Elder Park asked that talk be added for all to read.
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Our time in
the mission field is short but eternally important. As we examine the mission
field, we see that some missionaries succeed to a great degree and others seem
to stumble along, trying to stay enthusiastic, but somehow not obtaining the
results which they desire. What makes the difference between a highly
successful missionary that baptizes regularly and a missionary that seldom
baptizes? Through examining the trends in the missions, we find that it is not
the area, it is not the people, and it is not the time of year. Instead it is
the attitude of the missionaries and their ability to utilize and apply the
talents that they possess. We know that a missionary with a good attitude
produces good results; fair attitude, fair results; poor attitude, poor
results. The missionary with a good attitude works with the people and not
through them.
Ability means
nothing to a missionary if it is not used. The greatest men came to the top
because the strength that grew out of meeting resistance. Self-deceptions are
responsible for more then three-fourths of all the so-called “unexplained
failures” in the mission field. Many missionaries in the race for success
explain their shortcomings as they do in the game of bowling. If they fail to
win, something was wrong with the ally, the pins, their arms, their members,
their companions, their areas, etc. etc. The trouble is never themselves. Of
all the distinguished failures, those who deserve the least sympathy are the
ones who gather in foolish little cliques, praise each other, deceive each
other, criticize others, and fool themselves. They say, “I am not appreciated.”
“I have had bad luck all my mission. Others have had a better chance.” “I wish
I could have the fortune of Elder ‘success.’” A fireball missionary starts when
an investigator says “no!” This is a plain and simple concept but very true.
Do not be a
missionary who complains about his companion his leaders, and his burdens.
Instead be a missionary who can be placed in any area and in any set of
circumstances and be relied on to set things right. Become a creator of
circumstances instead of a creature of circumstances.
Success does
not depend on the message, but on the messenger. We each learn that failure and
excuses go together, so we must learn to get away from excuses. Dull or slow
months are for dull missionaries, so remember that sharp missionaries don’t
have any.
This is why
success is not luck. It can be predicted and followed each day into a
successful week, year, and mission. Live one day at a time as though it where a
building block. Do each day what should be done that day, and do not
under-work, because that brings on the “bad luck” and slumps.
By being able
to control what we put in this mind of ours, we determine our own lives. “as we
sow, so shall we reap.” We can see how important it is to sow the right
beginning thoughts. Another interesting fact about our minds is that we can
only entertain one thought at a time. Therefore, your destiny may be determined
by one single thought, and it is up to you whether you make it positive or
negative. Think baptism and you will baptize. Your actions, attitude, mission,
and life will be directed by your thoughts.
