“You don’t have to convert anyone to the gospel.”
We had a stake conference a few years ago that blew my mind.
The evening adult session was all about missionary work— but with a completely new perspective that has stuck with me for a while.
One speaker kept coming back to this point:
We aren’t the ones converting people to the gospel.
There are so many prophesies and so many scriptures that are similar to what we find in D&C 135:7:
“The religion of Jesus Christ… will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations”.
There are SO MANY people out there who have willing and honest hearts, who the Spirit is working with to mold and prepare.
They are ready to hear and receive.
They are ready to completely change their lives and make eternal covenants with God.
We have such a small but important role in this entire process (because it’s really mostly between that individual and God).
We need to be examples, make friends, show love, and then extend simple but powerful invitations, as prompted by the Spirit.
That’s it.
We just need to introduce as many people as we can to what truth and godly power really mean, and the Spirit will take care of the rest— quickly carrying it unto the hearts of those who have already been prepared.
Missionary work isn’t about tons of pressure to be the perfect example, inviting to the exact right event, and then teaching every aspect of the gospel.
Isn’t that refreshing?
That’s how I’ve felt ever since I heard that message.
I don’t have to do it all. No one has to do it all.
We don’t even have to do that much.
The Gathering of Israel is going to happen, and the hearts of God’s children are being prepared throughout the world.
And all we’ve been asked to do is to love and invite, so that the Spirit can do what He does best:
Convert.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
