Talks by Elder Robert D Hales related to Missionary Work
October 1, 2017
Elder Robert D. Hales, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, October 1, 2017, in the hospital at age 85 from causes incident to age. He was surrounded by his wife and family at the time of his passing.
Elder Hales was sustained on April 2, 1994, to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and received his call as a general authority on April 4, 1975. While serving as a general authority and apostle, Elder Hales was a champion of missionary work. We want to honor his memory and service in his calling by highlighting several of our favorite talks centered around missionary work.
The Importance of Receiving a Personal Testimony – October 1994 General Conference
Our testimony comes by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. The testimony received and carried within us enables us to hold a steady course in times of prosperity and to overcome doubt and fear in times of adversity. Each of us needs to know what a testimony is, how we can get it, and what our responsibilities are once we have received a testimony.
A testimony is the spirit of prophecy (see Rev. 19:10). It is a personal revelation from God, revealing the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A testimony comes through the Holy Ghost; it makes a deep and lasting impression on the soul.
Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church.
Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation – April 2010 General Conference
It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way.
“For our interactions with youth to truly touch their hearts, we have to pay attention to them just as we would pay attention to a trusted adult colleague or close friend. Most important is asking them questions, letting them talk, and then being willing to listen—yes, listen and listen some more—even hearken with spiritual ears! Several years ago I was reading the newspaper when one of my young grandsons snuggled up to me. As I read, I was delighted to hear his sweet voice chattering on in the background. Imagine my surprise when, a few moments later, he pushed himself between me and the paper. Taking my face in his hands and pressing his nose up to mine, he asked, “Grandpa! Are you in there?”
“Mother, Father, are you in there? Grandpa, Grandma, are you there? Being there means understanding the hearts of our youth and connecting with them. And connecting with them means not just conversing with them but doing things with them too.”
Couple Missionaries:Blessings from Sacrifice and Service – April 2005 General Conference
Your Heavenly Father needs you. His work, under the direction of our Savior Jesus Christ, needs what you are uniquely prepared to give.
“If you are or will soon be the age of a senior missionary, I come to you this afternoon to witness of the blessings that can change your life forever. Your Heavenly Father needs you. His work, under the direction of our Savior Jesus Christ, needs what you are uniquely prepared to give. Every missionary experience requires faith, sacrifice, and service, and these are always followed by an outpouring of blessings.
“As we discuss these blessings, you will naturally consider what I have called the four Fs: fear, family concerns, finding the right mission opportunity, and financial challenges.2 May I yet add another more important and powerful F—faith.”
To the Aaronic Priesthood:Preparing for the Decade of Decision – April 2007 General Conference
How you bear [the] priesthood now will prepare you to make the most important decisions in the future.
“The Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory priesthood, given for this preparatory time in your life. How you bear that priesthood now will prepare you to make the most important decisions in the future. These decisions include receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood, going to the temple, serving a mission, getting an education, selecting an occupation, and choosing a companion and being sealed for time and for all eternity in the holy temple. There is a time and season for all of our decisions. Make sure you make decisions in the proper time and season. All of these life-altering decisions will be made in a very busy, relatively short period during your 20s—during what I call the “Decade of Decision.”
See ALL of Elder Robert D. Hales General Conference talks here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/speakers?speaker=%2Fchurch%2Fleader%2Frobert-d-hales&lang=eng