Alma 17

When you wish to teach something you must first know it. This is the same with the gospel. For all the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for all the member missionaries, we are to know his word in order to teach it. In order to have "waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth" the sons of Mosiah had "searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God" (2).

But this isn't all that should be done. "They had given themselves to much prayer and fasting" and as a result they had the "spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God" (3).

When they fasted and prayed for the Spirit to be with them so they could be an instrument in the hands of God, they were comforted and told to go forth but be patient in long-suffering and afflictions so they can show their good examples, then they would be an instrument in the hands of God (9-11).

This is a lesson all missionaries, all who teach the gospel should know. Whether it be a missionary, a primary teacher, a Relief Society teacher, Visiting Teacher, Home Teacher, etc.