Accepting The Responsibility
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have been invited and commissioned to share the gospel with everyone. There are over seven billion people in the world and just fewer than ninety thousand missionaries. Even with the new surge to do more online work, it would be impossible for our missionaries to shoulder this responsibility alone. The prophets in the Leadership Training meeting of June 23, 2013 admonished us to hasten the Lord’s work. We have the commission. The question is whether or not we will accept it and the responsibility that goes with it.
The living prophets have spoken. The scriptures, past prophets, and church leaders have all preached the same profound truths of sharing the gospel. The vision is clear. The Lord needs our help, every member of the Church, to build up the Kingdom of God. The prophet Joseph in his inspired translation of the Bible brings out the doctrine with clarity, “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (JST Matt. 6:38 emphasis added). We are to “seek to build up the Kingdom of God.” The Kingdom of God is composed of people. Therefore, whenever we do anything to bless another person we are building up the Kingdom of God, especially when we help them come unto Christ. This means being a missionary for the Lord as President Monson and all the prophets have encouraged us to be.
Never think that you can’t make a difference. You can! Millions of members can make the difference. We are the Lord’s “finders.” We are friends, neighbors, and co-workers to people who need to hear the gospel. Imagine yourself in their position. Would you rather be approached about such tender subjects by a friend or by a stranger? Whose words would you most likely accept? President Monson has said, “On the average, a pair of missionaries knocks on 1,000 doors in straight tracting to find one convert. If a member prepares a person or family and then, with the nonmember’s approval, refers him to the missionaries, we baptize one out of twelve. But if the member prepares a person or family and invites him to Church or to an open house where perhaps the film Man’s Search for Happiness is shown, and then invites the person or family to hear the gospel taught in his home where the member can bear his testimony to the friend, we baptize one out of three. When you compare three-to-one with a thousand-to-one, you can see why we pray for energetic member involvement in this kind of member missionary activity. (Thomas S. Monson, “Status Report on Missionary Work,” Ensign, Oct. 1977, p. 11.)
Times have not changed in the nearly forty years since these statistics were given. We sometimes don’t take seriously our charge that every member is a missionary. We know that souls are precious, and yet for whatever the reason, we do not put the hand of fellowship forward, and so, those waiting to hear the gospel are left in jeopardy, without hope. Some people have no apparent desire to seek out or find any organized religion. While others, the elect of God, stand waiting for the invitation. Who are we to judge who to share it with? It is our duty to share the gospel with everyone by our words, deeds, and actions. We need to be member missionaries and find joy in sharing the gospel and accept the responsibility with gladness, going forward with faith. There are thousands of missionaries in the field who are pleading for our help.
President Kimball spoke to us concerning missionary work many times and reminds us how others are in jeopardy with out the gospel and we are in jeopardy for not sharing it. “Why do the peoples of the world stand in jeopardy–because they cannot be saved without the gospel in their lives. They will continue to stand in jeopardy until the gospel is taken to them in such a way that they are willing either to receive it or reject it. This responsibility also places us in jeopardy so far as missionary work is concerned if we don’t share the gospel with them.” (“The Things of Eternity—Stand We in Jeopardy?” Ensign, Jan. 1977, p. 4.)
We sometimes don’t understand the gravity of our charge of being a member missionary. We know that souls are precious and yet for whatever the reason we do not make a plan to share the gospel or pray earnestly for missionary opportunities. Therefore those waiting to hear the gospel are left in jeopardy, with out hope, as President Kimball has taught us. Remember, “For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). We are the ones to help them find the truth. We are “finders.” The Lord has reminded all of us, “And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded. And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness. And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen. (D&C 38:40-42) Note the Lord said this was a commandment! We do it with meekness…but we do it. It is part of our being worthy of salvation and being made clean before the Lord. With this empowering commandment we will not be found guilty of failing to share the gospel with our friends and neighbors.
An article in the Atlantic Monthly gave insight about the feelings college-aged non-believers have regarding those who profess Christianity or any religion that promises eternal blessings or consequences that is to say, go to Heaven or Hell. “Michael, a political science major at Dartmouth, told us that he is drawn to Christians like that (those who embrace and live their beliefs), adding: ‘I really can’t consider a Christian a good, moral person if he isn’t trying to convert me.’ As surprising as it may seem, this sentiment is not as unusual as you might think. It finds resonance in the well-publicized comments of Penn Jillette, the atheist illusionist and comedian: ‘I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…. How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?’ Comments like these should cause every Christian to examine his conscience to see if he truly believes that Jesus is, as he claimed, ‘the way, the truth, and the life.’….I again quote Michael: ‘Christianity is something that if you really believed it, it would change your life and you would want to change [the lives] of others. I haven’t seen too much of that.’” (Taunton, Larry A. “Listening to Young Atheists: Lessons for a Stronger Christianity.” Atlantic Monthly. Atlantic Monthly, 06 Jun 2013. Web.)
