Catch the vision of 'Preach My Gospel'
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"Can you catch the vision?" asked Elder Richard G. Scott near the conclusion of his comments in the Saturday afternoon session. "You'll be as excited as I am when, in your personal life, you begin to understand and use this missionary tool."
Speaking of the new guide, Preach My Gospel, Elder Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve told how this tool "is invaluable in assisting priesthood and auxiliary efforts to help new members," and how "it has focused our missionary effort as never before."
Former missionary materials were effective for their time, he said, but the world has changed dramatically, with the bedrock of social values "being assaulted by Satan and his allies."
"There has been an urgent need for an improved way to share the fullness of truth," he said.
The foundation pillar of Preach My Gospel, said Elder Scott, is that missionaries now teach gospel concepts in their own words under the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit. With the message of the Restoration in their minds and hearts, missionaries teach as guided by the Spirit.
"This focus has dramatically improved their effectiveness," Elder Scott said. "Many missionaries have made dramatic improvements in their capacity to teach with conviction and to invite the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost."
He encouraged families to observe this improvement themselves by inviting neighbors into their homes to hear missionaries present these lessons.
Those who participated in the development of Preach My Gospel, included the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, other General Authorities and teams of devoted, experienced staff members, he said. These "are witnesses of the inspired direction of the Lord through the Holy Ghost in the conception, framing and finalization of the materials."
Elder Scott said that, "the First Presidency message in Preach My Gospel provides great motivation to missionaries; perhaps it will encourage you in your own missionary effort.
"It states: 'There is no more compelling work than this, . . . Preach My Gospel is intended to help you be a better-prepared, more spiritually mature missionary and a more persuasive teacher. . . . We challenge you to rise to a new sense of commitment to assist our Father in Heaven in His glorious work.' "
Probably the greatest benefit of using this new guide, continued Elder Scott, "will be seen in the lives of returned missionaries who will be stronger parents, more able Church leaders and better professionals because of the growth that comes from understanding and applying its inspired content."
Expressing gratitude to missionaries and mission presidents for "mastering its effective use," Elder Scott said, "Ultimately, we are grateful to the Lord for His inspiration. I encourage you to find out how this extraordinary resource can help in your missionary efforts, either as parent preparing a child for a mission, a Church leader helping new converts, a member sharing the gospel or an individual getting ready to serve."
