--- 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: 9 number: 12 published: 1906-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Thomas Hull, "To a Departing Missionary," *Improvement Era* 9, no. 12 (October 1906): 960–962.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0912unse 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: improvementera0912unse start_page: 960 end_page: 962 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1906-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0912unse publication_year: 1906 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 1906, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # To a Departing Missionary lu A DEPARTING MISSIONARY. BY ELDER THOMAS HULL. Among the very last words spoken by our Lord before he ascended from the earth was a commission to his apostles as follows: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every , creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned." This same command is given to the servants of the Lord in these last days. They go today, not by virtue of the command of Jesus to the apostles in Jerusalem, but in obedience to the Lord's command given through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Whenever a gospel dispensation is upon the earth, it appears to be of the utmost importance that its message shall be declared unto the people; indeed, that is the object of a gospel dispensation —the object of the organization of a church —that the word of life may be delivered unto the people, and God's children called to repentance, and the path to eternal life pointed out to them. This is done, that those who will may be saved, while those who believe not, or, believing, heed not, may be left without excuse; in other words, that every man may be given equal opportunity to receive and obey the truth and enter into the joy of the Lord. The elders who go forth today go bearin'g the message of salvation, and are commanded to 'say nothing but repentance unto ' this generation,"* They are forbidden to enter into contention, but commanded to preach the truth in plainness in the name of our Lord.f * Doctrine and Covenants sec. 6:9; sec. 11: 9. t Doctrine and Covenants sec. 18; 20, 21. TO A DEPARTI^G MISSIONARY. 961 They are commanded, too, to preserve themselves pure and spotless from the sins of the world, that men, seeing their good works, may glorify their Father in heaven, and that they may not bring shame upon the name or cause of Christ Jesus. Our young brother here, when he is set apart for his mission,, will be admonished to avoid the evils of the world, and I warn him now to enter not into unholy places. Go to no place where you cannot ask the companionship of the Holy Spirit. Go an where v and everywhere that duty calls, or the servants of the Lord may send you, because, under those conditions, you may ever claim the protection of the Lord; but seek not to gratify idle curiosity nor to gaze upon iniquity; and let your prayer ever be, "0 Lord, keep mine eyes from beholding iniquity." Be diligent in the perform- ance of every labor required of you, and the Lord will magnify you. He has said to those who go forth in this day, * 'Therefore, ye that embark in ther service of God, see that ye serve him with albyour heart, might, mind and strength,that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."* So that, it will be seen, a great responsibility rests upon the elders. They go not out to see the world, to seek pleasure, to enjoy a change of scene, but they "embark in the service of God;" and if they do not serve him with all their hearts, might, mind and strength, they will be deemed blameworthy by the Lord at the last day. But, on the other hand, if they are true, and faithful and diligent, they shall have eternal joy; for the Lord has said, "And if it so be that you shall labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom ofmy Father, "t Now go! my beloved brother, and serve the Lord. Be fearless in the declaration of the gospel. Be gentle and kind, respecting every man's faith, but making no concession concerning the word of God. for the Lord has spoken. He has appeared unto manin our day and introduced his Son — the Savior of the world. He has called the Prophet Joseph and revealed to him the plan of sal- * Doctrine and Covenants sec. 4: 2. t Doctrine and Covenants sec. 18: 15. 962 IMPROVEMENT ERA. vation. So while you antagonize no man, hate no man, but love them all, you must still declare the day of God's judgment at hand, and call on all men everywhere to repent. Remember that wherever your duty may call you, whatever you may be called upon to pass through, the prayers of the Saints in every home, in every ward, ascend each day to the throne of God that you may be preserved and blessed to accomplish your mission. And f 01 get not that here, in this ward, there is a band of brethren and sisters, and a father and mother, who are especially interested in you because you go out from our ward, and our hearts go out with you, our hopes are built upon you. We look to you to bear the good name of our ward in honor before the Church. We shall be looking for your happy return, bringing with you an honorable release and record of faithfulness and purity, of devotion to duty, of increase of faith, of the favor of God accompanying you in your labors; which, while filling you with humility, shall swell our hearts with pride because of your success. Let this thought be ever in your mind, dear boy, and it shall be a shield of protection when temptations surround you, and shall enable you to face fearlessly every difficulty and trial. And now, God bless you, dear brother. Fill you with his power. Guide you by his Spirit. Take you in safety to your destination. Magnify you while performing your mission to the honor and glory of his name; and bring you safely home again wiih a clean and noble record, praising the Lord. Salt Lake City, Utah.