Missionary Work Needs Members, Elder Renlund Says

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It is difficult for missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach the gospel and further establish the Church without the involvement of its members, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught recently.

“While sharing the gospel can occur in the absence of full-time missionaries, it is uncommon for it to be fruitful in the absence of member involvement,” he said. “Yet typically, when we teach this, many heads hang down, members feel guilty, and little changes.”

Speaking about member involvement in missionary work during the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders held at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, June 20, the Apostle said involving Church members in missionary work can be simple, normal and natural. “Every member who is willing can do something,” he said.

“Indeed, everyone who is willing will become a ‘fisher’ and a ‘hunter’ for others who are willing to let God prevail in their lives (see Jeremiah 16:16),” Elder Renlund said.

As missionaries commit to working in unity with local leaders and members, Elder Renlund promised that God will magnify their efforts. “Make working with them an important part of your goals and plans,” he told mission leaders.

Following the Savior’s Example

Jesus Christ set the example of how members can “love, share and invite” others. He showed perfect love to everyone he met, shared simple truths of the gospel, and invited them to act and, ultimately, to follow Him.

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‘Everyone Who Is Willing Can Do Something’

Latter-day Saints may not realize how often they are already doing missionary work as they strive to follow the Savior’s example.

Members contribute to the Church’s progress around the world as they teach Sunday classes, pay tithing and prepare children to share the gospel with others.

“The best thing you can do is be a missionary yourself ... to love, share and invite,” said Sister Jane S. Owen, who helps lead the Provo Missionary Training Center with her husband, President Stephen W. Owen, in the Church video “What It’s Like Inside the MTC.”

Actions as simple as praying for the missionaries, carrying pass-along cards, and inviting neighbors to a Church activity or service opportunity all help further the missionaries’ efforts to share the gospel.

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Members can go to Share.ChurchofJesusChrist.org for more tips, tools and prompts to help them follow the “love, share, and invite” pattern of sharing the gospel with others.

For more inspiration, see the Sharing the Gospel study plan in the Gospel Library and the video series in the Media Library called Videos to Share with Friends of the Church.

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