Is that an indictment against those who profess to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and especially those who profess that we have the true gospel of Jesus Christ? This is why we are a proselytizing Church. There are few Churches in the world who seek with such fervor to bring others to the Lord Jesus Christ. As this is the purpose of the Church, we as members need to do our best. And this is what this book is about. To help us do our best—To be the Lord’s missionaries.
The Lord will help us be our best and even give us the words we need to say to invite others to partake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord has always been mindful of those who are called to do his work. To the prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon, He said, “Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls. Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say” (D&C 100:4-6). When we turn our lives over to the Lord, we get the same care as his prophets receive. The Holy Ghost is available to all who seek to do the will of the Lord. With the Holy Spirit as our companion the Lord has said, “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.” (D&C 84:85) The Lord went on to say, “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88)
We are members of the true Church. We are converted to Jesus Christ. We need to increase our desire to do missionary work. We may need some instruction and inspiration to become member missionaries. We need to pray for missionary opportunities. Then with faith, hope, and charity with an eye single to the glory of God we are qualified for the work (see D&C 4:5). Time is our ally and slowly but surely we will do as the Lord has commanded through His prophets. We will gladly share the gospel message. Surely Enos, Alma, and the sons of Mosiah are examples of great missionaries following their conversion. They immediately had the desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all mankind. Just like new converts who are fearless and faithful in their sharing the good news that has blessed their lives. We should do likewise, thrusting in our sickle with all our might as “finders.” The Lord has said, “For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul” (D&C 4:4). We need to have the vision of the work and to know what is expected of us, and then we can have the courage to accept the challenge to share the gospel.
The Scriptures Remind Us To Share The Gospel.
The Lord is desirous to have every one of his children return. Every man, woman, and child that has ever walked the earth is of infinite worth to God, and the scriptures bear witness to this over and over. No matter where you turn in the Standard Works, you will find evidence of Heavenly Fathers and our Saviors purpose and plan, which is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). We are the Lords work. We are what matter. Everything the Father and the Son do is for us. When viewed in that light, we can see what a great honor and privilege the Lord is extending to us when He invites us to assist in this great work. Let’s take a closer look at some of the commandments the Lord has extended to disciples.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19). He said all nations.
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Go into all the world. The Lord is no respecter of persons. Everyone is the son and daughter of God. Each is a precious soul. Each deserves and needs a chance to hear about everlasting life. This is our charge and responsibility.
“Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Luke 24:47). Again, notice the words “all nations.” It is interesting that Lord proclaims throughout The Book of Mormon to preach nothing but repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith to believe and accept Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world and repentance by receiving the infinite and enabling atonement into our lives to be forgiven of our sins and go about doing good.
We have a duty and responsibility to open our mouths and share the gospel with the people we come in contact with, “and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life” (Mosiah 18:9). We stand as witnesses. We testify that Jesus is the Christ. We share the gospel. We care for all of God’s children for their souls are precious (see D&C 15:6; 18:10-13) The Lord will help us and give us the words we need to say (see D&C 33:8-10). We simply need to be willing to help. We need to trust in the Lord. Our neighbors need to be warned and that is our duty (see D&C 88:81).
President Kimball makes it abundantly clear, “Surely there is significance in the words of the Lord: “all nations,” “every nation,” “every land,” “uttermost part of the earth,” “every tongue,” “every people,” “the ends of the earth.” There was and is a universal need; there must be universal coverage. Mankind is the universal family of our Heavenly Father, and we have received a universal command to take the gospel to the members of this family. (Spencer w. Kimball, “It Becometh Every Man,” Ensign, Oct. 1977, p. 7.)
This is our duty as members of the Church. We are the messengers that should always assist in this great work. Members and missionaries work together. We are on the same errand each with duties and roles to perform.
All The Prophets Have Taught Us That It Is Our Duty To Share The Gospel
How do we follow the prophets? We must read and listen to their words and apply them to our thoughts and deeds. Their words are the Lords words. They speak for Him and we are held accountable for their words. “And wo be unto him that will not hearken unto the words of Jesus, and also to them whom he hath chosen and sent among them; for whoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom he hath sent receiveth not him; and therefore he will not receive them at the last day” (3 Nephi 28:34). If this brings guilt unto repentance, it is good. We can improve a little each day. We don’t need to turn into Ammon and Alma immediately, but a step at a time and the Lord will make us strong. “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27). We can be made strong as we humble ourselves and exercise our faith. We need to be willing to change. We need to be willing to try.
Let us now turn to the prophets and read and ponder their words as they relate to sharing the gospel. Some of their words may seem strong to those who are not anxiously engaged in sharing the gospel. We can be easily entreated or we may set the word aside. We choose. The joy of missionary work is indescribably delicious. Be of good cheer. We can do it in our own natural way. Just like talking to a friend or telling some one a story that happened to us. We just need to “do it.” Trust me this will be our new adventure in life. It will result in eternal lives.
Brigham Young:
“We wish the brethren to understand the facts just as they are; that is, there is neither man or woman in this Church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life.” (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, edit. By John A. Widstoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941, p. 322.)
