Over 500 missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Sydney Saturday (21 February) to hear counsel and instruction from Elder David A. Bednar of the Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Bednar spoke about “acting in faith.”
“Faith is an action word,” he said. “Invite those you teach to act. Ask them to pray about the truthfulness of what you teach, invite them to read the Book of Mormon and ask God if it’s true. They will never receive their own testimony from someone else’s feelings alone.”
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He then turned to the senior missionary couples in attendance, and said, “Your absence is the most powerful testimony you will ever bear to your posterity. They will rise up and call you blessed because you were gone for a season. Those grandchildren will never pray as hard for you as they do while you are serving a mission.”
Speaking to all of the missionaries at the meeting, Elder Bednar said, “You are not the teacher when you share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone. You are the facilitator for the power of the Holy Ghost. Pay attention to the real teacher, it isn’t you.”
“Preach My Gospel (a guide to missionary service) is not just a book, it is what you are to become. The Holy Ghost is the real teacher. That’s the pattern we’re trying to follow.”
Sister Susan Bednar also spoke to the missionaries. She asked the missionaries to tell her what the most Christ-like attribute of their companion was. The Church’s missionary effort is based on the New Testament pattern of missionaries serving in pairs.
After receiving answers such as “patience,” “humility,” and “paying attention to the Holy Spirit,” she told the missionaries she was going to give them some motherly advice.
“Every missionary deserves a good companion, so you be a good companion.”
She challenged them to “be the kind of missionary your mother thinks you are. Don’t hold back. Give it your all.”
She then talked about the black name tags they all wear every day. “On your name tag is your name, the full name of the Church, and because of that full name, the name of Jesus Christ.”
“So,” she said, “you represent yourselves, your family name, the Church and the Saviour.”
“Give Him your whole heart and serve Him well. Remember who you are, where you’re going and who you can become.”
Watch a short video about missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.