Warming Up to Missionary Work

Dec 2006 Issue

by Andrea Lauritzen

After I bought my first home, I wondered if I’d done the right thing. I soon learned that I was right where the Lord needed me to be, and that I could do what He asked me to do.

Soon after I moved into my home, a Latino family moved into the house across the street. I introduced myself and met the family. Over the next few months our interactions consisted mostly of waves and salutations across the street as we were coming and going. I repeatedly had the prompting that I should invite the mom to enrichment, but I let my hectic life keep me from doing it.

Fall came, and our ward was having a “Super Saturday” filled with craft opportunities for the holidays. “What a perfect opportunity,” I thought. Marisol, the mother, didn’t speak English and I don’t speak much Spanish, but with the teenage girls as interpreters I made the invitation. Marisol came, accompanied by her two daughters and 10 year old son. She also brought her friend Juana, and Juana’s two daughters. I located a couple of sisters who spoke Spanish and soon these neighbors had several new friends.

At the end of the activity as we gathered our treasures to leave, Juana asked if our church had activities for the whole family. The bishop, who speaks Spanish, happened to be there and he invited them to the ward Christmas Party. That was the beginning of a great friendship and a marvelous gospel-sharing adventure.

I was disappointed when the families didn’t show for the Christmas party, but not deterred. Juana had given me her number and had expressed an interest in meeting with the missionaries, but Marisol’s family – my neighbors – were not yet ready for the missionaries. I contacted the Spanish Elders to tell them about Juana’s interest only to discover that they had tracted out Marisol’s family the day before. The Lord has a plan.

I invited Marisol’s family and the Elders to my home to watch a Spanish Christmas film. We ended up watching Mr. Kruger’s Christmas and The Lamb of God. They listened to every word and we had a great discussion afterward. Even with my limited Spanish and their limited English, the Spirit was strong and I felt guided as I answered their questions.

They wanted to learn more about the Book of Mormon. The Elders and I gave them copies for Christmas. I wrapped each book and took the gifts over with a copy of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and “The Testimony of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.” I also wrote my testimony and asked the Elders to translate it into Spanish for me and gave both copies to the family.

When I took the gifts to the family they were so excited that they couldn’t wait until Christmas to open them. I don’t know if the books ever made it under the tree, but I know they made it into the hearts of this special family that day. They had family scripture study, reading and asking questions as they went. Froy, the father, read the Proclamation and the Testimony. As I witnessed their excitement, I realized that each of us should be so excited to open the Scriptures every day.

They finally began the discussions with the missionaries. Some members of the family were ready for baptism before others. They began attending the Spanish branch where they made friends with the members. Before long, the entire family was ready to be baptized. What a joy it was to be witness and participate in that process.

As I discovered, there are many ways to share aspects of the gospel. Being friendly, inviting friends to church functions; sharing church videos, sharing your testimony or giving a Book of Mormon are just a few. Nevertheless, I found there are four important things to remember when sharing the gospel:

Listen to the Spirit. God knows when hearts are ready and what they will be receptive to.

Don’t be afraid to share. I’ve never had anyone be offended because I offered them a gift that was precious to me; whether a Book of Mormon, a gospel conversation, or an invitation. Not everyone accepted, but that’s ok.

Sometimes we plant seeds and sometimes we reap a harvest. Don’t give up on planting seeds because you don’t see a harvest right away. Some seeds just need longer nourishing than others.

Share the gospel because you love the gospel and you love the person you share it with. Don’t stop loving the person if they don’t accept the gospel right now. Continue to be a good neighbor and friend – what better example of the gospel in action.

Inevitably, the best way to share the gospel is to let others see you living it. As President Hinckley has said, “the most persuasive gospel tract is the exemplary life of a faithful Latter-day Saint” (“Five Million Members–A Milestone and Not a Summit,” ENSIGN, May 1982, 45). Be the best symbol you can be and others will notice and want to know what you have in your life that makes you so happy.

Nine months ago, my neighbors were baptized; all five family members. The meeting was conducted in Spanish so I didn’t understand much of what was said. But I know the Spirit feels the same in any language, and it was very strong that night as this beautiful family, my neighbors, received the gospel into their lives.

I am thankful I witnessed the joy on each of their faces as they came out of the water. I know that even if they had chosen not to be baptized, we would still be good neighbors and friends. But I am grateful I finally listened to the whisperings of the Spirit and made a simple invitation that lead to this family’s receiving the gospel.

The gospel is true. God lives and He loves every one of His children personally. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He died that each of us may have the opportunity to return home. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, translated by a Prophet, Joseph Smith. It has a power to change lives. May it change us all.