The prophet Brigham Young makes clear the doctrine that everyone as long as they live are on missions. We are always on our earthly mission to bring souls unto Christ. One of the sad dilemmas when missionaries come home is that they sometimes feel like their mission is done. There are presently hundreds of thousands of returned full-time proselyting missionaries that need to remember how they used to pray that the members would provide them some referrals to teach…now they are now those very member missionaries. Let us all remember and never forget our missions on earth are never-ending and then we continue this great work of bringing souls to Christ in the Spirit World. “I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead” (D&C 138:57).
Heber J. Grant:
“I want to emphasize that we as a people have one supreme thing to do, and that is to call upon the world to repent of sin, to come to God. And it is our duty above all others to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the restoration again to the earth of the plan of life and salvation. … We have in very deed the pearl of great price. We have that which is of more value than all the wealth and the scientific information, which the world possesses. We have the plan of life and salvation. The first great commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, might, mind, and strength; and the second was like unto it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. And the best way in the world to show our love for our neighbor is to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which he has given us an absolute knowledge concerning its divinity.” (Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April, 1927, pp. 175-6.)
The gratitude and joy of those coming into the Church is everlasting. Their hearts are overflowing with continued thanksgiving for helping them find the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowing their families are forever brings tears to overflowing. And the oft-repeated words will echo in your ears forever, “How can I ever thank you enough?” You embrace and joy is felt and shared by all.
Every year in the month of May I receive a phone call from my dear friend and brother Jerry Bender. “Hello, Brother Ed,” he begins, and then he announces the number of years since I taught him the gospel. It is simply a thrill to hear his voice. We reminisce the joy of being members of the Lord’s True Church. We talk of family and life. We see each other often in our travels and life is good. Life is so good and joy is never ending as we assist in the work.
George Albert Smith:
“It is my firm conviction, my brethren and sisters, that unless we stir ourselves more than we are doing, that when we go to the other side of the veil, we will meet there men and women who have been our neighbors, and associates, and lived among us, that will condemn us because we have been so inconsiderate of them in not telling them of the truth of the gospel of our Lord. … It is a most important mission…it is our duty to cease striving for the things that perish in this life all the time or even most of the time, and think of the children of our Heavenly Father who are in need of our ministration and who are our neighbors.” (George Albert Smith, Conference Report, Oct. 1916, pp 49-50.)
In the hereafter will you be humbly awed and joyful because of the souls you have helped rescue just like the hymn Brightly Beams our Fathers Mercy inspires us to do. Or will we be stricken in our very heart upon facing a brother or sister whom we could have rescued. Our responsibility is to simply invite them to come unto Christ…they choose. We could have robbed them of precious time and eternal blessings as members of God’s kingdom here on earth? These are sobering thoughts with eternal consequences.
Philip Paul Bliss was inspired to write his tender and moving hymn, “Brightly Beams our Fathers Mercy,” when he was directing a choir for the preacher named Dwight L. Moody. Pastor Moody told a story of how a ship captain was attempting to bring his ship into Cleveland harbor on a dark and stormy night. This stirred the soul of Philip Paul Bliss to write his epic hymn. As institute teachers chorus we were inspired to sing this beautiful and moving hymn to our students each year. We explained how Heavenly Father is the higher light, which symbolizes His tender mercy, and we are the lower lights to help people come safely home to our Heavenly Father. In the first verse we are given the responsibility to keep the “lights along the shore.” In the second verse we note “Eager eyes are watching, longing, For the lights along the shore.” In the third verse we find “Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed, Trying now to make the harbor, In the darkness may be lost.” And the resounding chorus of the hymn would inspire us all. “Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave. Some poor fainting, struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save.” Yes there are millions of souls depending upon us to lead them safely home to our Heavenly Father.
George F. Richards:
“Every man and every woman that comes into the Church, every convert, is expected of the Lord to be a missionary for him, whether he be called to labor at home or abroad, or having no calling whatever specially given unto him. The word of the Lord is to the effect that he that is warned is to warn his neighbor…We should have a desire to pay the debt of gratitude we feel for the Gospel, by imparting the knowledge we have of it to those who are in spiritual darkness.” (George F. Richards, Conference Report, Oct 1933, p. 115.)
Think of Father Lehi’s dream. Once he tasted of the fruit of the tree of life, he was anxious that his family has the same experience. One thing we can do to increase our missionary zeal is to try and remember the promised blessings of the gospel or what life would be like without the blessings of the gospel. We would be lost. Our hope would no longer be an anchor to our soul. There would be no promised blessings of our family being a forever family. We would fail to realize the great value of the gospel in our lives. In reality our promised blessings of eternal life are dependent upon our faithfulness in keeping the commandments. Sharing the gospel is a commandment. Maybe we pick and choose which commandments to totally embrace.
