Declaring his belief that "we must be prepared for more converts to come into the Church than we have ever had before," President James E. Faust emphasized two "time-tested principles of conversion": the bearing of testimony and being guided by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke June 28 at the annual Mission Presidents Seminar.
He said missionaries must teach some absolutes, those being that Jesus is the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind through the Atonement; that through Joseph Smith, the gospel of Christ was restored in its fulness and completeness; that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ; that all of the presidents of the Church since Joseph Smith have held the keys and authority restored to Joseph Smith; and that Gordon B. Hinckley is the prophet, seer and revelator to the world at this time.
He cited two incidents from Church history to illustrate principles of conversion. In one, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were addressing a large congregation. Brother Rigdon gave an eloquent sermon but did not specifically preach about the unique doctrines of the Restoration. As related by Parley P. Pratt, "Brother Joseph arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power, bearing testimony of the visions he had seen, the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed; and how he had found the plates of the Book of Mormon and translated them by the gift and power of God. He commenced by saying if nobody else had the courage to testify of so glorious a message from heaven, and of the finding of so glorious a record, he felt to do it in justice to the people and leave the event with God."
To illustrate being guided by the whisperings of the Spirit, President Faust told of the success Wilford Woodruff had in the Malvern Hills of England, being guided there by the Spirit's prompting even though it might have seemed illogical because it was farm country. There, he contacted the United Brethren "and had perhaps the greatest harvest ever in the history of the Church."
"The principle of being led by the Spirit must guide all of our missionaries," President Faust affirmed. "Otherwise they will not be productive and not be effective."
While many missions in the Church do not have large numbers of convert baptisms, "no one fails if they do their best," President Faust said. "Some reap where others have sown. As we look backwards we can see progress more clearly."
Noting that he baptized one person during his 33-month mission to Brazil over 65 years ago, and that it had only one mission, he said Brazil now has 196 stakes, 37 missions and almost 1 million members.
"Was my first mission a failure? I think not. Looking back at the time it was very discouraging. I repeat what I have said before, the harvest is the Lord's. . . . It is your responsibility to thrust in the sickle."
He emphasized that mission presidents and their wives, as well as missionaries, ought to be familiar with what is in the white missionary handbook and read it frequently. Otherwise, he said, "You may make rules which are in conflict and are exceptions to the policy because you do not know what the rules are."
President Faust said he does not know anything that requires such a total commitment and dedication as missionary work.
He said missionaries need to have the right attitude in contacting people, cast aside all fear and be positive about the message they bear.
"Now, it is my firm conviction that missionary work will never be what it should without the involvement of members both before and after baptism," he remarked, adding that mission presidents should have the closest of relationships with stake presidents, who should "feel some responsibility for and ownership in missionary work."
"The loss of even one convert baptism is a great loss to that person's eternal welfare and to the Church," he said. "We have too many who come in the front door and go out the back door because they have not understood, they have not been taught, not felt the spirit of the guidance of the Lord, not been called to labor in the vineyard, who also have not been able to forsake old habits or conduct that is inconsistent with Church membership."
President Faust shared some scriptures he loves "that open another dimension of missionary work." These included Doctrine and Covenants 75:5; James 5:20; and Doctrine and Covenants 84:61-62. They teach that those who are faithful in the work will be crowned with glory and such faithfulness will go a long way toward having one's sins forgiven.
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