Duncan Posted August 23, 2013 Author Posted August 23, 2013 Truth be told, though, I don't think a billboard (or any advertising, really) is any sort of panacea. The best thing, ultimately, is for people to see the missionaries "at work" and for missionaries to interact with people. In our town (ca. 45,000 people), many non-members are amazed at seeing the "Schwinn Twins" (their term --- I thought it was clever, and not said disparagingly) riding bikes in shirt and ties with helmets in 115 degree heat. While they may not necessarily let them in the door, yet (granted that door to door is banned in our mission), the constant presence of them works on people over time. I know I know, it's just something to hopefully attract people in plus we are placing out 8.5 x 11 sized posters everywhere and see what will happen, maybe 2 people will be contacted that way, we'll see. The MP wanted the Church to put in $400 for a huge billboard but the Church said nay nay so I dunno what to make of this "hastening the work" thing. Even if us locals could come up with that kind of scratch the Church could send up something!
Avatar4321 Posted August 27, 2013 Posted August 27, 2013 I am alittle disappointed in some of the responses in this thread about missionary work. There seems to be despair over the recent developments rather than optimism. The Lord, as always, is providing us with new tools to reach out to people. The Field is White already to harvest. We just need to have more faith in the Lord and open our mouths and we can help participate in the greatest harvest the Lord has. Wilford Woodruff baptized thousands of saints in his missions. Ammon and his brethren baptized thousands of Lamanites. Nephi and Lehi converted almost all the rest. Nephi the disciple of Christ was able to preach the Word with such power that the people got angry at him because they had to believe Him. If the Lord can do one person to do so much, why not us as well? The greatest work of the Restoration is just starting. We have lots of reasons to be optimistic. We have lots of reasons to trust the Lord. So why not? 2
Duncan Posted August 27, 2013 Author Posted August 27, 2013 I am alittle disappointed in some of the responses in this thread about missionary work. There seems to be despair over the recent developments rather than optimism. The Lord, as always, is providing us with new tools to reach out to people. The Field is White already to harvest. We just need to have more faith in the Lord and open our mouths and we can help participate in the greatest harvest the Lord has. Wilford Woodruff baptized thousands of saints in his missions. Ammon and his brethren baptized thousands of Lamanites. Nephi and Lehi converted almost all the rest. Nephi the disciple of Christ was able to preach the Word with such power that the people got angry at him because they had to believe Him. If the Lord can do one person to do so much, why not us as well? The greatest work of the Restoration is just starting. We have lots of reasons to be optimistic. We have lots of reasons to trust the Lord. So why not? one reason is our stake instituted a new meal policy as of last night. Now, we aren't allowed to pass a calendar around anymore. As a ward mission leader I am supposed to now call every active member in my ward and every less active person to arrange a dinner appt. for the missionaries. In addition to this I am supposed to inform the missionaries and then call them to remind them the day before the appt. The missionaries are supposed to eat and share one of their discussions, which eating and the discussion could take a bit of time. I can delegate but I am totally unwilling to do any of this so I am not passing the buck to someone else. So, we are going to pass the calendar around and just remind the members to have them over if they want to. So all of this is going to take my time and IMO it's DC 117:8 all over the place, Coveting that which is a drop but neglecting the weightier matters, i.e. baptisms and retention of the missionaries and converts.
