When Lehi had a dream of his vision of the Tree of Life he found himself in a dark and dreary wilderness. After he had been in this dark wilderness for many hours he began to pray to the Lord that He would have mercy on him 'according to the multitude of His tender mercies' (1 Nephi 8:8) Immediately following his request he was shown a spacious field with a tree that bore fruit which was exceptionally desirable and not only the sweetest fruit he had ever tasted but it had extraordinary power to provide exceeding joy. Unlike his brothers, Nephi sought explanation of his father's dream and was given to know that the Tree of Life was a representation of the love of God (1 Nephi 11:25). A love that is the most desirable above all things and the most joyous to the soul (1 Nephi 11:23). Immediately following the description of this love, Nephi was given the vision of the Son of God during his earthly ministry. Why? Because the ultimate love that God the Father can give us is His son, Jesus Christ. He is the chosen vessel through which we receive godly love. The proof of God's great love for us lies in His sacrifice of His only begotten son. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Everlasting life is the greatest blessing the Father can bestow upon us, this blessing being proportionate to His love for His children. This godly love is amplified by the Saviour's love for us which was demonstrated through the Atonement. "Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
Our ultimate goal in life should be to prepare to meet Christ and to be "encircled eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15) To bring ourselves back into God's presence is wonderful, but to bring someone back with us, that's powerful. As disciples of Jesus Christ, it is our duty to make this happen. This is what missionary work is.
The purpose of missionary work is not to bring people into the Church but to bring souls to Jesus Christ. The Church is merely a vehicle to accomplish this purpose. Our goal whilst accomplishing this purpose is to be messengers of God's love for his children through His Son, Jesus Christ. With so many people in the world languishing for the want of love and spiritual comfort and not knowing where to find it or what it exactly is that is missing in their lives, missionary work becomes an easier task. Too often we think we need to be heavily invested in the doctrines of the Church to be able to do missionary work properly but what most people need is the spirit of our testimony rather than the doctrine.
You are not in this Church by chance. You have been called out of the world to save the world. The Lord has said, "The voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days" (D&C 1:4). Who are these disciples? You and I. Whether you have been born in the Church or you are a convert, you are His disciple and you have been chosen long before this world began. Consider Joseph F. Smith's vision of us in pre-mortal world as outlined in D&C 138:55, 56:
"55. I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.
56. Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."
If you do not consider yourself a ruler in the Church of God, then you are one of the 'many others'. Either way, you are a labourer in His vineyard saving the souls of men. You are unique and there are people in the world who need this uniqueness. There are some people that only you can touch. Some who will believe only your words, be impressed with only your example, feel only the spirit of your testimony. You are endowed with the truth and your companion is the Holy Ghost. You have been prepared, you need not fear.
No comments:
Post a Comment