Unleashed, TDUCAB Missionaries!
Dear Elders and Sisters:
It has been another wonderful week to observe the
blessings (and disappointments) of you being "Unleashed" to work more
diligently with LAs and PMs. I will outline below the results in three broad
categories and then provide some teaching and insight.
#1 - The "Check the Box" or
"Applications" Group: This group is largely described by the
following excerpt from a Missionary Letter this week: "President, we went
to visit a lot of the Less-Actives this week but they weren't interested."
#2 - The "Line in the Water but Not Fishing"
Group: This group is largely described by the following excerpt from a
Missionary Letter this week: "President, we went to visit a lot of
Less-Actives this week but found they have moved!"
#3 - The "TDUCAB" Group: This group is
largely described by the following excerpt from a Missionary Letter this week:
"President, we went and visited a lot of Less-Actives this week. We
only found a few home but were successful in gathering their family together
for a message. They said they weren't interested but we will go back and
keep teaching them. Also, we found several Potentials when we knocked on
doors and found the Less-Actives we were looking for had moved. Isn't it
great how the Lord puts people in our path to teach when we do His work His
way!"
Much of my motivation to help you understand the concept
of TDUCAB (True Doctrine Understood Changes Attitudes and Behaviors) is to
avoid the scenario in #1 and #2, not just as a Missionary but, for the rest of
your life as a servant in the Kingdom of God on earth; particularly as it
relates to how you approach that life-long calling of Home and Visiting
Teacher.
Group #1 merely did what they were asked to do.
They didn't focus much on the principle (what) or the doctrine (why) of the
"assignment". While they did what they were asked to do, they
essentially did so without a purpose. They did "go and do" but
they failed to "accomplish" what the Lord had commanded them. I
fear those on the other side of the door of this group did not feel inspired
because these Missionaries weren't inspired in what they were trying to
accomplish.
Group #2 were too myopically (narrowly) focused. In
their haste to "do" they failed to recognize that under the principle
of "Find when you Teach" Less-Actives and Part Members, that may not
specifically mean their family members and friends. It may mean the Lord
has prepared someone else to receive and simply put them in your path. And it
may not even mean the door you knocked. Maybe it's the one next door or
down the street. They failed to "Ask Why?" the Lord had sent
them to that area. They failed to ask; "Should I/We?" knock
some doors in this area? Talk to some people nearby? If you are largely
living in Group #1 and #2, you will never have "eyes to see and ears to
hear"!
Group #3 understood a couple of very important things:
First, they understood the principle of "Find when you Teach"
Less-Actives and Part-Members. They recognized their mission was to
teach! They also recognized the Lord's Hand in guiding and providing for
them so when the expected Less-Actives or Part-Members were not there, because
they are focused as teachers, they had "eyes to see" whom the Lord
had prepared for them to teach. They also recognize they will have to
return many times so these Saints will come to know how much they care and
hence will develop a desire to care about what they know - allow them to
teach.
If you go back to our TDUCAB teaching, it becomes clear
that Groups #1 and #2 were living in "Applications". If you choose to
always live in the "Applications", failing to understand and focus on
the Doctrine and the Principles, you will "lack the spiritual anchor
necessary to withstand the storms of life" (Bednar). Remember,
"The answer is always in the Doctrine and the Principles" (Bednar).
The question becomes, are the Doctrines and Principles in you? In
your heart?
I would be very disappointed in myself as a Mission
President and your teacher if I believed a CFM Missionary left this Mission not
having their hearts forever changed by allowing the Doctrines and Principles of
the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ go deep into their hearts so they could be
forever changed! Again, True Doctrine Understood Changes Attitudes
(what's in your heart and how you choose to exercise your agency) and Behaviors
(what you "Do to Accomplish" the Lord's purpose)!
Please choose this day to be a great Unleashed, TDUCAB
Missionary!
With great love and desires for your eternal welfare!
President Clark
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