4th New Member Discussion

Brothers & Sisters we are privileged to be living in the most glorious of times, A time when all the generations of mankind come together. A time just before our Savior appears for his millennial reign. Think about that for a moment.

Last General Conference in April our beloved Prophet spoke on this subject and reiterated the fact that these are perilous times. We know this to be true. Dallin H. Oaks spoke on the signs of the times & our need to prepare for his 2nd coming. He told us there are 4 matters indisputable to Latter-day Saints. 1. The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during the millennium. 2 At the time of his coming there will be great destruction, a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. 3. No one knows the time of his coming, but , 4 the faithful are taught to study the signs and to be prepared for it. He focused primarily on the 4th with our need for spiritual preparation. He began the 4th topic with Alma 34:32 "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God....the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" and he asked "Are we preparing?"

Imagine that you are living just below a large dam. One day you notice a crack in the dam. What would you do. Would you call someone to repair the crack or see what could be done to repair it? Later you see water leaking through

this crack and you realize that the dam soon will break. Would you mention casually to your family and friends that a problem exists or is developing? Or would you urgently do everything possible to warn others to escape the danger?

We should have much the same concern about sharing the saving truths of the gospel with those who have not yet heard them. We know the dam is about to break but do we see or feel the urgency

D&C 88:81 "It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor."

When we accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and are baptized into his church we accept the responsibility of sharing it with others, particularly relatives and friends.

Great blessings are promised the House of Israel. Some of us may not even comprehend these great blessings, - blessings of the priesthood, of exaltation, salvation and eternal life, the first resurrection, thrones, kingdoms, principalities, powers, dominions, to be gods and have eternal increase and have no end, even the angels are to be subject unto them, all power will be given unto them. He has watched over and protected the House of Israel down through

the ages. We, you and I, are the House of Israel. This is the covenant made to Abraham but continued through

his son Isaac, then Jacob whose name was changed to Israel and he had 12 sons. But do you think about Abrahams other sons and daughters. Ishmael is also a son of Abraham by Hagar. Ishmael also had 12 sons and Esau who Jacob's brother and son of Isaac also took of Ishmael's daughters to wife. After Sarah died, Abraham married Katura and had 7 more sons and daughters. Many other people occupied the earth at the time of the Lord's covenant with Abraham. They also have descendents But only through

Jacob and his literal or by adoption descendents does Abraham's covenant continue But where much is given much is expected. And rightly so. Why? We may ask.

1 Nephi 15:18 gives insight. The House of Israel is a peculiar treasure unto the Lord. "In the latter days all the nations, kindred, tongues and peoples are to be blessed by them". How, we may ask? Missionary work.

Sometimes we feel that we're doing our part by feeding the missionaries and sending our sons or daughters out on full time missions or contributing to the missionary fund but this is not enough and doesn't full fill our requirements.

Mark 16:15 "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"

D&C 84:74 "Those who have received the kingdom must preach it unto those who have not"

1 Corinthians 9:16 "necessity is laid upon me; yea woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel"

Pay particular attention to this 1 Corinthians: "woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel."

Do not suppose that he is not talking to you and me. Just as he gave Adam & Eve a commandment in the Garden of Eden to multiply and replenish the earth that is as binding on us as it was them. So is our individual and personal command to share the gospel

The mission of the church is 3 fold. Preach the gospel, redeem the dead and perfect the saints. The last is primarily done by laboring in the first two.

Story of Enos

Enos prayed so hard for a forgiveness of his sins, all day and into the night and once he had obtained an assurance of the forgiveness of his sins and immediately he becomes concerned for his brethren and his posterity.

The Story of the sons of Mosiah. Once they had received a forgiveness of their sins, they to had a desire to bring souls unto Christ insomuch that they preached the gospel the rest of their lives. Alma even gave up being a ruler and judge over them to go preach the gospel to them when they became wicked. Why would he do this?

D&C 15:6 "The thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to.....bring souls unto Christ." Of all the things we can do, the most important is to bring souls unto him.

Missionary Work.

Mosiah 28:3 "The sons of Mosiah could not bear that any human soul should perish. We have the Book of Mormon because Enos couldn't bear that his posterity would be lost and not know the blessings of the Atonement and his great love for us.

Each Sunday when we take the sacrament we promise to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places". This is sharing the gospel.

During the sacrament prayer he promises us "we will have his Spirit more abundantly" as we do this. I personally can tell you this is absolutely the truth. All of us can share the gospel with others because of his Spirit. Eternal Life is the reward for doing this. Think about that.

1 Nephi 13:37 "Blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and power of the Holy Ghost."

D&C