Training and Equipment of Missionaries: Spiritual Schooling First and Foremost

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT OF MISSION- ARIES.

BY ELDER BEN E. RICH, PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN STATES MISSION.

SPIRITUAL SCHOOLING FIRST AND FOREMOST.

The subject under discussion is an all-important theme, and — one which vitally concerns the youth of Zion our prospective missionaries— upon whose shoulders the burden of God's work on earth will some day rest, and the duty of preaching the good word of salvation to the sons of men, soon devolve. The question as to the best method of training to be employed, in order to bring to pass the most excellent results for the good of the elder, the success of the work, and the conversion of the honest in heart, is a question of no mean consequence, or small moment; It is a

question, it seems to me, whose answer can best be obtained from those who have had experience in the vineyard of the Lord, and whose practical knowledge, by actual test, has given them a valuable insight into this momentous work. i?f theoretical dissertation of the subject, while it may be .

pleasing and sound well, will be of little help and meagre benefit to the untrained mind; while the plain, simple, homely words of one whose trials in missionary life have given him a pretty thorough understanding of the needs and requisites of an elder, will avail much, and act as a stimulus to the youthful preacher. I shall strive to speak to the young men of Zion in a simple but explicit way, giving them the benefits of my brief experience in preaching

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the gospel abroad, and the results of my observations while engaged in the work of the Lord. Eor convenience sake, and in order to systematize the subject, I have thought it best to present my views under three heads: Spiritual, Historical, and Deportment, placing the spiritual as first and foremost — the other two to fol-

low. By spiritual training, I mean a schooling for the express purpose of educating the mind in things pertaining to godliness and truth —a training which shall have for its aim the cultivation and growth of those God-given attributes which all humankind possess. These divine attributes, given us of God, and possessed by him, are love, mercy, justice, truth, holiness, etc. In us they are' undeveloped, but in him they are wholly perfected. To nourish and improve these inherent gifts, should be the object of that which we have here defined as spiritual training — that we may advance along the lines of sanctification and holiness, and, in a measure, fulfill the command of our Master when he said; ''Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." I believe that all men and women at some period in their lives have had a desire in their hearts to become better, to arise to higher planes and holier spheres. This seems to be the universal instinct of all of God's children who dwell on the earth. It matters not where you find the children of men, whether they wander as cannibals in the wilds of Africa and the jungles of India, with only scant clothing; or, as refined gentlemen, tread the paved streets of London, Paris or New York, dressed in broadcloth; it will be found that each looks to some mighty, over-ruling force, and acknowledges a power superior and supreme to his own feeble strength or comprehension. This filial passion must be directed in proper channels, trained in the right ways of the Lord, that the adoration may be acceptable and pleasing, and the reverence shown, be worthy of divine favor, the smiles and blessings of our Father in heaven. I believe that it will be readily agreed by all concerned, that this training in spiritual matters is first necessary in the education of a servant of the Lord Jesus to be followed — by thorough drill in the fundamental laws of pure theology, and the principles of eternal salvation. The first thing necessary as a preparation for this study is humility of heart, and lowliness of

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spirit. Consider your weakness that you might be in readiness to receive strength; your ignorance and know-nothingness, that you might be made wise in the knowledge of the Lord. Let the young feel their absolute dependence upon God for strength, and how very feeble and helpless they are without his benificent aid. Let them learn to be teachable, gentle; easily led in the ways of righteousness, firm in their integrity to do the right; but unyielding in their opposition to sin and wickedness, and vigorous in denouncing evil. Teach them that by faith and humble prayer they may prepare themselves to receive and understand the perfect word of God. With a chastened understanding, let them petition the Lord for assistance, for by possessing those lowly traits which ever characterized the Christ-life, they may cultivate a heart and a soul which are ever susceptible to spiritual influences, and heavenly communications. This spiritual training cannot be commenced too early in life. The seeds of truth should be imbedded in the mind of the child at the break of day, when the sun of mortal existence is just dawn-

ing in all its glory upon the innocent one. The seeds of truth sown in one's youth, by proper care, cultivation and use, will blossom in after life, and yield the glorious fruits of righteousness. As the poet has very truthfully remarked, "The child is father of the man, the winter, of the spring;" and in this connection might also with propriety be given the words of the wise man, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." If one is in search of rich, large, luscious fruit, to resort to poor, scrubby seedlings for it, would be both useless and absurd, and a course not likely to be pursued; so that we naturally enough, look for good fruit on good trees. So it is with regard to the spiritual development of the young, we are quite apt to look for advanced intelligence in those habitations where the word of God is cherished, taught and practised. Then it follows that there is a great responsibility resting upon the parents in Zion to see to it that their children are properly trained and nurtured in the admonition of the Lord. It has

been said, that the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world, so that mothers play an important and vital part in the training of the young.

