Mission Prep Class: Lesson 1: The Missionary Purpose

In this presentation, I am teaching Lesson 1 of the Mission Preparation class from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to my teenage kids. The lesson topic is the Missionary Purpose–to invite others to come unto Christ. While I am going by the Church’s Mission Prep manual, please remember this is not a publication of the Church. I am simply a dad, teaching my children, and I’m sharing our lesson for others to enjoy.

Please find the video and podcast version of this lesson here: https://latterdaysaintmissionprep.com/preparing-for-a-mission/mission-prep-class-lesson-1-the-missionary-purpose/

1. Welcome to Our Missionary Preparation Class Lesson 1: The Missionary Purpose

2. About Your Instructor My name is Jimmy Smith Founder of Latter-day Saint Mission Prep website I live in Texas in the United States

3. About this Mission Prep Class Following the Church’s Missionary Preparation Teacher Manual Teaching my two teenage children and record the lessons for others to enjoy This video, my website, and other content I create is NOT a publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

4. About My Mission Rosario, Argentina 1995 to 1997

5. What Activities and Tasks Do Missionaries Regularly Perform? Tracting / Contacting / Door Knocking Studying the Scriptures Teaching the Missionary Lessons Bike Riding Praying Service in the Community Baptisms / Confirmations Are these activities a missionary’s purpose ? Mormon Missionaries at Teotihuacan by Daniel Case

6. A Missionary’s Purpose: To Invite Others to Come unto Christ Preach My Gospel manual says a missionary’s 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” (Preach My Gospel, 1). Image used by permission from the Gospel Media library on https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org

7. Discussion: The Missionary Purpose Statement How does this purpose broaden your understanding and give meaning to the tasks missionaries perform? Which parts of this purpose statement identify the responsibility of the missionary , and which parts identify the responsibility of the investigator ? How might following this purpose statement make you a more effective missionary?

8. Inviting Others to Come unto Jesus Christ and Be Converted to His Gospel President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “We have also said much about the inspired summary of our work: ‘teach repentance and baptize converts.’ But converts to what? To Jesus Christ our Savior and our Redeemer, to His doctrine, to His restored gospel, to His authority, to His name. Conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel should precede conversion to and membership in His Church. . . . Seek conversion to Jesus Christ and His gospel.” Closing Remarks address given at the seminar for new mission presidents, June 28, 2017

9. Your Commission to Teach the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ “To come to the Savior, people must have faith in Him unto repentance—making the necessary changes to bring their life into agreement with His teachings. You can help people develop such faith by teaching them the restored gospel by the Spirit and inviting them to commit to live according to its teachings. Keeping this commitment prepares them for the covenant of baptism and confirmation and the precious gift of the Holy Ghost.” Preach My Gospel manual, page 2 Carl Bloch: The Sermon On the Mount

10. Keeping in mind the commission we just read, what must a person do to come to the Savior? Faith in Christ. Repentance. Live a life that follows His teachings. According to this paragraph, what does a missionary do to help others come unto Jesus Christ? Teach the gospel by the Spirit of God Invite them to commit to live it

11. Missionary Work Focused on the Missionary Activities Teaching to achieve a certain number of lessons per week Trying to get through the lesson material Talking to people to fill the teaching pool with a certain number of bodies Daily planner serves simply as a schedule and appointment calendar Devotes scheduled time to scripture study, but without the fire of the Spirit Not enthusiastic about individual and companion study Inviting people to attend Church because that is what missionaries are supposed to do Teaches to understand the why and how of the gospel Listening and responding to what is on their mind/heart Seeking the Holy Ghost to discern who is feeling the Spirit as they talk The planner helps ensure things happen leading to conversion and baptism Looks forward to daily opportunity to feast upon the word of God Searches for answers to investigator questions of the soul Understanding that participation in Church is an essential part of gospel covenants Missionary Work Focused on the Missionary Purpose From "Our Missionary Purpose" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Seminar for New Mission Presidents, 2008. vs

12. Discussion of Focusing on Missionary Activities vs. Purpose How could focusing on your true purpose affect how you perform daily activities as a missionary? What can you do as a missionary to help stay focused on the purpose statement? Image courtesy of Flickr user versageek

13. Beltran Argentina 1996 Got back to our apartment at 10:25pm Landlord’s birthday party

14. Focus Leads to Teaching with the Power and Authority of God When missionaries understand the difference between a focus on activities compared to purpose… “They will understand that they are not salesmen or technicians but divinely authorized and commissioned teachers of righteousness. They will understand that the world has no access to atoning grace and salvation but through them and the Church they represent, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will understand what they and this work are all about, and they will be up and about their Father’s business. As the sons of Mosiah, they will teach “with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:3).” “Our Missionary Purpose" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Seminar for New Mission Presidents, 2008.

