Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 33: Missionary Work
Comments and Resources

"Perhaps the greatest reason for missionary work is to give the world it's chance to hear and accept the gospel.  The Scriptures  are replete with commands and promises and calls and rewards for teach the gospel.  I use the word command deliberately for it seems to be an insistent directive from which we, singly and collectively, cannot escape....

"...I wonder if we are doing all we can.  Are we complacent in our approach to teaching all the world?  We have been proselyting now 144 years.  Are we prepared to lengthen our stride?  To enlarge our vision?"  ("When the World Will Be Converted"  Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Oct. 1974, pp. 4-5.)

During the study of this topic, we will learn what the lord has said about the destiny of missionary work, who is responsible to do it, and what the role of the missionary is.

Resources
Gospel Principles, chapter 33.
A marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapters 1, 18.
Jesus the Christ, chapter 21.
Truth Restored, chapter 4.

Scriptures:
Alma 17-23 
An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the kingdom for the word of God, and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance according to the record of Alma. Comprising chapters 17 to 26 inclusive. 

Alma 17
An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the kingdom for the word of God, and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance according to the record of Alma. Comprising chapters 17 to 26 inclusive. 
The sons of Mosiah have the spirit of prophecy and of revelation They go their several ways to declare the word to the Lamanites Ammon goes to the land of Ishmael and becomes the servant of King Lamoni Ammon saves the king s flocks and slays his enemies at the waters of Sebus. From about 91 to 77 B.C. 

Alma 18
King Lamoni supposes that Ammon is the Great Spirit Ammon teaches the king of the creation, of God s dealings with men, and of the redemption that comes through Christ Lamoni believes and falls to the earth as if dead. About 90 B.C. 

Alma 19
Lamoni receives the light of everlasting life and sees the Redeemer His household fall into a trance, and some see angels Ammon is preserved miraculously He baptizes many and establishes a church among them. About 90 B.C. 

Alma 20
The Lord sends Ammon to Middoni to deliver his imprisoned brethren Ammon and Lamoni meet Lamoni s father, who is king over all the land Ammon compels the old king to approve the release of his brethren. About 90 B.C. 

Alma 21
An account of the preaching of Aaron, and Muloki, and their brethren, to the Lamanites. Comprising chapters 21 to 26 inclusive. 
Aaron teaches the Amalekites about Christ and his atonement Aaron and his brethren are imprisoned in Middoni After their deliverance they teach in the synagogues and make many converts Lamoni grants religious freedom to the people in the land of Ishmael. Between 90 and 77 B.C. 

Alma 22
Aaron teaches Lamoni s father about the creation, the fall of Adam, and the plan of redemption through Christ The king and all his household are converted How the land was divided between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Between 90 and 77 B.C. 

Alma 23
Religious freedom is proclaimed The Lamanites in seven lands and cities are converted They call themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies and are freed from the curse The Amalekites and the Amulonites reject the truth. Between 90 and 77 B.C. 



Helaman 5, 10
Helaman 5  Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebears Christ redeems those who repent Nephi and Lehi make many converts and are imprisoned, and fire encircles them A cloud of darkness overshadows three hundred people The earth shakes and a voice commands men to repent Nephi and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude are encircled by fire. About 30 B.C. and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude are encircled by fire. About 30 B.C. 

Helaman 10  The Lord gives Nephi the sealing power He is empowered to bind and loose on earth and in heaven He commands the people to repent or perish The Spirit carries him from congregation to congregation. Between 23 and 20 B.C. 

D&C 11-12, 18, 33
D&C 11
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to his brother Hyrum Smith, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 1829. HC 1: 39 46. This revelation was received through the Urim and Thummim in answer to Joseph s supplication and inquiry. History of the Church suggests that this revelation was received after the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. 
1-6, Laborers in the vineyard will gain salvation; 7-14, Seek wisdom, cry repentance, trust in the Spirit; 15-22, Keep the commandments and study the Lord s word; 23-27, Deny not the spirit of revelation and of prophecy; 28-30, Those who receive Christ become the sons of God. 

D&C 12
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Joseph Knight, Sen., at Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 1829. HC 1: 47 48. Joseph Knight believed the declarations of Joseph Smith concerning his possession of the Book of Mormon plates and the work of translation then in progress, and several times had given material assistance to Joseph Smith and his scribe, which enabled them to continue translating. At Joseph Knight's request the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received the revelation. 
1-6, Laborers in the vineyard are to gain salvation; 7-9, All who desire and are qualified may assist in the Lord's work. 

D&C 18
Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York, June 1829. HC 1: 60 64. When the Aaronic Priesthood was conferred, the bestowal of the Melchizedek Priesthood was promised. See heading to Section 13. In response to supplication for knowledge on the matter, the Lord gave this revelation. 
1-5, Scriptures show how to build up the Church; 6-8, The world is ripening in iniquity; 9-16, The worth of souls is great; 17-25, To gain salvation, men must take upon them the name of Christ; 26-36, The calling and mission of the Twelve are revealed; 37-39, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer are to search out the Twelve; 40-47, To gain salvation, men must repent, be baptized, and keep the commandments. 