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This spiritual training may well include the Word of Wisdom, and must inculcate those principles of truth which teach the young to be temperate in their habits, to be total abstainers from those things which the Lord says are detrimental to the body, and not for man. The young man who has been sober in his habits, and moral in his conduct while at home, will find that half the struggle for success in missionary life has been accomplished. "Well begun is half done," and inasmuch as all these things are requisite for the welfare and success of an elder, they should be formed and adopted at home. The body must be strong in order to endure the trials, and undergo the hardships of missionary life; and it must also be pure that it may retain the Holy Spirit of promise, for the Spirit of God will not dwell in unclean temples, and our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, if it so be that the Spirit of God abide with us. By obedience to the Word of Wisdom the body will be both strong and pure, the mind bright, and the finer sensibilities quickened and developed; hence, the necessity of keep-

ing the laws of God as mentioned in the Word of Wisdom, that this much-desired state of affairs may be brought about, for you will remember that Paul said, "For ye are bought with a price: wherefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are

God's." The elder should be coversant with the standard works of The Church, and be able to prove the doctrines enunciated from the sacred pages of holy writ. The people of the world are now beginning to study "Mormonism," as they erroneously term the Gospel of Jesus Christ, from the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Coveants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These book are being generally circulated throughout the land, especially the Book of Mormon,

so that it becomes absolutely necessary for the missionary to be well informed as to the doctrines set forth in these written works. Thousands of copies of the Book of Mormon have been sold and distributed in the Southern States, and this sacred work which, until quite recently, was such a "bugaboo" and scare to the people, is now being placed in their hands, and finds a place in their homes. If the elder is not acquainted with what this good book contains, he will find himself ofttimes humiliated and embarrassed, for the people begin to say, "Look here, the Book of Mormon says

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thus and so," and if he be not familiar with its contents, how can he refute alleged assertions or elucidate the passages which may seem to be mysterious. He must be equal to the occasion, with a ready answer and a quick reply, otherwise he will be chagrined, while his disputant laughs at his ignorance. The elder, in preaching to the people, may not, with propriety, be able to quote from the Book of Mormon, or cite his hearers to passages therein, (and this is not necessary, since the Bible furnishes a sufficient proof for the divinity of the doctrines as revealed in the last days) still in conversation, the book will be called into question, and frequently an explanation of some passage of scripture therein is

required. Hence, to avoid all inconveniences, familiarity with the book is very necessary. The people of the South are great lovers and ardent advocates of scriptural doctrine. If an elder can tell them what Peter,

James or John said, or quote the words of the Lord Jesus to them, his way to a great extent is paved, and he commands their esteem and profound respect. The people of the north dote more upon reason, but the honest old Southerner wants to know what the Bible says about it, thus a blending of the two — scripture and reason will give the elder prestige and influence among the people. The

best book of spiritual instruction to my mind, for an elder to study in connection with the Bible, (not merely to read but diligently study, that he may be an able minister of the word of God) is the Book of Mormon. Within the lids of this choice treasure of heavenly truths are some of the most beautiful sermons ever spoken by mortal man or revealed by the Holy Spirit. The fall, the atonement, the intermediate state between death and the resurrection, the essential principles of the plan of life and salvation, the course of life to be pursued by the faithful children of God, the redemption of both body and spirit, together with the laws by which the souls of men are saved and exalted, are all made clear and explicit in its inspired pages. The spiritual training, then, is first and foremost, and of all other branches the most to be desired. The secret of success lies in humility and meekness of spirit, the willingness to obey God

with an earnest soul's sincere desire of becoming like unto our Father in heaven, In all other branches of study, we must never