Many wards have found that developing a ward mission plan promotes ward missionary
work. Such a plan may include goals, initiatives, and activities to help ward members
invite people to hear the gospel. Individuals and families also benefit from developing
such a plan to guide their missionary efforts.
Members should use every honorable means to find people who are willing to listen
to the message of the Restoration. They should emphasize finding fathers, mothers, and
children who will come into the Church as families. Following are some suggestions to
consider in developing a mission plan.
• Pray that the Lord will prepare the hearts of specific people to hear the gospel. Pray
also to be sensitive to those whom He is preparing (see Alma 6:6). “It will be a great
day,” taught President Gordon B. Hinckley, “when our people not only pray for the
missionaries throughout the world, but ask the Lord to help them to assist the
missionaries who are laboring in their own ward” (“Missionary Service,” First Worldwide
Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 2003, 19).
• Be aware of opportunities to reach out to others. Be neighborly and reach out in love to
all people.
• Ask friends and neighbors to serve alongside members in such things as providing
community service, providing meals to those in need, teaching miniclasses in Relief
Society enrichment meetings, helping with ward activities, helping people move,
working in Scouting, and helping with family history or welfare projects.
• Invite nonmember relatives, friends, and neighbors to baptisms, confirmations, and
priesthood ordinations.
• Invite nonmembers to assist in special events, such as a breakfast on a national holiday.
• Make ward meetings, activities, firesides, and open houses of such quality and interest
that members feel eager to invite acquaintances to attend.
• Invite people to family home evenings.
• Visit people who are experiencing changes in their lives, such as marriages, births, or
deaths.
• Visit and help people who are moving into the neighborhood. Share information about
the community, neighborhood, and the Church.
• Take every opportunity to talk about the gospel. Discuss such topics as the Savior, the
Book of Mormon, the Bible, the purpose of life, the family, and family history.
• Encourage youth to befriend other youth and invite them to Church meetings and
activities.
• Work with part-member families.
• Plan spiritually uplifting sacrament meetings.
Sample Ward Mission Plan
"Missionary work - the preaching of the Gospel - has been the major activity
of the true church of Christ whenever the gospel has been upon the earth."
Ezra Taft Benson
Vision Statement – By successfully implementing the "Friendship First Program" we will more effectively share the gospel by inspiring each member to friendship their neighbors and the investigators the full-time missionaries find. This will result in the achievement of our goal to baptize 24 people in 2010.
Member - Missionary Involvement Plan
"There is no joy that can compare with that of a missionary who
has been made the instrument for the salvation of a soul."
Orson F. Whitney
1. Teaching and Finding
"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel."
Joseph Smith
a. The Ward Mission Group (FTM, WML & WM's) will be trained using the "Preach My Gospel" manual. After training, the group will be involved in finding & teaching investigators and working with the Ward Council to get referrals who can be taught by the group.
b. The WMG will work out an individualized plan with each family that helps them friendship their neighbors as a source for future referrals. A Member Missionary Class will be help twice a year.
c. As success stories arise, those having success (members, missionaries, etc.) will be asked to share their experiences in an appropriate setting (quorum, Priesthood opening exercises, Sacrament meeting, etc.)
d. Minister to Less Active and Part Member Families
(1) EQ/HP/RS to identify 5 families weekly to visit by WMG. (focus on families, including prospective elders and less active youth)
(2) Member involvement program to track 1 missionary experience per quarter per active family in the ward.
(3) Each Sunday track member involvement & review WMP in Missionary Coordination Meeting.
2. Friendship First Program
"Every missionary and every member of the church has the right, even the
obligation, to bear testimony of Jesus Christ to his friends." Robert D. Hales
a. Members invite neighbors/FTM investigators over for meal or cookout.
b. After first meal, invite again and have someone from WMG present.
c. Emphasis on ward activities so members can invite neighbors & HT/VT families.
d. Missionary Fireside/Open House twice a year (invite investigators/members) have guest speaker.
e. Church Tours/Cottage Meetings
f. WMG will follow up on referrals & seek referrals from members.
g. WMG will visit 4 families per week to update member missionary plans.
3. Retain New Converts - track progress by name in PEC & Ward Council Meetings
a. EQP or HPGL assigns a HT before baptism day
b. RSP assigns VT before baptism day
c. HT and VT attend baptism
d. Bishopric confers Aaronic Priesthood on confirmation day
e. Bishopric extends a calling or assignment within 30 days
f. Bishopric confers Melchizedek priesthood in 60 to 90 days
g. The HPGL will help converts get names ready for Temple Baptismal Visit within 60 days.
