Devotions for Your Personal Preparation

We have provided you with four devotions to help you prepare spiritually for your visits. As you read them, think about the biblical passages that emphasize how powerful God’s word is—that the power is in the message, not the messenger. Remind yourself often that your job is to sow seeds; the Holy Spirit causes growth and works conversion.

Alongside these devotions, we urge you to make a list of Bible passages that encourage you to witness. One wonderful aspect of God’s word is its richness and variety. This means that specific passages resonate more forcefully with one person than another. Put another way, we don’t all have the same favorite Bible passages. Therefore, it is important to discover and return often to those that speak so wonderfully to you.

PLEASE NOTE: These devotions are for your personal use as you prepare to speak the truth in love to Mormon missionaries. They are not for use during your meetings with the missionaries.

It’s Not Up to You! The Wonder of Dry Bones Coming to Life

Read: Ezekiel 37:1–10

Ezekiel had the difficult task of encouraging the Israelites during their captivity in Babylon. Their capital city, Jerusalem, had been destroyed. Usually, when a nation was defeated so thoroughly, it ceased to exist. Ancient peoples like the Philistines, Ammonites, and many others had faded into history. Even mighty Babylon would disappear within a few decades.

But the Lord gave Ezekiel a vision to encourage him—and to encourage the people through him. Although the nation of Israel looked like a graveyard, a valley of dry bones, it would live again.

And what brought those bones back to life? Ezekiel’s prophesying—his preaching.

This is a powerful picture of the power of God’s word. It would be astonishing to see just one skeleton come to life. But here, an entire valley of dry bones becomes a vast army—simply by speaking God’s word.

The same word you’ll share with the missionaries has that power.

Even if you fumble through your words or feel uncertain, it won’t stop the Holy Spirit from working. The power is in the message—not in the messenger.

So relax. Share God’s word with the missionaries, and then trust the Holy Spirit to do what he does best. You probably won’t hear dry bones rattling, but you can be confident: God’s word will be working. We have his word on that.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving me this powerful picture of what your word can do. Let it build my confidence as I prepare to witness. Remind me that it’s not up to me to bring anyone to faith. My role is to speak, and yours is to save.

Have mercy on these missionaries. Let them see that you have already done everything for their salvation—that you had to do everything, because they can’t do anything. Let the word I share stay with them. Cause them to think about it as they go to bed. May it echo in their hearts when they feel the burden of trying to be worthy in your sight.

O Lord, bring them to saving faith in you.
Amen.

The Comfort of Jesus’ Wonderful Promise: He’s With You When You Witness

Read: Matthew 28:18–20

When we read this familiar passage, we often focus on Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. There’s nothing wrong with that—but if we focus only on the command, we might overlook the incredible promise that surrounds it.

Jesus says, “Surely I am with you always.” That word “surely” is actually the Greek word behold!—a word used to draw attention to something surprising or important.

And it fits. In just a few days, Jesus would physically ascend into heaven. From a human perspective, the disciples might assume he would no longer be with them. But that would be wrong. Surprisingly, he promises to remain with them—always. Not just in the important moments. Not just when they’re strong in faith. Always.

And notice the context of this promise—it’s directly connected to witnessing. While Jesus is always with his people, he chose to give this specific reassurance to those stepping out to share the gospel.

This promise is not just for the eleven disciples standing on the mountain. Jesus said it would remain “to the very end of the age”—which means it applies to you too.

Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Jesus will be with you as you meet with the missionaries. He will guide your thinking and bless your words. He will strengthen you with courage and confidence.

“Surely I am with you always.”

Rest in that promise. You don’t witness alone.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving me this incredible promise. As I meet with the missionaries, help me not forget it. May I be constantly aware that you are with me. Use this promise to calm my nerves and fill me with courage. Work mightily in the hearts of the missionaries. Let the truths I share take root. Open their eyes to see the depth of your love for them. Bring them into your saving kingdom.
Amen.

It’s Okay if You Don’t See a Result: The Word Grows Automatically

Read: Mark 4:26–29

The Bible frequently pictures the act of witnessing as sowing seeds. One of Jesus’ most familiar parables—the parable of the sower and the four types of soil—is recorded in three Gospels (see Mark 4:1–20). But just a few verses later, Jesus tells a much less familiar parable—the parable of the seed growing automatically, found only in Mark’s Gospel.

In verse 28, the phrase “all by itself” is literally “automatically.” The point is clear: the growth of the seed doesn’t depend on the sower’s skill or understanding. As Jesus says in verse 27, the man scatters the seed and “does not know how” it grows.

It’s not about the man.
It’s about the seed.

What a comfort! Success in witnessing doesn’t rest on our expertise—it rests on the quality of the seed. And our seed is of the highest quality: it’s God’s word.

This parable also reminds us that spiritual growth is a process. “First the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” Witnessing rarely produces instant results. It takes time. And it often involves multiple people.

Paul described it this way: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

You may never see the results of your witnessing this side of heaven. But don’t be discouraged. Rejoice! God has entrusted you with the privilege of sowing his word. Focus on the process, not the product. And rejoice in the process—you’re doing what God has called you to do.

You are sowing seeds.

Prayer

Sometimes, Lord, I get discouraged when I don’t see results—when it seems like what I say falls on deaf ears or we’re just talking past each other. In those moments, remind me of this parable. Remind me that your word grows automatically. Help me to find joy in simply sowing.

O Lord, you love these missionaries. You died for them. You kept all the commandments perfectly—for them. Use your powerful word to make them believe this. Help them abandon trust in themselves and find complete trust in you. Let them give you all the glory for their salvation.

To the glory of your name, I ask this.
Amen.

God’s Word Always Works—Even When You Can’t See It

Read: Romans 1:16, Isaiah 55:10–11, and Jonah 3

When you’re getting ready to speak with LDS missionaries, you might wonder if anything you’re saying is making a difference. You may not see immediate results. You may not see results at all. But that doesn’t mean God’s word isn’t working.

In Romans 1:16, Paul reminds us that the gospel is the power of God for salvation. The Greek word translated power is where we get our word dynamite. That’s no accident. Every time you share the message of Jesus—his perfect life, his substitutionary death, and his gift of righteousness—you’re placing a stick of spiritual dynamite next to someone’s heart. You might not hear it go off, but the Spirit is working.

Isaiah 55 gives another comforting picture. God says his word is like rain falling on dry ground. It never returns empty. It always accomplishes what he wants—even if that growth is slow, hidden, or happens long after you’re gone.

Just think about Jonah. He was perhaps the most reluctant missionary in the Bible. He ran from his assignment. He didn’t want the people of Nineveh to repent. Even after they did, he sulked about it! But despite Jonah’s poor attitude, God used his message to bring an entire city to repentance.

Jonah is a living reminder that the power isn’t in the messenger—it’s in the message.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be persuasive. You just have to show up and speak the gospel. The results belong to God.

Prayer

Father, thank you for reminding me that your word never fails. When I feel nervous or discouraged, bring these promises to mind. Remind me that you can work through any weakness—including mine.

You used Jonah, even when his heart wasn’t in it. I trust that you can use me too. Help me speak the truth with courage and kindness. Give me joy in simply sowing the seed, whether I ever see the harvest or not.

Work in the hearts of the missionaries I meet. Let your word take root in them. Show them the freedom that only comes through Christ.
Amen.