And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me.
D&C 18:13-16
I am not aware of a single person who has come unto God because of something I taught. But I like this scripture passage because it reminds me it’s not about the tally. It’s about the value God places on each child. When we are talking about souls, we are talking about infinitely valuable children of God. There is no adding infinity plus infinity. So one soul or a hundred souls, it’s still infinitely valuable work.
I like to picture what the joy of our Father in Heaven looks like because one of his children chose to come to Him. It might look a little like those parents at the airport welcoming their children home from missions. I weep when I see that kind of joy. I believe our abundant and generous Heavenly Father’s joy is contagious. It will be a joyful, joyful reunion someday.