A Mission

This week I read the talk from General Conference given by Elder Neil L. Andersen entitled "A witness of God." When I first started reading it I have to be completely honest that "Oh no, not another talk about missionary work" crossed my mind (which I'm repenting of ;) ). However, this passage really struck me. Elder Andersen said:

"To be a witness of God at all times and in all places reflects both how we live and how we speak.

Be open about your faith in Christ. When the occasion presents itself, speak of His life, His  teachings, and His incomparable gift to all mankind. Share His powerful truths from the  Book of Mormon. He has given us this promise: “Whosoever …shall confess me before  men, him will I confess … before my Father … in heaven.”10 I promise you that as you pray often and sincerely for opportunities to “stand as a witness of God,” those opportunities will come, and those who seek more light and knowledge will be put before you. As you respondto spiritual promptings, the Holy Ghost will carry your words to the heart of another, and oneday the Savior will con-fess you before His Father."

It occurred to me that so often in the church we categorize missionary work as "teaching and baptizing people who aren't members of the church." While this is a part of it (a very small part of it that I feel is over emphasized), being a missionary is so much more than that. The word missionary in the Webster dictionary is:
"a person undertaking a mission and especially a religious mission." 
Then what does being a missionary really mean? The missionary purpose is to: "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."
It just says to invite others, doesn't that really mean everyone? So whether it is our family, friends, roommates, friends and even ourselves, "Mormon" or not being a missionary means to, as Elder Andersen says, "be a witness of God at all times and in all places reflects both how we live and how we speak," then surely we can all be missionaries. Maybe this is just me ranting because I feel like members of the church try to "DO missionary work" instead of just BEING a missionary, which comes from the effects of my mission where I felt like we were taught to do that. But to me being a missionary should just be who we are as disciples of Christ. When we believe and love him it should just be natural to talk about him to others and to share what we believe. Is it easy for me to go up to random strangers and abruptly start talking about the church? Nope! And I honestly don't think it ever will. But can I talk to my friends, family and roommates every single day about gospel topics and about what I believe? Yes! And maybe someday I will have more opportunities to share the gospel in a personal way outside of my friends/family circle, and I hope that I do.
Why as Latter-day Saints is it weird to talk about gospel subjects on a daily basis? (I know I'm generalizing a lot here, but I have met people who seem to feel that way).

In conclusion, this thought process that has literally taken place as I've been writing has helped me want to be a better disciple in the every day small things. If no one reads this (and I kinda hope no one does) it is fine because Heavenly Father taught me things in the process.