- “PRIESTHOOD MISSIONARY WORK IN THE CHURCH. 1st Presidency Letter- Oct 29, 1976… 1) Missionary work is: (1) Church Directed. (2) Stake Organized (3) Ward Operated (4) Family & Individually Performed.” From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
- QUALIFICATIONS OF A WARD MISSIONARY. Suggested considerations only – the Spirit should be the guiding light. (1) Has the desire to serve in missionary work. (2) Is willing to work and pay the price to “bring souls unto Jesus Christ” (3) teachable and has the quest to be enlightened further in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of Salvation. (4) Understands the responsibility (D&C 88:81-82) and blessing (D&C 31:5) of sharing the messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (5) Is worthy to receive this high and holy calling. (6) Willingness to maintain the same high standards as the full-time missionaries. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
- AVAILABILITY OF A WARD MISSIONARY. This should be a “calling of sacrifice” and not a “yoke of burden”. (1) Family’s current situation. Situations that would impede or limit serving, such as a single parent with small children at home, the work schedule of the breadwinner, married and going to school, work requiring one parent to be gone or consistently out of town most of the time, etc. These should be just a few of the considerations in extending the call. The confirmation by the Spirit should be the determining factor. Example: The calling of a member who is: a) married; b) going to school; c) working full-time; d) is called as a ward missionary, has been given a call to fail in at least one of his/her responsibilities. See Elder Packer’s CR Oct 98 “Parents in Zion” (2) Health of the family should be generally good with no terminal illness or heavy medical responsibility “of care” for another member of the family. (3) Family plans. No immediate plans that would limit serving in the call such as: getting married and going to school, change of work schedules, moving, etc. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
- WEEKLY GOALS OF WARD MISSIONARIES: (1) Work at least ten (10) hours weekly.(may vary depending on call) (2) Attend weekly correlation meetings & fulfill assignments from WML (3) Obtain references through own initiative. (4) Help members learn how to find and give references. (5) Encourage investigators to strengthen their testimonies & be baptized. (6) Fellowship new converts as they adjust to gospel truths & social lives. (7) Splits with FTM as they support Stake and Ward goals. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
- “I have come to the belief that when you and I die, the Lord will be interested in what we achieved while we were in this life. But he will be more interested in those souls that we brought to him through repentance.” M. Russel Ballard Training program for Stake Missionaries. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
- Fellowshipping Family: “…and that your fruit should remain…”John 15:16. What is a “fellowshipping family”? A fellowshipping family is a ‘member family’ of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that befriends a ‘non-member family’ that is investigating the Church…Your friendly companionship and introduction to other members of the Church will help them to become better acquainted and fellowshipped by the ward. As a Fellowshipping Family, you can help strengthen them spiritually and assist them to make the great social transition to new friends and patterns of life. You can accompany them to Church activities, invite them to your house for a Family Home Evening, and assist them in being successful in their callings. You can also help them in receiving the Church magazines and other materials that can assist them to better understand the Lord’s Gospel and His great Plan of Happiness. We cannot overemphasize the importance of the Fellowshipping Family in orienting, guiding, and assisting the investigators in the acquiring of testimony and their social adjustments. Before and after baptism you should follow closely the spiritual growth of the new member family as they prepare to obtain the temple ordinances and become an Eternal Family. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.