Breaking Windows

Before I was a missionary, I was a member.  *Gasp!*  Yes, I know, shocking.  But it wasn't until I became a missionary that I noticed how peculiar my relationship with missionaries was.  I now call this peculiarity the "window" effect.  Members seem to be friends with the missionaries.  They look out their windows and say, "oh, the missionaries.  That's nice.  They're doing their job."  

"Ah, better stay in here.  There's missionary work happening outside!"

Unfortunately, as members, we often don't realize that missionary work is everyone's job.  This gospel must be preached to "every nation, kindred, tongue, and people" (Mosiah 3:20).  It is not a job for 70,000 missionaries, it is a job for 14.7 million missionaries.  

Every member a missionary :)

So, let's break those windows.  The separation between member and missionary is imaginary.  Every member is a missionary.  Everyone is serving full time, and I don't mean just two years.  So, make friends with the missionaries :)  Not window friendships, true friendships.  I promise we don't bite.  It is only through friendship and cooperation that we will be able to progress the work.  Together, we can bring souls unto Christ.  Just imagine how great our joy will be!  (D&C 18:15-16)

@lds-member

The Member Funnel

I love Gordon B. Hinckley.  I didn't know it was possible to love him more until I went on a mission and found this quote: "So many of us look upon missionary work as simply tracting.  Everyone who is familiar with this work knows there is a better way.  That way is through the members of the Church.  The process of bringing new people into the Church is not the responsibility alone of the missionaries.  They succeed best when members become the source from which new investigators are found."  

¦----MEMBERS----¦

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MISSIONARIES

When members become "the source."  There's no way to put it more simply.  We as missionaries should be teaching, not finding.  In order for missionary work to be most successful, our investigators must come from the members.  In the recent mission president training conference, the focus was solely on member missionary work.  It is so important!  Unfortunately, it's hard to recognize it's importance without going out on a mission first.  That's why I'm writing this blog; to share my experiences and show what I learned.  To knock for countless hours with no success, then tell you why I think it's ineffective.  

We love the members, we rely on the members, we need the members' help.  Without you, we're just well dressed guys on a long holiday ;)

@lds-member