Lessons on Missionary Service
Lesson No. Twenty-Eight
Lessons Learned as Member Missionaries
Member missionary companions – After we returned from presiding over the Kentucky Louisville Mission we were called as member missionary companions for two years. We experienced the hand of the Lord in our calling and service as member missionaries just as we had experienced it as full-time missionaries. We learned that the same principles of missionary service apply to full-time and to member missionaries. The following experiences illustrate some of these lessons:
Scott – Scott was from a non-member family who lived across the street They were good friends, and we watched Scott grow up. After we were called as member missionaries we prayed earnestly for someone to teach. Within a few weeks we got a call from Joe, a friend of our son Michael, who had met Scott at the University of Utah. Scott told Joe that he was interested in joining the Church and that he was comfortable in discussing it with us. We began to teach him, and he was baptized within a month.
He was motivated by a young woman who made it clear she would only be married in the temple. A year later they were married in the temple, and they remain strong in their testimony.
Missionary lessons – Some of the best missionary opportunities are right across the street. Also, a strong righteous young woman can influence a young man in eternally important ways.
Kristen – Kristen was a cousin to Scott. She lived with her family in Wyoming, and often stayed with Scott’s family. She knew that Scott joined the Church and she was curious. Scott arranged for us to meet her. She was taught, received a testimony, and joined the Church within a few weeks. She moved to Salt Lake and became active in the Church.
Missionary lesson – The best source of missionary referrals are new members.
Yee – We continued to pray for people who could be taught the gospel. One day Mom saw an Oriental woman walking down the street. She was prompted to ask her if she needed a ride. On the way to the library Mom learned that Yee had emigrated from China to Los Angles a year before. Yee had a strong impression to change jobs and to move to Utah. Even with no background in Christianity she readily accepted the Book of Mormon and was baptized. She has been endowed and has a strong testimony. She is blessed temporally and spiritually.
Missionary lesson – The Lord prepares people who he then puts in our path. All members or missionaries have to do is to have the faith and the courage to open our mouth.
John – John’s wife was a less active member. Sisters from our ward became her friend and invited her to attend Relief Society. We learned she had a non- member husband. We invited John to have the missionary lessons. We taught him weekly and after two months he was baptized.
Missionary lesson – Part member families who are fellowshipped by ward members are a wonderful source for baptisms and life-long retention.
Brandon – Brandon was dating Melisa who is a niece of Bonnie who is a member of our ward. Bonnie and Melisa were less active. We taught Brandon, Melisa, and Bonnie. Brandon was baptized, Melisa and Bonnie were activated, and Brandon and Melisa were married.
Missionary lesson – When members and nonmembers are taught together all are strengthened.
Testimony – We are all able to be missionaries in some way during the various seasons of our lives. We were greatly blessed as member missionaries.
We know that all missionaries are dependent on the Holy Spirit. Missionaries have the privilege of laboring in the vineyard, but it is essential to remember that it is the Lord who gives the harvest.