Look the part, act the part, be the part

Story:

In a most memorable story from the Book of Mormon, the people of Ammon had covenanted never again to take up weapons for the shedding of blood. But "when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions . . . which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country" (Alma 53:13). Helaman and his brethren persuaded them to honor their covenant with the Lord.

We can't tell from the story, who first pointed out that their sons had not made the same covenant their parents had made. Perhaps it was one of the young men who suggested the possibility that he and his buddies be allowed to "take up arms, and [call] themselves Nephites.

"And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives" (Alma 53:16–17).

This was an incredible job for a group of 2,000 young men, but they were extraordinary young men. "They were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

"Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him" (Alma 53:20–21).

The story continues by relating how these young men fought valiantly against the much older and much more experienced Lamanite army. In the words of their leader-Helaman, "They . . . fought as if with the strength of God; . . . and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war" (Alma 56:56).

Can you believe that? Aren't they great? These inexperienced young men were so spiritually and physically prepared, and so powerful, that they frightened their foes into surrendering! Although all 2,000 of the young men were wounded in battle at one time or another, not one was killed (see Alma 57:25). Helaman said: "And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power" (Alma 57:26).

Clarion Call: We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries who, like Helaman's 2,000 stripling warriors, are "exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity" and who are "true at all times in whatsoever thing they [are] entrusted" (Alma 53:20).

We need missionaries who are valiant, courage, strength, active, true.

How do missionaries really act? (Certainly not like the ones in this video clip filmed in Toronto for Mr. Sub)

"To those of you who are currently serving as full-time missionaries, we thank you for your service. Today is a good time for each of you to take a close look at your performance; and if you are not measuring up, your mission president will help you make the necessary changes to be an effective, dedicated servant of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Elder Ballard, October 2002 General Conference Talk)

Application:

1. Who are your favorite missionaries in the Book of Mormon and why?
2. Get your Dad to tell you a story or two about his mission?
3. Read an experience from Grandpa and Grandpa's mission as posted in a blog earlier today.
4. Look at the Blog about Grandpa's Mission to France - http://frenchmissionary.blogspot.com/ - Can you identify the missionaries in your family history ancestry line?

Start the New Year With Gratitude

Gratitude: While studying the new "Teachings of Presidents of the Church " manual on Joseph Smith and some of his journal entries, I noted an entry on January 1st where he expressed gratitude for having been permitted to live yet another year.

In October General Conference, President Eyring counseled us to write something every day for which we are grateful that the Lord has blessed our lives.

The December 22, 2007 Church News had a fascinating editorial on gratitude of particular interest to this mission:

"While preparing a (Church) lesson on gratitude, I experienced Doctrine and Covenants 78:19:

"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

My heart pounded and my blood rushed. Where had this scripture been hiding? I understand math. Added one hundred fold at least; from simple gratitude. Plus it said "this earth." Sometimes blessings feel so far in the future. One hundred are available here and now.

Jubilantly I shared this with my visiting teaching message. Those I visited wanted the reference. My family memorized it before they could have the home evening treat. My son serving a mission enjoying few baptisms needed this scripture. Be thankful to have the gospel to share, even if it isn't accepted. Keep loving the people and it will come back to you one hundred fold. Be obedient and you will be blessed with what you need. I wrote my missionary I wasn't sure what the "glorious" entailed but it had to be good it it was coming from Heavenly Father.

A month later this scripture again came to mind and enveloped my soul when our son and his companion serving on the French Caribbean island of Martinique spent three days missing on Mount Pelee. They share a love of nature, and the earth gave them enough water and food to survive. The people they love were searching for them and many more cam. They prayed for deliverance. Prayers multiplied from homes and temple altars in many nations. Fasting increased. These young men asked for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and it never left the.

With honor, through obedience, they used priesthood power to bless one another. The powers of heaven and the things of this earth were "added unto them."

Upon hearing they were found and unharmed, my spirit, heart, mind and body came together in an uncontainable burst of loving gratitude to our Father in Heaven. I will share with my son that I have now been blessed to understand, at least in small part, what "thankfulness shall be made glorious" entails. And yes, it is good. Very good. --Donna Gray, Taylorsville Utah (mother of Elder Tyson Gray)

Family Home Evening Activity:

1) Resolve to write down something every day for which you are grateful.
2) Recognize Heavenly Father's blessings and express gratitude to Him.
3) Review your daily journal often.

