2023 October General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session

How Great Will be Your Joy
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Main Points

  • The gathering of Israel is 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.”
  • Missionary work is about the Law of the Harvest; that those who sow and those who reap may rejoice together.
  • Many, many more Senior Missionaries are desperately needed.
  • Serving as a Senior Missionary will bring you great blessings.

Gospel Principles taught

The Lord’s Covenant People, Gathering Israel, Missionary Work, 

Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, 3 Nephi 10:18, Doctrine and Covenants 78:18, Doctrine and Covenants 4:3, John 4:36, Doctrine and Covenants 64:29, Alma 5:14, Jude 1:22, Mosiah 4:20, Doctrine and Covenants 18:15, Matthew 13:38–39, Isaiah 55:12, Doctrine and Covenants 123:12, Doctrine and Covenants 18:15, Jude 1:2

Related talks: 

Look for Jesus Christ:

  • Testimony of Christ.
    • Senior missionaries change the very landscape with their testimony of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
  • Description of His Teachings.
    • “The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”
    • “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!”
  • Description of His relationship with us.
    • The Gathering of Israel is evidence of God’s love for us
    • The Lord needs you
    • We are blessed as we go about the Lord’s business

Inspiring Words & Phrases

  • The gathering is the ultimate recognition that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”
  • Today I am speaking to the many seasoned seniors in the Church who could serve as missionaries. The Lord needs you.
  • President Russell M. Nelson has encouraged couples to “get on their knees and ask Heavenly Father if the time is right for them to serve a mission.” Of all the qualifications, he said, “a desire to serve may be the most important.”
  • There are so many ways senior missionaries can do what no one else can. You are a remarkable force for good, seasoned in the Church, and poised to encourage and rescue God’s children.
  • Mission fields around the world are pleading for your help.
  • President Nelson has said of our senior missionaries, “They are young in spirit, wise, and willing to work.”
  • I have called many couples to serve and watched as the Light of Christ has filled their countenances.
  • You may be on unfamiliar ground; however, the power of the Spirit will make you feel right at home.
  • Follow the prophet’s counsel and pray to know what the Lord would have you do.
  • A mission might be the greatest chapter in a couple’s life. A good title might be “My Lord Will Have Need of Me.”

Lists

We are gathering God’s children:

  • So they will have the blessings of the covenant
  • So they will have the promises of the riches of eternity

There are many places Senior missionaries can serve:

  • Another corner of the world, away from home
  • A service mission at home
  • Support others who are serving

A smorgasbord of possibilities to serve:

  • mission offices 
  • Temples
  • strengthen young missionaries
  • bolster small branches
  • work in FamilySearch centers 
  • work at historic sites
  • teach institute
  • provide humanitarian service
  • work with young adults
  • help in employment centers 
  • Help on Church farms

On their return, senior missionaries describe:

  • growing closer to the Lord and closer to one another
  • feeling the Spirit of the Lord pour down upon them
  • knowing they are making a difference
  • a testimony of the joy they found in missionary work

Personal Experiences

  • In 2015 as a newly called member of the 12, Elder Rasband was helping make missionary assignments. There were requests for 300 Senior Missionary couples, but only 10 new Senior couples to assign. 
  • Elder Rasband’s parents served a mission as a senior couple, and found and taught the Guzman’s, who were baptized and remain active.

Invitations/Challenges

  • Follow the prophet’s counsel and pray to know what the Lord would have you do.
  • Senior missionaries change the very landscape with their testimony of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
  • As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to serve as a missionary in the gathering of Israel and perhaps even serve again.
  • I now invite you to take your know-how, coupled with your time-honored testimonies, and go on a mission.

Other resources

Blessings/Promises

  • The Lord has said in latter-day scripture, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!”
  • I also promise that as you serve, you will feel the love of the Lord in your life, you will know Him, He will know you, and “how great shall be your joy.”
  • Your dedicated service to Jesus Christ will inspire and bless your family, your grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “Peace, and love [will] be multiplied”30 in their lives for years to come. I promise. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Equations

  • IF (we want to gather Israel) THEN (we need more missionaries)

Application Ideas

  1. If serving a mission at this point in your life is an option, pray and fast to know if this would be a good choice for you.
  2. Consider how you might help to gather Israel right here, right now.
  3. Identify senior missionaries you are acquainted with; send them a note of encouragement and love.
  4. Pray for the missions to have the senior missionary support they need to move the work forward.

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