Are you guilty of zoning out when there is yet another lesson on missionary work? What more can be said anyway, right?

Actually, if you are earnestly studying the scriptures, conscious of your own gratitude to our Heavenly Father, or even magnifying your calling in any way, you are anxious to spread the word of God. Sometimes we get distracted or bogged down with life. Lift yourself up woman, and share the joy.

Next time you sit in a Testimony Meeting, listen carefully to the true testimonies that are being borne. Some testimonies are pure, simple, and so sincere they just make your heart sing.

I watched as a young African woman stood up. Recently converted, speaking through tears with her thick accent, she told us how grateful she was for this gospel of Jesus Christ. She said many many times: It’s true! The missionaries were actually looking for someone else when they rang her doorbell, but asked if they could visit with her. She let them in and her life changed forever. She recognized the truth immediately, and she and her husband were baptized a month later. Calling all of her friends, she told them “It’s True!” Her friends said, “Because you believe, we believe. Send the missionaries over!” She called her family, in Africa, and said, “It’s True!” Her family said, “Because you believe, we believe!” She is going in December to Africa, and she is bringing the missionaries. She was so sincere, so happy.

Later, her husband stood up. Holding up the Book of Mormon, he said, “This is the true church, because this book is true.” He explained that his wife usually likes the churches that have drums and loud music, so he was surprised when she insisted he listen to the missionaries. But they both knew immediately that it was true.

How can we keep this gospel to ourselves? How can we not live an exemplary life that others can see and know God? How can we not speak up when given an opportunity to share?

My missionary son tells us week after week that it’s not easy to tract. So many times, the door gets shut in their faces. Only occasionally do they get someone who is at the right time in their life to listen to missionaries knocking at their door. One week though, the ward handed them many referrals, just out of the blue. He said that was a great week. People were ready for them, and anxious to hear, because their friends had prepared the way.

We need to be personally enthusiastic about the gospel. Our lives need to be full of the gospel. Our actions need to speak for the gospel. We need to open up our mouths and bear witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As Pre. Smith says, “My understanding is that the most important mission that I have in this life is: first, to keep the commandments of God, as they have been taught to me; and next, to teach them to my Father’s children who do not understand them.” (p. 129)

I’ve heard stories where converts will be asked, “Why didn’t you join the church earlier, if you have known of the Mormons?” And the answer will be, “No one talked to me about the church.” Pres. Smith admonishes us, “I warn you this day that the Lord holds us responsible to call His children to repentance and for the promulgation of His truth. If we fail to take advantage of our opportunities to teach the sons and daughters of God, who are not of our faith, who dwell in our midst, this Gospel of our Lord, He will require at our hands on the other side of the veil what we have failed to do.” (p. 130)

We do have this commandment hanging over our heads, but we also have the spirit that bears witness to us, that works through us, and makes us come alive.

“If only you could see the vision as I have.  I wish I had your bodies to do this work.  I would run from house to house telling everyone of the Gospel, and after I had lost my strength to run I would walk, after I had collapsed from walking I would begin to crawl, and after my knees were so bloody,  I’d use my arms to drag myself, and once every muscle in my body was gone I would begin to yell!  Oh, if only you could see the vision that I have.”    (President Spencer. W. Kimball)

We can have this same vision, as we search the scriptures and gain our own testimony. The fire within us will spur us on to speak up, to share, to risk our own comfortable place, because the gospel is true. It’s True!