“Every member a missionary,” that’s the slogan we’ve heard since we were old enough to comprehend . . . anything. Indeed President Spencer W. Kimball admonished:
““Should every young woman, should every father and mother, should every member of the Church serve a mission?” Again, the Lord has given the answer: Yes, every man, woman, and child—every young person and every little boy and girl—should serve a mission. This does not mean that they must serve abroad or even be formally called and set apart as full-time missionaries. But it does mean that each of us is responsible to bear witness of the gospel truths that we have been given. We all have relatives, neighbors, friends, and fellow workmen, and it is our responsibility to pass the truths of the gospel on to them, by example as well as by precept.
“The scriptures are abundantly clear in stating that all members of the Church are responsible to do missionary work: “It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.” (D&C 88:81.)” (Spencer W. Kimball, “It Becometh Every Man,” Ensign, Oct. 1977, 3)
And yet, the greatest thing that stands between us and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ is fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of anger. Fear of being too pushy. Just basic, good old fashion fear. Why?
Well, Latter-day Saints have a history that proves people can turn on a dime and attack you for your beliefs. Still, to this day, in any portion of the world, including the United States, people spend all their time preaching hatred against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Churches who spend all their time preaching of hate, rather than of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
But the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 1, verses 17 through 24, explains this to us:
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.
24) Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.
It seems pretty clear. So, how do we get past the inborn fears we have to share the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
First and foremost, I believe you must study the gospel. The more you learn of the plan of salvation and what our Father has in store for us the more excited you become and you simply want to shout it to the world. “There’s no need to live like this! There is hope! There is peace ! There is happiness awaiting all who will come unto Jesus Christ!”
Second, you need to kneel every morning and ask Heavenly Father to present you opportunities to share the gospel. In addition, ask that your heart, mind and spirit be open to the promptings of the Spirit so that you may recognize the opportunity and know what to say.
Third, realize that man is nothing to fear. Rather, the knowledge that we are not only letting down our Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ, but the loved ones we promised to find and bring the gospel to, should be a little more daunting than mankind. In other words, “do not fear the arm of the flesh.”
Fourth, be ready. Have pass along cards and use them at every opportunity.
Fifth, work regularly with the full-time missionaries in your area. Pass the names and phone numbers of people you feel will want to learn more of the gospel of Jesus Christ onto them. The missionaries are a wonderful addition to your family because they remind us constantly of one of the main purposes we are this earth today: To bring as many of our brothers and sisters back to Heavenly Father as possible, in glory and triumph, not in sadness and sorrow.
So arise and shout! Every member of a missionary, for we are indeed a ensign to the world!