Insights into member work
“Remember, brothers and sisters, we're not marketing a product. We're not selling anything. We're not trying to impress anyone with our numbers or our growth. We are members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, empowered and sent forth by the Lord Himself to find, nourish, and bring safely into His Church those who are seeking to know the truth.” - Elder M. Russel Ballard
What approaches to members have helped?
Approach with faith and spirit in mind.
D&C 6:1-5, 8
a) “What names come to mind?”
b) Write a list of non-members that you know, or that you see everyday. Then pray for who and the next step
“I've studied carefully and prayerfully some who are remarkably faithful and effective witnesses of the Savior and His Church
“There is no single pattern in what they do. There is no common technique. Some always carry a Book of Mormon to give away. Others set a date to find someone for the missionaries to teach. Another has found questions which draw out feelings about what matters most in life to a person. Each has prayed to know what to do. They each seem to get a different answer, suited especially to them and to the people they meet.” - Elder Henry B. Eyring
By small and simple things.
Alma 37:6; D&C 64:33; D&C 123:16-17
a) PMG p.162
-Pray and follow the spirit
-Give service
-Develop friendship
-Open their mouths to share the restored gospel
-Invite others to do things to increase their faith in Christ
b) Creating a Gospel Sharing Home
c) Set a Date
d) “Come and See”
Teach The Restoration to the members.
“Don't ever forget, brothers and sisters, that you and I have in our possession the very points of doctrine that will bring people to the Lord. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ has within it the power to bring deep and abiding happiness to the human soul—something that will be valued and cherished for the rest of time and for all eternity. We are not just trying to get people to join our Church; we are sharing with them the fullness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. But as powerful as our message is, it cannot be imposed or forced upon people. It can only be shared—heart to heart, soul to soul, spirit to spirit—by being good neighbours and by caring and showing love. We need to be watchful for one another and reach out to one another. And as we do so, we will radiate the gospel in our own lives, and it will radiate to the people the blessings the gospel has to offer.” - Elder M. Russel Ballard
How can we make members excited and reduce the guilt factor?
Let them be motivated by love and joy. (1 Nephi 8:10-12; Alma 36:17-21,24)
“...missionary work does not require the development of strategies or gimmicks. It does require faith—real faith and trust in the Lord. It also requires genuine love.” - Elder M. Russel Ballard
“Today I invite you to relax and set aside your concerns and focus instead on your love for the Lord, your testimony of His eternal reality, and your gratitude for all He has done for you. If you are truly motivated by love and testimony and gratitude, you will quite naturally do all that you can to assist the Lord in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of our Father's children. In fact, it would be impossible to keep you from doing it.” - Elder M. Russel Ballard
“Those who speak easily and often of the restored gospel prize what it has meant to them. They think of that great blessing often. It is the memory of the gift they have received which makes them eager for others to receive it.” - Elder Henry B. Eyring
Useful Talks:
Commitments and Follow Up
Always leave commitments. Have members give you a follow up time. Then follow up flawlessly. However, the first commitment should always be pray to know what they should do.
Possible commitments:
Share scriptures or Read scriptures with a non-member friend.
Giving away a copy of the Book of Mormon or a Preach My Gospel Pamphlet.
Invite someone to an activity.
Lessons with Members
Share a spiritual message and commit the member to pray about what he/she can do
Role play with the member to help him/her achieve the goals revealed to them.
Praise them