"Be Honest with Yourself"
This is the theme of the church's advertising program promoted presently throughout the church. Through seven District Conferences we have listened to missionaries pledge themselves to greater efforts, which is commendable that the great majority of the missionaries laboring here today have such an enthusiastic desire to put forth more effort in furthering this great work and to really fulfill the measure of their important calling. We rejoice with you our fellow missionaries that you are catching and have caught the spirit of your missionary call.
However, some of the reports coming in indicate that a number have not as yet applied their good resolution to an applied daily schedule to accomplish the minimum goals that nearly all resolved to achieve. Thus we say to each and every one of you - "Be Honest with Yourselves" - and then you will be honest with your fellowmen - and your Father who is in Heaven.
Aside from the work records there is another very important virtue that all of us should constantly try to develop and that is repeating only the good we hear. Recently some missionaries were transfered from a certain branch. And as soon as they arrived in their next branch of assignment, they began to tell of the discord in certain member families from where they had come. They probably had done nothing to correct the difficulty but instead they joined with the destructive forces that work to create disharmony and apostasy in the ranks. Such missionaries are of both sexes and truly should repent of wronging their Brazilian brothers and sisters. Quite often things are presented to us in a half light. And not fully seeing all of the facts, snap-judgments are made. Put yourself in their place. Consider for a moment how you would feel if you were the member who loves and respects all missionaries expecting the best from their hands, and then learn that certain trusted missionaries were tale bearers!
What of the money you are receiving? Are you considering it as sacred trust to use sparingly and carefully? From the reports that are coming in we are alarmed at the manner in which the distribution is being made. There are - food, clothing and rent and other basic necessities. These are all considered as necessary missionary expenses. But what we would like to know is how can "other basic necessities" exceed double and in some cases triple the total for food, clothing and rent? We would like every Branch Supervising Elder to go over these financial reports with the missionaries in your branch and find out why and what these "other basic necessities" are that are so expensive. Could it be that the purchase of souvenirs, extra food, etc are finding their way into this column? If they are not necessary missionary expenses please do not place them in that column, but rather place them under "unnecessary expenses". Cost per baptism is calculated on the necessary missionary costs. Please be conscientious in keeping your records. Be careful with your money - do not spend it unwisely.
Missionaries are counseled to preach the first principles of the gospel and to stay away from the mysteries. But how often we learn that investigators become cool to the gospel because some unthinking missionary has begun to give his interpretation of some mystery or because he has taken them into doctrines that are too strong for the investigator. Remember the counsel of the Lord that you treat them as a child, giving first the simple things or "milk before meat". Then as they begin to grow in testimony and strength in the knowledge of the gospel the deeper doctrines can be explained. Such subjects as, "plurality" of gods, "the Father of God", "Plural marriage", and other similar types of doctrine should be avoided. Follow this wise counsel and you will keep more of your investigators coming through to baptism, than where you try to vainly display your "vast" knowledge of the gospel subjects. Be Honest with Yourself - Stick to the first principles.
However, some of the reports coming in indicate that a number have not as yet applied their good resolution to an applied daily schedule to accomplish the minimum goals that nearly all resolved to achieve. Thus we say to each and every one of you - "Be Honest with Yourselves" - and then you will be honest with your fellowmen - and your Father who is in Heaven.
Aside from the work records there is another very important virtue that all of us should constantly try to develop and that is repeating only the good we hear. Recently some missionaries were transfered from a certain branch. And as soon as they arrived in their next branch of assignment, they began to tell of the discord in certain member families from where they had come. They probably had done nothing to correct the difficulty but instead they joined with the destructive forces that work to create disharmony and apostasy in the ranks. Such missionaries are of both sexes and truly should repent of wronging their Brazilian brothers and sisters. Quite often things are presented to us in a half light. And not fully seeing all of the facts, snap-judgments are made. Put yourself in their place. Consider for a moment how you would feel if you were the member who loves and respects all missionaries expecting the best from their hands, and then learn that certain trusted missionaries were tale bearers!
What of the money you are receiving? Are you considering it as sacred trust to use sparingly and carefully? From the reports that are coming in we are alarmed at the manner in which the distribution is being made. There are - food, clothing and rent and other basic necessities. These are all considered as necessary missionary expenses. But what we would like to know is how can "other basic necessities" exceed double and in some cases triple the total for food, clothing and rent? We would like every Branch Supervising Elder to go over these financial reports with the missionaries in your branch and find out why and what these "other basic necessities" are that are so expensive. Could it be that the purchase of souvenirs, extra food, etc are finding their way into this column? If they are not necessary missionary expenses please do not place them in that column, but rather place them under "unnecessary expenses". Cost per baptism is calculated on the necessary missionary costs. Please be conscientious in keeping your records. Be careful with your money - do not spend it unwisely.
Missionaries are counseled to preach the first principles of the gospel and to stay away from the mysteries. But how often we learn that investigators become cool to the gospel because some unthinking missionary has begun to give his interpretation of some mystery or because he has taken them into doctrines that are too strong for the investigator. Remember the counsel of the Lord that you treat them as a child, giving first the simple things or "milk before meat". Then as they begin to grow in testimony and strength in the knowledge of the gospel the deeper doctrines can be explained. Such subjects as, "plurality" of gods, "the Father of God", "Plural marriage", and other similar types of doctrine should be avoided. Follow this wise counsel and you will keep more of your investigators coming through to baptism, than where you try to vainly display your "vast" knowledge of the gospel subjects. Be Honest with Yourself - Stick to the first principles.
Sincerely, your brother,
Asael T. Sorensen
Asael T. Sorensen
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