Twice each year, this magnificent Conference Center
seems to say to us with its persuasive voice, "Come, all
ye sons of God who have received the priesthood."
There's a characteristic spirit which pervades the
general priesthood meeting of the Church.
Tonight, there are many thousands of our number
throughout the world who are serving the Lord as His
missionaries.
As I mentioned in my message this morning, we currently
have over 65,000 missionaries in the field with thousands
more who are waiting to enter the missionary training center
whose applications are currently being processed.
We love and commend those who are willing
and anxious to serve.
The holy scriptures contain no proclamation more relevant, no
responsibility more binding, no instruction more direct,
than the injunction given by the resurrected Lord as he
appeared in Galilee to the 11 disciples.
Said he, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
then in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world."
This divine command, coupled with His glorious promise, is
our watchword today as it was in the meridian of time.
Missionary work is an identifying feature of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Always has it been; ever shall it be.
As the Prophet Joseph Smith declared, "After all that's
been said, the greatest and most important duty is to
preach the gospel." Within two short years, all of the
full-time missionaries currently serving in this
royal army of God will have concluded their labors, will
have returned to their homes and loved ones.
For the elders, their replacements are found tonight
in the ranks of the Aaronic Priesthood of the Church.
Young men, are you ready to respond?
Are you willing to work?
Are you prepared to serve?
At best, missionary work necessitates drastic
adjustment to one's pattern of living, requires long hours,
great devotion, selfless sacrifice, and fervent prayer.
As a result, dedicated missionary service returns a
dividend of eternal joy which extends throughout mortality
and into eternity.
The challenge is to be more profitable servants in the
Lord's vineyard.
This applies to all of us, whatever our age, and not only
to those who are preparing to serve as full-time
missionaries, for to each of us comes the mandate to share
the gospel of Christ.
May I suggest a formula that will ensure our success?
First, search the scriptures with diligence.
Second, plan your life with purpose.
And I might add, plan your life regardless of your age.
Third, teach the truth with testimony.
And fourth, serve the Lord with love.
Let us consider each of the four parts of the formula.
First, search the scriptures with diligence.
The scriptures testify of God and contain the words of
eternal life that become the foundation of our message.
The emphasis of the Church curricula is the holy
scriptures, programmed and coordinated to
the Correlation effort.
We're encouraged, as well, to study the scriptures each day,
both individually and with our families.
Let me provide but one reference which has immediate
application to our lives.
In the Book of Mormon, the 17th chapter of Alma, we read
the account of Alma's joy as he once more saw the sons of
Mosiah and noted their steadfastness in
the cause of truth.
The record tells us, "They had waxed strong in the knowledge
of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding.
...
They had searched the scriptures diligently, that
they might know the word of God.
But this is not all; they had given themselves to much
prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of
prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they
taught, they taught with power and authority of God."
Brethren, search the scriptures with diligence.
Second in our formula: plan your life with purpose.
Perhaps no generation of youth has faced such far-reaching
decisions as the youth of today.
Provision must be made for school, mission, and marriage.
For some, military service will be included.
Preparation for a mission begins early.
In addition to spiritual preparation, a wise parent
will provide the means whereby a young son might commence his
personal missionary fund.
He may well be encouraged, as the years go by, to study
foreign language so that, if necessary, his language skills
could be utilized.
Eventually, there comes that glorious day when the bishop
and stake president invite the young man in for a visit.
Worthiness is ascertained.
A missionary recommendation is completed.
During no other time does the entire family so anxiously
watch and wait for the mailman and the letter which contains
the return address 47 East South Temple,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
The letter arrives.
The suspense is overwhelming.
The call is read.
Often the assigned field of labor is far away from home.
Regardless of the location, however, the response of the
prepared, obedient missionary is the same: "I will serve."
Preparations for departure begin.
Young men, I hope you appreciate the sacrifices
which your parents so willingly make in order for
you to serve.
Their labors will sustain you, their faith encourage you,
their prayers uphold you.
A mission is a family affair.
Though the expanse of continents or oceans may
separate, hearts are as one.
Brethren, as you plan with purpose your lives, remember
that your missionary opportunities are not
restricted to the period of a formal call.
For those of you who serve in the military, such time can
and should be profitable.
Each year our young men in uniform bring many souls into
the kingdom of God by honoring their priesthood, living the
commandments of God, and teaching to others the Lord's
divine word.
Do not overlook your privilege to be missionaries while
you're pursuing your formal education.
Your example as a Latter-day Saint will be observed,
weighed, and ofttimes emulated.
Brethren, whatever your age, whatever your circumstance, I
admonish you to plan your life with purpose.
Now to the third point in our formula.
Teach the truth with testimony.
Obey the counsel of the Apostle Peter, who urged, "Be
ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason for the hope that is in you." Lift up your voices and
testify to the true nature of the Godhead.
