The current population of the world is in excess of 6 billion people. Of those 6 billion how many, in your opinion, need the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Most people polled on this question answer: 6 billion.
How many want it?
After a moment of contemplation, most people polled answer a lot less than 6 billion.
If the gospel of Jesus Christ were a needs-based religion, then Christianity would be the only religion in the world. Therefore, it appears that exaltation is a wants-based process.
What about the passage that says ‘every knee will bend and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ‘?
To each in his own time. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, it is our obligation to share the message of the restored gospel, not to convert. If we share the message with love, integrity, and from a neutral, non-manipulative position, we allow the Holy Ghost to fully function in the conversion process.
If our friends know they can say no, only then can they really say yes to the blessings of the restored gospel.
“For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand.” (Mosiah 26:24)
When you have a gospel discussion with friends or co-workers, there is no need to try and convince them. You take a lot of pressure off of yourself this way. Instead, find out what they believe and share basics truths of the gospel at the appropriate time. Then let the Holy Ghost do the heavy lifting.
“The field is white already to harvest…” (D&C 4:4) If you approach member missionary work as an indentifying task, you remove the pressure of feeling the need to pressure, manipulate, persuade and convince.
How to have a missionary experience:
Start your week with a prayer asking for the opportunity to have a gospel discussion with someone not of your faith. Then, when having a discussion, act upon comments made that allow for a question regarding the gospel.
Notice what your first action is? It is asking a question. It’s not your job to teach, it is to identify someone who wants the gospel of Jesus Christ in his or her life. You are looking for people who are ready to harvest.
The missionaries have been given the assignment to teach.