Stand still to see the salvation of God

Doctrine of the plan of happiness: In order to qualify for eternal life, we must "repent, all ye ends of the earth and come unto me and be baptized in my name that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day." (3 Nephi 27:20) This is the doctrinal foundation of missionary work. Repent means change. Being sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost means being purified and standing spotless before God in the last day is the challenge. We must listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and do what He says.

Principle of Prayer and Fasting: To receive promptings of the Holy Ghost we must ask with real intent. (Moroni 10:3-5). Alma gives us a wonderful example of this in Chapter 5:46 - "I say unto you that they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God., Behold I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirt; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me." We can and should be specific in our prayers. In Alma 34: 19-27, Alma's missionary companion Almulek counsels us about praying for our fields, our flocks, our houses, our enemies, our crops, our welfare and for the welfare of those around us.

Application - The Story of the Missing Martinique Elders: On Monday December 3, 2007, Grandpa Robison received a phone call from Elder Beck, a zone leader serving in Martinique. Elder Beck reported that two missionaries, Elder Tyson Gray and Elder Thomas Swain had not returned home that evening. This is the first time Grandpa and Grandma Robison had received this type of message in the 18 months that they have been serving. The next morning Grandpa and Grandma boarded a plane and flew from Trinidad to Martinique to direct the search for the missing elders.

The week prior to the disappearance of the elders, Martinique had been hit by a serious earthquake and on August 16th of this year, the island had been plastered by Hurricane Dean. (See Section 43:25 of the Doctrine and Covenants.) The Lord is speaking to the people of Martinique, which has the lowest rate of baptisms in the mission.

Grandpa did not know for sure where the elders were lost. They had been very vague in their report to their zone leader the night before preparation day. The two elders had also been warned about how difficult a hike up Mount Pelee would be because of the difficulty in getting transportation back to their proselyting area by 6 p.m.

Grandpa organized the members and missionaries in their search efforts. He flew in the two elders who had trained the two missing elders from French Guiana. He flew in 4 members from Guadeloupe to search and put 4 missionaries from Guadeloupe on a ferry with their van to assist in Martinique on the search. Members distributed flyers all over the island at every hospital, taxi station, city hall and market place in every village in Martinque. Everything that was possible to do to find the elders was done. Search parties were organized on Mont Pelee and the police had dozens and dozens of men hiking through the woods in search of the two elders. The elders and members were counseled to pray specifically for inspiration as to exactly where to find the elders.

The newspaper put a picture of the elders on the front page. Everyone Martinique was talking about the missing elders. It was at that point on Thursday morning, that the words of this scripture came to mind: "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie within our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17)

After it it was all said and done....we had done everything within our power...the missionaries and members had held a mission-wide fast...members and leaders throughout the world had fasted and prayed for the missing elders as did their families and the wards of their families...it was a Hindu man who had a vision Wednesday night that he would find the elders on his property in the dense vegetation....and Thursday morning he found them.

The missing elders told us that they had started off the volcano in search of a little village they saw in the distance so they would be home in time to proselyte. They quickly found that there were unseen dangers (crevices, cliffs, etc) for having strayed from the path. They were protected from wild animals such as snakes. They were not exposed to severe weather conditions such as the rain that fell before they left and after they were found. They found an irrigation pipe that gave them clean water. They found an abandoned refrigerator that held some flat coke and a bottle of rum with soaked apricots. By not touching the rum, the media learned about the word of wisdom. Who else would the Lord provide an old refrigerator other than two lost missionaries....is this all a coincidence? Do you see the hand of the Lord every step of the way?

Prayers had been answered....we had done everything in our power to find the elders and the the salvation of God was made manifest.

Family Home Evening Discussion Questions:

1) What is the importance of the Holy Ghost in our lives?

2) What are the things that we should pray for?

3) Why is fasting important and what is its purpose?

4) What is Heavenly Father telling the people in Martinique?

5) What must we do in order for Heavenly Father to show us His miracles?