By Kimberly Reid
OYM. Do you know what it means? I didn’t when I first visited an institute in Manitoba, Canada. I went partly as a vacationer visiting a friend, partly as a Church magazines employee investigating why member missionary work had taken off so dramatically in a local branch.

As I got to know those faithful institute students, I learned they ate, breathed, and slept—and especially did—missionary work. OYM—“open your mouth”—was their theme, and as a result, investigators and converts flooded their student ward each week.

What was their secret? “I think it’s our attitude,” one institute teacher explained. “The Lord sees that we’re unified and prepared to teach, so He’s sending people to us.”

“Our focus isn’t missionary work but becoming truly converted to Christ,” my friend added. “When that happens, missionary work comes naturally.”

It’s been five years since I visited the Manitoba institute, but I still remember the advice the students gave me: “When you’re getting ready to share the gospel, remember that Satan doesn’t want you to. Fear comes from him.
Whenever I pray for the fear to leave, peace comes and I can say what I need to say,” one girl explained.

And sometimes all she needed to do was smile. “Just be friendly,” an institute teacher told me. “If you’re talking and you love the gospel, it’s going to come up.”

After one student was baptized, he felt hesitant to share the gospel because of the negative attitudes so many people seemed to have toward the Church. “But I’ve come to realize that when you share a testimony and the Spirit is there softening their hearts, and yours at the same time, people will be receptive,” he said. “All you really need to do is open your mouth.”

Here are some of the institute class’s ideas on being better member missionaries.

Introducing People To The Gospel

• Talk to people everywhere—say hello in crosswalks, in elevators, at the bus stop.

• If friends ask about your classes, tell them about institute.

• Keep a Book of Mormon in your backpack or purse. Leave it on top so you have to pull it out before reaching for anything else.

• If friends ask about your weekend, tell them about Sunday.

• Play Church music in your car when driving with friends.

• Talk about your callings or Church positions. Saying, “I’m a priest” can raise a lot of questions!

• Talk about your mission or friends who are serving.

• Read the Book of Mormon in public and carry a copy where people can see it.

• If possible, don’t work on Sundays or nights when you have Church meetings, activities, or institute. Explain the reason for your schedule to your co-workers.

• Carry a small photo album with you when you travel and refer to it if you’re talking to fellow passengers. Include pictures of you on temple grounds, serv-
ing a mission, or at a baptism.

• Don’t give “yes” or “no” answers. Give people a reason to ask more ques- tions.

• Stop to serve when you see that people need help, like the Savior would.

Overcoming Fear

• Realize that “I’m not interested” is not a personal rejection.

• Be content to plant a seed. You have no control over other people’s decisions.

• Don’t give your fears time to grow by procrastinating. Once you’ve been prompted to speak, bring up the gospel right away before the opportunity disappears.

• Reflect on your gratitude for the gospel, why it is important to you, and why others need it.

• Pray to truly love the Savior and see others the way He does.

Being Prepared

• Repent and live worthy of the Spirit.

• Take care of yourself. Feelings of courage and charity can disappear when you’re physically drained.

• Sincerely pray and fast for missionary experiences.

• Specifically pray for people you hope to introduce to the gospel.

• Commit to follow through on promptings when missionary opportunities come. Show the Lord He can count on you.

• Set missionary-oriented goals with friends or family members and report back to each other.

• Study the Savior’s life and ponder how He did the work.

• Spend time with the full-time missionaries—watch, listen, and learn.

• Keep your focus by regularly sharing missionary experiences and listening to the experiences of others.

• Be friendly to everyone in your institute, ward, branch, or neighborhood. The more unified your group is, the more likely visitors will feel drawn to and welcome among you.