How to Judge Successful Missionary Work

We may not be out in the field serving a 2 year mission, but we're all missionaries. I've been studying Preach My Gospel for a few weeks now with Olivia, and our study today asked us to prepare a 2 minute talk on a principle that we studied in Chapter 1. I chose "How will I know whether I'm a successful missionary?" Here's what I wrote.

  In Mosiah chapter 28, verse 3, it says, "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."
  This is how we all should feel about sharing the Gospel. Have you ever wondered if you're being a successful missionary? Maybe on days or weeks or months where there aren't numbers, despite your best efforts? Well, numbers aren't the measure of success. Here are three ways that you can measure your success:

1. You love the people and desire their salvation.
2. Obey with Exactness.
3. Go about doing good and serving people at every opportunity, whether or not they accept your message.

  First--Love the people and desire their salvation. President David O. McKay, in the book Gospel Ideas said, "True Christianity is love in action." We must love the people we're surrounded by at home, or at work, or at school, or at the grocery story. We must love them so much that we want their salvation more than anything for them. When we love them, and show them with action, we are true Christians and are doing our part for the work.

  Second--Obey with exactness. I have a friend serving a mission right now and I got a letter from him once that said he was struggling a little and didn't feel like the work was moving along like he wanted it to. The next letter I got from him said that he realized the problem. He needed to get back to obeying the little things with exactness; and when he did that, the work picked back up. It will work the same for us. When we keep the commandments and follow the Prophets, we will be better able to share the wonderful word of God.

  Third--Go about doing good and serving people at every opportunity, whether or not they accept the message. I feel like this point is hugely important. If we, as members, would do good and serve people whenever we get the chance, I know we'd have an impact on others. I'm not the best at serving people. I make a lot of excuses. But one day I didn't and it impacted me. I was walking through Wal-Mart and I noticed this little old lady trying to get some birthday cake decorations off of the top shelf. She was shorter than I am, if you can imagine that, and reaching up trying to get the decorations with her cane. She had a determined look on her face, but I could see frustration as well. As I walked by I asked if I could help her. She smiled at me and gladly let me get the decorations for her. She said thank you and with a smile and a "you're welcome," I went on my way. I am so glad that I stopped to help her. If we all can do little acts of good, whenever the chance arises, we can and should consider ourselves successful.

  In conclusion, in Preach My Gospel it says, "When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you." So, next time you're feeling like you're failing in your missionary efforts, step back and ask yourself-- Do I love the people around me and want their salvation? Am I obeying the commandments and teachings of the Prophets and the principles of the Gospel with exactness? And Have I been taking opportunities to serve the people around me? 

  I know that if we can answer these questions, or even just one, with a Yes, we're on our way to being successful. We're trying and the Lord is pleased with our efforts.