Lessons on Missionary Service
Appendix B

Introduction to President Lunt’s Monthly Message to Missionaries

A mission president’s primary responsibility is for the welfare and spiritual growth of each missionary who serves in his mission – Every week a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles assigns new missionaries to serve in a particular mission somewhere in the world. Commenting on this process President Henry B. Eyring has said that the Apostle who is making the assignments for a particular week is often inspired to make the assignment based on who the mission president is that presides in that particular mission. In other words a missionary is often assigned to a mission president who can bless the life of that missionary.

This was my case when as a 19 year old missionary. I was assigned to the British Mission under the leadership of Elder Marion D. Hanks. (See the Preface to my book entitled Lessons on the Plan of Salvation which is published on this web site)

President Eyring’s comment gives a remarkable insight about the importance of the relationship between a mission president and each missionary. During the three years I presided over the Kentucky Louisville Mission I continually felt the weight of this responsibility as well as the great blessings that came from that responsibility.

To stay close to an average of 180 missionaries assigned to our mission at any one time Sister Lunt and I did the following:

1. We met with all our missionaries every month in a zone conference. In the morning we did training with the help of my Assistants and other missionary leaders. Each of us spoke to our missionaries which was followed by a testimony meeting where each missionary had a chance to testify and share experiences. The relief society sisters then provided a wonderful lunch.

2. After lunch I interviewed every missionary. This was a remarkable experience that gave me an opportunity to get to know each missionary. As I began our mission I prayed that I might know the name and put a face with each missionary. My prayers were answered – I not only knew their names and faces but I also knew their hearts.

3. I read a monthly letter and report form from each missionary. This gave me the opportunity to follow up with individual missionaries as needed.

4. We each wrote a message to our missionaries that was included in our monthly Iron Rod mission letter. These Letters are included as Appendix A and B of this book.

I loved the opportunity to teach our missionaries the doctrines of the gospel – My teaching at zone conferences and in my monthly messages was an important way to influence my missionaries then, and hopefully for the rest of their lives. I strongly believe that “the preaching of the word of God has a great tendency to lead the people to do that which is just – yea, it has a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them” (Alma 31:5). These 36 Messages follow: