There is a family in our ward whose house burned down recently. An account has been set up at Golden West Credit Union where people can make donations. The name of the account is the Leonard Handy Fund.
Elders Quorum
Chapter 15 Teachings of George Albert Smith manual.
“When George Albert Smith was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1903, Church membership stood at just over 300,000.” It makes me pause thinking that today Church membership grows by 300-400 thousand each year.
Much missionary work happened through military servicemen, who were LDS, during World War II, even though the official missionary program of the Church was greatly reduced due to the war.
The Mormon tabernacle choir has been a great missionary tool. Music and the Spoken Word is the longest running radio and also the longest running television program. It is also expanding to the Internet (http://musicandthespokenword.com/).
"And then there are those who accept nominal membership in the Church but who seem to feel themselves exempt from rendering any kind of service. But sooner or later they find themselves uneasy in their hearts, and doubtful in their thoughts, as we all do when we fail to do what we know to be our full duty. A man who is living in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ is never in doubt about its success; but the man who neglects his duty, who fails to keep his covenants, loses the Spirit of the Lord" - from the manual.
Sunday School
Alma 43-52
Moroni gives the army of Zerahemnah the opportunity to make a covenant to give up the weapons and never come to war again. Moroni had stopped his armies even though they could've overpowered them. They give up their weapons, but Zerahemnah refuses to make the covenant of peace. Moroni gives them back their weapons.
Alma 44:10
10 And now when Zerahemnah had made an end of speaking these words, Moroni returned the sword and the weapons of war, which he had received, unto Zerahemnah, saying: Behold, we will end the conflict.
Alma 46:10-12
10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake.
11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
Moroni posts this title of liberty all over town to remind the people what they are fighting for. Things that were not on the title of
liberty: destroy, take captive, get revenge.
Sacrament Service
“On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Lovest thou me?” Each time Peter’s reply was the same: “Thou knowest that I love thee.” And each time the Savior instructed Peter: “Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep. … Feed my sheep” (John 21:15–17).” (M Russell Ballard, “The Essential Role of Member Missionary Work”, April 2003 General Conference)
Doctrine and Covenants 88:81
81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
Moroni 9:6
6 And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.
I don’t think this means that we rest when we are done. I think it means that we gain rest while laboring. Just as with the Sabbath being a day of rest, I think we need a better understanding of the word rest.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
He states for all those who are heavy laden to take a yoke upon then. That initially seems like taking on more work, but a yoke allows two oxen to pull together. These verses also talk about finding rest while being yoked, which would seem to indicate continuing to labor.
One of the definitions of rest in the dictionary is “mental or spiritual calm; tranquillity”. This does not necessarily mean you are doing nothing. It just means that your mind and spirit are at ease.
We don’t have to focus on making sure people join the Church. The scriptures just say that we are to warn or bring them opportunities to learn for themselves.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:81
81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
Sharing the gospel is not about you. It is about them, so talk about them.
Choose to see people as innocent children, no matter their behavior, then you can more easily feel the love father has for them.
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:8
8 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;
“I wish that every member of this Church would put those words where he might see them every morning as he begins his day” (“Be Not Afraid,” Friend, Feb. 2005, 2)
From the Bulletin
“Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church and the lifesaving blessing to all who accept the message.” (Elder Ronald A Rasband, The Divine Call of a Missionary, Ensign, May 2010, 51)
Employment Specialist Meeting
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