Replacing Fear With Real Faith

Are you afraid to open your mouth and share the gospel? Are you hesitant to bring up your religion around your friends, your co-workers, your family. I can promise you with no reservation that you are not alone. Maybe it's just you and me that find ourselves tongue-tied and terrified when presented with the opportunity to share the gospel...

but somehow I doubt it. 

Each of us have heard the call again and again:

"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."

Thomas S. Monson

“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel” Joseph Smith Jr.

“We will attain our exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom only on the condition that we share with our Father’s other children the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and observe the commandments that will enrich our lives here and hereafter” George Albert Smith

 “Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.” D&C 88:81

Each of us know what is being asked of us but still we hesitate. Some even hesitate to pray for missionary experiences because they are afraid they might receive one! Who is guilty of this? Do you trust that your Father in Heaven knows you and knows how to answer your prayers?

“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? “Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye … know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:7-11.

"Fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities. Then, we must demonstrate our faith and watch for opportunities to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to our Heavenly Father’s children, and surely those opportunities will come."

"We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.... May I suggest that we can all be more consistently involved in missionary work by replacing our fear with real faith, inviting someone at least once a quarter—or four times every year—to be taught by the full-time missionaries."  M. Russell Ballard

Did anyone else do a double take at that comment this last general conference, or was that just me? Every member challenged to invite someone at least once a quarter to be taught by the full-time missionaries. How is that even possible? 

"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1Nephi 3:7

Is he a prophet or not? Is this a commandment from the Lord or not?

Make the decision to do what Jesus Christ has asked you to do!

Four new investigators a year are not going to fall into your lap while you sit on your couch watching Dr. Phil. God is asking us to stand with Him, to join the fight. This is going to require PRAYER, PLANNING, PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, and PREACH MY GOSPEL 

(link to lds.org).

"To help in the process, I invite all members, regardless of your current calling or level of activity in the Church, to obtain a copy of Preach My Gospel... this is a guidebook for missionary work--which means it is a guidebook for all of us." M. Russell Ballard

I can testify that our prophet speaks for God. I can testify that your Savior is asking you to stand with Him, to witness for Him. Each member of the church made solemn sacred covenants when we were baptized to do this. We promised to take upon ourselves His name, to stand as Him witness, 

are you keeping your promise?

I know that opening your mouth can be scary. I can personally testify that it is intimidating and nerve wracking and absolutely wonderful! President Monson said, "Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with faith have courage as well." In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Are you thinking of Him?

This holy Easter week is so very important and I pray that each of us are taking the time to think of our Savior and all that He has done for us. Thursday was a vitally important day in the last week of Christs life. It was today that he invited his apostles into the upper room to have his final meal. Here He instituted the blessing of the Sacrament and by so doing gave each of us the opportunity to renew our covenants with God and start fresh every week. I am eternally grateful for this gift, my life if so much more because I can rely on the Saviors atonement each week, each day.

After leaving this famous last supper our Savior and brother walked to the Garden of Gethsemane and changed the whole world. Everything had led up to this point and the entire future hinged on it. Jesus Christ offered Himself a sacrifice for sin. He suffered so that if we would repent we wouldn't have to suffer. This was the greatest act of love and it happened on Easter Thursday. 

Are you thinking of Him?

I am grateful for my knowledge and testimony of the Saviors love for me. I testify that His only motivation was a sincere and unending love for you and me. I know that there is no way that I can ever pay him back for all that He is done for me, but I can love Him back! I can show that love through remembering Him, living the was He has asked, and standing as His witness. He lives, He loves, He is involved.

I Have Given You An Example

Think of the person in your life that has influenced you the very most. What did they do? Why was their influence felt stronger than others? How has your life changed because of them?

Richard G. Scott spoke of a few people in his life that were tender influences that aided his path to eternal progression. God blessed him with people who loved him enough to guide him in the right direction.

When speaking of his Grandmother he said, “I don’t remember the specifics of what she said but what she did that stirred something within my heart… In every appropriate way she helped us find the gospel.”

What is the appropriate way? Christ said “Do as I have done unto you.”

Later he said, “Mostly I knew that she loved me and loved the gospel… her righteous influence changed the direction of my life for eternal good.”

His family and friends loved him enough to share their conviction of how the gospel would bless his life and then gave him the opportunity to work out the direction of his own life.  Nobody chorused him or made him feel bad about the person he was, they simply loved him and loved Father in Heaven.

How can we become such an influence to those around us? 

1^st We must sincerely love those we want to help in righteousness so they can begin to develop confidence in God’s love. This trust in a God who loves us perfectly can be difficult to develop. It’s easier when they have family and friends who love them in a similar way.

Show your interest in their well-being, and then share your testimony of Jesus Christ.

Ask them questions that make them think and then allow them sufficient time, Days, hours, months, maybe years, to ponder and seek the answers on their own.

