We should be
excited to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. The Lord has
declared that missionary work is the responsibility of all who follow Him. We
can, by the goodness of our lives and the strength of our testimonies, share
the gospel message and help prepare family members, friends, and other
acquaintances come to know the message of the gospel.
Mosiah 18:1-3
1 And now, it came to pass that Alma,
who had fled from the servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and
iniquities, and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the
words of Abinadi—
2 Yea, concerning that which was to
come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of
the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings,
and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.
3 And as many as would hear his word he
did teach. And he taught them privately, that it might not come to the
knowledge of the king. And many did believe his words.
We should
teach with humility and love. To be humble is to recognize
gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to understand that we have constant need
for His support.
Alma 38:10-12
10 And now, as ye have begun to teach
the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye
would be diligent and temperate in all things.
11 See that ye are not lifted up unto
pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much
strength.
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance;
and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love…
There is great joy in sharing the gospel. When we experience the blessings of gospel living, we naturally want to share those blessings with others. Sharing the gospel with others is part of our covenant responsibility as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Alma 29:1-2, 9
1 O that I were an angel, and could
have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of
God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul,
as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they
should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon
all the face of the earth.
9 I know that which the Lord hath
commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that
which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may
be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this
is my joy.
The Book
of Mormon was uniquely written to help us in our day to prepare for the Second
Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. One passage says that the Book of
Mormon “shall establish the truth” of the Bible “and shall make known to all
kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal
Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or
they cannot be saved” (1 Nephi 13:40).
In its more than 6,000 verses, the Book of Mormon refers to
Jesus Christ almost 4,000 times and by 100 different names such as: “Jehovah,”
“Immanuel,” “Holy Messiah,” “Lamb of God,” “Redeemer of Israel.”
Jacob 5:71
71 And the Lord of the vineyard said
unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this
is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand,
and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye
shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time
which will soon come.
The Book
of Mormon declares the advent of the gathering of Israel and is God’s
instrument to bring about that gathering. Without the Book of
Mormon, there would be no gathering of Israel. We are privileged to live in a
day when the Lord is gathering Israel, both living and dead, through our
missionary efforts and temple work.
2 Nephi 9:1-2
1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have
read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that
he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—
2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by
the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation
to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true
church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their
inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.
The people of God have always sought to establish Zion, a people of righteousness, unity, and love. The prophets of the Book of Mormon repeatedly taught their people to be obedient, to love others, and to care for the poor and needy. The most general definition of the word Zion is "the pure in heart" (D&C 97:21). The Book of Mormon teaches us how we can establish Zion despite the wickedness of the world around us.
4 Nephi 1:12-17
12 And they did not walk any more after
the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after
the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God,
continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and
to hear the word of the Lord.
13 And it came to pass that there was
no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty
miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.
14 And it came to pass that the seventy
and first year passed away, and also the seventy and second year, yea, and in
fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred
years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all
gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there
were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that generation
had passed away.
15 And it came to pass that there was
no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the
hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, nor
strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of
lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the
people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor
murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were
in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.
My
Testimony
I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it was written
by ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation and then translated
by the gift and power of God by a young man who was called and lifted up to
accomplish the work. I know that it is an additional witness that Jesus Christ
is the Son of the living God. I know these things through personal study and
through personal revelation. I invite you to read it, study it, and pray about
it with a sincere heart to learn as I did the message it contains.
Helaman 14:30-31
30 And
now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto
himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye
are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given
unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
31 He
hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto
you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto
that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil,
and have that which is evil restored unto you.
