PROVO, Utah — Teachings shared during the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders are not only important for those who will wear a missionary badge but are also a “tutorial for lifelong discipleship,” said President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Offering the final remarks at the conclusion of the seminar, in a special sacrament meeting held Sunday, June 25, at the Provo Missionary Training Center, President Oaks expressed appreciation and gratitude.

The principle lesson of these important teachings, he said, “begins and ends with our understanding of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ and our love and commitment to serve Him, our Savior and Redeemer.”

The special sacrament meeting was the closing event of the Church’s annual missionary leadership conference. Today, there are 416 missions in the world, with one third of those missions receiving new leadership each summer. Following the seminar, 138 new mission presidents begin their three-year assignments all over the world. 

During the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, President Russell M. Nelson announced the second edition of “Preach My Gospel.” Members of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders addressed important topics about missionary work and taught principles from the individual chapters of the updated missionary manual — saying repeatedly that “Preach My Gospel” will not only bless missionaries, but also all who are striving to strengthen their discipleship.

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks during a special sacrament meeting service held at the end of the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 25, 2023.

Cody Bell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Mission leaders offer greetings during the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held June 22 through June 25 in the Provo Missionary Training Center.

Cody Bell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stands by Elder Marcus B. Nash, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Missionary Department, during the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders on June 25, 2023.

Cody Bell, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A small choir composed by full-time missionaries preparing at the Provo Missionary Training Center sings during a session of the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held June 22-25, 2023, in Provo, Utah.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints