Today’s broadcast “The Work of Salvation” presented a new vision of missionary work. It is the beginning of a cultural change in what missionary work means and what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Missionary work isn’t just about helping people get baptized. Investigators need the gospel, new members need help to remain strong, less-active members need someone to rekindle the fire of their faith, and active members need continual spiritual nourishment. It’s not just “missionary” work. It’s the “work of salvation” and it needs to be done by and for everyone.
The “work of salvation” is one great whole. It includes missionary work, retention, activation, temple and family history work, and teaching the gospel. They aren’t different works. They are all elements of the work of salvation to achieve God’s purposes.
Here are some key points:
- Every member has the responsibility to be involved in the Work of Salvation.
- We are all called to be involved, whether we are a member, leader, or full-time missionary.
- We do missionary work because we are the Lord’s disciples.
- The Ward Mission Leader helps connect the work of the members with the missionaries. He looks out for the investigators, the less-actives, and the recent converts.
- Stake presidents and bishops exercise priesthood keys for missionary work in their units. Mission presidents exercise keys for missionaries and convert baptisms. When priesthood keys are exercised in unity, leaders serve together and the powers of heaven can bless their work.
- It’s no longer that the ward is to support the missionary work. We are all in it together. It takes a team effort from members, leaders, and missionaries.
What did you learn from the broadcast? Leave your comments below.
If you missed the broadcast, you can “watch The Work of Salvation” broadcast online or read the text online.
I really loved how not only the missionaries are using technology to their advantage but in the broadcast they use technology to display what is being taught.
I loved Elder Holland’s comment:
“To the many members of the church gathered in innumerable locations, we affirm that ward and stake councils can no longer say of this great army of missionaries, ‘There they go.’ No, the hour is upon us in which we must now say, ‘Here they come.’ All of us must plan for and use this heaven-sent resource in the most productive way possible.”
Will there be a transcript of this broadcast available? I see the video online, but can’t find a transcript for the life of me…
I find it interesting that some people who watched the meeting found it very inspiring and for others, it was just another meeting about member missionary work. Some have asked me why I thought the meeting was “historic?”
I believe that the key points of the meeting were the following:
1. Raising the bar on members to be more engaged in missionary work–that it’s the duty of all Disciples of Christ to love and invite others. Of course, this has always been the case, but I believe this is the beginning of much more emphasis on it, and that missionary work isn’t separate from everything else we do. The “work of salvation” is one great whole. It includes missionary work, retention, activation, temple and family history work, and teaching the gospel. I think you’ll see more emphasis on teaching these things as unified (and not separate) efforts.
2. Increasing the prominence of the role of the Ward Mission Leader. Again, no new duties, but a significantly stronger emphasis on his role.
3. The beginning of increased use of digital communications by members and missionaries.
It was “historic” not in the sense of big, new announcements. But as we look back on this, I think we’ll see it was the beginning of a huge cultural shift toward more member missionary work.
One of the things that struck me is how the principles are taught, but then the execution will be left up to both local leaders who have keys AND individual members who have the power of priesthood covenants they can tap into. For example, how will local leaders use digital tools? Already I’m seeing individual members take flight with their ideas as well. It will take a village to spread this wonderful message with the world, and the sky is the limit. I believe we have yet “many great and important things” — ideas, approaches, combinations of tools, particular personal gifts people have — that will unfold as people hearken to and respond to the invitations and principles that we heard.
I also think there are gems of wisdom in what was taught, such as Pres. Packer’s testimony that there is no more powerful teaching than that of a mother. Imagine if every mother tapped into that power with more focus and deliberateness? I think women of our day have so many distractions pulling at us. I love how broadcasts like this help focus us on what matters most. I kept thinking about how my time and my body’s strength — whatever strength I may be granted, health limitations notwithstanding — are stewardships to use for God’s work.
Kirk, Yes. They just decided to include a transcript. It may take a week or two to publish it.
A defining moment for me was when Elder Perry said that missionaries have answered the Lord’s call and now He is calling us. If I am truly trying to live my life as a disciple, then love should be the motivator as I follow His example. The Lord loves all His children. That means I need to share the good news of the gospel with those that are seeking, those that are struggling and even with those that are fully converted.
I was DEEPLY moved by the broadcast. The Savior has raised the bar. He needs help feeding and rescuing his sheep. Those that are inactive, are in need of what President Monson calls, “the second rescue.” We can all play a part.