--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Hull, Thomas collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 3 number: 2 published: 1899-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Hull, Thomas, "Instructions to Missionaries," *Improvement Era* 3, no. 2 (December 1899): 126–133.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera32unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera32unse start_page: 126 end_page: 133 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1899-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera32unse publication_year: 1899 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1899, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Instructions to Missionaries INSTRUCTIONS TO MISSIONARIES, REPORTED BY THOMAS HULL, GENERAL SECRETARY Y. M. M. I. A. [The remarks which follow were made at one of the meetings of the missionaries who were recently called to labor in the interest of the Mutual Improvement Associations throughout Zion. They are published to give the people generally, and the officers of each association partic- ularly, a more thorough understanding of the nature and importance of the mission of these brethren who are laboring among them. These ser- mons, coming as they do from authority, are also full of helpful counsel and advice to every worker in the cause, and apply to local officers and to their missionary aids as well as to the general workers to whom they were first addressed. Editors.] REMARKS OF PRESIDENT LORENZO SNOW. This mission which you have taken upon yourselves by the consent and approval of the First Presidency is high and import- ant. There is something about it different from any mission ever undertaken by man. You go among the Saints, and I can scarcely think of any objects greater than those of these missionaries. We feel that you will make a grand success, because we sense and know that you have been called of God. The wisdom of man would never have thought of such a work as this. I am surprised when I think of its greatness. I can say that it is the very work that is neces- sary at this time: and I feel that you will enter upon it with your whole souls. when he said he could Cultivate the Spirit of Jesus do nothing except that which his Father gave him to do. Never mind your difficulties and apparent losses; sink your own interests, and your success will be grand and glorious, and the whole Church will feel the effects of your labors. Never mind the indifference of some of those amongst whom you INSTRUCTIONS TO MISSIONARIES. 127 will labor, and the little disappointments you will meet with; the Spirit of the Lord will be upon you, and you will stir up the spirits of those to whom you minister, and conquer their indifference; and before you leave the wards you will be satisfied you have accom- plished the work you have been sent to perform by the First Pres- idency of the Church and the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations. You have the fullest authority conferred upon you, but you need not talk about this at all. You will discover that there is no need to talk about it; the Spirit of the Lord will confirm it, and the people will feel that you bear it, and this confirmation and feeling will be your authority. You will find some that think they know more than you'do, but if you will do your duty as suggested, before you leave them, they will feel that you have a little more than they have, and that you have blessed them and helped them. You will have no occasion to worry about entertainment and transportation: they may not al- ways be just what you would like, but you will get along, and you will really have nothing to worry about. No danger of mobs or anything of that kind. It will be like traveling over a conquered field, or a path of roses; yet you will have some things not quite so agreeable as you might desire. Try to make yourselves agreeable to those to whom you are sent. The humility you display and the Spirit of the Lord resting upon you, will show your fitness for the position you are called to occupy. Try to understand human nature and act accordingly, in order to make everyone happy and everything agreeable, I remember an incident related by Brother Geo. A. Smith: He was on a mission, traveling without purse or scrip. He had been turned away from several houses and badly treated. He had always told those to whom he applied for entertainment that he was a "Mormon," and after he had traveled some distance and the day was drawing to a close, he began to fear that he would ob- tain neither food nor shelter and perhaps be unable to accomplish his mission. In order to avoid this, he concluded to adopt another plan. Journeying a little farther, he came to a house and found the owner putting up a loom. Brother Smith went right to work and assisted him. After they had finished their task, he began to 128 IMPROVEMENT ERA. talk to the man about his stock and his farm, and so forth. Dur- ing the conversation, it began to rain, and Brother Smith, who all this time had not mentioned that he was a "Mormon," started to go, but the man insisted upon his staying to dinner, and would not per- mit him to leave his house that night. There is a way to reach every human heart, and it is your bus- iness to find the way to the hearts of those to whom you are called on this mission. I was once traveling in a strange country on a mission, and had been refused entertainment many times, and my chances for sleeping in a hay-stack were very good. Presently I came to a hotel. We usually avoided such places, but my affairs were des- perate, and I approached the proprietor and told him that I was without means, preaching the Gospel, and asked him to give me en- tertainment. He replied that he was running his hotel to make money, and that I was very welcome to a room in his house and meals at his table upon payment of the regular prices for such commodities. I started to go away; but, upon a little reflection, re- turned to the man, and again told him that I was a humble elder of the Church of Christ, preaching the Gospel, warning the people aud calling upon them to repent and turn unto the Lord. I quoted to him the words of the Savior, recorded in Matt. 25, 31-46, where he tells of the coming of the Son of man