The Lord has invited us all of us to come and be a part of His great work, to labor together in all callings within the Church, “to invite all to come unto Christ”.
A tide of optimism swells within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints among all leaders, members and missionaries. We are all united in assisting Our Heavenly Father, “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” or the Work of Salvation. There is a place for everyone to contribute, from the newest member in the Primary to the eldest attending sacrament meeting. The Europe Area just enjoyed one of the greatest blessings we could ever receive. More people in this, the Europe Area, attended sacrament meeting in June 2013 than ever before, over 100,000! More of us than ever were uplifted and edified as we partook of the sacred emblems of the Lord’s Supper, renewed eternal personal covenants with Our Father in Heaven and were more determined to be like His Son.
Let us build on this achievement for the future brightness of hope in our homes, branches and wards. With every effort we make to invite others, particularly to partake of the sacrament, our own reverence and understanding of the Atonement is enriched. The broken heart is mended and sweet peace will fill our souls. We can be very near to Heaven during the sacrament.
“What does the Atonement have to do with missionary work?” asked President Howard W. Hunter. “Any time we experience the blessings of the Atonement in our lives, we cannot help but have a concern for the welfare of others . . . A great indicator of one’s personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others.” (President Howard W. Hunter, June 1994)
How can we keep the momentum going? What can I do? Here are some simple, yet significant, goals all church members can incorporate in their lives in their desires to share the gospel.
- Ask specifically for help in sharing your testimony of the Gospel in your daily prayers. Ponder during prayer of the love you have for the Savior.
- Help at least one person this year come to sacrament meeting. Invite them to “come and see”. There is someone waiting just for your invitation and you probably already know them!
- Invite the missionaries to teach at least 4 times in your home every year. If you haven’t yet, invite them this week. You’ll be pleasantly pleased and warmed with the spirit the Gospel that His true messengers bring into your home. If they can’t bring someone to your home, go with them to teach.
- Make certain there are no strangers in Church. Always, always be a friend. Introduce yourself to every face and shake every hand of anyone you haven’t met or whose burdens you could lift. Then offer your help. You will brighten someone’s day and enlarge your circle of friends. Everyone needs more friends, everyone.
Never let discouragement cause you to retreat. “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.”(Mary Anne Radmacher) Don’t give up, ever.
As we exercise faith in these our four personal commitments, our faith will grow and our lives will be blessed. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “True faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has always been linked to the offering of sacrifice, our small gift to be a symbolic echo of His majestic offering.” (October 2002)
I bear witness that whatever our sacrifice, whatever our worry, as you invite all to come unto Christ, you will find your yoke is ever easier to bear and your burden ever lighter. The words will come. You will be standing on holy ground, His ground as His servant.
Shall we not go on in so great a cause?