Declare your witness concerning the Book of Mormon.
Convey the glorious and beautiful truths contained in
the plan of salvation.
When I served as a mission president in Canada--good
heavens, more than 50 years ago--one young missionary who
came from a small rural community marveled at the size
of Toronto.
He was short in stature but tall in testimony.
Long after his arrival, together with a companion, he
called at the home of Elmer Pollard in
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
Feeling sorry for the young men, who during a blinding
blizzard were going house to house, Mr. Pollard invited the
missionaries into his home.
They presented him their message.
He did not catch the Spirit.
In due time, he asked that they leave and not return.
His last words to the elders as they departed his front
porch were spoken in derision, and I quote them: "You can't
tell me you actually believe Joseph Smith was the prophet
of God." The door was shut.
The elders walked down the path.
Our country boy spoke to his companion, "Elder, we didn't
respond to Mr. Pollard.
He said we didn't believe Joseph
Smith was a true prophet.
Let's return and bear our testimonies to him."
At first, the more experienced missionary hesitated but
finally agreed to accompany his companion.
Fear struck their hearts as they approached the door from
which they'd just been ejected.
They knocked, confronted Mr. Pollard, spent an agonizing
moment, and then with power born of the Spirit our
inexperienced missionary spoke.
"Mr. Pollard, you said we didn't really believe Joseph
Smith was a prophet of God.
I testify to you that Joseph was a prophet.
He did translate the Book of Mormon.
He saw God the Father and Jesus the Son.
I know it."
Sometime later, Mr. Pollard--now Brother
Pollard--stood in a priesthood meeting and declared, "That
night, I could not sleep.
Resounding in my ears, I heard the words, 'Joseph Smith was a
prophet of God.
I know it.
I know it.' The next day, I telephoned the missionaries
and asked them to return.
Their message coupled with their testimonies changed my
life and the lives of my family." Brethren, teach the
truth with testimony.
The final point in our formula is to serve
the Lord with love.
There is no substitute for love.
Successful missionaries love their companions, their
missionary leaders, and the precious
persons whom they teach.
In the fourth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the
Lord established the qualifications for the
laborers of the ministry.
Let us consider but a few verses: "O ye that embark in
the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your
heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand
blameless before God at the last day. ...
And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to
the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance,
patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility,
diligence." Well, might each of you within the sound of my
voice ask himself the question, "Today, have I
increased in faith?
in virtue?
in knowledge?
in godliness?
in love?" Through your dedicated devotion, at home or
abroad, those souls whom you helped to save may well be
those whom you love the most.
Many years ago, dear friends of mine, Craig Sudbury and his
mother, Pearl, came to my office prior to Craig's
departure for the Australia Melbourne Mission.
Fred Sudbury, Craig's father, was noticeably absent.
Twenty-five years earlier, Craig's mother had married
Fred, who did not share her love for the Church.
And he was not a member.
Craig confided to me his deep and abiding love for his
parents and his hope that somehow, in some way, his
father would be touched by the Spirit and open his heart to
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I prayed for inspiration how such a
desire might be fulfilled.
The inspiration came, and I said to Craig, "Serve the Lord
with all your heart.
Be obedient to your sacred calling.
Each week write a letter to your parents, and on occasion
write to Dad personally.
Let him know how much you love him, and tell them why you're
grateful to be his son."
He thanked me and with his mother departed the office.
I would not see Craig's mother for some 18 months, when she
came to my office and in sentences punctuated by tears
said to me, "It's been almost two years since Craig left for
his mission.
He has never failed in writing a letter to us each week.
Recently, my husband, Fred, bore his testimony for the
first time in a testimony meeting.
And it surprised me.
He shocked everyone who was there by announcing that he'd
made the decision to become a member of the Church.
He indicated that he and I would go to Australia to meet
Craig at the conclusion of this mission so that Fred
could be Craig's final baptism as a full-time missionary."
No missionary stood so tall as did Craig Sudbury when in
far-off Australia he helped his father into water
waist-deep and, raising his right arm to the square,
repeated those sacred words: "Frederick Charles Sudbury,
having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Ghost."
Love had won its victory.
Serve the Lord with love.
Brethren, may each one of us search the scriptures with
diligence, plan his life with purpose, teach the truth with
testimony, and serve the Lord with love.
The perfect Shepherd of our souls, the Missionary who
redeemed mankind, gives us His divine assurance, and I quote:
"If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying
repentance unto this people and bring, save it be one soul
unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the
kingdom of my Father.
And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you
have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how
great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto
me!"
Of Him who spoke these words, I declare my witness, He is
the Son of God, our Redeemer, and our Savior.
I pray that we may ever respond to his gentle
invitation: "Follow thou me." In His holy name, even the
name of Jesus Christ, the Lord, amen.