D&C 33
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Ezra Thayre and Northrop Sweet, at Fayette, New York, October 1830. HC 1: 126 127. In recording this revelation the Prophet affirmed that the Lord is ever ready to instruct such as diligently seek in faith. 
1-4, Laborers are called to declare the gospel in the eleventh hour; 5-6, The Church is established and the elect are to be gathered; 7-10, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; 11-15, The Church is built upon the gospel rock; 16-18, Prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom. 

Jonah 1-3
Jonah 1
Jonah is sent to call Nineveh to repentance He flees on a ship, is cast into the sea, and is swallowed by a great fish. 

Jonah 2
Jonah prays to the Lord, and the fish vomits him out on dry ground. 

Jonah 3
Jonah prophesies the downfall of Nineveh The people repent and the city is saved. 

Luke 10:1-20
  1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 
  2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 
  3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 
  4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 
  5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 
  6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 
  7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 
  8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 
  9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 
  10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 
  11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 
  12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 
  13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 
  14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 
  15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 
  16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 
  17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 
  18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 
  19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 
  20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 


Acts 13
Saul and Barnabas called to missionary service Saul, now Paul, curses a sorcerer Christ came of the seed of David Paul offers the gospel to Israel, then to the Gentiles. 


Articles of Faith 1:11   We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 


Topical Guide: <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/tg/contents> 
                          Conversion, Convert
                          Fellowshipping
                          Gentiles
                          Israel, Mission of
                          Jesus Christ, Teaching Mode of
                          Mission of Early Saints
                          Mission of Latter-Day Saints
                          Missionary Work
                          Preaching, Preach
                          Warn, Warning
                          Worth of Souls
			   
Bible Dictionary:  <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/contents>
                              Conversion
                              Gentile
                              Jew




Concept 1: Introduction

'The Lord revealed the gospel plan to Adam: "And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning" (Moses 5:58).  Later, when people became wicked, Adam's righteous sons were sent to preach the gospel to the others on the earth: "They . . . called upon all men, everywhere, to repent; and faith was taught unto the children of men" (Moses 6:23).

'All the prophets have been missionaries.  Each in his day was commanded to preach the gospel message.  Whenever the priesthood has been on the earth, the Lord has needed missionaries to preach the eternal principles of the gospel to his children.

Discussion

When was the gospel message first preached on the earth?'



Concept 2: The Lord's Church Is a Missionary Church

'The Lord's Church has always been a missionary church.  When the Savior lived on the earth, he ordained Apostles and Seventies and gave them the authority and responsibility to preach the gospel.  Most of their preaching was to their own people, the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6 "5. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.").  After Jesus was resurrected, he sent Apostles to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.  He commanded the Apostles, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

The Apostle Paul was a great missionary sent to the Gentiles.  After he was converted to the Church, he spent the remainder of his life preaching the gospel to them.  At different times during his mission he was whipped, stoned, and imprisoned.  Yet each time he escaped from his persecutors, he preached the gospel as diligently as before (Acts 23:10-12; "10. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle. 
11. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. 
12. And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul." See Acts 26 <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/acts/26> ).

Missionary work began again when the Lord's Church was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Today the Apostles and Seventies have been given the chief responsibility for preaching the gospel and seeing that it is preached in all the world.  The Lord told Joseph Smith: "Proclaim my gospel from land to land, and from city to city. . . . Bear testimony in every place, unto every people" (D&C 66:5, 7).  In June 1830, Samuel Harrison Smith, the Prophet's brother, began the first missionary journey for the Church.

Since that time thousands of missionaries have been called and sent forth to preach the gospel.  The message they take to the world is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior.  They testify that the gospel has been restored to the earth through a prophet of God (see David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 132).  The missionaries are given the responsibility to preach the gospel to all people, to baptize them, and to teach them to do all things that the Lord has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20 "19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  
20. 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. Amen.").  
Latter-day Saint missionaries go at their own expense to all parts of the world to preach the gospel message.

Discussion
What two important messages do missionaries teach and testify of?'



Concept 3: The Gospel Will Be Preached to All the World


'We have been told in Latter-day revelation that we must take the restored gospel to every nation and people (D&C 133:37 "37. And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.").  The Lord never gives us a commandment without preparing a way for us to accomplish it  (1 Nephi 3:7 "7. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.").  The Lord has prepared ways for us to teach the gospel in nations that were once closed to us.  As we continue to pray and exercise faith, the Lord will open other nations to missionary work.

