Welcome to Our�Missionary Preparation Class��Lesson 12:�Finding People to Teach

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

About the Class Instructor

• My name is Jimmy Smith
• Founder of Latter-day Saint Mission Prep website
• I live in Texas in the United States
• I served my mission to Argentina, 1995-1997

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

About this Mission Prep Class

• Following the Church’s Missionary Preparation Teacher Manual
• Teaching my two teenage children and record the lessons for others to enjoy
• This video, my website, and other content I create is NOT a publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Before We Begin: Make Sure You Have a Way to Take Notes

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Review of Previous Lessons

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Intro: Finding People to Teach

• An indispensable prerequisite to sharing the gospel is finding people to teach
• Finding people requires faith—
• faith to talk to people about the gospel of Jesus Christ
• faith to watch for opportunities to teach and testify
• faith that God will lead you people who are prepared

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

The first time I talked to someone on a bus in Argentina to share the gospel message with them.

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Lescano Family�Concordia, Argentina

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Lescano Family Baptism�Concordia, Argentina

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Outline of Today’s Lesson

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Wilford Woodruff’s Mission to England

• Look for what he did to find people.
• Elder Woodruff asked the Lord in prayer where he should go. He recounted: “I asked my Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ to teach me his will in this thing, and as I asked, the Lord gave, and showed me that it was his will that I should go immediately to the south of England. I conversed with brother William Benbow upon this subject, who had lived in Herefordshire and had friends still residing there, and much wished me to visit that region of country.’”

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Wilford Woodruff’s Mission to England

• Elder Woodruff recorded that, “In one hour after I arrived at his house, I learned why the Lord had sent me there. … I found a company of men and women, some six hundred, who had banded together under the name of United Brethren, and were laboring for the ancient order of things. They wanted the Gospel as taught by the prophets and apostles, as I did in my youth.” Elder Woodruff’s companion William Benbow said it was a “ happy privilege of seeing his brother John Benbow, and all his household, … baptized into the new and everlasting covenant.”

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Wilford Woodruff’s Mission to England

• Elder Woodruff stayed later recalled: “The first 30 days after I arrived in Herefordshire I baptized 45 preachers and several hundred members. … We brought in 2,000 in about 8 months’ labor.”
• Later, he wrote: “The whole history of this Herefordshire mission shows the importance of listening to the still small voice of God and the revelations of the Holy Ghost. The Lord had a people there prepared for the Gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and the Lord sent me to them” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 90–91).

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Questions to Discuss / Ponder

• What did Elder Woodruff do to determine where to find people who were ready to receive the gospel?
• In what ways did the Lord assist Elder Woodruff?

​

• What do we learn from this story?

The Lord can help us to find people who have been prepared to accept the gospel when we pray for help, listen to the Spirit, and then act in faith.

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

The Family of God

• “All people on the earth were members of God’s family in the premortal life. We are part of God’s family in this life and can enjoy even greater blessings as members of His family in the life to come. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God. This knowledge gives us a sense of identity and belonging. It gives us reason to hope for eternal life in God’s presence. We understand these basic truths because of the Restoration. Teaching restored truths to your brothers and sisters is your responsibility and blessing.” (PMG)

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

We Are All Part of the Same Divine Family of God

• “A fundamental doctrine and heartfelt conviction of our religion is that all people are God’s children. We truly believe that we are brothers and sisters—all part of the same divine family. …Together, we can extend this love to all God’s children—our fellow brothers and sisters.”
• Pres Russell M. Nelson speaking at the NAACP Convention in 2019

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Alma prayed, seeking to help his apostate brethren, the Zoramites

• “O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious … ; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.” (Alma 31:34–35)

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Questions to Discuss / Ponder

• How does the doctrine that all men and women are part of God’s family influence your feelings about finding people to teach?
• In the quotation from Alma 31:34–35, what did Alma pray for as he prepared to preach to the Zoramites?

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Find Them That Will Receive You

• “You are to build up the Church by finding ‘them that will receive you’ (D&C 42:8). Such people will recognize that you are the Lord’s servants. They will be willing to act on your message. Many of these people have been ‘kept from the truth [only] because they know not where to find it’ (D&C 123:12).” (PMG)

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Wherever You Are Assigned, that Is Where the Lord Wants You

• D&C 100: 4 Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.
• 5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;
• 6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Finding by the Spirit

• “Finding by the Spirit is as important as teaching by the Spirit. As in teaching, your efforts in finding will be effective if you are guided by the Spirit. Have faith that you will know what to teach and what to do to find those who will receive you.” (PMG)

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

When people do not accept the gospel, do not be discouraged.

• “When people choose not to learn more about the restored gospel, your work is not wasted. Your consistent efforts in serving and teaching as many people as you can are one way God prepares His children to eventually receive His servants. He often reaches out to His children through you. Even when people do not accept the opportunity to learn the gospel, your service and words are evidence of God’s love for them and may plant seeds that future missionaries and members of the Church will harvest.” (PMG)

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Questions to Discuss / Ponder

• What are some challenges missionaries face when trying to find people to teach?
• How can a missionary maintain a healthy attitude even when people decline to hear their message?
• How does finding ‘them that will receive you’ (D&C 42:8) affect the way missionaries work?
• What should missionaries do when they do not see immediate results of their finding efforts?

