Why Missionaries Do What They Do

Find out more about a missionary’s purpose.

Every day, missionaries choose to do things that are quite different from what most people their age would normally do. So why do they do it?

First, they’re motivated by “a love of God and of all men” in their hearts (2 Nephi 31:20). Secondly, their purpose is clear. It’s stated clearly in the first chapter of Preach My Gospel and helps them focus on what’s most important. Let’s look at each part of this missionary purpose statement to learn what’s behind what they do.

“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 (2004), 1.

Invite others to come unto Christ

By doing this, you’re following the Savior. “He inviteth … all to come unto him” (2 Nephi 26:33).

Receive

To receive the gospel means to receive the Lord’s servants and accept the teachings and ordinances they offer (see Matthew 10:40; John 13:20; Doctrine and Covenants 39:5; 84:36).

Restored gospel

Never forget, the gospel has been restored. Missionaries declare this truth. They teach about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, modern revelation, and modern prophets. (See Preach My Gospel, 31–40.)

Faith in Jesus Christ

This is the first principle of the gospel (see Articles of Faith 1:4). All progress in the gospel flows from faith in Jesus Christ, even if at first people just “exercise a particle of faith” or “desire to believe” (Alma 32:27). Teaching people in order to help them gain this faith is vitally important.

Repentance

Repentance means aligning our attitudes and behaviors with God’s laws and commandments. It’s an important way we come unto Jesus Christ. Inviting people to repent shows that you love them.

Baptism

This is the first ordinance of the gospel. Through it, we make our first covenant with God, promising to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. Baptism is required for a remission of sins and to enter the celestial kingdom. (See John 3:5; Mosiah 18:9–10; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37.) Helping people toward baptism means helping them come unto Jesus Christ.

The gift of the Holy Ghost

After baptism, another ordinance invites us to receive the Holy Ghost. In this way we are purified and can have His constant companionship if we are faithful and worthy.

Enduring to the end

Enduring to the end with faith, hope, and charity allows us to have eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:20). We are protected and guided through gospel teachings, covenants, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. By helping others to endure, you’re helping them stay on the path back to Heavenly Father.

The Cause

“When missionaries have internalized the purpose of bringing people to Christ through the principles and ordinances of the restored gospel, they will understand that missionary work is not a program, it is a cause—the cause of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Our Missionary Purpose” (address given at the seminar for new mission presidents, June 22, 2008), 2, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.

Understanding Their Purpose Helps Missionaries:

• Understand who has called them.

• Realize that their purpose is selfless—inviting and helping others and serving God. (Nowhere in the purpose statement does it mention them or what they get out of this. That’s instructive.)

• Know the ultimate reason behind every invitation they make.

• Understand why people need what they have to offer.

• Be motivated to do what it takes to reach people.

If You’re Preparing to Serve a Mission

• Ask yourself: Do I know the purpose of a missionary? How well do I understand it?

• Ask some returned missionaries how internalizing their purpose affected them and how they went about their work.