The Lord is also "inspiring the minds of great people to create inventions that further the work of the Lord in ways this world has never known" (Russell M. Nelson, "Computerized Scriptures  Now Available," Ensign, Apr. 1988, p. 73).  Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, satellites, computers, and related discoveries help give the gospel message to millions of people (see Spencer W. Kimball, "When the World Will Be Converted," Ensign, Oct. 1974, pp. 10-14).  We who have the fulness of the gospel need to use these inventions to fulfill the Lord's commandment: "For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth--the gospel must be preached unto every [person]" (D&C 58:64).

Discussion

Who needs to hear the gospel?  Think of people with whom you could share the gospel.'



GPC33c4: Missionary Work Is Important 

Gospel Principles 
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives 
Chapter 33: Missionary Work 
Concept 4: Missionary Work Is Important

'"This is our first interest as a Church--to save and exalt the souls of the children of men" (Ezra Taft Benson, in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, p. 151; or Ensign, May 1974, p. 104).  Missionary work is necessary in order to give the people of the world an opportunity to hear and accept the gospel.  They need to learn the truth, turn to God, and receive forgiveness from their sins.

Many of our brothers and sisters on earth are blinded by false teachings and "are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" (D&C 123:12).  Through missionary work we can bring them the truth.

The Lord has commanded, "Labor ye in my vineyard for the last time--for the last time call upon the inhabitants of the earth" (D&C 43:28).  As we teach the gospel to our brothers and sisters, we are preparing the way for the second coming of the Savior (D&C 34:6 "To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming.").

Discussion

Why is it important for each person to hear and understand the gospel?' 



Concept 5: We Should All Be Missionaries

'Every member of the Church is to be a missionary.  We should be missionaries even if we are not formally called and set apart.  We are responsible to teach the gospel by word and deed to all of our Heavenly Father's children.  The Lord has told us, "It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor" (D&C 88:81).  We have been told by a prophet that we should show our neighbors that we love them before we warn them.  They need to experience our friendship and fellowship.

The sons of Mosiah willingly accepted their responsibility to teach the gospel.  When they were converted to the Church, their hearts were filled with compassion for others.  They wanted to preach the gospel to their enemies the Lamanites, "for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble" (Mosiah 28:3).  As the gospel fills our lives with joy, we will feel this kind of love and compassion for our brothers and sisters.  We will want to share the message of the gospel with everyone who desires to listen.

Discussion

Why do we feel a desire to share the gospel with others when we are truly converted?'



Concept 6: How Can We All Be Missionaries?

There are many ways we can share the gospel. Following are some suggestions:

1.We can show friends and others the joy we experience from living the truths of the gospel.  In this way we will be a light to the world (Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."). 

2.We can overcome our natural shyness by being friendly to others and doing kind things for them. We can help them see that we are sincerely interested in them and are not seeking personal gain.

3.We can explain the gospel to nonmember friends and others. 

4.We can invite friends who are interested in learning more about the gospel into our homes to be taught by the missionaries.  If our nonmember friends live too far away, we can request that missionaries in their areas visit them. 

5.We can teach our children the importance of sharing the gospel, and we can prepare them spiritually and financially to go on missions. 

6.We can pay our tithing and contribute to the missionary fund.  These donations are used for furthering missionary work. 

7.We can help support financially missionaries whose families are unable to support them. 

8.We can do family history research and temple work to help our ancestors receive the full blessings of the gospel. 

9.We can invite nonmembers to activities such as family home evenings and Church socials, conferences, and meetings.

Our Heavenly Father will help us be effective missionaries when we have the desire to share the gospel and pray for guidance.  He will help us find ways to share the gospel with those around us.

Discussion

Decide on ways to share the gospel with the people you thought of earlier in the lesson.'



Concept 7: The Lord Promises Us Blessings for Doing Missionary Work

'The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith that missionaries would receive great blessings.  Speaking to elders who were returning from their missions, the Lord said, "Ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you" (D&C 62:3).

The Lord has told us:
"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!" (D&C 18:15-16).

Discussion

Why is it important to bear testimony to the truth of the gospel? What blessings come from sharing the gospel?

Additional Scriptures 

D&C 1:17-23 (Joseph Smith commanded to preach)
  17 Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; 
  18 And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets-
  19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh- 
  20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; 
  21 That faith also might increase in the earth; 
  22 That mine everlasting covenant might be established; 
  23 That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers. 


D&C 34:4-6; Acts 5:42 (gospel to be preached)
D&C 34:4-6 
  4 And blessed are you because you have believed; 
  5 And more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my gospel 
  6 To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming. 

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

D&C 60:1-2 (Lord warns those who are afraid to preach the gospel)
  1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came: Behold, it pleaseth me, that you have come up hither; 
  2 But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them. 

Matthew 24:14 (gospel to be preached before the end shall come)  
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

Abraham 2:9 (priesthood to be given to all nations)
  9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; 


-----------------
Moroni 10:4-5
"4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

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