Tuesday night was our final devotional. The speaker was Richard Edgley from the Presiding Bishopric. He told many missionaries stories. He told all of us we would be going to the 2nd best mission and have the 2nd best mission president because of course his mission and mission president were the best. He told us how important it is to get our investigators to come to church. They will feel the difference. They will feel the spirit. He also talked about how many missionaries feel they failed because they didn't baptize very many on their mission. But he said missionary work is generational. Even if you only baptize one person, that can have a positive effect on many people for generations to come. He said many people have trouble with the Joseph Smith story. It's hard for them to believe a young boy of 14 could actually see God and Jesus Christ. He said "I like to tell them, well there were two other witnessess to the event, ASK THEM!!!" I think it's a perfect answer.
He also told us something most of us already know - tracting is not the most effective way to find investigators. He had a companion who wouldn't tract. Later in his mission he found out this same companion was baptizing the most in the mission. His secret was he found a positive way to work with members. He went to part-member families. When he taught the non-member, he would invite him to bring other friends and family members who didn't belong to the church to the discussions. Many people joined as a result. Pres Hinckley's concern was to retain, Pres Monson's concern is to rescue. We can all be a part of this. We just need to have the courage to open our mouths and invite people to hear the Gospel.
I know it's scary - but as we "go to the edge", we discover we are able to fly. It's a great feeling. I've been to the edge many times in the last two weeks. I've done so many things already that I never thought I would be able to do. I hope I'm able to do it more and with less hesistation when I get to Hungary which will be very soon.
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