President Joseph Fielding Smith has exhorted us, “The Lord has given unto us our agency…that [sharing the gospel] is one of our debts; that is an obligation the Lord has placed upon the Church. It is the duty of every member of this Church to preach the gospel by precept and by example.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Take Heed To Yourselves, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1966, p.72.) As we move from a self-centered paradigm of comfort to the zone of some uneasiness and some discomfort we will sacrifice and some things that may seem hard at first will eventually become easier to do and we will enjoy the blessings of sharing the gospel. Every missionary upon his or her arrival in the mission field goes through this life-changing moment of becoming a real missionary for the Lord. We send them off and pray for them to do their duty and go about our daily life. We as member missionaries must go through this same life changing moment of learning how to and having the courage to share the gospel with all of God’s children. We will see others as our literal brothers and sisters, as we feel the stirrings of true Christ-like love for others. We will be filled with the urgency to share the blessings of the gospel with others. Trust me. We can do this. Joy is just around the corner as we get out of our comfort zones and really start living. Believe me. This is true.
Orson F. Whitney:
“The obligation of saving, souls rests upon every man and woman in this Church—if not with equal weight, at least proportionately, according to their strength, their time, their opportunities, their abilities: and they cannot get out from under this responsibility on the plea that it belongs only to such and such persons. Did not the Lord say, through Joseph the Seer, at the beginning of this work, ‘Behold, it is a day of warning, and not of many words: Therefore, let every soul that is warned, warn its neighbor?’” (Orson F. Whitney, Conference Report, Oct. 1933, p. 99.)
Let’s put this another way: if you hear on the radio that a tornado is coming your way, would you not run to your neighbor who has no radio and let them know? Can you imagine the terrible condemnation a person that didn’t warn their neighbor would face? A destructive storm is temporal. To withhold information about something that will have eternal effects is terrible beyond comprehension. Consider this as you ponder the warnings of the prophets. As we read the words of our prophets and my little commentary some may feel that this is over-kill–Why not one statement and then go on with my little book? This is not about a guilt trip. This is about a life-changing and life-fulfilling journey.
There have been tens of millions of words written in the scriptures, by the prophets, general authorities, general officers and well meaning people in the Church to inspire us to do good. Over and over the doctrines and principles of the gospel are discussed and expounded upon again and again. Why? All this is done in the hope that someone somewhere may hear or read and have a life-changing experience. This is why people try to help…hoping and praying that something will click. Someone will listen. Someone will change. And a soul will be saved. Alma prayed, “O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.” (Alma 31:34-35) Alma had had a life-changing experience and now he sought that others may be redeemed as well.
John A. Widstoe:
“Now, then, if all this [the gospel] be true, in my thinking about these things, there lies my obligation. It is my divine obligation somehow, through my feeble efforts, and through yours, and through all the members of the Church, to teach all the world the truth of the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I must try to plant this truth in the hearts of men and women. I must contribute every day in my way, as best I can, toward the teaching of the truth, which alone can bring peace to our unhappy world. It is a tremendous obligation when we view it as a whole; but with the help of the Lord easy to meet, if we take the tasks one by one, always keeping our obligation in mind, as we travel through life…This Church is not merely for me and for you who are in the Church. I must begin with myself, undoubtedly. My own salvation comes first; but unless I give of my strength to the winning of other souls for God, my own salvation will be incomplete. That applies to all of us. It cannot be otherwise if we follow the message given us this morning by our prophet and leader…To stand alone, saying selfishly, “I have received the gospel; it is good to be a Latter-day Saint” will not be doing our duty; but, when we say, “Now, I have received this great blessing. I shall pass it on to others”; there comes the flowering in the hearts of men of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (John A. Widstoe, Conference Report, Oct. 1946, p. 13-4.)
Blessed be the name of John A. Widstoe. I love his words. I will be better. There is a saying: “No empty chairs, on earth or in Heaven.” What good does it do us to work out our own salvation (see Alma 34:37; Mormon 9:27) and at the same time, be complacent about another’s? In truth, the one attitude cannot exist in the presence of the other. We may know we are on the right path when we desire with all our heart to share the good news with our fellowman. If we don’t feel to sing the “song of redeeming love” for our gratitude of the atonement and our concern for our brothers and sisters wandering in darkness, then surely we stand in jeopardy ourselves. The title of the great and inspiring message concerning hastening the work was entitled, “The Work of salvation.” This is the work of every member of the Church…everybody’s salvation.
Spencer W. Kimball:
“We would ask that you select a family, some family in your neighborhood, that you have considerable, high regard for, and then invite them to your home. Show them how to hold home evenings; teach them the gospel. There isn’t anyone here that can’t teach the gospel, and if there is, there are missionaries available. … If you can’t think of anything else you can say, “I know that God lives.” That’s the greatest testimony in the world. And you don’t need to have a thousand reasons for doing it (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, SLC: Bookcraft, 1982, p. 552).