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

The Importance of Member Missionary Work

• “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work.”
• Thomas S. Monson, “Faith in the Work of Salvation”, June 23, 2013

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Work with Members of the Church to Find People to Teach

• “The ideal situation is when members invite others to be taught and are present for the teaching. When members do this, more people are baptized and remain active in the Church. Association with members is important because it softens people’s hearts and often leads them to learn more about the restored gospel. This often means that they are brought into the circle of friends of Church members.” (PMG)

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

The Importance of Members and Missionaries Working Together

• “So many of us look upon missionary work as simply tracting. Everyone who is familiar with this work knows there is a better way. That way is through the members of the Church. Whenever there is a member who introduces [someone], there is an immediate support system. The member bears testimony of the truth of the work. He is anxious for the happiness of his … friend. He becomes excited as that friend makes progress in learning the gospel.”

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

The Importance of Members and Missionaries Working Together

• “[The member] will bear sincere testimony of the divinity of the work. He will be there to answer questions when the missionaries are not around. He will be a friend to the convert who is making a big and often difficult change. … The process of bringing new people into the Church is not the responsibility alone of the missionaries. They succeed best when members become the source from which new [people] are found.”
• Gordon B. Hinckley, “Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” Ensign, May 1999

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” -D&C 18:10

• D&C 18:14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
• 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
• 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

“Open your mouths and they shall be filled” – D&C 33:10

• D&C 33:6 And even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice.
• 7 Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the field is white already to harvest; wherefore, thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength.
• 8 Open your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness.
• 9 Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you.

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Pray for Missionary Opportunities

• “Brothers and sisters, fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities. Then, we must demonstrate our faith and watch for opportunities to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to our Heavenly Father’s children, and surely those opportunities will come. These opportunities will never require a forced or a contrived response. They will flow as a natural result of our love for our brothers and sisters.”

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Pray for Missionary Opportunities

• “It is impossible for us to fail when we do our best when we are on the Lord’s errand. While the outcome is a result of the exercise of one’s agency, sharing the gospel is our responsibility. Trust the Lord. He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep, and His sheep know His voice; and today the voice of the Good Shepherd is your voice and my voice. And if we are not engaged, many who would hear the message of the Restoration will be passed by. …Pray, personally and in your family, for missionary opportunities.”
• M. Russell Ballard, “Put Your Trust in the Lord,” Nov. 2013

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Questions to Discuss / Ponder

• Why is the work more effective when members and missionaries work togethers?
• Why do you think some Church members hesitate to talk to others about their faith?
• What can members do to develop greater confidence to introduce the gospel to others?
• What could you do now to invite others to learn about the gospel message?

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Missionaries Authorized to Use the Internet in Proselyting

• “When I was a young missionary, we were able to speak with contacts on the street and knock on doors to share the gospel. The world has changed since that time. Now, many people are involved in the busyness of their lives. They hurry here and there, and they are often less willing to allow complete strangers to enter their homes, uninvited, to share a message of the restored gospel. Their main point of contact with others, even with close friends, is often via the Internet. The very nature of missionary work, therefore, must change if the Lord is to accomplish His work of gathering Israel.”

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Use All Tools That God Has Prepared, including Digital Ones

• “As missionaries enter this new age where they will use computers in the work of the Lord, we invite the young and the old, the adults, the young adults, the youth, and the children everywhere to join with us in … sharing their gospel messages online. …I wish to make it clear that what we, as members, are asked to do has not changed; but the way in which we fulfill our responsibility to share the gospel must adapt to a changing world.”
• L. Tom Perry, “Missionary Work in the Digital Age”, June 23, 2013

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Questions to Discuss / Ponder

• What are some advantages of using online tools to share the gospel?
• What are some digital tools you could use to share your testimony and invite others to learn more?

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

What if “we plead to find those who are willing to let God prevail?”

• “One of the Hebraic meanings of the word Israel is ‘let God prevail.’ Thus the very name of Israel refers to a person who is willing to let God prevail in his or her life. That concept stirs my soul! …We often pray that we and the missionaries will be led to those who are prepared to receive the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I wonder, to whom will we be led when we plead to find those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives?”
• Let God Prevail by President Russell M. Nelson, Oct 2020

Image from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Conclusion and Homework

• Write a few things in your journal that you can do to find people for the missionaries to teach
• Prepare now for full-time missionary service by sharing the gospel, in person or online
• Church Videos to Check Out
• Video “Developing the Faith to Find” (2:55)
• Video “The Lord of the Harvest: The Adams Family” (4:41)
• Video “Sharing Your Beliefs” (2:02)

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Thank You for Watching or Listening

• I have a testimony that these things are true
• Visit the Latter-day Saint Mission Prep Website at
• www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Missionary Preparation Class

Lesson 12

Finding People to Teach

www.MormonMissionPrep.com