Ralph E. Brown, Mission President
Dear Missionaries,
This month I wish to give you my opinion regarding how to be a good missionary. I wish to treat this under three sub-headings.
I. Be equipped to do your work properly.
II. Plan your work ahead; look ahead, and keep ahead.
III. Work effectively and efficiently.
I. If you are to be equipped to do your work properly, you need the following three things:
1. Good health. This is mainly maintained by eating, working and resting properly.
2. A good command fo the Spanish language. This is obtained by most of us only by hard study and repetition.
3. A knowledge of the saving principles of the Gospel. Most of us have learned this from childhood, but it is necessary to sharpen up on the important points from time to time.
II. Everyone needs a plan to follow.
1. Even a successful scoutmaster generally has a very detailed plan. Without a plan he and his boy scouts both waste their time. I give you this as an example.
2. We as missionaries have a ready made plan. This plan has to do with getting up in the morning as the proper time, studying Spanish and the Gospel, and obeying the simple rules for maintaining good health.
3. We should set goals here in the mission field for two major purposes, as I see it: first, to convert people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and second, to help and encourage the Saints.
III. Work effectively and efficiently.
1. To work effectively and efficiently, we need to present the Gospel plan to many people. We know that all of the people will not accept, and therefore we need to contact many to keep the percentage up of those that do accept, whether it be 1/2 of 1%, or whatever the percentage might be.
2. Give the people a good opportunity, but move on if they do not accept. Keep in touch with them once a month, but continue to "plow new land" as a farmer would say.
3. Be sure to see that they still get proper attention after baptism by checking with the Branch officers.
Let me conclude this by emphasizing: First, be properly equipped; Second, have a plan; Third, work the plan.
We certainly have a fine group of missionaries, but many of you might improve by following these simple suggestions. Remember there is no substitute for WORK, and by that I mean efficient, effective work.
It has been a pleasure to go around the Mission and meet all of you fine missionaries and see the good work you are doing. I am sure, however, that most of you can improve on some of these points I have mentioned in this message. May the Lord bless you in your missionary work.
Sincerely your brother,
Ralph E. Brown, Mission President