in his glory, when he shall divide the sheep from the goats and shall bless those on his right hand because they ministered unto him, but shall cast out those on his left hand, because they ministered not unto him; and when those on his left hand shall ask when they saw the Son of man in want and ministered not unto him, he shall say unto them, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these,ye did it not to me." After having quoted these things, and borne testimony that I was a humble disciple of Jesus Christ, I started to leave him, but he called after me, saying, "Where are you going? Come in here and eat, and stay as long as you desire." I returned and was well entertained, and no word was ever said to me about paying for the same. President Taylor and myself were once traveling in the south- em settlements. At one place, a meeting was called, and we ex- pected a good turn out of the people, but when we reached the INSTRUCTIONS TO MISSIONARIES. 12 meeting house there was no one there. By and by, an old lady came in, and after a little while a man and two or three children ar- rived. President Taylor went down to the door and acted as a dea- con and ushered in a few more people, but the congregation was ex- tremely slim. We had, however, a pleasant meeting after all and, ; although you will sometimes find a touch of indifference, you may also have good meetings if you obtain the Spirit of the Lord. I feel in my heart to say, God bless you. You will be set apart before you go, and we shall pray for you and shall take a deep in- terest in you. Be meek of heart and humble. When you look up- on an audience, two motives may inspire you; first, that you may speak well and make a good impression upon the audience as an orator; and, next, the question will arise, what am I here for? To sow the seeds of life in the hearts of those who are in this audience; and the prayer should arise in your heart, "0 Lord, may it be so; may I have power through thy Spirit to touch the hearts of these thy people?" That very short prayer is all that an elder needs to make. It is all you need to make. "May I say something to save these souls?" This is what the First Presidency, the General Board and all your brethren want you to do. God bless you, my young brethren and he will bless you, and ; fillyou with his Spirit, and this will be one of the grandest missions of any ever undertaken. REMARKS BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH. When among the people in the stakes of Zion, if you meet with difficulties which you are unable to solve, it will not be very difficult on your part to apply to head-quarters, state the circum- stances and conditions as you find them, and if there is any thing wrong, we have the power to correct it, and we will be on hand to aid you. If you are not received kindly by the presiding author- ities of the Church, after taking up a kindly and diligent labor to get a good understanding, then report the matter, and we will labor with the Bishop or President of Stake, and help you. This is a great labor; one of incalculable worth and benefit in Zion. In order to succeed, you must be on the Lord's side; you must have the co-operation of the Spirit of God. You must feel the importance of your mission, and that mission is to vitalize those 130 IMPROVEMENT ERA who are charged with the responsibility and care of the young men of Israel. Your duty is to teach them how to do their work ef- fectively, and how best to accomplish the salvation of the young. Therefore, you must possess the spirit of this mission in your hearts; and, in order to do that, you must be prayerful and humble. Be genial and kind so that you may cope with all difficulties. Be not discouraged, but press on until all obstacles yield to your ef- forts. This mission is important for the reason that we have here at home thousands of young men who are unacquainted with the first principles of the Gospel, and could not give one intelligent reason for the hope that is in them. I am frequently in receipt of letters asking the simplest questions, which even a child in the Gospel should understand. Your duty is to educate the officers of the Mutual Improve- ment Associations in regard to the duties and labors devolving upon them by reason of their appointment to their positions, and to help them to be efficient in their work. It was discovered that some- thing of this kind was necessary. Many of the officers did not know enough about their work, so we are going to try to educate them. This I conceive to be a very important labor. We have thousands of officers, and the task will be a great one for you. In relation to the authorities of the Church, I desire to say that the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations are not part of the Church organization; they are auxilliary. They have sprung up from the necessities that have arisen, and are now as essential in their sphere as the quorums of the Priesthood; and yet if all these quorums were performing their duty as they should, there would be no necessity for these organizations. Being auxil- liary only, it is not proper for us to assume ecclesiastical authority. We are subject to the Priesthood, and must honor it. You must not ignore the local authorities, but you should set an example to the people in this respect. But if you find some that are indiffer- ent and cold, don't complain about them, but labor diligently to bring them to a correct understanding of your mission, and if un- successful, then report to us and we will what can be done. see First, however, honor the local authorities. Always honor the Priesthood, for God has established it in the earth. The weakness INSTRUCTIONS TO MISSIONARIES. 