How to Be a Member Missionary

Serving a full-time mission is an honor and a privilege that will bless your life an hundred-fold. I recently ran across some quotes by President Kimball that I thought were worth sharing here. They offer powerful perspective on who has been called to share the gospel. The prophet spoke clearly of our duty. He said "I was asked a few years ago, 'Should every young man who is a member of the Church fill a mission?' I responded with the answer the Lord has given: Yes, every worthy young man should fill a mission. The Lord expects it of him. And if he is not now worthy to fill a mission, then he should start at once to qualify himself."

The Lord has instructed,

"Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews.” (D&C 133:8)

President Kimball further added "Someone might also ask, 'Should every young woman, should every father and mother, should every member of the Church serve a mission?' Again, the Lord has given the answer: Yes, every man, woman, and child—every young person and every little boy and girl—should serve a mission. This does not mean that they must serve abroad or even be formally called and set apart as full-time missionaries. But it does mean that each of us is responsible to bear witness of the gospel truths that we have been given. We all have relatives, neighbors, friends, and fellow workmen, and it is our responsibility to pass the truths of the gospel on to them, by example as well as by precept. (Spencer W. Kimball, It Becometh Every Man, Ensign, Oct 1977, 3)

So, while I'm busy preparing my oldest son to enter the MTC next month I have to ask myself "Am I being a good member missionary today?" I'd love to be able to share conversion stories with him on his mission about people I've shared the gospel with!