Explaining that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a “sacred and covenant responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ,” President Russell M. Nelson announced the second edition of “Preach My Gospel” on June 22.
“Our charge is much more than just inviting people to join the Church. We want each one to become a fully truly converted disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow Him, now and forever,” he said in a a videotaped message played during the opening moments of the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders.
The Church News is launching a series of videos highlighting members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Missionary Executive Council speaking about each chapter of the revised missionary handbook.
The first message, recorded during the 2023 Seminary for New Mission Leaders in June, is Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaking about the important role of missionary work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Chapter 1: Fulfill Your Missionary Purpose
Elder Quentin L. Cook taught how the second edition of the missionary manual “shifts the emphasis from learning what your purpose is as a missionary to fulfilling that purpose.”
Chapter 2: Search the Scriptures and Put on the Armor of God
Elder Marcus B. Nash, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Missionary Department, underscored the spiritual power available through the scriptures.
Chapter 3, Lesson 1: Study and Teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught about finding the power of the Savior through the martyrs’ sacrifices of Joseph and Hyrum Smith as the Restoration began.
Chapter 3, Lesson 4: Becoming Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ
Lifelong disciples help those they teach to learn what it means to be a covenant keeper, Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon taught.
Chapter 4: Seek and Rely on the Spirit
Seeking the Holy Ghost takes spiritual work, followed by consistent and diligent practice to unlock continued guidance, taught Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Chapter 5: Use the Power of the Book of Mormon
The “power of the Book of Mormon” is in the witness of the Holy Spirit that accompanies it — “the witness that the book is true and that it is proof of the latter-day Restoration, the witness of the truth of the doctrine that it teaches and the witness that its testimony of Jesus Christ is true,” said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Twelve.
Chapter 6: Seek Christlike Attributes
Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, highlighted names that Book of Mormon prophets used for Jesus Christ like Savior, Holy One of Israel and Lord Omnipotent.
Chapter 7: Learn Your Mission Language
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles outlined five principles that can help missionaries and mission leaders teach and testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel boldly and clearly, and improve language proficiency.
Chapter 8: Accomplish the Work through Goals and Plans
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Twelve said a new “Preach My Gospel” app provides practical application for missionaries to accomplish the work through goals and plans.
Chapter 9: Find People to Teach
“Understanding the need to find helped me be fearless in opening my mouth to find and teach,” Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Twelve taught new mission leaders.
Chapter 10: Teach to Build Faith in Jesus Christ
Elder David A. Bednar of the Twelve encouraged leaders to find ways to help individuals focus their faith on Jesus Christ, learn correct principles for themselves and respond to invitations to act.
Chapter 11: Help People Make and Keep Commitments
“Through understanding, inspiration and kindness, our missionaries have the power to spiritually lead those they teach to sincerely make and keep commitments,” said Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Twelve.
Chapter 12: Help People Prepare for Baptism and Confirmation
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Twelve spoke about the joy of missionary work that “cascades through generations.” He later added, “As we prepare people for baptism and confirmation, we are preparing them to see and enter into the kingdom of God.”
Chapter 13: Unite with Leaders and Members to Establish the Church
New mission leaders are “fellow servants” with general authorities, local leaders and everyday members, explained Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Twelve.
Lessons on leadership
And Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Presidency of the Seventy and member of the Missionary Executive Council taught that one’s ability to follow the Savior’s model of leadership makes all the difference in the ability to fulfill one’s calling.
