Answering machine aids missionary work
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John Sanders, mission leader of the Santa Clara 2nd Ward, was so concerned that members have a way to share referals with missionaries that he helped develop a round-the-clock referral system.
He felt there were often too many obstacles and barriers that frustrated members in telling missionaries about friends interested in the gospel.After pondering the problem, he decided that a telephone answering machine could receive referrals and solve the communication part of the porblem. He approached Pres. Dennis E. Peterson of the Santa Clara stake and Pres. Leo L. Douglas of the California San Jose Mission with his idea, and they agreed that the mission's answering machine could be used.
Next, Sanders had 3,000 business-size cards printed that listed the phone number of the answering machine, and distributed the cards to members. The cards listed the telephone number for referrals and also reminded members about making the referrals every time they happened across the card in their purse or wallet.
"If only one person is baptized as a result of this program, it will be well worth it," said Pres. Douglas..
