STIMULATOR message for the week of November 7, 1972
Message from President Merlin W. Sant, November 7, 1972
“To stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye many have eternal life.” (Mosiah 18:9)
Dear Fellow Workers:
These were the words that Alma spoke to those who were baptized in the waters of Mormon in response to his preaching, and indicate that all who accept baptism are under covenant to stand as witnesses of God. It is entirely compatible with the counsel given by the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants 88:81, “Behold, I sent you out to warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.”
In these two scriptures we find the basis for the declaration, “Every Member A Missionary.” They also support the principles of Priesthood correlation in missionary work. These principles are as follows:
- Member families and individuals do missionary work.
- District, stake and full time missionaries help families and individuals.
- Home teachers:
- Train families in how to find investigators.
- Make available to families the help of missionaries.
- Participate actively in missionary work.
Under this program, we are to find investigators through —
- Home teaching referrals
- Pre-baptismal fellowshipping
- Tracting, open houses, surveys, personal initiative, etc.
Full instruction on the implementation of all phases of this program will soon be available. For the stakes and wards we recommend the Priesthood missionary handbook for Stake Missions. By substituting district for stake and branch for ward this handbook may be used also in the districts and branches.
The key person in the wards and branches will be the missionary leader. It will be his responsibility to coordinate and guide all missionary work in his ward or branch. May we urge bishops and branch presidents to call a mission leader and instruct him in his duties. Until full instructions are provided, we earnestly urge your complete cooperation with the full time missionaries, who have been briefed in the program by Elder R. Wayne Shute, our mission representative of the Twelve, and the First Council of the Seventy.
We do not presume to instruct the stake and ward leaders in the development of this program. Such instruction must come only from the Stake Presidents and Bishops. However, we shall greatly appreciate their continued cooperation in making this activity a source of blessing to member families and individuals. It is our desire that the district and branches begin implementing this plan just as soon as possible.
Faithfully yours,
President and Sister Sant
“Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.” — Doctrine and Covenants 31:3
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