They need to know that we love them and want what’s best for them.

2^nd As a companion to that love, Trust them.  It may seem difficult but find some way. The children of Father in Heaven can do amazing things when they feel trusted. Every child in mortality chose the Saviors plan, trust that given the opportunity they will do so again.

3^rd Remember we all grow line upon line. You have followed that same pattern

Keep your sharing of the gospel simple. Your personal testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is a powerful tool.

Concentrate on this: The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes possible our becoming more like our Father in Heaven so we can live together eternally in our family units. There is no doctrine more fundamental to our work then the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The greatest example who ever walked the earth is the savior Jesus Christ

His mortal ministry is filled with, Teaching, serving and loving others. He sat with individuals who were judged to be unworthy, He loved each of them. He discerned their needs and taught them His gospel. He invites us to follow His perfect example. 

Remember to do as He has done by share our love, trust and knowledge with other who have not yet embraced the brilliant light of the gospel.

I love General Conference and I felt the Holy Ghost confirm truth to my heart and I heard the words of Elder Richard G. Scott this weekend. I pray that each of us can strive to be a little more like our Savior as we share the most important thing with have with our friends in LOVE AND TRUST!

He will make it more

One of the hardest lessons that I have had to learn (and continue to learn) is to rely on the Lord with all of my heart. I have now been on my mission for nine months and every day of it I have struggled to let go of my own will. I want so much to please my Heavenly Father and I hold such a high standard of performance for myself. I have beat myself up with this standard that I have struggled to reach. Failing to reach these expectations has been a source of contention within the walls of my own heart.

Last week I had a really great conversation with my companion about my concern. I want so badly to give a satisfying offering to my Father in Heaven and I want to continue to reach for my fullest potential with out beating myself into the ground for failing to reach perfection. After a long conversation I walked into the bedroom and saw a picture sitting on top of the dresser. The picture was of the Savior and a young boy who was bringing a small offering of 5 loaves and 2 fishes. The caption on the picture said, 

"He will make it more."

 

 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down... When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

 ~ John 6:9-13

"He offered all he had. Surely he must have known that his meager contribution was not enough, but what a miracle he beheld when the Savior made it enough and more. Sometimes our gifts seem small, but let us always remember that He will make it more."

 ~ Simon Dewey

"We can find positive meaning in weaknesses that are not taken away. Surely nothing is quite as humbling as having a weakness that we cannot overcome but must continue to struggle with throughout our life. Such a weakness teaches us, in a very personal way, that after all we can do we must rely on the grace of Christ to make up the difference. As we humbly submit our will to the Lord’s, we find that our weaknesses can indeed become sources of strength if we put our trust in Him."

I have a testimony that although I am weak and flawed and fall short more often then not, I can be made whole through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He can take my meager contribution and make it more. I testify that He loves us, that he is patient with us, and that if we rely on Him all our weaknesses can me made strong. I love Him.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

21 Keys To A Successful Life

President Monson said, "In our journey on earth, we discover that life is made up of challenges—they just differ from one person to another. We are success oriented, striving to become “wonder women” and “super men.” Any hint of failure can cause us to panic and give up before we start."

"Our responsibility is to rise from mediocrity to competence, from failure to achievement. Our task is to become our best selves. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."

Each one of us has been blessed with the gift and opportunity to repent every single day.  Our forgiving and completely loving Heavenly Father blesses each of us with a new day, a new sun rise to try again to be our best selves. 

Pres Hinckley in his first talk as President of the church told us all to, "Stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds... We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm. He will overrule for the good of this work. He will shower down blessings upon those who walk in obedience to His commandments. Such has been His promise. Of His ability to keep that promise none of us can doubt. "

"This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike."

I am thankful for the opportunity that my mission has given me to look inside myself, identify my weaknesses and be blessed to turn to God as he uproots them from me. I'm reminded everyday that I still have a long way to go, but I am grateful for the chance to work one-on-one with him everyday. Even as we try to turn this willful, stubborn missionary into a effective instrument in His hands.

We have been given so many tools to help us become the best versions of ourselves. The overreaching power we each are offered is the blessing of the Atonement. 

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, … omnipotent hand. …

H. Jackson Brown Jr. outlined a few specific ways that we can apply the Atonement into each of our lives:

1) Marry the right person. This decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.

2) Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talents.

3) Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully

4) Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5) Be forgiving of yourself and others

6) Be Generous

7) Have a grateful heart.

8) Persistence, persistence, persistence

9) Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest of salary.

10) Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11) Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12) Commit yourself to quality

13) Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige.

14) Be loyal

15) Be Honest

16) Be a self-starter

17) Be Decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong

18) Stop Blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19) Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

20) Take good care of those you love

21) Don't do anything that wouldn't make your mom proud.

