Come Follow Me

Come Follow Me

As an opening hymn, for Family Home Evening, you could sing Hymn Number 116.

"Come Follow Me," the Savior said. Then let us in His footsteps tread. For thus alone can we be one, with God's own loved, begotten Son.

"Come follow me," a simple phrase, yet truth's sublime, effulgent rays, are in these simple words combine, to urge , inspire, the human mind.

Is it enough, alone to know, that we must follow Him below, while traveling through this vale of tears? No, this extends to holier spheres.

Not only shall we emulate, his course while in this earthly state, but when we're freed from present cares, if with our Lord we would be heirs." (Hymn 116)

Scriptural Application

The Savior teaches us very clearly in terms of every day experience that all can understand. You all have read the admonition of the Savior in Matthew 4:18 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers."

Verse 19. "And he saith unto the, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Verse 20. "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."

Practical Application - St. Lucia - same beach where Dallin was baptized

The photos taken here in St. Lucia by our area Doctor, Elder Otto, are fascinating. Note the muscles on the backs and shoulders of the fishermen. These men were used to working hard every day and using every muscle to pull in their nets.

Note the picture of the fishermen, who cast their net beside the boat as the Savior encouraged Peter to do in Luke 5:4. And verse 6 shows they "inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake." (see the picture of the full net)

Grandpa's Personal Experience (December 14, 2007)

How can we apply the scriptures to our every day lives? How can we make the Savior's teachings come alive? A week ago, I had the experience of teaching a discussion with two of our missionaries in Guadeloupe along with the District President. When the mother, who has 7 children (6 of whom are baptism age) responded that it would be fine for her sons to be baptized, but that she and her common law husband would wait three years to get legally married, the missionaries gulped. This is what the woman had told them a few days prior.

President Gamiette opened up his scriptures and referred to the story of Peter and Andrew in Matthew 4, who were invited by the Savior to "come follow Him". He asked the good woman, "what was their response?" Before she could answer, I told her I knew the answer - "They waited three years until they could get the boat paid for until they could take care of other things." Immediately, it dawned on this sister that she needed to do as Peter and Andrew did..."and they straightway left their nets, and followed him." (Matthew 4:20)

When I visited with the missionaries a few days later, they were excited to report that the Sister and her husband are getting married next month (it takes 30 days in Guadeloupe) and preparing for baptism after that. Two of her sons will be baptized next Saturday.

What a great example of "straightway" leaving their nets.

Discussion:

Do we straightway leave our nets and follow the Savior? Are there things in our lives that are holding us back from following Him?

Closing Hymn:

"We must the onward path pursue, as wider fields expand to view, and follow him unceasingly, whate'er our lot or shere may be."

"For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs, and glory great and bliss our ours, if we, throughout eternity, obey his words, "come follow me."

The Great Commandment

The Great Commandment

Discuss: What best defines us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Elder Wirthlin's teachings. In his October 2007 General Conference address, Elder Wirthlin taught that at the time Jesus walked the earth, the Pharisees tried to trick him with a question they thought was impossible to answer: "Which is the great commandment in the law?" This had been the subject of great debate and those Pharisees had made a list of over 600 commandments.

When the Savior responded, his answer dismayed them because he had identified their biggest weakness. He said"

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 22: 37-40)

Can you think of examples where people have shown this type of love?

Two examples.

In his address, Elder Wirthlin gave a couple of stories. One was about a 14 year old boy that did not have anywhere to stay when he came to Nauvoo looking for his brother. It was winter and the boy did not have money or friends. When he asked about his brother, he was taken to a large house that looked like a hotel and was cared for. When he tried to leave the next day during a storm, the man of the house told him to wait for a while until a team of horses came. The boy responded that he did not have money, but the kind man said it would be taken care of. This man was none other than the prophet Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith was asked one time why he had so many followers. His reply was simple. He said that it was because he possessed the principle of love.

Another example taught by Elder Wirthlin was of an elderly man who started painting his wife's finger nails as she became increasingly blind. For five years he painted her nails because of the joy it brought to her.

Ask: Can you think of another story of someone who showed charity?

On our mission, I often quote President Benson to the missionaries. "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that very moment God will endow us with power." To this quote, Elder Wirthlin gave another dimension in his talk. "When we love the Lord, obedience ceases to be a burden and becomes a delight." He explained that when we love the Lord, we seek less for things that benefit us and turn our hearts more toward blessing the lives of those around us.

So, Elder Wirthlin gives us the answer to the question: "what quality defines us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Answer: We are a people who love the Lord with all our hearts, souls and minds, and we love our neighbors as ourselves. He said this is our signature as a people.

Look at the picture of the Savior.

When He meets with us on that final day, he will not ask us about our Church callings or about our things we have acquired or even about our accomplishments. He will ask if we have "ministered to the sick, gave food and drink to the hungry and succor to the weak. When we reach out to the least of these our brethren, we have done it unto Him." (Matt. 25:31-40)

Activity:

Can you make plans tonight to help someone you know? Can you visit someone that is sick, elderly, or in need of help?