Thursday, January 2, 2014

All things are possible!

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are commanded to share the Gospel with everyone! At times that commandment seems more than a little daunting. However, we have been given all of the tools that we need in order to accomplish this great work that the Lord has called us to perform.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church gives four ways to share the Gospel - especially when we're scared or nervous. (A Word for the Hesitant Missionary, Liahona, February 2013). The first is "Be a Light." As we are examples to those around us, they will notice. Someone in this day and age who is living a clean lifestyle, who doesn't smoke or drink, who goes to church on Sunday and is a constant disciple of Jesus Christ will be noticed.
"...a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before this people that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, emphasis added) We are a light! People cannot help but see that light and through righteous examples, millions of others may be brought to a greater knowledge of the truth and of God's plan for all of His children.

The second way President Uchtdorf gave to share the Gospel is "Be Conversational." It can be scary to bring up religion to friends and family. If the Gospel is a part of our life, the topic of religion can come up in normal conversation. President Uchtdorf gave the following example: 'My wife, Harriet, is a wonderful example of this. When we were living in Germany, she would find a way to work Church-related topics into her conversations with friends and acquaintances. For example, when someone asked about her weekend, she would say, “This Sunday we had an impressive experience in our church! A 16-year-old young man gave a beautiful talk in front of 200 people of our congregation about living a clean life.” Or, “I learned about a 90-year-old woman who knitted more than 500 blankets and gave them to our Church’s humanitarian program to be shipped to people in need all around the world.”'
What a perfect way to start a conversation! Church is an enormous part of our lives. Why should we not tell our friends - in normal conversation - about something that we do every day, every week, every month of the year? When we take courage and talk about our Sunday in church, the youth activities, Relief Society activities and other church activities, automatically people will begin to ask questions. Thus, normal conversation is a perfect way to begin a Gospel discussion in a non-threatening way.

"Be Full of Grace" is the third idea President Uchtdorf gave us. It is far too easy to become disagreeable when others do not agree with us or when we are asked difficult questions regarding our faith and beliefs. However, do not let these things get to you! The Lord has commanded that we "...esteem [our] brother as [ourselves]..." (Doctrine and Covenants 38:24) If you wouldn't like someone pushing you to do something, don't push them. If you would like a friend to be honest with you because they love you, be honest with them about the Gospel because you love them!

The final idea to share the Gospel is "Be Filled With Faith." Without faith, we cannot accomplish anything. Faith is how God works His miracles. It was through faith that people were healed by Christ. It is through faith that people are healed today. Christ told the people of the ancient Americas that "...So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles..." (3 Nephi 19:35) As we are filled with faith, our words, though seemingly small and insignificant, can help others to feel of the Spirit and allow the Spirit to begin to soften their hearts.
"President Brigham Young said he knew the gospel was true when he “saw a man without eloquence, or talents for public speaking, who could only say, ‘I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Lord.’” President Young said when he heard that humble testimony, "The Holy Ghost proceeding from that individual illuminate[d] my understanding, and light, glory, and immortality [were] before me."'

Through our faith, the Lord will make our words great and our testimonies strong.
All we are asked to do is to open our mouths and the Lord has promised that "...[our mouths] shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance..." (Moses 6:32)
If we go forth with faith, if we are filled with grace and love, if we are conversational and if we are a light to those around us, the Lord will bless us with many opportunities to share the Gospel and to assist in this great work of bringing the Gospel to all the world. For, "...all things are possible to him [or her] that believeth." (Mark 9:23)

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