Excerpts From The Book

“Most of the books I’ve read about missionary work, both before and after my mission, focus on the importance of being obedient. The main points of each book emphasize the traditional virtues of love, hard work, discipline, diligence, and faith. They refer to the importance of obeying the mission rules, being personally righteous, and relying constantly on the Lord. I fully support all of these principles. Every one of these virtues proves invaluable in missionary work. However, this book has a different focus—to help you apply the principles that lead people to baptism. This book is designed to teach you the skills that will lead you to become a highly effective missionary. I’m defining a highly effective missionary as a missionary that reaches his or her full potential as an instrument in the hands of the Lord.” -Page 3
“So many people are ready to receive the gospel message. As the scriptures say, “the field is white, already to harvest” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:4). But an ineffective missionary is like the man trying to harvest wheat with a pair of scissors. Sure, he may be doing his best to help out, but if he were willing to change his approach, he could be accomplishing so much more.” -Page 4
“I want to address at the outset of this book the criticism I some- times hear about skills. I’ve been told that skills have no place in missionary work. Somehow many people feel that when you are demonstrating skills you are being gimmicky and insincere. But that’s simply not true. Being skillful as a missionary does not mean you aren’t reliant upon the Lord. It does not mean that you aren’t exercising faith. This book is about being obedient and effective. It is about being faithful and skillful.” -Page 5
“Golden Questions (GQs) are thought-provoking questions you ask potential investigators in order to engage in a gospel conversation. If you don’t have the opportunity to be seated in a home or on a bus, then sometimes asking single questions works better than asking the ten survey questions. Elder Ballard promised that if missionaries would talk to twenty new people every day, they would never have a shortage of investigators. But what is the best way of doing this? Too often missionaries make the common mistake of approaching potential investigators with “Hi, we would like to share a message about . . .” Those who have tried this approach find that it rarely works. The first few moments with a contact are critical. It’s the missionary’s job to create an interest to learn more, and I’ve found that the best way to do this is by asking questions. I love the term golden questions, because I think the questions are just that: golden. The thought-provoking questions we ask are among the most important things we do as a missionary.” -Page 38
“Learning to listen empathically is critical to resolving concerns. As missionaries we often need to talk less and listen more. Sometimes we are so intent to share our message, our stories, and our examples that we forget that our investigators may not be listening to us because of a concern they have or a question that they need to ask. The commitment dialogue is a reminder for us to step back and get in touch with our investigator’s feelings and impressions.” -Page 59
“Members can do a lot to assist in the work: set a good example, place a Book of Mormon with a friend, pray for the missionaries, feed the missionaries, share their testimony in fast and testimony meeting. But in my opinion and experience the three most productive things members can do to hasten the work are participating in lessons, providing a MIRTH (Member Initiated Referral Taught in Home) opportunity, and giving the missionaries referrals.” -Page 64
“President Hinckley was a man who had a great sense of humor. He was witty, natural and fun. His personality was able to shine forth for the whole world to see. Likewise I think it is important for missionaries to let their personality shine forth. Too many times missionaries become entrenched in the seriousness of their work to where their personality becomes muted or hidden. Now I’m not suggesting that missionaries should be frivolous and irreverent. Far from it! I am suggesting that missionaries can learn from the good example of President Hinckley and the proper balance he showed of being serious and solemn but also witty and humorous.” -Page 78
“President Spencer W. Kimball said prophetically in 1979, “Thus it will be that the female exemplars of the Church will be a significant force in both the numerical and the spiritual growth of the Church in the last days” (Women’s Conference September 15, 1979, Ensign, October, 1979). What an exciting and truly historic time we live in today. Perhaps President Kimball was given a glimpse into the future of the contribution sisters missionaries will make in convert baptisms.” -Page 85
“My intent in writing this book is to inspire more missionaries to be productive and effective and to make significant contributions. This will result in more people becoming members of Christ’s church. Much of what I’ve shared in this book I learned from my father. He taught me the importance of becoming a highly effective missionary and instrument in the hands of the Lord. He taught me that often missionaries become robotic, go through the motions, and get stuck in mediocre habits. He helped me recognize that I needed to constantly step outside my comfort zone and push and challenge myself in order to achieve breakthroughs.” -Page 91