We followed President Kimball’s advice upon returning from our mission in New York to our home in Utah. We have a lovely neighborhood where everyone is kind and thoughtful. Pat and I met a new couple, the Hubbard’s. Claude and I hit it right off. We both had roots in Tennessee. We were both born on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. We just knew that we were long lost friends. We chatted at our neighborhood socials and to my surprise I later found out he was yet to be baptized. He and Bonnie had been married for fifty-two years. She had faithfully raised all of their children in righteousness. The children had served missions and been married in the temple for time and all eternity. Claude was so pleased and proud of his family and all of their accomplishments. But he never joined the church.
One day the Spirit got us together and discussions ensued. Conversations and invitations led to the promise of reading, studying, and feasting upon The Book of Mormon. I reminded Claude of the premise and promise in The Book of Mormon. “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:3-5).
And the following truths from the Introduction page of The Book of Mormon—“We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true.
Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah” (Introduction Page, The Book of Mormon).
Claude took these transcending truths to heart. There was continuing encouragement to keep studying The Book of Mormon. Follow up was unrelenting. The missionaries were teaching about twice a week and finally the day came. Claude was baptized. His little family was overjoyed with gratitude for the glorious event. They could not thank everyone enough. They had waited 52 years. Then the crowning blessing was pronounced a little over a year later as I had the privilege of sealing them for time and all eternity. Bonnie passed away a few years later, but Claude and I are special missionaries. We are self appointed “member missionaries.” We, along with other old men (Clive, Dale, Eugene and Russ), call ourselves “Suncrest–Missionary Lights” and we visit all we can to share the gospel because we are Disciples of Christ through baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and by magnifying our priesthood. Life is good and it is full of joy…and it is so enjoyable as six old men in or near their 80’s are like young missionaries. Our beloved prophet President Monson in the Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast, Hastening the Work of Salvation said, “To their [the words of the Quorum of the Twelve] words I add my own. Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work” (President Thomas S. Monson, “Faith in the Work of Salvation,” Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast, Hastening the Work of Salvation, June 23, 2013).
The Lord Will Help Us
The Lord will help us as He implores us to do His work that all might have the opportunity to come unto Christ and thus enjoy the blessings of exaltation. We are the ones to share the gospel with our fellowmen. We are Disciples of Jesus Christ. We are “Rescuers” and “Finders” for the Lord and His full-time missionaries working together to bring souls unto Christ. We need each other to bring about this marvelous work, which is coming forth now. Elder Evans of the missionary committee has said, “If we will pray and ask Heavenly Father who we can help and promise to act on the promptings He gives us letting us know how we can help, He will answer our prayers and we will become instruments in His hands to do His work. Acting in love upon the promptings given by the Spirit becomes the catalyst” (Elder David Evans “Was it Worth It?,” Conference Report, April 2012).
The Lord will strengthen us. The scriptures are loaded with reminders and evidences of how the Lord will help us in all things (see Topical guide Strength and Strengthen). Ammon said it best, “I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever “ (Alma 26:12).
As we get involved with sharing the gospel the blessings seem to overflow into all aspects of our lives. We feel better. Life is sweeter. We start to joy in the work, “when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me. “ (Alma 29:10) The Lord even says that , “Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you. “ (D&C 33:9) The Lord is ever mindful of His servants. Such was the case when the Holy Spirit directed my missionary efforts in Hawaii.
I was teaching for a semester at BYU-Hawaii and had a wonderful group of students in my Book of Mormon class. There were some class members who were our friends of other faiths. One lovely girl was from Mongolia. What are the chances that she came 5,450 miles to Hawaii, and I came 3000 miles from Utah just so we could meet? The Lord is in charge. As I was having my one-on one visits with all my students, I extended my visit with this sweet sister. We talked about life and her plans. We had several visits and then the time came for her to be taught the gospel. She readily accepted it. The sister missionaries from the visitor center were terrific. This sister was happy and excited to be a member of the Church. The day we left Hawaii I had the honor and pleasure of baptizing her in the Pacific Ocean at the temple beach. Life is good.
Yes, the Lord needs our help and he will help us. We, as President Kimball stated have no need to “fear or hesitate.” We are the ones. Now is the time. Where we live is the place. As we become totally converted, full of faith, and plead with the Lord, we will do as He would have us do. Elder McConkie has said of your missionary commission:
“I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Master and He has chosen me to represent Him. To stand in His place, to say and do what He himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; my words are His words and my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done. To say what He wants said. To be a living modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter-day work.” (How Great Is My Calling [address delivered while serving as president of the Australian Mission, 1961–64].)
We can do it. We can accept the admonition from our prophets. We can assist in this great work of saving souls. The Lord will help us. He will not leave us alone as we exercise our faith in prayerful pleadings to help us in this glorious work. He will help us.
“Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him” (see 1 Nephi 7:12 see also Moroni 7:33; 10:7; Alma 18:35).
Time and time again in the mission field the full-time missionaries would tell me in their weekly letters of how the Lord helped them. We had made a plan for the missionaries to look for and prayerfully consider families to teach. One day, two Elders were driving down the street when one called out, “Look,”
His companion looked as a little family was coming out the door.
“They are the ones.”
They went back to that house that night and taught them the gospel.
