How Great Will Be Your Joy
Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Ronald A. Rasband invites senior members of the Church to serve as missionaries and testifies of the joy that comes from fulfilling this sacred duty.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Start by asking class members to share their experiences with missionary work, whether as missionaries themselves or through interactions with missionaries.
- Begin with a discussion on the gathering of Israel, asking class members why this is considered the most important thing taking place on earth today.
- Ask the class to share their thoughts on the worth of souls in the sight of God, and how this relates to missionary work.
- Open with a question about the role of senior members in the church, specifically in missionary work.
Topics
The Importance of the Gathering of Israel
Elder Rasband discusses the gathering of Israel as the most important event happening on earth today. He emphasizes the need for missionaries, particularly senior missionaries, to assist in this gathering.
My thoughts today are on the gathering of Israel, what President Russell M. Nelson calls "the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty."
- Why is the gathering of Israel considered so important?
- What role do missionaries play in the gathering of Israel?
- How can we personally contribute to this gathering?
- Why does Elder Rasband emphasize the need for senior missionaries?
- What can we learn from the magnitude and importance of the gathering of Israel?
The Role of Senior Missionaries
Elder Rasband highlights the critical need for senior missionaries in the church. He shares a personal story about his parents" missionary service and the impact it had on a family they taught.
We are gathering God’s children in these last days that they might have "blessings poured out upon their heads" and the promises of "the riches of eternity."
- Why are senior missionaries so critical in the church?
- What unique contributions can senior missionaries make?
- How can senior missionaries impact the lives of those they teach?
- What can we learn from Elder Rasband's parents" missionary experience?
- How can we support and encourage senior missionary service?
The Joy of Missionary Service
Elder Rasband emphasizes the joy and blessings that come from serving a mission. He encourages senior members to consider serving, highlighting the unique opportunities and experiences that await them.
My parents and tens of thousands of returned missionary couples have borne testimony of the joy they found in missionary work.
- What joys and blessings come from serving a mission?
- Why is missionary service particularly joyful for senior members?
- How can we cultivate a desire to serve a mission?
- What unique opportunities and experiences await senior missionaries?
- How can we prepare ourselves for the joy of missionary service?
The Impact of Missionary Service on Families
Elder Rasband discusses the positive influence missionary service can have on families, both for the missionaries and their families back home. He promises peace and love will be multiplied in the lives of their families.
Your dedicated service to Jesus Christ will inspire and bless your family, your grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. "Peace, and love [will] be multiplied" in their lives for years to come.
- How does missionary service impact families?
- What blessings come to the families of those who serve missions?
- How can we help our families understand and appreciate the sacrifices made for missionary service?
- What can we learn from Elder Rasband's promise about the multiplication of peace and love in our families?
- How can we prepare our families for the impact of missionary service?
The Call to Serve
Elder Rasband issues a call to senior members to consider serving a mission. He promises that as they serve, they will feel the love of the Lord in their lives and know Him more deeply.
I ask you to serve as a missionary in the gathering of Israel and perhaps even serve again. We need you—we need you.
- What does it mean to be "called to serve"?
- How can we discern if we are being called to serve a mission?
- What promises does Elder Rasband make to those who choose to serve?
- How can we prepare ourselves to answer the call to serve?
- What can we learn from Elder Rasband's urgent request for more missionaries?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What are some ways we can support missionaries, even if we are not able to serve ourselves?
- How can we cultivate a desire to serve in our own hearts and in the hearts of those around us?
- How can we help senior members overcome obstacles or fears about serving a mission?
- What are some ways we can apply the principles of missionary work in our daily lives, even if we are not full-time missionaries?
- How can we better understand the worth of souls in the sight of God?
- What can we learn from the story of Rebecca Guzman and her family?
- How can we encourage and support senior members in our wards and stakes who are considering missionary service?
- What can we do to prepare ourselves and our families for the sacrifices required for missionary service?
- How can we share the joy and blessings we have received from missionary service with others?
- How can we apply the teachings from this talk in our efforts to gather Israel?
