The Importance of Asking Friends

Elder So Chi Kin
China, Hong Kong Mission 

President Gordon B. Hinckley tells us that the most effective way of missionaries finding people to teach is through the members themselves.

 “Whenever… a member who introduces an investigator, there is an immediate support system.... The full-time missionaries may do the actual teaching, but the member…[can] bear sincere testimony of the divinity of the work.  He will be there to answer questions when the missionaries are not around.  He will be a friend to the convert who is making a big and often difficult change.”1

‘Preach My Gospel ‘ states this is the ideal way of teaching the Gospel.  When members do this, more people are baptized and remain active in the Church.  The following account gives you an idea of what you can do.

 When I was attending Tsim Sha Tsui ward, the missionaries offered a free guitar class.  This is my experience:

 “They asked me if I had any friends who were interested about learning guitar.  One of my  friends, A-tat, was interested in this.  At first, A-tat, told me he only wanted to learn guitar, but  was not interested in the gospel.
 Then, one month later, he had become good friends with the missionaries.  One day, I asked A-tat if he wanted to come to church on Sunday.  He came that Sunday, and missionaries taught  him a lesson after church.  After that, A-tat became an investigator.  I went with the  missionaries to fellowship him in his lessons.  Then three months later, he got baptized.  That  was one of the happiest moments in my life.”

Today, Brother So is Elder So serving in the China Hong Kong Mission. 

This week, think about your friends who are not members of the church.  Ask them if they would like to attend church with you.  Ask them if they know of anyone who is interested in hearing the message of the restored Gospel.  If you pray and ask, the Spirit will guide you.  I testify of this., in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes:
1. Gordon B. Hinckley, “Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” Liahona, July 1999, 119; Ensign, May 1999, 105.