Elder Kramer, a great missionary, wrote me concerning scripture study. He had read D&C 22:2, where it says if a man is baptized 100 times it “availeth him nothing” if it wasn’t with the right authority. He said:
“Dear President,
I had a wonderful experience this last week. It shows you that if you study hard the Lord will help you. One of my investigators was all ready to be baptized when he said, ‘Elder Kramer, I’ve decided I’m not going to be baptized because I’ve been baptized before.’ But President, the Lord brought to my mind the scripture I needed. Then I remembered what I had studied. I asked him if he had read the Doctrine and Covenants? ‘Oh yes I love the Doctrine and Covenants,’ he said. So I turned to section twenty-two and read verse two, where it asks what good it does to be baptized 100 times without the proper authority. And then the man said, ‘Elder Kramer you’re right, I must be baptized the right way. I’ll be baptized Sunday as planned.’”
Because Elder Kramer had studied and treasured up the word, the Lord gave it to him.
One time, when I was out teaching with the elders, I was talking to one of the investigators, and he said, “President Pinegar, I want to talk to you; come with me.”
The Elders stood there visiting in the living room, and we walked outside. He said, “I want to tell you something about your missionaries.” (They weren’t mine, they were the Lord’s; but they were like my sons and daughters because I loved them so much.) “You know what? I’m joining the Church next month, and you know one of the reasons I am?”
“Because you know it’s true and you feel the Spirit.”
“Yes, but it’s something about your missionaries.”
“What is it?”
“You know President Pinegar, they always have the answer, and the way they give it to me, well, I just want to believe.”
The Lord’s missionaries have the power of the Spirit, “they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:3). Because they study and work hard, the Lord will assist them in the work. And the Lord will help us too in our duty to find people for the missionaries to teach.
The Lord will help everybody the moment you need help. As a practicing dentist working in Provo I treated a great many students from BYU. One busy morning I met with a new patient named Rod. He seemed a little downcast, and so I asked how things were going at school.
He responded, “Lousy.”
I was taken back. “I’m sorry,” I said and began to visit with him about school and his classes. Knowing he was a freshman, I asked him about his Book of Mormon class.
“Dr. Ed,” he said. “I’m not even a Mormon.”
I looked into his eyes like I had never looked into the eyes of any of my patients. With great love I said, “You know Rod, a guy like you just ought to be.”
Silence and the Spirit came together. I had never uttered words like that before in my life. The Spirit was there in abundance. We talked quietly for a few moments, and he made his return appointment.
In a few weeks Rod called the office and related this story: “Dr. Ed when you looked at me and said those words something happened inside my soul like I’d never felt before. I went home and called the Bishop and arranged for the missionaries. I wanted to thank you as I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church last week.” My heart leapt within my soul. Heavenly Father had provided me a way to help; the spirit had put the words in my mouth. The credit belonged to God and with Rod’s wonderful friends who had helped him prepare. We all have a part to play in bringing souls unto Christ. We all can be directed in ways to help, we just need to be willing. Then we will find joy in sharing the gospel and accept the responsibility with gladness, going forward with faith. Elder Evans again counsels us to pay strict heed to the Holy Spirit and His promptings, “Never delay a prompting. As you act on the prompting and do it with love, watch as our Heavenly Father uses your willingness to act to bring about a miracle in your life and in the life of the person you care about.” (Elder David Evans “Was it Worth It?,” Conference Report, April 2012) The Lord did it in a most unusual way in my dental office because speaking of religion and politics may not be considered appropriate. Following the Spirit is always appropriate…and I am grateful.
I am sure that not one of us would say we don’t want to share the gospel with others, so what is it that keeps us from seeking out ways to share the gospel and opening our mouths? Fear. Doubt and fear keep us them from sharing the gospel. What does it take to be fearless? Desire needs to be strong and we need to overcome our doubts and fears. Here are a few things we can do to overcome our fears and become better instruments in the hand of God.
Principles To Overcome Fear
Have Faith—Increase our faith in Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. Where faith dwells there cannot be any doubt or fear. Our confidence will wax strong toward overcoming our fears. A faithful outlook can help us knowing that others have made it past their fears. Moroni taught, “saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled” (Ether 12:3). And he further declares, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27). We can become strong if we exercise our faith. But we need to have the courage to try. And try we must. The Lord will as always will provide a way (see 1 Nephi 3:7). Here are some things we can do to strengthen our faith.
Hearing the word—Faith comes by hearing the word of God (see Rom. 10:17). We hear the word of God from living prophets, by the power of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 68:3–4), and from searching the word of God in the scriptures. We must ponder and meditate upon the scriptures. In searching and feasting upon the word of God we increase in our faith. Did not the statements from our prophets and the scriptures increase your faith to be member missionaries.
Fasting and prayer—Faith comes by fasting and prayer. “They did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith” (Hel. 3:35). When was the last time we fasted and prayed that our faith might increase? I plead guilty, and I must remember to include this in my fasting and prayer. Our prayers can also express our desires to have greater faith as we pray for those who do not know God (see Alma 6:6). Pray to be instruments in the hands of God (see Alma 29:9-10). We pray for others (see 2 Nephi 33:3).