I'm not suggesting that you try to accomplish all of these things today but we can start today. Become the person you want to be.

Atoning Donuts

A boy named Steve was struggling in school. He been kicked out of several classes, but a kind seminary teacher finally allowed him into his sixth-period class. One day, the teacher planned a special lesson. He asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. The teacher asked, “How many push-ups can you do?”

Steve replied, “I do about two hundred every night.”

“Two hundred?” the teacher said. “That’s pretty good. Do you think you could do three hundred?”

Steve answered, “I don’t know—I’ve never done three hundred at a time.”

The teacher said, “Can you do three hundred in sets of ten?”

“Well, I think I can,” Steve answered. “Yeah, I can do it.”

“Good! I need you to do this on Friday.”

Well, Friday came, and Steve went to class early and sat in front. When class started, the teacher pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren’t the normal kinds of donuts. They were the big, extra-fancy kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was excited. It was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend.

The teacher went to the first girl in the first row and asked, “Cynthia, do you want a donut?” Cynthia said yes.

He then turned to Steve and asked, “Would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?”

Steve said, “Sure,” and jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve sat again at his desk. The teacher put a donut on Cynthia’s desk, then went to the next student and asked, “Joe, do you want a donut?” Joe said yes.

The teacher asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?”

And so it went, down the first aisle, and down the second aisle, until they came to Scott, the captain of the football team and center of the basketball team. When the teacher asked, “Scott, do you want a donut?” his reply was, “Well, can I do my own push-ups?”

The teacher said, “No, Steve has to do them.”

Scott replied, “Well, I don’t want one then.”

The teacher then turned to Steve and asked, “Would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn’t want?”

Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, “Hey! I said I didn’t want one!”

The teacher said, “Just leave it on the desk if you don’t want it,” and he put a donut on Scott’s desk.

Now, by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could see beads of perspiration on his brow. The teacher started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.

The teacher asked Jenny, “Do you want a donut?” Jenny said no.

Then the teacher asked, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn’t want?” Steve did ten, and Jenny got a donut.

By now the students were beginning to say no regularly, and there were many uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve was also really putting forth a lot of effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. Sweat was dripping onto the floor beneath his face. His arms and face were red from the effort.

The teacher said he couldn’t bear to watch all of Steve’s work for those uneaten donut, so he asked Robert to make sure Steve did the push-ups. The teacher started down the fourth row.

During his class, some students had wandered in and sat along the heaters on the sides of the room. When the teacher realized this, he did a quick count and saw thirty-four students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

The teacher went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

A student named Jason came to the door and was about to come in when all the students yelled, “No! Don’t come in! Stay out!”

Jason didn’t know what was going on. Steve looked up and said, “No, let him come in.”

The teacher said, “You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him.”

Steve said, “Yes, let him come in.”

The teacher said, “Okay, I’ll let you get Jason’s out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?”

“Yes.”

“Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?” Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

The teacher finished the fourth row, then started among those seated on the heaters. Steve’s arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was dropping off of his face, and by this time there was not a dry eye in the room.

The last two girls in the room were cheerleaders. The teacher went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, “Linda, do you want a donut?

Linda said, very sadly, “No, thank you.”

The teacher said, “Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn’t want?”

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then the teacher turned to the last girl. “Susan, do you want a donut?” Susan, with tears flowing down her face, asked, “Can I help him?”

The teacher, with tears of his own, said, “No, he has to do it alone. Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?”

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

The teacher turned to his class and said, “And so it was that our Savior, Jesus Christ, prayed, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.’ With the understanding that Jesus had done everything that was required of Him, He collapsed on the cross and died—even for those that didn’t want His gift. And just like some of us, many choose not to accept the gift that was provided for them.”

The First Great Commandment

King Benjamin has always been a favorite of mine. I can imagine a sweet old man that has worked hard his whole life, not unlike our beloved prophet today. I can see his trembling old body as he stands before his people looking more like a giant among men as the spirit pores from his countenance.

In his heart felt way he pleads for us to lay aside our natural man, to forget about ourselves and turn to a loving God who we are forever indebted to. He truly understood who to look to for peace, strength and life. Our Heavenly Father has given us everything, "He who created us from the beginning, and is preserving us from day to day, by lending us breath" asks only that we keep His commandments.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "My beloved brothers and sisters, I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgment Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us: “Did you love me?” I think He will want to know if in our very mortal, very inadequate, and sometimes childish grasp of things, did we at least understand one commandment, the first and greatest commandment of them all—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.”And if at such a moment we can stammer out, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee,” then He may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty."

“If ye love me, keep my commandments,”Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can’t quit and we can’t go back. After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before."

I testify that we have all been called to the work, we have all been given the charge and if we truly love God we must share, we must work, we must believe and we must testify! 

Christ is pleading with us. "What I need are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do."

Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world!