Missionary work is lifeblood of Church
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Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church, said Sister Silvia H. Allred Saturday morning.
"There is no greater work, no more important work," said Sister Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. "It blesses the lives of all those who participate in it. It will continue to bless future generations."
The Lord's Church has the responsibility to preach the gospel in the world, she said.
"This is the foundation of missionary work, and the duty of our missionaries is to 'invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end'" (Preach My Gospel).
Sister Allred testified of the significant impact and the blessings of missionary work in the lives of converts, future generations and missionaries, and shared examples of how Church members can participate in missionary work.
A convert to the Church, Sister Allred said words failed to express the deep feelings of gratitude she has for the missionaries the Lord sent to her home.
"I don't know if missionaries realize the far-reaching impact of their work," she said. "In my own family, the blessings of the gospel have now touched four generations.... I got married in the temple and have eight children. They are all faithful members of the Church, endowed in the temple. Six of them are now married and have their own children. At present there are 34 of us. And that is not all. Both my husband and I served missions and our two sons and three of our six daughters have also served missions. Collectively, we have helped hundreds embrace the gospel in many countries. Some of those converts and their children have also served missions."
A greater enthusiasm for missionary work will strengthen the Church's wards and branches, she said. "The whole Church will feel the effects of your labor.... We can all participate in missionary work. This is the Lord's work and He will help us do it."