Love—Faith comes and works through love, “but faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6). Love is the motivating force of all righteous deeds. The motivation of God’s work is His love for us (see John 3:16). The motivation for Christ’s Atonement and His great service is His love for us. Not only is love the great commandment, it motivates faith, which is a gift from God through righteousness. It was love of their fellowmen that motivated the Sons of Mosiah to share the gospel with the Lamanites.
Humility—All spiritual growth begins with humility. Humility is having and understanding our relationship to God the Father and Jesus Christ and our dependence upon Them. They are the objects upon which our faith rests, the beings in whom our faith is centered (see Lectures on Faith 2:23).
Increased Knowledge—gives us power over fear through understanding. When we understand and appreciate the cause of our doubts and fears we can prepare and make adjustments to overcome them.
Knowledge is power—Power to know how to act. Power to do hard things because we understand. Knowledge can help us overcome fear.
We can gain knowledge from the word of God. We can gain knowledge from the Holy Ghost. We can obtain knowledge by experience. Doing is often the deepening moment of coming to the knowledge of something (see John 7:17). When you simply go on a teach with the missionaries and smile, listen, read a scripture, and even bear your testimony you will become knowledgeable about “doing missionary work” and your doubts and fears will flee away. Once you know how to start gospel oriented conversations you will see hoe simple and easy it is to do.
Preparation—“If you are prepared ye shall not fear“ (D&C 38:30). The greater the preparation, the greater the confidence. Thus, preparation decreases fear. Preparation often can simulate the experience of fear in positive ways and show us that we can overcome it.
“Preparation precedes power…the power to conquer fear.” –Anonymous
Preparation is an underlying doctrine to keeping the commandments. It includes organizing yourself and preparing every needful thing. Preparation has a price. It takes time, study, effort, dedication, and often sacrifice in order to prepare well. Becoming familiar with Preach My Gospel, Hastening the Work, and the missionary section on lds.org will teach you some things to do in order to be better prepared. Preparation becomes the key to success along with the perseverance and dedication to see it through.
Prayer — With the help and strength of our Heavenly God and our Savior, we can do all things. We can overcome temptation and fear. Remember that it is not the nature of the thing that has changed but that the power to do has increased. The principle of prayer is always evident when need and desperation is the greatest. When the greatest need surfaces the greatest prayers are offered. So the question is, “When was the last time we fasted and prayed to be a good member missionary?” Now that we know how important it is on our scale of priorities in our life, the principle and power of prayer needs to be embraced.
Having an abundance of Love—John taught, “perfect love casteth out all fear” (1 John 4:18). Love has the power and inspiration to transcend our fear because of a deep relationship with God. We love our fellowmen and care for them so much that love overpowers all our fears because we care so much. When you truly care, fear will flee from your very being. How can love overcome fear and doubt? Because love is the highest form and power of motivation. When the motive is high enough there is no restraining force that can keep us from doing the will of God. Thus we understand the motivating force behind our Savior’s infinite sacrifice and atonement.
Experience—Once you have been through a situation several times, your confidence will begin to wax strong. Experience is a master teacher. We are all experiencing earth life, which is a test. Through each experience we can grow and become fearless because our faith has increased. Experience of earth life is a major part of our test to prove ourselves worthy to return to our Father. As a child we pleaded for the light to stay on so we could go to sleep. As we grew older we learned that we didn’t need the light on in order to go to sleep for we had experienced going to sleep many times before. As elemental as that sounds, the truth of the matter is evident. Through each experience we can grow and become fearless because our faith has increased.
I shall never forget when I was a student giving a talk in front of my religion class as part of the requirements for the class. Class members evaluated each of us. I remember vividly one of my evaluations:
“You were so nervous and scared, I could hardly stand to look at you.” Boy, was that ever right and at the same time devastating to my psyche. Later in life I became an early morning seminary teacher before beginning my classes in dental school each day. Up every morning up at 5 AM and off to seminary I would go. Slowly but surely I conquered my fears with the strength of the Lord. Change is not easy, but it is worth it. Get out of the comfort zone. Stop! I hear things like, “I don’t want to.” “That’s okay for you, but you don’t know what I am going through.” “You have no idea because it is easy for you.” Is it convenient to change? Probably not. Is it worth it? Undoubtedly yes! The Lord helps us and provides the way for us to keep the commandments. The pain in the pit of my stomach I felt that first time speaking in class, finally, over time, became anticipated joy as I would stand and preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The more missionary type experiences we have, the more our doubts and fears will flee away. When we overcome our fears and doubts we will follow Paul’s counsel to Timothy and the Romans: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:7-8). Paul spoke to the Romans with great fervor, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).
Remember the following.
We are chosen to declare His gospel. We are the seed of Abraham with the responsibility to bless all the earth. In our day Moses restored the keys of gathering the Lord’s sheep. All this is part of missionary work.
