An Open Mouth Finds Listeners - Mission Prep Series Class 3

This episode introduces Principle Number Three: An Open Mouth Finds Listeners. We emphasize that this principle is both practical and spiritual, offering a path to an "amazing, life-changing experience" on your mission and coming home "firmly on the foundation of Jesus Christ".

Discover the profound importance of opening your mouth and talking to everyone:
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The Most Valuable Work: The podcast highlights that the "most valuable thing" you can do is to "declare repentance unto this people that ye may bring souls unto me". The most effective way to do this is to "open your mouth and talk to everyone".
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Practical Benefits: You'll learn how to approach people, gain confidence, and quickly learn a foreign language through constant practice and repetition. As the host recalls Elder Holland's advice, missionaries are encouraged to "work so hard that you will be brought home on a stretcher," talking to "every soul that is in earshot".
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Spiritual Power: When you, as a missionary, open your mouth, you are doing so "by the spirit". You are Christ's representative, and the Spirit will confirm the truth to His "sheep" who "hear my voice". This means that the Lord will bless your efforts and "give the increase," regardless of immediate results. Lauren emphasizes that "charity truly has to be the motivation" behind every missionary action, making it easier to talk to people.
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Stories of Impact:
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Hear the inspiring anecdote of Steven Robinson as a bishop, illustrating that true belief in Christ's Atonement leads to faith in His power to save us fully.
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Shawn shares a "true miracle" from his mission where, after four hours of relentless effort, he found one couple who, 28 years later, were revealed to have become foundational members of the Church, bringing "dozens and dozens of people" to Christ.
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Lauren recounts a powerful experience in Carmel, Indiana, where a sincere prayer during a challenging day led directly to finding a family who was literally "looking for this church".
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Learn about Elder Bruce C. Porter's promise that missionaries would become fluent in Russian within six months if they consistently talked to everyone they saw.
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The episode also references President Gordon B. Hinckley's impactful counsel to "forget yourself and get to work," which dramatically changed his mission.

This episode underscores that opening your mouth finds listeners, enabling miracles and leading to both personal conversion and "pure, absolute joy". As Lauren, for whom this principle "changed my mission", puts it: "You're called to serve, not stay quiet".