PRESIDENT NELSON’S YOUTH BATTALION IN ACTION:
In the Pacific Ward of San Pedro, California, our youth have helped 80+ people get baptized or come back to church in the last few years. And we are on track to help 100 people come unto Christ by the end of this year.
HOW IT WORKS:
STEP 1: FAITH TO SET GOALS
-Discuss how Faith precedes the miracle. Share personal experiences.
-Set an exact, quantifiable Goal With God. How many people will you help to come unto Christ (back to church or baptism)?
-With God, anything is possible. “God acts by power, but His power usually comes in response to faith. (Preach My Gospel: Chapter 6 & Chapter 8)
STEP 2: PREPARE FOR BATTLE
-Consult the ward directory for a list of members who need baptism/priesthood ordinations
-Youth identify a consistent time that is convenient. Examples include:
-Leave a little early before youth activity. Visit someone and invite them to come.
-Saturday morning is a great time.
-Plan to make visits quick. 5-15 minutes tops.
STEP 3: FAITH MEANS ACTION
-Just do it. Be consistent. You get better and faster over time.
-Knock the door and say,
– “I’m ________, and this is ________. This will only take 5 minutes, but it means the
world to us. May we come in and say a quick prayer with you?
-Prayer is Given.
– “You are unique in all the world. Nobody has the talents you have. And the Lord has
need of you, and your talents at this time. Will you heed the call of the Lord?
(Then you wait. It feels like forever.)
-If they say, “YES.” Invite them to a church activity or to partake of the sacrament.
-If they say, “NO.” Simply ask, “Why not?” Then listen, and ask, “What else?”
-Once you know everything, you can set a time to come back.
STEP 4: RETURN AND REPORT
-Youth text the advisor after each visit, youth give a brief synopsis.
-Advisor creates and maintains a document with names of youth. And names of those visited.
-Keep track of how many people are visited, and youth share names with advisor (Every soul matters!)
STEP 5: MAINTAIN SPIRITUAL MOMENTUM
-Advisors report to youth leaders. 50 people visited! 60 visited! Lives changed.
-This should be fun and exciting! Joke around while you drive. Chill w/ new friends at church.
-Youth coordinate with missionaries to visit people together.
QUOTES FROM THOSE WE VISIT:
“I thought people at church were judging me, and so I stopped coming. But talking with you
guys, I have changed my mind…”
-LGBT+ Church Member
“We need people like you, because we need values for this new generation…and they cannot
find a better place to be, than in the church!”
-Less Active Member
“I see you guys, and I just know…you are good people. I want to be like you!”
-40 Year-Old “Friend”
CONCLUSION:
We are just one small army of young men. But we have seen the impact in people’s lives as we go out consistently to visit people. We wonder what is possible if youth were empowered to set quorum goals, and lead missionary efforts in this way, on a grand scale.
Thus ends our epistle.
Sincerely,
The Youth Battalion of the Pacific Ward