The Lord is our advocate and is in our midst. He will guide us through tough times and will place the words in our minds and hearts that will help bring people unto Christ.
If we ask in faith, He will answer. How fervent are our prayers in behalf of others? “Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God” (Alma 6:6). How firm is our faith in promising the Lord that we will do all in our power to find His children even as a hen gathereth her chicks? Pray for missionary moments. Pray for our neighbor’s hearts to soften when we talk to them about the gospel. Pray to know the words to say. Pray to know the souls to seek.
Always be united in prayer as ward and family members for this great work. Plead with the Lord for you to have the needed strength and the missionary opportunities placed before you.
We are commissioned to seek out the elect for they will hear the Lords voice and not harden their hearts.
We can do it. We are empowered to do it. We have the knowledge to do it. We have the will to do it. There is nothing we can’t do, “If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.” (Moroni 10:23) Sharing the gospel is expedient, life saving and life exalting. If fear seems to linger longer just remember these inspiring words of Elder Ballard, “Today I invite you to relax and set aside your concerns and focus instead on your love for the Lord, your testimony of His eternal reality, and your gratitude for all He has done for you. If you are truly motivated by love and testimony and gratitude, you will quite naturally do all that you can to assist the Lord in “[bringing] to pass the immortality and eternal life” (Moses 1:39) of our Father’s children….“The Savior Himself showed us the way when He invited His disciples to “come and see … where he dwelt, and [they] abode with him that day” (John 1:39).” (Ballard, M Russell, “Creating a Gospel-Sharing Home,” Conference Report, April 2006) Remember these words and we will be seeking to share the gospel because our hearts are right before the Lord. We know that the gospel will bring happiness to those who come unto Christ. And we are happier too as we share the gospel.
Never forget that the Lord will help us. He has promised us blessings as we go forth doing His work. He is our power and our motive for this great work. Here is a list of scriptures we can refer to help us in our sharing the gospel.
- The Lord will provide the way (1 Nephi 3:7)
- The Lord, The Spirit and Angels will be with you (D&C 84:88)
- The Lord and the Holy Spirit will give you the words you need to say (D&C 33:8-10; 84:85; Hel. 13:3-4) and ye will not be confounded (100:5-6)
- You will speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and the Lord will stand by you (D&C 68:3-7)
- There can be no weapon formed against you (D&C 71:9)
- You can, through study and prayer, know the mysteries of the Kingdom and you can convince others of the errors of their ways (D&C 6:11)
- The Lord reminds you in your weakness He is your armor and will preserve you in the work (D&C 35:13-14)
- Ammon reminds you that your strength is in the Lord and you can do all things (Alma 26:11-12)
- The Lord, through your prayers, will pour out His Spirit upon you and your friends (Alma 16:16; 19:14, 36; Hel. 6:36)
Promises have been made. Let us act with faith. We can do it and we will experience indescribable joy. Life will be good.
Let Us Prepare To Receive The Help Of The Lord
Is Your Heart Right Before The Lord?
At this point you may be wondering if you are capable of really sharing the gospel. You might think you need to be older, endowed, seasoned, sanctified, holy, and that your life must be almost perfect. No, No, No. As long as you are willing your heart will be right before the Lord, you are ready to share the gospel. You will come to see that it is the Holy Spirit, which will teach, preach, testify of the truth, comfort, guide, and direct you. It is the Holy Spirit that is the converter. It is that Spirit which is the Spirit of Truth by which all receive the truth and are edified and grow together (see D&C 50:17-23). All you have to pray for a portion of that Spirit like the Sons of Mosiah to be present. This principle of being willing is the beginning of a pure heart and is demonstrated as we keep the Lord’s commandments (see Mosiah 21:35; 3 Nephi 6:14; 18:10; Moro. 4:3) We will be better prepared to receive the help of the Lord.
Be Humble—Humility is the beginning virtue of becoming a mighty instrument in the hands of God. Our relationship with God and Christ is understood and appreciated. Our total dependence upon Them for all things is evident and we recognize wherein our strength and power is to be found. When we are humble we glory as Ammon did, expressing gratitude and love for the Lord and His goodness in allowing us to be participants in this great work. We take no credit but rather acknowledge the hand of God in all things. “I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever” (Alma 26:11-12). With this empowerment of humility we better understand Alma when he said, “And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.” (Alma 7:23-24) We will abound in good works and it all begins with humility. We submit to the will of God. We know His will and we pray for strength that His “will might be done.” We will be better prepared to receive the help of the Lord.
Be Grateful—Gratitude is expressed through a variety of ways, chief among them is to sacrifice. We sacrifice a broken heart and contrite spirit. We lay our life upon the altar of God and ask, “What would Thou have me do?” We offer all. We offer our hearts. We become new creatures. We are born again, “Because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7). And we “Yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love” (Mosiah 3:19). We show gratitude by fasting and praying often, and by bringing others into the joy we feel. We can do it. The Lord will make us strong and our gratitude and love of God and our fellowmen will motivate us. We will be better prepared to receive the help of the Lord.