Missionary Work

"Wherever our members and missionaries may go, our message is one of faith and hope in the Savior Jesus Christ."

Boyd K. Packer, “The Atonement”, November 2012

"God is preparing people to receive your testimony of restored truth. He requires your faith and then your action to share fearlessly what has become so precious to you and those you love."

Henry B. Eyring, “Sharing the Gospel Heart to Heart”, September 2012

"As you go forth and share our core beliefs and the fruits of our doctrines, misperceptions will dissolve, prejudices will diminish, and people will come to see Latter-day Saints as devout disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Quentin L. Cook, 2012

"If you will respond to the invitation to share your beliefs and feelings about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a spirit of love and a spirit of courage will be your constant companion, for perfect love casteth out fear."

L. Tom Perry, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear”, November 2011

"Young people need to commit themselves early in life to the idea of a mission. That way, when they get older and begin to face some of the world's temptations, those temptations will be less likely to penetrate their hearts or minds. They will resist the temptations because they are focused on becoming a servant of the Lord."

M. Russell Ballard, “How to Prepare to Become a Good Missionary”, March 2007

"You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. His work is to bless His Father's spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life. So, your calling is to bless lives.  Your call has eternal consequences for others and for you. In the world to come, thousands may call your name blessed, even more than the people you serve here. They will be the ancestors and the descendants of those who chose eternal life because of something you said or did, or even what you were. . .You see, there are no small callings to represent the Lord."

Henry B. Eyring, “Rise to Your Call”, November 2002

“I have attended hundreds of missionary meetings over the years. I love to hear missionaries speak of their love for the Lord, but I also love to hear them speak with great appreciation and love concerning their parents. Boys who had been careless and indifferent stand on their feet and with tears in their eyes thank the Lord for their fathers and their mothers. In these days, what a salutary and wonderful thing it is to hear a strong young man stand up and speak with great feeling concerning his father and his mother, saying things he would never have said before in all of his life. Every boy and girl ought to come home with an increased love for parents.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Gifts to Bring Home from the Mission Field”, March 2007

"Recounting this history brings to my mind the experience of John E. Page as the Prophet Joseph Smith called him to serve a mission in Canada. 'But I can't go on a mission to Canada, Brother Joseph,' protested John E. Page. 'I don't even have a coat to wear.'  'Here,' said Joseph Smith, removing his own coat, 'take this, and the Lord will bless you.'  John E. Page left Kirtland, Ohio, May 31, 1836, on his first mission as an elder of the Church. He labored in Canada for two years. During that time, he traveled over five thousand miles, mostly on foot, and baptized some six hundred people."

Thomas S. Monson, “Days Never to be Forgotten”, November 1990

"This was a big issue in our family. That night my brother and I talked about the choice. . . .We concluded: If Jesus Christ was a great man but not divine, if Joseph Smith was a wonderful teacher but not a prophet, or if the Book of Mormon had wonderful counsel but was not the word of God, then Dad was right—it would be better to go to medical school. But if Jesus Christ is divine, if Joseph Smith is a prophet, and if the Book of Mormon is the word of God, then it would be more important to accept the call and proclaim the gospel.  That night, as I prayed, the Spirit bore witness to my soul of the Savior and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. My brother received the same witness and made the choice to serve a mission. Incidentally, when my brother returned from his mission, he went to medical school. When I reached my 20th birthday, my father was happy to see me serve a mission."

Quentin L. Cook, “Strengthen Faith As You Seek Knowledge”, September 2008

"His inquiries led him to the Smith home, where he spoke with those present about the wonderful news of the restored gospel. After spending two days there and receiving a testimony of the truth, Solomon resumed his journey to Canada, taking with him 64 newly printed, unbound pages of the Book of Mormon. Everywhere he went, he taught the people, 'both high and low, rich and poor, . . . to prepare for the great work of God that was now about to come forth'."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Great Work of God”, April 2010

               In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it is expected that when young men reach the age of 18 or 19, they are to serve a full-time, two year mission for the church.  Young women have this opportunity as well, when they reach the age of 19, but they are not expected to do so, as the men are.  During these two years, those who serve their missions are not working, going to school, continuing romantic relationships, etc.  Those two years are devoted entirely to serving the Lord and His church.

               Missionaries go to many various places across the globe, speaking numerous different languages, and preach the gospel.  However, the phrase “Every member a missionary” is a common one in the church.  A person does not need to leave home for two years to do missionary work.  This can be done by sharing your testimony, living your life in accordance to the gospel, and not being hesitant to let your beliefs be known.  It is doing a service to God, to share His word with more of His children.