Every bishop I’ve ever heard of has Missionary Work on their list of goals for the year. Raise your hand if you see the goal on the list, feel guilty for an instant, and move on to better things?
We forget a very important aspect of missionary work. The Spirit converts people, we merely act as facilitators. If we really understood what that means we would 1) pray mightily for the hearts of the people to be softened. 2) pray that friends and neighbors would come to us when they have a question, and 3) pray that we would learn to become sensitive, and act, on the promptings of the Spirit. That’s it! That is all we would have to do.
Who has ever taken cookies over to an inactive sister on your visiting teaching list and expected her to welcome you with open arms? When your child has a question about something they heard in Church, do you say, “Ask your father”? Don’t force the Church on people, but be prepared to teach and share whenever asked.
What can the Relief Society do to help Bishops fulfill their goals in Missionary Work?
First of all, throw out the cookies. Being a good example is the number one thing you can do. Take time to visit, be sincere, don’t be in a hurry, be friendly frequently (not just once a month). If you feel uncomfortable, they feel uncomfortable. And understand that “doing” is more important than “saying”.
I was in a new area and asked ward members to recommend a hair stylist. They directed me to a gal who didn’t go to Church, but had her own salon, and was close to where I lived. I went over and we talked about all kinds of things, except the Church. When I left, I said that I looked forward to seeing her at Church some day. Several months later, after seeing her at Church several times, she told me that the reason why she started coming was because I wasn’t pushy; I merely offered her a non-threatening invitation. I had no idea what I was saying, or how it was being received. But the Spirit knew she was ready.
Sometimes your Calling puts you in a position to reach others. Again, sincere concern and a welcoming smile can go a long way.
A friend of mine told me how she became active in the Church. The family never attended, but the older sister’s Primary teacher called to invite her to a class party. The mother thought her daughter would feel uncomfortable if she went, but the teacher said, maybe if she came to the party, she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable attending Primary. The daughter went to the party, and later attended Primary. She enjoyed it so much, she got her six other siblings to all go with her. The children have all grown up active in the Church. My friend is the youngest of those children and even though she never knew the name of this Primary teacher, or what she looked like, she praises her every day for the good she did with that one phone call.
Visiting Teaching is really the very best way the Relief Society can serve the Bishop. As we visit one another, we strengthen one another. The influence of that visit reaches other members of the home. We may never know how far our influence reaches, but with sincerity and love, we can fortify our sisters and their families.
Of course, if we have an opportunity for “a missionary moment” we should always jump at it. They don’t come all that often.
When I was a Church Museum Docent, I was in a position to interact with non-members who actually came to the Church to ask questions. As my missionary daughter always says, it’s so much better for them to come to you, rather than you going after them.
I have taken people on tour who didn’t know anything about Mormons, and I have talked to people who knew plenty and thought they could trip me up. I went to great lengths to make the tour enjoyable, answered all of their questions, and we always separated as friends. And when I am confronted with a question I don’t know the answer to, I am okay to say “I don’t know”.
We don’t have to feel guilty that we are stuck at home all day and don’t have opportunities to share the gospel. Who knows when someone will be put in our path? All we can do is be ready.
A friend shared this experience. She was on the way to her car when she overheard some men who were clearly visiting the city. One said to the other, “What is it with the Mormons and Salt Lake City?” For a few quick seconds, she vacillated, then took the plunge. She stopped and answered the question for them. Then she continued on her way. She sat in her car all sweaty, heart palpitating, but greatly satisfied. She had survived this close encounter.