15. Bringing People into Church vs Bringing People unto Christ “We do not preach and teach in order to ‘bring people into the Church’ or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives . … We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this.” “The Purpose of Missionary Work” by Dallin H. Oaks, missionary satellite broadcast, Apr. 1995

16. Discussion: Bringing People to Church vs Christ Why is it important to remember that missionary work is about something far greater than merely helping someone become a member of the Church? What did Pres. Oaks mean when he said missionaries will help “open the doors of the celestial kingdom” to those they teach? Church in Puerto Princesa Philippines by Aaron Molen

17. Homework: Write in Your Journal about these Questions/Topics How can you apply the missionary purpose in your life right now? Do your personal motivations for serving a mission match the missionary purpose? What actions could you take to bring your reasons for serving a mission better in line with the purpose? Jan Kahánek unsplash.com

18. Teaching the Doctrine of Christ The Savior said a primary purpose of the Book of Mormon is to “bring to light my gospel [and] the true points of my doctrine” (D&C 10:62) While we read the verses on the next three slides, think about what is required of those who seek to follow the doctrine of Jesus Christ Make note of those requirements in your study journal Journal writing by Emily Franz

19. Write Down What is Required to Follow the Doctrine of Christ 10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? 11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do. 19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. -2 nd Nephi 31

20. Write Down What is Required to Follow the Doctrine of Christ 32 I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me. 33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. 35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost. 38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. 39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. -3 rd Nephi 11

21. Write Down What is Required to Follow the Doctrine of Christ 15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. 16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. 19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. 20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. -3 rd Nephi 27

22. What Does the Doctrine of Jesus Christ Consists of? 1) What Jesus Christ has done and continues to do to draw us unto the Father 2) What we must do to access the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, including: Having faith Repenting Being baptized Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost Enduring to the end

23. Discussion on the Doctrine of Christ How is the doctrine of Christ related to the purpose of missionary work? If someone asked you if Mormons believed in Jesus Christ, how would these Book of Mormon passages help you answer the question? Some people ask you why missionaries preach to people who already believe in Jesus Christ. How does the doctrine of Christ help you answer that question? Jesus dies on the cross by Giandomenico Tiepolo (1749)

24. What can you do to better understand and apply the doctrine of Christ? Pray in faith for greater understanding Study in the scriptures specific aspects of the doctrine of Christ such as the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ the first principles and ordinances of the gospel Talk with others about what they have done to increase their faith in Christ Study the sacrament prayers for greater understanding of baptismal covenants Gethsemane by Carl Bloch

25. Helping Others Make Commitments: The Door to Faith and Repentance As you teach people, you will invite them to make commitments like Reading the Book of Mormon Praying about the restored gospel Attending church meetings Following through on these commitments will help them Build faith in Christ Gain a desire to repent Be prepare to make and keep sacred covenants (baptism) Chanae Anderson - Book of Mormon at Sunset

26. Helping Others Make Commitments: The Door to Faith and Repentance Missionaries are to “declare repentance” (D&C 15:6) Repentance is… A change of heart and a desire to forsake sin and serve God (D&C 58:43) An increased commitment to live in agreement with God’s will (D&C 1:32) A sincere and lasting change of thoughts, desires, and actions (Alma 42:29) A positive experience that brings joy and peace (Alma 22:15-16, D&C 58:42) Be bold and loving in teaching people to repent By inviting people to repent and make gospel commitments, you give warning and hope

27. Helping Others Make Commitments: ‘Be Devastated’ with their Missteps “The first thing you will do when [someone] tells you he or she had not read and prayed about the Book of Mormon is be devastated! … Much of the time we are just too casual about all of this. This is eternal life. This is the salvation of the children of God. Eternity hangs in the balance. … It is the most important path [a person] will ever walk. But if he or she doesn’t know that, at least you do! … So take control of this situation. Teach with power and authority, and then be devastated if the first steps toward commandment-keeping and covenant-keeping have not been successfully begun.” “Making and Keeping Covenants,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, missionary satellite broadcast, Apr. 1997

28. Discussion: Commitments, Faith, and Repentance Why did Elder Holland say that a missionary should be “devastated” when people do not follow through on a commitments to read or pray? What fears or concerns do you have about inviting others to keep commitments? What helps you have confidence to invite people to make those commitments? Image used by permission from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

29. Preaching the Gospel Is Our Greatest Duty “Teaching the gospel is more important than other good deeds. You are in the greatest work in the world, and nothing in this world can compare to it. Building homes and bridges is nothing. Building worlds is nothing compared to the lives you are building. The saving of mortal lives isn’t any important accomplishment as compared to what you are doing. You might go out here to one of these cemeteries and raise the dead, even a thousand or ten thousand of them, and you haven’t done anything compared to what you are doing when you are saving people.” The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball [1982], 547

30. The Worth of Souls is Great D&C 18 10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; 15 And 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! 16 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!

31. Discussion of Our Greatest Duty and the Worth of Souls Why do you think preaching the gospel is the most important duty that we have? What are some of the blessings that come to those who preach the gospel and to those who are taught the gospel? Heavens Above Her by Ian Norman

32. Challenges of Missionary Work Arroyito Ward Rosario Argentina August to October 1997

33. Missionary Work Can Be Challenging “I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. …I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price.” “Missionary Work and the Atonement,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Mar. 2001, 15

34. Discussion on Challenges of Missionary Work How will Elder Holland’s perspective help you when you experience challenges as a missionary? Image used by permission from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

35. Conclusion and Homework Share with family and friends why you are excited to serve a mission (feel free to use social media) Watch a few of missionary related videos on the Church’s YouTube channel. For example: “The Value of a Full-time Mormon Mission” “Elder Clayton - Decision to Serve a Mission” “Elder Christofferson - Lessons Learned on His Mission” If you feel the timing is right, invite a friend to come to church or be taught the missionary lessons Write in your journal some things you learned today (like about the missionary purpose and the doctrine of Christ).