Humbling to see hard working missionaries
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — President Darrell G. Simmons, formerly of the Indiana Indianapolis Mission, was among the first wave of mission presidents sent out with draft copies of "Preach My Gospel."
He found after three years of implementing this enhanced missionary approach that missionaries who embraced the program blossomed in their ability to testify.
"Preach My Gospel" is empowering, he said. "It requires a higher level of obedience," which has led to greater pools of investigators, more unity with members, and greater spirituality among missionaries.
Standing outside the mission home with his wife, Ruth, and daughter Tyra, a few weeks prior to his release in July, President Simmons reviewed the program section by section and noted how it "stirs the spirit" and teaches each to become a "powerful missionary."
"We call it the six-week miracle," he continued. "Transfers come about every six weeks. It's amazing what growth occurs in 40 days. The missionaries don't see it, but I do."
President Simmons is particularly pleased how the percentage of investigators invited to hear missionary lessons in member homes has increased from 30 percent to 50 percent.
"Members are invaluable when testifying in their homes," he said.
Harkening back to his home in Smithfield, Utah, he drew an analogy from his dairy farming neighbors to describe how members and missionaries are becoming "homogenized" in this process of sharing the gospel.
"We've seen miracles," he said. "It's humbling to me to see how hard these missionaries will work."
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