Follow Through

Helping Others Acquire Spiritual Knowledge

Show students that their concerns or questions matter to you by following up with them in class or in other appropriate ways.

Suggestions

  • Determine a time to follow up with students to find out how they are progressing with their plan to acquire spiritual knowledge. Answer additional questions or teach additional principles as necessary.

  • When you meet again—in class or where appropriate—invite students to describe their spiritual impressions or to share any other blessings or experiences related to their search. Continue to follow up as appropriate.

Additional Resources

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following:

“I’m a great believer in the principle of follow-up. As it says in the missionary guide Preach My Gospel, ‘Extending an invitation without following up is like beginning a journey without finishing it or buying a ticket to a concert without going into the theater. Without the completed action, the commitment is hollow’ [Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004), 200].

“Preach My Gospel teaches everyone not only how to invite but also how to follow up on our invitations. The purpose of missionary work is defined as inviting ‘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, 1].

“Inviting is certainly part of the process. But notice that there is much more to missionary work for members than simply extending invitations to people to listen to the missionaries. It also includes follow-up with the missionaries in the cultivation of faith, the motivation to repentance, the preparation for making covenants, and enduring to the end. . . .

“If we follow up, the Lord will not let us down. I have seen the unspeakable joy that accompanies testimony-driven inviting and faithful follow-up among members of the Church the world over” (M. Russell Ballard, “Following Up,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 79–80).