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mission6 (inspirational thoughts for missionaries ** )

Inspirational Thoughts for Missionaries


The following inspirational thoughts for missionaries were compiled by Elder Glen L. Rudd, emeritus General Authority:

  • A quote from a devoted young sister missionary as she completed her mission:  “If I had a quarter for every door that has been slammed in my face during my mission, I would be a millionaire.  However, if I had a quarter for every blessing that has come into my life during my mission, I would be a billionaire.”
  • “Live above temptation.” — President David O. McKay
  • “And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump…” — D&C 24:12
  • “The greatest waste there is in the world is that human beings, you and I, the children of God, live so far below the level of our possibilities.” — Elder Sterling W. Sill
  • “Be careful how you act.  You may be the only ‘standard works’ someone will ever read.” — Anonymous
  • “Enthusiasm brings Interest; Simplicity brings Understanding; Repetition brings Conviction; Testimony brings Conversion.” — Anonymous
  • “I know that if I learn obedience, I will return to my family a better person than when I left. I will also touch many lives for the better.  Obedience is the first law of heaven.” — Anonymous
  • “Do I look like a servant of the Lord?  Do I act like a missionary?  If I do, I will get referrals!” — Elder Glen L. Rudd
  • “Think enthusiastically!  Talk enthusiastically!  Act enthusiastically!  If you are not really enthused, act as if you are, think as if you are, and you will be!” — Elder Glen L. Rudd
  • “To render the greatest service to this church, we must show quite as much concern for what we are, as for what we do.” — Elder Boyd K. Packer
  • “A thing doesn’t have to be false to be wrong; it just has to divert us from other, more important things.” — Robert J. Matthews
  • “If the whole mission is the sum total of each and every missionary, then the action of a single missionary effects the entire mission.” — Anonymous
  • “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do has increased.” — a favorite saying of President Heber J. Grant
  • “It is better to be trusted than to be loved.” — President David O. McKay
  • “There is more spirituality expressed in giving than in receiving.  The greatest spiritual blessing comes from helping another.” — President David O. McKay
  • “With some I am not well pleased…for they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of men.” — D&C 60:2
  • “Self-discipline is doing what you know you should do when you do not want to do it.” — President N. Eldon Tanner
  • “We should not be merely an influence – we should be an inspiration.” — Anonymous
  • “What I am and what I do is important.  I can make a positive difference in lives of others.” — Anonymous
  • Initial interview between a mission president and a new missionary: “Can you get out of bed on time on your own?”  “No, my mother always got me up.”  “Can you make your own bed?”  “No, my mother always made it for me.”  “Can you cook your own meals?”  “No, my mother always cooked for me.”  “Isn’t it a shame they sent you and not your mother on this mission?”
  • “Some day, when you know who you really are, you will be sorry that you didn’t use your time better.” — President Henry B. Eyring, speaking to missionaries.
  • “Keep trying, be believing, be happy, don’t get discouraged, things will work out.” — President Gordon B. Hinckley
  • “We are not here to play, to dream, to drift.  We have hard work to do and heavy loads to lift.  Shun not the struggle – face it.  This is God’s gift.” — President David O. McKay
  • “Again I say, hearken ye elders of my Church, whom I have appointed. Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit.” — D&C 43:15
  • “Therefore, I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men.  For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.” — D&C 100:5-6
  • “And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” — D&C 84:88
  • “I am a child of God.  He, through a living prophet, has called me on this mission to succeed, not to fail.” — Anonymous
  • “Your attitude will determine your altitude.” — Anonymous
  • “And if men will come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, than will I make weak things become strong unto them.”  — Ether 12:27
  • “A sinner is not a good teacher of repentance.” — President Harold B. Lee
  • “The devil doesn’t much care if you are a missionary of the Church or not – as long as you are not committed.” — Elder Neil A. Maxwell

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