President Russell M. Nelson announced the second edition of “Preach My Gospel” in June 2023, explaining that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a sacred and covenant responsibility to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. President Nelson’s message was shared during the four-day 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
This episode of the Church News podcast, the first of two special episodes, features members of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Missionary Executive Council teaching from the updated manual.
These leaders testify of the reality of the Restoration, the importance of sharing the gospel and the blessings that come from studying the new “Preach My Gospel” manual.
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Transcript:
President Russell M. Nelson: Well, this second edition of “Preach My Gospel” affirms that missionaries are not called to ask people to join the Church; they are called to invite those people to come unto Jesus Christ. Good missionaries convert people to Jesus Christ and become His lifelong examples — His lifelong disciples — and when you teach, you teach the doctrine of Christ. Chapter 3 is the longest chapter in the book. It explains the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t know of a better explanatory text anywhere. I suggest that you study it, teach it and experience the joy of knowing what the gospel of Jesus Christ embraces.
1:03
Sarah Jane Weaver: I’m Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of the Church News. Welcome to the Church News podcast. We are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In June, President Russell M. Nelson announced the second edition of “Preach My Gospel,” 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 Nelson’s message was shared during the four-day 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders at the Provo Missionary Training Center. This episode of the Church News podcast, the first of two special missionary episodes, features members of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Missionary Executive Council teaching from the updated manual and speaking of the importance of missionary service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We begin with President Nelson’s words.
2:03
President Russell M. Nelson: The Lord declared two millennia ago, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). That commandment is still in force, made vital again by the Savior’s coming to the earth, under the direction of God the Father, to the Prophet Joseph Smith to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness and to reestablish His Church. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have the sacred and covenant responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and bless the lives of all of God’s children.
I am pleased to announce the release of the second edition of “Preach My Gospel.” It carries the subtitle “A Guide To Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” This new edition comes at a time when the world is rapidly changing, and reflects a sensitivity to many of those changes. It contains some of the best instruction I’ve ever seen to help people accept the Lord’s invitation to come unto Him.
3:38
Sarah Jane Weaver: This podcast highlights individual chapters of “Preach My Gospel” and other important missionary principles. These are not only relevant to missionaries, but also to every member of the Savior’s restored Church. Because of his position as chairman of the Church’s Missionary Executive Council, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles represented the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at a press conference announcing the revised Preach My Gospel. During the mission leadership seminar, Elder Cook also taught from Chapter 1 of the revised missionary manual, “Fulfill Your Missionary Purpose.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook: One of the reasons for missionary success is the clearly defined purpose set forth in the scriptures and Chapter 1 of “Preach My Gospel.” That purpose has not changed. It has been declared in the revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith set forth in the Doctrine and Covenants and the doctrine of Christ set forth in the Book of Mormon. The missionary purpose as set forth on this page reads the same but shifts the emphasis from learning what your purpose is as a missionary to fulfilling that purpose. It now reads under the heading “Fulfill Your Missionary Purpose,” quote, “Your Purpose: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”
Individuals who know their purpose in whatever they are doing, including missionary work, are able to decide what should take priority in their lives at a specific time to accomplish their purpose. As you help your missionaries feel passionate about their purpose as emissaries of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they will be inspired, uplifted and motivated to accomplish the work to gather Israel.
5:43
Sarah Jane Weaver: Elder Marcus B. Nash, executive director of the Church’s Missionary Department and a member of the Missionary Executive Council, teaches from Chapter 2, “Search the Scriptures and Put On the Armor of God.”
Elder Marcus B. Nash: Chapter 2 of the second edition of “Preach My Gospel” is titled “Search the Scriptures and Put On the Armor of God.” The mandate for each missionary to search the scriptures is clear and unequivocal, for searching the scriptures brings to them the power of God. It does the same for anyone, regardless of their age and experience. Think of the young Joseph Smith, Mormon, Nephi and a host of others. There is a wellspring of spiritual power that is only available to those who consistently study, feast upon and treasure up the word of God.
6:49
Sarah Jane Weaver: Chapter 3, “Study and Teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” includes four important lessons. Lesson 1, “The Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” is taught by President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President M. Russell Ballard: I’m delighted to be invited to speak on the topic of the Restoration. I wish to narrow my focus and talk about the Prophet Joseph Smith as a missionary, and I cannot do that without also talking about his missionary companion, his older brother Hyrum. I know of no greater missionary companionship that has ever served in this dispensation. Much can be learned by our missionaries in following the example of these prophets. They were men of integrity, loyalty, courage, trust, faith and unwavering testimony. One hundred seventy-nine years ago, on this coming Tuesday, these prophet brothers gave their lives and sealed their testimony to all that God and Jesus Christ had revealed in restoring the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all of the world.
Now, no missionary, brothers and sisters, should ever fail to understand and appreciate the great price that others have paid to establish once again the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. No assignment or challenge of any missionary should hold him or her back from boldly declaring the gospel truths that are ours to share. Joseph was called to his work by the Lord, just as you and your missionaries have been called to yours, by the Lord, through His Prophet. With the Restoration of the gospel, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the groundwork was laid for the Second Coming of the Lord.
9:32
Sarah Jane Weaver: President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, teaches Lesson 2 from Chapter 3, “Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation.”
President Dallin H. Oaks: The plan of salvation shows our Heavenly Father’s love for all His children. In the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a unique understanding of our Heavenly Father’s plan. We look on it as a map that shows us how to chart our life’s journey through mortality to the heavenly destination He desires for us. God loves His children so much that in His plan, He gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and Redeemer, to suffer and die for us. God’s plan shows us how He views the purpose of mortal life and the divine judgment that follows it and the ultimate glorious potential of all of His children.
What we know of the plan of salvation comes primarily from the Restoration scriptures — the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. The purpose of the plan, expressed in the doctrine and policies of the restored Church, is to prepare God’s children to achieve exaltation in the celestial kingdom, the highest degree of glory. But not all will desire and qualify for this. Because of our Heavenly Father’s great love for all His children, He has provided two lesser kingdoms of glory. The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes all this possible. He has revealed that He glorifies the Father and saves all the works of His hands.
We are commanded to share these truths of eternity with others. As a Book of Mormon prophet taught, we “must press forward ..., having a ... love of God and of all men” (2 Nephi 31:20). But with that love we owe to all of our neighbors, we accept their decisions.
12:00
Sarah Jane Weaver: Lesson 3, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ,” was taught by President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency.
President Henry B. Eyring: Most of you know from your own experience that missionary work requires and builds unshakable faith that we labor with and for Jesus Christ. One of the great tools to help you missionaries develop that faith is found in “Preach My Gospel.” Lesson 3 in Chapter 3 is entitled “The Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Studying this section will help your missionaries teach by the Spirit the gospel of Jesus Christ and lead those they teach to conversion. When earnestly studied, it will do far more than that. This chapter describes how faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end blesses all of God’s children. As your missionaries study and prepare to teach, they will find their own conversion deepen. That deepening will increase their ability to teach by the Spirit and to testify with greater power.
13:34
Sarah Jane Weaver: Young Women general President Bonnie H. Cordon, who also serves as a member of the Missionary Executive Council, spoke on Lesson 4, “Becoming Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ.”
President Bonnie H. Cordon: The prophet Mormon demonstrated a mindset of lifelong discipleship in Jesus Christ when He resolutely stated, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (3 Nephi 5:13). The faithful actions of a disciple are not just what we do; they are who we become. Consider this mindset of becoming: The goal is not to run a marathon; the goal is to become a runner. If we only work toward the event, the one race, then the next day, we could be sitting on the couch eating chips — and that’s not a bad option. But if the goal is to be a runner, then we would rejoice in what we’ve accomplished, get up early the next day, put on our shoes and go for a run, because it’s who we are.
The goal is not just to read a book; the goal is to become a reader. The goal is not to just learn an instrument; the goal is to become a musician. The goal is not to just be baptized, just serve a mission; the goal is to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ and build an eternal covenant relationship with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and return back to Their presence.