rongo Posted August 27, 2013 Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) I am alittle disappointed in some of the responses in this thread about missionary work. There seems to be despair over the recent developments rather than optimism. The Lord, as always, is providing us with new tools to reach out to people. The Field is White already to harvest. We just need to have more faith in the Lord and open our mouths and we can help participate in the greatest harvest the Lord has. Wilford Woodruff baptized thousands of saints in his missions. Ammon and his brethren baptized thousands of Lamanites. Nephi and Lehi converted almost all the rest. Nephi the disciple of Christ was able to preach the Word with such power that the people got angry at him because they had to believe Him. If the Lord can do one person to do so much, why not us as well? The greatest work of the Restoration is just starting. We have lots of reasons to be optimistic. We have lots of reasons to trust the Lord. So why not?It isn't just about faith. Remember, many of our most outstanding missionaries (Noah and Mormon) had dismal numerical success. My first Mormon ancestor was one of the United Brethren. In the funeral sermons of these Saints over the decades in the later volumes of Journal of Discourses, the astounding retention rate of this group was often emphasized (599 of the 600 joined the Church and came to Zion, none of them fell away, etc.). The fact remains that the "mix" of people on the earth at different times is not the same, and some eras have "better" people and converts than others. I think we're currently in a "doldrums" era, but that doesn't excuse us for giving up or slacking (cf. Moroni 9). And, the miracle is that really good people continue to join the Church all the time. I do think that we need to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves," with proper balance, and not just "flippin' awesome!" optimistic no matter what about our prospects and potential. Realism and practicality lack of faith simply because one is not ≠ "Pollyana-ish" about things. Edited August 27, 2013 by rongo 1
Calm Posted August 27, 2013 Posted August 27, 2013 one reason is our stake instituted a new meal policy as of last night. Now, we aren't allowed to pass a calendar around anymore. As a ward mission leader I am supposed to now call every active member in my ward and every less active person to arrange a dinner appt. for the missionaries. In addition to this I am supposed to inform the missionaries and then call them to remind them the day before the appt. The missionaries are supposed to eat and share one of their discussions, which eating and the discussion could take a bit of time. I can delegate but I am totally unwilling to do any of this so I am not passing the buck to someone else. So, we are going to pass the calendar around and just remind the members to have them over if they want to. So all of this is going to take my time and IMO it's DC 117:8 all over the place, Coveting that which is a drop but neglecting the weightier matters, i.e. baptisms and retention of the missionaries and converts.What about having a calendar online so that people can go to it and sign up and that just leaves you having to find people for the empty spaces? And what about finding someone who is homebound and who would be wiling to take this one for you so that she or he could feel they were contributing to the missionary effort, pluse it gives them the opportunity to talk to people every day. If I didn't have phone anxiety (I think because I can't see people's faces plus if there is any audio issues, my comprehension drops to the bottom of the bucket), I would love to have this job. Maybe talk to the RS president to see if there is someone in the ward that matches that description...it might be a real blessing for that individual. 1
Calm Posted August 27, 2013 Posted August 27, 2013 I do think that we need to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves," with proper balance, and not just "flippin' awesome!" optimistic no matter what about our prospects and potential. Realism and practicality lack of faith simply because one is not ≠ "Pollyana-ish" about things.One difficulty in programs is that even if wise and gentle heads who have mastered the balancing act are doing the planning, the plans are then laid into the hands of the flippin awesome generation, at which age the fluctuation between high and low is quite frequently a day to day or even hour to hour occurrence, who often see life as all or nothing, go out and kill oneself off or give up and dawdled all day accomplishing nothing. Teens, even smart, together ones, aren't known for being realistic and are great at demonstrating passive aggressiveness if they don't want to do something (agreeing to do it but then they 'unintentionally' ensure it doesn't happen though procrastination, setting things up to fail, etc)....paired with a MP or bishop who needs help with communication.....even the best efforts may end in high frustration. Only constant appeals to the Spirit to help us love our brethren and sistren may get us through to the end still united in purpose and community.
Duncan Posted August 27, 2013 Author Posted August 27, 2013 What about having a calendar online so that people can go to it and sign up and that just leaves you having to find people for the empty spaces? And what about finding someone who is homebound and who would be wiling to take this one for you so that she or he could feel they were contributing to the missionary effort, pluse it gives them the opportunity to talk to people every day. If I didn't have phone anxiety (I think because I can't see people's faces plus if there is any audio issues, my comprehension drops to the bottom of the bucket), I would love to have this job. Maybe talk to the RS president to see if there is someone in the ward that matches that description...it might be a real blessing for that individual. oh yes! we are looking into that, we'll pass the list around( a lot of our ward is older folks who don't have computers but have the missionaries over) and then see what needs to be done.
Avatar4321 Posted August 27, 2013 Posted August 27, 2013 perhaps instead of worrying about dinner and a calendar, we should take no thought for food and focus on preaching. BTW I thought the mission President and the Bishop were the ones responsible for missionary work in the units. Is the Stake Presidency involved too?
Duncan Posted August 27, 2013 Author Posted August 27, 2013 perhaps instead of worrying about dinner and a calendar, we should take no thought for food and focus on preaching. BTW I thought the mission President and the Bishop were the ones responsible for missionary work in the units. Is the Stake Presidency involved too? yep and yep! The Stake Pres. told us we are having a dinner problem in the stake and obviously our ward (we don't actually) and this is how you will solve it, no questions asked. SO , we aren't getting involved. I asked the missionaries if they get enough given our ward demographics and they said they get enough. Can we do more? sure we are trying to drum up more dinners but I refuse to call members and beg them to feed the missionaries and call them to remind them. My view is they should have said, is this a problem in your ward, if so look into fixing it, you and the Lord and the ward council and ward missionaries get together and come up with something if you need help the High Councilor over missionary work is available to help you.
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