Words Matter
Words Matter
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
June 2nd, 2025
This week on our MLC Zoom meeting, it was reported that we had 35 baptisms in May. That is a miraculous achievement you can all feel good about. As a mission, we celebrate every baptism as our own. Congratulations on the success we are seeing across CASRM.
Earlier today Sister Quinn and I met in a correlation council with all the stake presidents in our mission. This council is held quarterly under the direction of our area seventy. During the meeting, one of the stake presidents mentioned the difference he has recently observed in our missionaries. He commented to the council that he has witnessed a deepening of your discipleship as you have served in his stake. Thank you for your righteous and faith filled efforts. Others are noticing.
I take my message this week from Elder Rasband’s talk in the April 2024 General Conference, Words Matter. He offered some advice I believe can be helpful in our companionships – and more broadly all our personal relationships. He taught:
“Our words can be supportive or angry, joyful or mean, compassionate or tossed aside. In the heat of the moment, words can sting and sink painfully deep into the soul—and stay there. …Let me suggest three simple phrases that we can use to take the sting out of difficulties and differences, lift, and reassure each other: “Thank you.” “I am sorry.” And “I love you.””
I remember times as a missionary when it was difficult to feel united with my companion. I learned how important it was to use the three phrases shared with by Elder Rasband. In Proverbs we are taught:
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
In the Book of Mormon, we read of a time when Captain Moroni is angry with the governor of the land, Pahoran, for not providing the needed supplies for the Nephite army (see Alma 60). He sends an angry letter to the governor, threatening his life if he does not provide the needed supplies. Captain Moroni is not aware of the civil unrest Pahoran is dealing with. Rather that respond with equal anger, Pahoran answers Captain Moroni’s letter with words of kindness:
“Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. …And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.” (Alma 61:2,9)
As you read further in Alma 61, you see how the kind response of Pahoran deescalated the anger of Moroni. These two men were able to unite in an important cause to save the Nephite nation.
There are so many things I love, adore, and admire about Sister Quinn. One of these is her ability to use words to respond with softness and kindness. Many times I have watched Sister Quinn turn a potentially contentious conversation into a unifying and building one. She uses words and phrases like those shared by Elder Rasband. It is a gift of hers I deeply admire.
I encourage you to find opportunities each day to use the three phrases presented above by Elder Rasband in your companionship. I believe we can do better speaking in kindness to one another in CASRM. Please find opportunities to give sincere praise to your companion and fellow missionaries. I know there is something to love and admire in every missionary. Let CASRM be a mission where our words matter – where our words communicate love and build each other. I promise that as you use words of love with each other, you will be blessed with the Spirit in your life and companionship.
We look forward to beginning interviews this week. Thank you for your individual contributions to our mission culture of high love and high expectations – a culture centered on discipleship to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Love,
President Quinn
(630) 881-4030
