When we hear the word missionary, what comes to mind is young men called “Elders” in white shirts, black pants, or black suits and young women called “Sisters” who are dressed modestly—all of them wearing black name tags with white letters. This is how people outside our faith and many within our faith see missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But this is only one segment of the missionary picture.Jesus told His disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." He further told His servants, "Seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God." This is a responsibility that falls on the shoulders of every member of our faith—man, woman, and child. It is not a responsibility that is to be taken lightly. It’s a responsibility that will last our earth’s life time and continue on the other side of the veil. How we handle this responsibility will depend on the various circumstances we face as we travel through this life. More importantly, it is not just how we face those circumstances but how we handle them. No matter the circumstances we must earnestly do what we can and when we can. Yes, every member is a missionary, and that means you. As members of His Church, we are expected to be a part of this glorious gathering process. There are many aspects of missionary work, and we should determine what is best for us at the various points in our lives. Missionary opportunities available to us include the following:
Full-time. Individuals who spend 40 hours or more either at home or elsewhere are full-time missionaries. This type of mission call is extended from the president of the Church to single elders and sisters to serve as emissaries of the Lord. There are also couple missionaries who are called and make first contact to teach prospective converts. For the most part, couple missionaries perform meaningful missionary service in all of the areas of the Church and throughout the world. Couples can serve in such positions as in the temple, in family history centers, on welfare projects, in medical activities, as public affairs representatives, and as visitors center hosts and hostesses, among others. If you’re interested in a full-time mission, speak with your bishop or branch president.
Part-time. Those called as part-time missionaries serve while living at home. Time spent in this calling could be anywhere from 4 to 30 hours a week. Traditionally, these callings include almost every facet of the Church and include, among others, ward or stake missionaries, temple workers, ward service missionaries, welfare missionaries, education missionaries, family history missionaries, and visitors center hosts and hostesses. If you have a particular skill, you may be called to use it; better yet, you can inform your bishop of your skill. Everyone has some skill, whether fully developed or developing, and no doubt there’s a need for it as a part-time missionary.
Elder Richard G. Scott has told us, "Don’t wait to be asked. I invite each of you to come forth to participate some way in the glorious and varied opportunities for missionary service and in strengthening and sustaining those who embrace the gospel. . . ."
Informal calling. In this type of service, people serve without having a formal calling to do so. Our General Authorities have asked us to prayerfully seek ways to serve as we go about our daily lives. In doing so, you will find many ways to serve, directly or indirectly—or both. Some ways are to assist the full-time missionaries in introducing individuals interested in our faith, doing temple work, doing family history work, befriending and helping new converts in understanding the various aspects of our Church, teaching your children and other extended young family members to be worthy of becoming missionaries, inviting neighbors and friends to Church or Church activities, being a good neighbor and friend, and strengthening your family and community by living the way our Father in Heaven desires us to live. Most of all, let your light shine no matter where you are. Treat others as you would like to be treated and as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ treats them—with love and understanding. When you do, people will inquire of your special countenance. This will be another way of sharing the gospel. We each have it within us to be a missionary. Though such is an "informal calling," you are a missionary every day of the week for the rest of your life here on this earth and beyond.
President George Albert Smith told members of the Church something in 1918 that still rings true today: "It is not necessary for you to be called to go into the mission field in order to proclaim the truth. Begin on the man who lives next door by inspiring confidence in him, by inspiring love in him for you because of your righteousness, and your missionary work has already begun."
I have noticed converts and returned less-active members feeling uncomfortable. Yes, I have seen members approach them to extend a welcome hand, and nothing else follows. How sad, when even new members and returning less-active members need to be embraced. This is done by fellowshipping, befriending, and encouraging. Invite them to activities both in and outside of the Church. Sit with them in church meetings, but most of all get to know them. Make new friends, and welcome and embrace our brothers and sisters back into the fold.
Speaking on fellowshipping, President Spencer W. Kimball said, "When we baptize someone it is a crime to let them just slide slowly back out of the Church and out of the gospel because of a lack of fellowship. Fellowshipping is an important responsibility. We should be able to fellowship everyone that comes in." He also told us, "Missionary work includes persistent fellowshipping of new converts and less-active members."
Why every member a missionary? This is what the Lord has asked of us. However we share the gospel will bring peace and joy to our lives. It will increase our own faith, strengthen our relationship with the Lord, and increase our understanding of gospel truths. We have been entrusted by our Savior to serve as massagers of His word to our brothers and sisters who are not members and those who are less-active. The Lord has promised great blessings to us in proportion to how well we share the gospel. He has entrusted all of us—members of His Church—with a responsibility to serve as His messengers and emissaries. That, brothers and sisters, is why we will forever be missionaries. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
—President Orin A. Howell