131 of the instrument does not invalidate the authority which it holds. This is important; there is no more important principle than that of recognizing and honoring the Priesthood. Because of their failure to do this, many men, since the organization of this Church, have lost the faith. If we expect to stand and do stand, it will be by obedience to that principle. See that you honor the Priest- hood which you hold, in your own lives, and you will find it easy to honor it everywhere. God bless you. Amen. At the close of President Smith's remarks. President Snow arose and said, "What President Joseph F. Smith has said is the Gospel of life. Do not forget it. One thing more I want to say, this is one of the most important missions that was ever given to the Latter-day Saints, the most sacred, and from which I expect the highest and most sacred results. "I do not wish you to go out without having your attention I want you to remember; and called to one thing, one thing that when you have an opportunity to speak, refer to it. That is the law of tithing. There is no sin that the Church is so generally guilty of as the breaking of this law, and there is no other law more important than this. The Church cannot exist nor progress unless the law of tithing is more generally observed than it has been. There has been great danger that the Trustee in Trust could not meet his obligations, and that he would lose the confidence of financial men both in and out of the Church. Now all this arose because the people generally neglected to pay their tithing. We can sanctify the earth by keeping this law. God bless you," REMARKS OF APOSTLE FRANCIS M. LYMAN. You have been instructed as no body of missionaries were ever instructed, and now, in commencing your labors, you must capture the superintendencies of the stakes; you must win their hearts. In doing this, if none of you make mistakes, you will be a very for- tunate body of men, for no two superintendents are alike. When you have gained their hearts and they know who you are, it will be your duty to visit the presidencies of the stakes. You must ap- proach them in a manner to get their hearts. Then meet with all the stake officers, and lay before them your mission, inquiring about 132 IMPROVEMENT ERA. their work and how they are doing it. Instruct them wisely and carefully, and when you have captivated the superintendency and officers of the stake you will be ready to approach the presidents of the wards and repeat your eiforts to gain their confidence. Be sure not to build up any barriers between you and your mission yet you must not be cowardly and weak, but have strength ; combined with humility. Remember always that you are repre- sentatives of the General Board, but go not in a boastful manner. In your labors in stakes and wards, approach the work in such manner that you will grow, and not shrink, in the estimation of those with whom you labor. Go into a stake like a lamb, but come out like a lion. It does seem to me that this is one of the most delicate missions ever undertaken, because you labor among experienced people, and it is a superior work. Counsel together with the stake superintendents, and map out your program with them, posting them on all that you are doing. Exhibit the greatest possible hu- mility, and set the best example before the people; but do not make your example offensively prominent; let others discover your good- ness; don't boast of it. Work in harmony with the presidents and superintendents of stakes and get as much from them as you can possibly obtain. Be sure to carry from one ward to another the blessing and love of the presidency of the stake until they feel to lay their hands upon you and say, "God bless you, and help you in your labors." There will come up in your minds and hearts instructions, theories, and counsels that you have not received here. God will inspire in your hearts a thousand splendid thoughts and ideas to assist you in your work, and you will be able to stir and move every soul in the stakes in which you labor. Your mission will be full of delicate and difficult duties, and a misstep will be a barrier to you; hence, go in all humility, let your power and oratory and wisdom be that which comes from the Holy Ghost. If you have sin lurking in your hearts that may prevent you from having the Spirit of the Lord, the people will discover it; but by humility and faithfulness, the Spirit of God will attend you, and every heart and every soul will be impressed with you, with your words, your spirit, and your work. Get every element of strength INSTRUCTIONS TO MISSIONARIES. 133 and influence in the stake arrayed on your side, because after you have gained the love of the authorities, you still have to win the hearts of the young people. Your mission is to the sick: we want them reformed and brought in to enjoy the Spirit and power of God. It is not expected that you will educate, or correct, or regulate the presidents of stakes or bishops, but that you will obtain their help and be submissive to them, seek counsel of them, and get from them instruction and blessing. Be very prayerful. You must re- member your prayers night and morning, and in secret. Impress those with whom you associate with the idea that you are prayerful men; pray with the superintendents and with the presidents whenever you meet in council. Ask the Lord to inspire them as well as you, and you can make an impression on any young man you desire to approach. Your authority is of God, and the Church in which you are working is of God, and those with whom you are working are the children of God. Go in humility to them and love their souls and try to make everyone you meet your particular friend. The love of these young men will help your salvation. You will be remem- bered as you have never been remembered, and it will lay a founda- tion upon which you can surely build all your lives, and hundreds of people will remember you. forever for this mission. It is one of the greatest privileges and blessings that has ever come to the young men of this Church, but remember, that without the Spirit of God, you can accomplish nothing. Whatever you have been taught here you will go into the field and teach. See to it that you cover the ground. See that every particle of material within your reach is utilized and made the most of. Take the boys into your hearts, and love them. Be wise, prudent and modest. Don't hunt for the follies and -failings of the young people, and if any confide in you, never betray the trust; never tell anyone of the weaknesses confessed to you. Keep all such confidences and confessions sacred- Give God all the credit for all you accomplish. We send you forth, and bless you, to depend upon the Spirit and power of God, and to fulfill a unique and remarkable mission, such as has never been required of a similiar body of men.