The Challenging and Testifying Missionary
Out of the ranks of the modern day heralds of Gospel Truth has come the Challenging and Testifying Missionary.
On his shoulders fall the responsibility of leading most of the converts into the Church. It is a matter of record, although unfortunately so, that 30 percent of the missionaries baptize 70 percent of the converts.
This type of missionary is one of true valiance. For he has learned by courageous early Elders of our own dispensation - like them he is unafraid in testifying and challenging - Yes, at the drop of a hat, meaning at any slightest opportunity - at any sign of reaction or response on the part of listeners whom he seeks with almost the persistence of a hunter.
Yes - this Challenging and Testifying missionary is the man the Lord wants to do the job. He knows that the time is short - not a single day - not a single hour can be wasted - His morning prayer begins.
Father lead me this day to a family that I can fulfill my purpose - I will bespeak thy power without hesitance or fear - and will lead them by the power of the Spirit to baptism into thy Kingdom.
He sets out at the beginning of each day firmly resolved, that before he seeks rest from his labors of the day, that someone will hear and feel the influence of his "Challenge for Baptism"
This challenging and Testifying Missionary has learned one thing above all else, that of the POWER OR TESTIMONY and of how it awakens interest in the hearts of good people.
He has learned that his talent as a missionary is to "testify and challenge" upon every occasion time after time as he goes through the labors of each day. This gift, bestowed upon him must be used lest he will lose it.
But with some I am not well pleased, said the Lord, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent, which talent I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Woe unto such for mine anger is kindled against them.
And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have.
For I, the Lord, rule in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth: and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that be speaketh the power of God. (Doctrine and Covenants 60:2-4)
The reproof is not against the missionary for any failure in simple teaching, BUT FOR FAILURE TO TESTIFY.
MY CHALLENGE TO YOU
Now fellow missionaries, what are you going to do? The Lord needs The Challenging and Testifying Missionary. Be one from this moment on - THIS IS MY CHALLENGE TO YOU! IMMANUEL
I don't know of any message that I could give you that could be more far reaching than that. Let us concentrate for a moment. I have been talking about this very thing every time I have come here. It is that element of teaching the Gospel that is a basic requirement leading others to conversion. This is hard for missionaries to get into their conciousness. We think we can laern the language and a few lessons and this prepares us to teach the Gospel. This is a serious mistake. Were I a young missionary again I would challenge almost everyone I met, and I would do it almost every hour of the day. I wouldn't care how many would turn me down because I would know in this manner I could lead many hundreds of people into the Church. We are prone to like our Gospel presentations cut and dried. We say we shall teach so many lessons and then next week our investigators will be ready for the challenge. When a person is ready for the challenge, they don't need the challenge. Don't you understand that? How can you set the challenge for next week, why not today? When you look into the face of people and see any kind of response, that is when you are to give the challenge - at the drop of a hat. Give me enough missionaries who are doing that and I tell you that your quotas will double. This is what you must inculcate into the minds of your missionaries and get them out of the idea that we must solely by indoctrination teach the gospel to the people.