Efforts to retain converts to the Church were strengthened by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
With the concept that "every convert needs a friend, a responsibility and nurturing with the good word of God," he directed and taught leaders Churchwide in the "great and serious responsibility" of retaining converts in activity.
"With the increase in missionary work, throughout the world, there must be a comparable increase in the effort to make every convert feel at home in his or her ward or branch," he said. (General conference address, Oct. 4, 1997.)
"This is a work for everyone," he said. "It is a work for home teachers and visiting teachers. It is a work for the bishopric, for the priesthood quorums, for the Relief Society, the young men and young women, even the Primary.... Your sense of responsibility is needed."
He continued the theme in 1999, observing, "Any investigator worthy of baptism becomes a convert worthy of saving." He added, "I do not know how much longer I will live, and so I want to say what I have to say, while I have the strength to say it."
In addition, requirements for membership now included converts being confirmed in a sacrament meeting subsequent to the baptismal service, rather than at the baptismal service. Until a convert was confirmed, his or her name was not added to Church membership records. (First Presidency letter, Jan. 23, 1998.) Leaders were instructed to give "careful attention to fellowshipping and nurturing new converts."
The well-publicized effort to provide more temples closer to the people — the goal of having 100 temples by 2000 — helped retain converts in activity. With temples now spotted across the United States and sprinkled in many other lands, new members have opportunities to solemnize their membership that many of their predecessors never had.
As a corollary theme, standards for missionaries serving were raised, requiring mental, moral and physical "health and strength, for this work is demanding."
At the near completion of his assignment as Chile Area president, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve described how President Hinckley emphasized this work to the Quorum of the Twelve:
"It is likely that we will remember him at least as emphatically for his determination to retain in permanent activity the converts who join this Church," said Elder Holland. "No modern prophet has addressed this issue more directly nor expected more from us in seeing that it happen. With a twinkle in his eye and a hand smacking the table in front of him, he said to the Twelve recently, 'Brethren, when my life is finished and the final services are concluding, I am going to rise up as I go by, look each of you in the eye, and say, "How are we doing on retention?"'
While the emphasis on retention has made a profound impact, its affect on outward statistics, such as total membership and annual convert baptisms, seems to make them less impressive. However, a second, unpublished statistic, that of converts who remain active after joining the Church, has improved dramatically. Missions and stakes are reporting stronger wards and branches across the world. Though specifics are not available, there is no question but that President Hinckley's efforts energized a vital area and left the Church much better prepared to face the future.
