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(pt 2 of 5)

“The Essence of the Gospel”

Proclaiming the Gospel

Let me introduce this facet of the threefold mission with the words of modern prophets:

The Prophet Joseph Smith:

“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel”[i]

“Let the Saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with us and the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the great work of the last days”[ii]

President Brigham Young:

“There is neither man or woman in this Church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life”[iii]

President Howard W. Hunter:

“Surely taking the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people is the single greatest responsibility we have in mortality. . . . We have been privileged to be born in these last days, as opposed to some earlier dispensation, to help take the gospel to all the earth”[iv]

President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory, ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ (Moses 1:39). Your obligation is as serious in your sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere”[v]

“Let there be cultivated an awareness in every member’s heart of his own potential for bringing others to a knowledge of the truth. Let him work at it. Let him pray with great earnestness about it”[vi]

Most wards and branches in the Church have full time missionaries assigned. It appears Brunswick 1st Ward is no exception! Their role is to teach the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The first words of the first chapter of the missionary guide Preach My Gospel are:

Your Purpose: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

Often this critical task for full-time missionaries is diminished because we as members do not adequately fulfill our role.

Chapter 9 of Preach My Gospel entitled “Finding People to Teach” reminds:

The ideal situation is when members invite others to be taught and are present for the teaching. When members do this, more people are baptized and remain active in the Church. Association with members is important because it softens people’s hearts and often leads them to investigate the restored gospel. This often means that they are brought into the circle of friends of Church members, including active and less-active members, recent converts, and part-member families.[vii]

[i] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 113

[ii] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 178–79

[iii] Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 322

[iv] “Walls of the Mind,” Ensign, Sept. 1990, 10

[v] Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 94; or Ensign, May 1995, 71

[vi] “Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” Ensign, May 1999, 106

[vii] Preach My Gospel pg 160