Bednar's missionary work tips

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  https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/to-sweep-the-earth-as-with-a-flood?lang=eng
• We live in a glorious time. ALL the priesthood keys and ordinances have been restored. We have all of them! that is because this is the time of the gathering of Israel.
• Also, he quoted Brigham Young about how there are so many innovations (even in that day!) that are directed toward sharing the gospel. David O. McKay said something similar. And Kimball said that the Lord wanted to put into our hands innovations that will allow for rapid communication. And then Hinckley taught that the Lord would inspire men to develop great things, especially about communication. Then Perry talked about specific things that missionaries are now allowed to use: the Internet, Facebook...
• Technology has accelerated family history work. How has it accelerated missionary work.
• Bednar says to use social media to bear our testimonies through social media!
• Outline for 11/30/14 – How to Practically Share the Gospel
  30 minutes
  
  
  1.      Does the Lord trust me?
  a.      Share the account of the Terenure Ward in Dublin, Ireland.
  b.      Principle: When the Lord trusts us, this work will accelerate. As we openly welcome new people in our ward, and as we pray for opportunities to extend a hand of fellowship, the Lord will bless our ward with growth. He will entrust His children into our care.
  c.      Invitation: Find someone you don’t know at church each week and get to know them.
  d.      Discussion: What are some obstacles that we face that prevent us from fellowshipping new people at church? (It might feel unnatural, or we might not know if they are new or not – we have a big ward!). How can we overcome those obstacles?
  
  
  2.      Finding people for the missionaries to teach
  a.      The Power of Everyday Missionaries teaches very practical principles of member missionary work through sharing experiences. It helps dispel many of the concerns that we have about inviting others to learn about the gospel. Please prayerfully consider ways to incorporate some of the principles taught.
  b.      Discussion: One of the principles mentioned is the use of the Internet. In what ways have you seen the Internet either help or hinder missionary work?
  
  
  3.      Using technology to find those who are ready to hear the gospel
  a.      In 1966 President David O. McKay prophesied scientific discoveries that “stagger the imagination” would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people. "Discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings, as to make man’s responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands. … This age is fraught with limitless perils, as well as untold possibilities” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 4). 
                                            i.     Discussion: What technologies exist today that have “stagger[ed] the imagination” and have made possible the preaching of the gospel?
  1.      Internet, satellite broadcast, social media, etc
  b.      In 1862 Brigham Young said: "Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind has been given by direct revelation from God, though but few acknowledge it. It has been given with a view to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth, and the redemption of the earth from the power of sin and Satan. We should take advantage of all these great discoveries, the accumulated wisdom of ages, and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 18–19). 
                                            i.     Discussion: What technology was available in 1862 when Brigham Young gave this discourse?
  1.      First working full-size railway steam locomotive, electrical lighting, bicycles, telegrams
                                          ii.     Discussion: How do you think technology, or these “direct revelation[s] from God,” have helped to “efficiently do [our] part in the great work”?
  1.      Number of people in the world: 7.125 billion. Number of full-time missionaries: 88,000. Number of individuals in the world to full-time missionaries: about 81,000 people per missionary
  2.      In 1999, President Hinckley said that the missionaries “succeed best when members become the source from which new investigators are found.” What would happen if we became full-time finders (instead of the elders and sisters in our ward)? Number of people in the world: 7.125 billion. Number of “full-time finders” (i.e. members): 15,082,028. Number of individuals in the world to “full-time finders” (members): about 500 people per member of the church. Average number of “Facebook Friends” per youth (12-17): 521
  c.      In Moses 7:62, the Lord says that in the last days: “…righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood” (see Moses 7:59–62; italics added).
                                            i.     Discussion: Elder Bednar urges us to “not simply participate in a flash flood that rises swiftly and then recedes just as rapidly.” How, then, are we to “sweep the earth as with a flood”?
  1.      Elder Bednar also said, “Imagine the impact we can have as hundreds of thousands and millions of members of the Lord’s restored Church contribute in seemingly small ways to the rising floodwaters. May our many small, individual efforts produce a steady rainfall of righteousness and truth that gradually swells a multitude of streams and rivers—and ultimately becomes a flood that sweeps the earth. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).
                                          ii.     Discussion: How does sharing the Gospel via social media relate to ministering in the Savior’s way, one-by-one?
                                         iii.     Social Media Guidelines:
  1.      Be authentic and consistent
  2.      Edify and uplift
  3.      Respect intellectual property
  4.      Be wise and vigilant
  
  
  4.      Other ways to extend an invitation
  a.      Principles covered in The Power of Everyday Missionaries:
                                            i.     We cannot predict and should not judge (we can invite everyone, not just friends!)
                                          ii.     We succeed when we invite (how many people can we find who say “no”?)
                                         iii.     Use “Mormon words” in everyday conversation.
                                         iv.     Find what people are interested in (not what we think they should be interested in)
                                           v.     Invitations without conditions (to maintain friendships, be more sincere, etc)
                                         vi.     Discover people’s questions
                                       vii.     Ask for help when winds of prosperity blow (people want to serve!)
                                      viii.     Share at work/school confidently (use Gospel to answer questions, ex: hometeaching to develop employee development program)
                                         ix.     Share the Gospel online (social media, blogs, etc)
                                           x.     Set goals and deadlines (the Lord will help us, “Principle of Desperation”)
                                         xi.     Teach toward conversion (prayer, scripture study, Sabbath Day)
                                       xii.     Building God’s kingdom (search out those who didn’t come, show God we can be trusted, showing forth God’s love)
  b.      Discussion: Role play common scenarios, and demonstrate principles taught in The Power of Everyday Missionaries and Preach My Gospel. Ex: Do we need to be close friends before inviting friends to hear more about our church? (See section “We cannot predict and should not judge”)
  
  
  5.      Testimony of Member Missionary Work
  a.      Discussion: What blessings have you seen come into your life when you share the Gospel? What promises does the Lord make when we strive to build His kingdom?