14:57
Sarah Jane Weaver: Chapter 4, “Seek and Rely on the Spirit,” was taught by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Dale G. Renlund: It’s by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost that we are sanctified, made more holy, more complete and more like God. It is through the redemption of Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost that we are spiritually born again. President Russell M. Nelson taught the importance of the gift as he cautioned, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” Just as physicians need to use a stethoscope competently to help their patients, we need to competently seek and rely on the Holy Ghost for ourselves and for those we are called to teach.
“Seek” and “rely” are the imperative elements of the title of Chapter 4 of “Preach My Gospel.” Seeking the Holy Ghost involves more than simply being confirmed a member of the Church. It’s naive to think that just because we’ve received the gifts of the Holy Ghost and an accompanying certificate, all we need to do is to say, “OK, I’m ready. Reveal.” Early in his life as a scribe to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery made that mistake, thinking that all he had to do was ask. Seeking guidance from the Holy Ghost requires consistent and diligent work.
16:33
Sarah Jane Weaver: We close the first of this two-part series of the Church News podcast with Chapter 5, “Use the Power of the Book of Mormon.” The Book of Mormon is the cornerstone of our faith and “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.” Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches from Chapter 5 and shares what he knows now about the power of the Book of Mormon.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: I want to say again and again, I love the Book of Mormon. It is the Lord’s instrument of conversion in these latter days. Its publication is the sign that the long-prophesied gathering of Israel is now underway. The Book of Mormon is the tool — the sickle, if you will — that we are to thrust in with our might in that great field that “is white already to harvest” (Doctrine and Covenants 12:3). Thus, the Book of Mormon becomes both the sign of and the means for gathering the Lord’s covenant people in this last dispensation. As President Nelson put it, “This is the book that will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.” President Russell M. Nelson once referred to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon as “a miraculous miracle.” And so it was.
Chapter 5 of “Preach My Gospel” second edition is titled “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 of the Holy Ghost that the book is true and that it is compelling evidence of the latter-day Restoration. The witness of the Holy Ghost, of the truth of the doctrine that it teaches. And the witness of the Holy Ghost that its testimony of Jesus Christ is true. “Preach My Gospel” puts it well: “The central purpose of the Book of Mormon is to testify of Jesus Christ. It affirms the reality of His life, mission, resurrection, and power. It teaches true doctrine about Christ and His Atonement. ... As people read and pray about the Book of Mormon, they will come to know the Savior better and experience His love.”
19:03
Sarah Jane Weaver: Looking forward to the second episode of the Church News podcast featuring “Preach My Gospel,” we close this episode with words and a testimony from President Russell M. Nelson.
President Russell M. Nelson: Now, I’d like to just comment a little bit about this mission president seminar and “Preach My Gospel” second edition. I would like to refer to the front cover, which is a scripture in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one verse of scripture quoted on that first page. With the Lord speaking, it says, quote, “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.” Those words are in 3 Nephi 27:20, as you know. Well, that verse of scripture is the gospel plan in a nutshell. In one sentence, He refers to faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, endure to the end and, by implication, Judgment.
Chapter 3 is the longest chapter in the book. It explains the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t know of a better explanatory text anywhere. I suggest that you study it, teach it and experience the joy of knowing what the gospel of Jesus Christ embraces. Well, this second edition of “Preach My Gospel” affirms that missionaries are not called to ask people to join the Church; they are called to invite those people to come unto Jesus Christ. Good missionaries convert people to Jesus Christ and become His lifelong examples — His lifelong disciples. They are not there to increase the number of members of the Church. It happens incidentally, but not as the main objective.
You want your missionaries to be disciples of Jesus Christ through all eternity? The answer is simple. You focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will know how to resolve every challenge you have. And when you teach, you teach the doctrine of Christ. Help them to start now.
21:57
Sarah Jane Weaver: You have been listening to the Church News podcast. I’m your host, Church News editor Sarah Jane Weaver. I hope you have learned something today about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by peering with me through the Church News window. Please remember to subscribe, rate and review this podcast so it can be accessible to more people. And if you enjoyed the messages we shared today, please make sure you share the podcast with others. Thanks to our guests; my producer, KellieAnn Halvorsen; and others who make this podcast possible. Join us every week for a new episode. Find us on your favorite podcasting channels or with other news and updates of the Church on TheChurchNews.com.
