When missionaries share with others about the gospel of Jesus Christ, they will cover a variety of topics, share scriptures and personal experiences, and invite people to do things like read scriptures (including The Book of Mormon), pray, and attend church meetings on Sunday (or join in by Zoom where the COVID pandemic necessitates or allows for this option).

Following are various topics that you would learn about and discuss if you were to visit with the missionaries.

These topics help explain what is called the Restoration
• God Is Our Loving Heavenly Father
• The Gospel Blesses Families
• Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation
• The Savior’s Earthly Ministry and Atonement
• The Great Apostasy
• The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith
• The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
• Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

These topics are about what is called the Plan of Salvation
• Pre-Earth Life: God’s Purpose and Plan for Us
• The Creation
• Agency and the Fall of Adam and Eve
• Our Life on Earth
• The Atonement
• The Spirit World
• The Resurrection, Judgment, and Immortality
• Kingdoms of Glory

The following topics relate to what is called The Gospel of Jesus Christ — how to grow and progress in the grace of Jesus Christ with an eye toward peace in this life and life with God after this life
• Through Christ We Can Be Cleansed from Sin
• Faith in Jesus Christ
• Repentance
• Baptism, Our First Covenant
• The Gift of the Holy Ghost
• Endure to the End

You would also learn about commandments we are given to help us keep God as a central part of our lives and to honor the bodies we have been given as a gift from Him.
• Obedience
• Pray Often
• Study the Scriptures
• Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
• Baptism and Confirmation
• Follow the Prophet
• Keep the Ten Commandments
• Live the Law of Chastity
• Obey the Word of Wisdom
• Keep the Law of Tithing
• Observe the Law of the Fast
• How to Donate Tithes and Offerings
• Obey and Honor the Law

Lesson 5: Laws and Ordinances (7)
• Priesthood and Auxiliaries
• Missionary Work
• Eternal Marriage
• Temples and Family History
• Service
• Teaching and Learning in the Church
• Endure to the End

These are topics that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also continue to learn about and discuss with each other in their homes and church congregations.

In a nutshell, though, all of this is to help us understand the purpose of life as designed by a loving God, made possible through the grace of Jesus Christ, His Son, and to help us understand (and then remember) that our life did not start here on earth, and will not end with death. That eternal perspective helps us during hard times in life, and also can help make the good times even better.

We hope you might consider reaching out to the missionaries in your area (or online) to learn more.

The post What would I learn from Latter-day Saint missionaries? appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Whitney

I am only a few days away from starting my service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It does not seem possible that something I have waited for all my life is finally within reach. Knowing what is ahead is daunting, but my feelings of inadequacy and nervousness subside when I think about the lessons God has taught me this past year and especially this past semester to prepare me for “that which will be my finest hour” (to quote Winston Churchill found in Elaine S. Dalton’s talk: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/…/come-let-us-go-up…)

Here are some of the lessons I have learned these past couple of months.

1. “Own it.” These words came after pleading to Heavenly Father to help me out of the whirlpool of negative thoughts about myself. These two words changed everything for me. Now, I am choosing to own my body, my thoughts, my personality, my family, my weakness, etc. Through this, I can repent and find satisfaction in my life because I am honest and grateful.

2. Be deliberate in bettering the relationships you care about. This is probably a “no duh” for most, but I needed to remember it. I need to remember it for my mission for both those at home and those I work beside.

3. Ask questions. They change everything. Because of a simple question, I’ve been able to spend my time between school and a mission with two of my favorite families. Because of a simple question, I get to do my MTC at an unimaginably perfect place. Because of simple questions, I have gained some of the sweetest relationships with strangers on planes and in the classroom. If you don’t believe me, just look at what a question did for Joseph Smith.

4. “Trust it, even though you don’t feel it.” Another powerhouse phrase that the Spirit inspired me with when I was consumed in anxiety. In my life right now, I know that the mission is the right next step. So even when it feels daunting or crippling, I can trust what I know rather than what I feel in the moment.

5. “Whitney, it’s true.” These were the words my coach said to me after receiving my temple endowment. I’ll never forget how I felt when he said those simple words to me.

6. Like any parent, Heavenly Father does not respond to everything His children ask for. This sounds harsh, but just picture what a day would be like if a toddler got their way the whole day. It simply would not be good. It is the same for Heavenly Father. I do not know if He always responds. But for me, that does not matter because I know He always listens.

7. “Cheerfully do all things that lie in your power; and then… stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (Doctrine and Covenants 123:17). Just show up (as my mom puts it). God is aware and will work a marvelous work for us.

8. Heavenly Father wants to help us know we are on the right path. And when we know what we are doing is right, it is exhilarating.

9. When I know it and I know that God knows it, that is enough.

10. I #HearHim through the words “that is what I can do.” I know Christ wants us to press forward. Therefore His words of correction and inspiration motivate and excite us. This principle was emphasized in my Portuguese study: He gives us power through revelation (power in Portuguese = poder) and with that, we can do what He asks us to do (poder as a verb = to be able to).

I love truth. I love my Savior. I love my Heavenly Father. I love this Gospel. I love what is coming in a week. It is all so good.

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