Missionary Work

I have been blessed to be born into the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has brought me so much happiness, fulfillment, and joy. I know that this church is true. I know that the gospel will be eventually presented to every person that has ever lived on the Earth, and this requires missionary work. Because I have been blessed to have the gospel in my life, I have the responsibility to share it with others. The Lord’s work will go forth, and I want to be a part of it. I need to share my testimony in word to others. I need to invite others to go to church with me. I need to be a good example because my actions speak about my religion. I know that God lives, and this knowledge calls me to a great work.

“We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty, and we encourage all men who are worthy, and are physically able, and mentally capable to respond to the call to serve. Many young women also serve, but they are not under the same mandate to serve as are the young men. We assure the young sisters of the church, however, that they make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome their service.”
–President Monson, Welcome to Conference, October 2012 General Conference

“Almost everything that I’ve been able to accomplish as a priesthood bearer is because individuals who knew me saw things in me that I couldn’t see.” 
–President Eyring, Help Them Aim High, October 2012 General Conference

“A testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, comes in a delicate, refined spiritual communication. It is described in the scriptures as light, as burning in the bosom. It is best described as a feeling.” 
–President Packer, Reverence Invites Revelation, October 1991 General Conference

“I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days.”
–Elder Holland, Safety for the Soul, October 2009 General Conference

“The decision to serve a mission will shape the spiritual destiny of the missionary, his or her spouse, and their posterity for generations to come. A desire to serve is a natural outcome of one’s conversion, worthiness, and preparation.” 
 –Elder Nelson, Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You! October 2012 General Conference

“Our young missionaries set aside their education, occupation, dating, and whatever else young adults would typically be doing at this stage of life. For 18 to 24 months they put it all on hold because of their deep desire to serve the Lord.” 
 –Elder Nelson, Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You! October 2012 General Conference

“Missionaries in their late teens or early 20s are young in ways of the world. But they are blessed with gifts—such as the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of God, and testimonies of the truth—that make them powerful ambassadors of the Lord. They share the good news of the gospel that will bring true joy and everlasting happiness to all who heed their message.”
–Elder Nelson, Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You! October 2012 General Conference

“Young men, you have no time to waste. You can’t wait to get serious about preparing until you are 17 or 18. Aaronic Priesthood quorums can help their members understand the oath and covenant of the priesthood and get ready for ordination as elders, they can help them understand and prepare for the ordinances of the temple, and they can help them get ready for successful missions. Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and the Relief Society can help parents prepare missionaries who know the Book of Mormon and who will go into the field fully committed. And in each ward and branch, these same quorums can lead out in an effective collaboration with the full-time missionaries who are serving there.”
–Elder Christofferson, Brethren, We Have Work to Do, October 2012 General Conference

“Another way we can serve Heavenly Father’s children is through missionary service—not only as full-time missionaries but also as friends and neighbors. The future growth of the Church will not happen through just knocking on strangers’ doors. It will happen when the members, along with our missionaries, filled with the love of God and Christ discern needs and respond to those needs in the spirit of charitable service.”
–Elder Ballard, Finding Joy Through Loving Service, April 2011 General Conference

“Full-time missionaries, some 52,000 and more, serve in 340 missions around the world. They are believers and devoted servants of the Lord. Their purpose is to ‘invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.’”
–Elder Nelson, Be Thou an Example of the Believers, October 2010 General Conference