March: Be Conversational

Our focus this month comes from an article in the February 2013 Ensign titled, "A Word to the Hesitant Missionary" by President Deiter F. Uchtdorf.  He said,  "Disciples of Jesus Christ have always been under the obligation to take His gospel to the world (see Mark 16:15–16). Nevertheless, sometimes it is difficult to open our mouths and speak about our faith to those around us. While some members of the Church have a natural gift for talking to others about religion, others are a little hesitant or may feel awkward, embarrassed, or even fearful of doing so."   He then gives four suggestions to help the "hesitant missionary" one of which is to "Be Conversational."

Inspire (to guide by divine influence)
These two videos are found on the "Hastening the Work of Salvation" website created by the church last year:

Here are some words from the Savior to inspire us:
"It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor" (D&C 88:81).
"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).

Empower (to give the desired tools to accomplish the task at hand)
These words from our Savior should give us all the empowerment we need to open our mouths and share our testimonies with others: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

Here are ten suggestions for sharing the gospel found in the March 2014 issue of the Ensign:

Eliza R. Snow said, "Has not God endowed you with the gift of speech?  If you are endowed with the Spirit of God, no matter how simple your thoughts may be, they will be edifying to those who hear you."

Act (the process of doing something)
As we earnestly do these simple things, we will become empowered to open our mouths and share the things the Lord would have us share:
PRAY! Pray with real intent!  "To speak to a [person's] heart, we must know a [person's] needs.  If we pray to know those needs, the very words we say may have the power to reach into our hearts.  The Lord said, 'Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts...for it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say'" (Rosemary M. Wixom).
READ! Read your scriptures daily.  Read the words of our current Prophet and Apostles.  Study The Family: A Proclamation to the World.  The Lord said, "First, seek to obtain my word, then shall your tongue be loosed: then, if you desire, you shall have my spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of man" (D&C 11:21). Even reading about current events can help you strike up a conversation with just about anyone.
TRUST! "Trust in the Lord.  He is the Good Shepherd.  He knows His sheep, and His sheep know His voice; and today, the voice of the Good Shepherd, is your voice and my voice. And if we are not engaged, many who would hear the message of the restoration, will be passed by" (Elder M. Russell Ballard).