. We are responsible to teach by word and by deed the rest of our Father’s children. This important work comes through our membership in the restored church and does not require the receipt of a special call. When we are baptized we covenant “…to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places that (we) may be in, even until death…” (Mosiah 18:9). We are all subject to the divine pronouncement, “It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.” (D&C 88:81). We are part of the “stone cut out of the mountain without hands” foreseen by Daniel, that would roll forth until it would fill the whole earth. We are the beacon, the ensign, the light on a hill and the salt and savor spoken of by the Savior. Ours is an awesome, yet wonderful, task! And it has never been more important. We are entrusted to help our Father by working with and caring for his most prized possessions…His children. He wants nothing more dearly, or desperately, than for His daughters and sons to return home. He has asked us to show them the way. There are few undertakings as urgent or important.

The missionary effort of the church is one of the greatest evidences of the divinity of the latter-day work. Where else can you find thousands and tens of thousands of people who will, at a moments’ notice and with significant personal sacrifice, go to the ends of the earth to testify that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a prophet and that the Gospel has been restored…and expect nothing tangible in return? No other organization can duplicate it, or in any way come close to that record of service.

When it comes to actually sharing the “good news” with others as with most things in life, the Savior serves as our finest example. His missionary technique was to shower those around Him with love and genuine concern, to serve one and all and to exemplify by the way that He lived the blessings of the Gospel. People sought Him out. People wanted what He had. He personified the truth, and many around him desired to share in it. Much of “His secret was to be found in the fact that He:

1. Loved God and demonstrated that love in all that He did (Matt 22:37)
2. Loved His neighbor (Matt 22:38-39, John 13:34)
3. Lived the Gospel

That is missionary work made easy! Just love each other. Indeed, it is the secret to success and happiness. In His wondrous Sermon on the Mount the Savior asked all of us to let our lights shine forth, to be examples of the Gospel to those around us (Matt 5:15-16). That is what He did. That is the key to successful missionary work. Tracting, preaching on street corners of impending doom, and heated doctrinal debates are not the most effective ways to share the gospel message. The best way for us to share the Gospel with others is to live it! Let them see it. It is so simple and so easy. People are always searching for ways to experience happiness and fulfillment in their lives. We can share with them our recipe. Many will want to taste it for themselves.

A few simple ways by which we can be effective missionaries “at all times and in all places” include:

1. Smiling. Be happy and friendly to those around you.
2. Greet new people at church. Be genuine. Say “hi” to those who you don’t recognize or who come in with the full-time missionaries. It takes little effort and even less preparation, but goes a long way.
3. Call someone on the phone just to chat. Let them know you are thinking of them.
4. Invite others over to your home.
5. Bring friends/family to a ward or branch activity or outing. Let them experience some fun the “mormon way”. Give them the opportunity to meet your fellow Saints and see for themselves how the Gospel can affect people.
6. Take an investigator to Church.
7. Have someone over for Family Home Evening. This inspired program can be so impressive to those unfamiliar with it. A great spirit and power are found there. Most will recognize in it a wonderful way to strengthen the family.
8. Serve others…and involve others in service.
9. Make some visits. Personal contact is so valuable. Be there for people, even when they aren’t sick or expecting trials.
10. Listen with your heart.
11. Pray for those investigating the Church. Pray for the missionaries.
12. When the full time missionaries ask for your help in some way, shape or form…give it willingly!

The little things do make a big different. And there are many little things we can do.

The wonderful thing about this, the Lord’s Way of sharing the Gospel, is that as we do it WE are blessed! It makes us happy. It does not require hours and hours of time nor does it necessitate our blood, sweat and tears. Just a little thought, planning, and prayer. And a little effort. The rewards can be significant, for us and for them, as we have learned in the inspired counsel given by the Savior to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer in Section 18 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In that memorable revelation we were reminded that the worth of souls is great and that when we influence someone for good that our joy will be great with them in the Kingdom of our Father.

Missionary work made easy, the Savior’s Way. Love, friendship, smiles, happiness, sharing, action, fun. It will make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.

Joseph Smith, speaking of our day, prophesied that missionary work would go forth, “…boldly, nobly and indepent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done”. And who will help to accomplish this great work? We will! We must.