In his October 2014 general conference address, “Come and See,” Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles clarified what a missionary is, why missionary work is so important in the Church, and what motivates faithful members to share gospel truths with others.
“A missionary,” he said, “is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel.
Each member has accepted the “solemn obligation” to “teach all people in all nations about the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.”
Sharing the gospel is more than a spiritual duty, Elder Bednar explained. It is also “a reflection of how important these truths are to us.” The prerequisite for “heartfelt and authentic service to others” is “experiencing in our personal lives the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
Members invite others to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so they can study, ponder, pray, and come to know if they are true. “Our simple desire is to share … the truths that are of greatest worth to us,” he said.
