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Why Missionary Work is So Important

In order for people to work out their own salvation, they must have the gospel preached to them. In addition, they must be given the opportunity to be baptized and perform the other ordinances necessary for them to progress in the Plan of Happiness (Salvation).

They cannot do this alone. Others must actively take the gospel to them and help them learn and do what we know to be right.

All of these activities are considered missionary work.

Missionary Work Started With Adam

We know that the gospel began to be preached during Adam's time. All of the prophets during Old Testament times were missionaries. Jesus preached the gospel and sent his Apostles and disciples out to preach as well.

The Apostle Paul's missionary efforts and journeys are the stuff of legend. All modern prophets have been missionaries, as well as leaders. The first prophet of this dispensation, Joseph Smith, was given this commandment:

Behold, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should proclaim my gospel from land to land, and from city to city, yea, in those regions round about where it has not been proclaimed.

Go unto the eastern lands, bear testimony in every place, unto every people and in their synagogues, reasoning with the people.

Prophets and leaders in the modern church continue to emphasize Heavenly Father's commandments to be missionaries.

Every Member is a Missionary

Former Prophet and President, David O. McKay famously remarked that every member is a missionary.

Whether called to formal missionary work or informal missionary work, every member is expected to do continuous missionary work.

Some examples of formal missionary service:

• Being called to serve as a ward missionary
• Being called to serve as a ward mission leader
• Being called to serve as a full time missionary (young men or young women)
• Being called to serve as a full time missionary (seniors)
• Being called to serve as a service missionary (full or part time)
• Being called to serve as a mission president
• Being called as a General Authority of the Church
• Being called as an Apostle
• Being called as the President of the Church

Some examples of informal missionary service:

• Sharing one's testimony and faith
• Inviting others to church events
• Living the gospel in one's day to day life
• Inviting others to be taught by the missionaries
• Digital activities including reposting and sharing
• Contributing financially to missionary work
• Doing family history work (genealogy)
• Doing temple work for the dead
• Supporting the Church's official missionary work in any way

We Must Take the Gospel to the Entire World

In modern times, we have been commanded to preach the gospel to everyone everywhere. In D&C 137:33 Joseph Smith was told to take the restored gospel to the entire world:

And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

With all the technological developments in modern years, this inclusive commandment has now become possible in a big way. Mormons believe that Heavenly Father has facilitated all these technological advancements, so that we may comply with this commandment.

Blessings Promised to Missionaries

Some of the greatest blessings we have been promised come if we engage in missionary work. In fact, we are promised that our own sins will be forgiven, if we help others come to Christ.

Perhaps the great blessings promised to those who engage in missionary work comes from D&C 18:15-16:

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

From this we can plainly determine that even one person is worth our entire lifetime of missionary effort. Obviously, joy will increase if we can assist more than one.

How Should Knowing All This Change My Life?

It should convince you to do missionary work.

You should seek to serve a formal mission, if that is possible for you.

You should want to constantly do missionary work.

It should make you want to use all the modern technological tools to share and teach the gospel.

It should comfort you when you are dispirited and discouraged when your missionary work seems in vain.

Next: What Seeds of Greatness Exist Within You?