Week 34--Called to be District Leader

1 February 2011

Dear Elder Blackburn,

Congratulations on your calling as a district leader in the England Manchester Mission. This is your first mission leadership assignment and you will find it a time of great personal growth full of opportunities to serve and directly influence the lives of others.

Your primary responsibility is to lead by example by making your area a model territory in all aspects of missionary work: finding, teaching and baptizing. If your area is one of the best in your district, the missionaries will know that your teachings and counsel comes from true experience and proven success. There is no better way to motivate your fellow missionaries than to lead from the front.

You should focus on teaching and helping all the missionaries in your district excel at being: 1) pure in heart, 2) exactly obedient, and 3) Preach My Gospel missionaries. Great promises have been given by the Prophet and Apostles for those missions and missionaries that follow Preach My Gospel with exact obedience.

As a leader, you will find it necessary from time-to-time and it is your part of your calling to correct others. This often has to be done with directness but should always be in the spirit of love and kindness. Great leaders are those who learn the proper balance of “reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.” (D&C 121:43)

If you live your life in accordance with the teachings of the gospel and missionary rules, you will have the rights of inspiration and revelation in your assignment. You will learn even more to recognize the still small voice and companionship of the Holy Ghost. You will be inspired to do and say those things the Lord would have you do. These sweet gifts do not come automatically but are conditioned upon your faithfulness and righteousness.

I have great faith and trust in you and know that you will be a diligent and inspired leader.

With love,

David J. Bullock
President