The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well known for its missionary force. All
over the world you will find young men, women, and older couples wearing
nametags proclaiming themselves missionaries for the Mormon
Church. They serve in pairs throughout the world preaching the
gospel of Jesus Christ and serving their fellowmen.
One of the last
charges Christ gave His apostles was, "Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned." 1 Mormon missionaries take this charge very
seriously. They serve because they feel compelled to share the message that the
gospel of Christ has been restored to the earth and that the fullness of
Christ's blessings can be realized in ones personal and family life.
The First Presidency
of the Church stated in 1907, "Our motives are not selfish; our purposes
not petty and earth-bound; we contemplate the human race, past, present and yet
to come, as immortal beings, for whose salvation it is our mission to labor;
and to this work, broad as eternity and deep as the love of God, we devote
ourselves, now, and forever."2
Mormon missionaries carry forth the idea presented by a
former president of the Mormon Church. "We have come not to take away from
you the truth and virtue you possess... but we have come here as your brethren
… and to say to you: ‘Keep all the good that you
have, and let us bring to you more good, in order that you may be happier
and in order that you may be prepared to enter into the presence of our
Heavenly Father." 3
Mormon
missionaries invite all those who are seeking for truth. Those who have
questions like "What is the purpose of life?" "Where did I come
from?" or "Is there life after death?" will find answers through
the missionaries. "The restored gospel brings peace, happiness, and growth
and development into the lives of those that accept it and live according to
its teachings." 4
Missionary work
has always been an important part of the Mormon Church. The Prophet Joseph Smith sent men
with copies of the Book of
Mormon to preach in the
Mormon
missionaries strive to bring people everywhere to the truth. Their desire is
that each person may experience the joy that the gospel of Christ brings as
they develop a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ and forge eternal bonds
with their family within a Mormon
temple.
(1) Mark 16:15-16
(2) Conference Report, Apr. 1907, appendix, p.
16.
(3) Sharing the Gospel with Others, comp.
Preston Nibley,
(4)