Dear Missionaries,
When a person begins living on a diet of frequent prayer, scripture study, clean and purposeful living and centering one’s life on the words, teachings and practices of Jesus Christ, something both amazing and predictable happens every time:
The person’s countenance changes.
What is countenance?
It is the appearance conveyed, or shown, by a person's face. And a countenance only changes externally when a heart changes internally.
I know this because I see it happen on a regular basis. Being a mission president is somewhat like a being a director of a laboratory. The experiment we are conducting is described in the 32nd chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. The experiment does not involve investigators of our religion – we use our own lab rats for this one – our very own fulltime missionaries. We invite each missionary upon arrival in the mission field to do an experiment with the way they live and act and think. We invite each to “come unto Christ”.
The prophet Alma teaches that faith is a principle of action and power. He invites all to “awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.” (see Alma 32:27)
These words refer to the gospel of Jesus Christ – the teachings of Christ and the reality of His Atonement. Once these words go down deep into our hearts, a wonderful thing happens that is promised to all by Alma: They “enlighten [your] understanding”.
Just last week I was interviewing one of our missionaries. He has been on his mission for almost a year. When he arrived he was full of fear, uncertainty and doubt. He lacked confidence, testimony and character. But he was willing to give it a try.
The young man sitting in front of me now looked different than before. His eyes were sparkling with joy and hope. His posture was erect and energized. His overall countenance glowed with happiness. His life was full of light – heavenly light.
The Lord had blessed and magnified this young man as he consistently experimented with the word. Through a daily diet of frequent prayer, scripture study, clean and purposeful living and centering his life on the words, teachings and practices of Jesus Christ, something both amazing and predictable had happened to him.
There is something exceptionally powerful and real within the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This experiment is not only for our missionaries or those investigating the church – it is for all of us.
Many people are searching for purpose in life. They are concerned for their families. They need the sense of belonging that comes from the knowledge that they are children of God, members of His eternal family. They want to feel secure in a world of changing values.
The gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith will bless their families; meet their spiritual needs and help them fulfill their deepest desires.
When it goes down deep into the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost, their countenances will change for now they see their purpose in life.
When we begin following the examples of Christ in our thoughts and actions, positive changes will always occur. If this is so, then why do so many stay stuck in their “old ways”?
It is for two reasons: we are unable to see the mess we’re in and/or we like our old habits, even if they are not good for us.
Dallin H. Oaks, a modern (or latter) day Apostle teaches this in his own word, “The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change…The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change.”
Because of our understanding of God’s plan for man, the necessity to change is a huge deal – perhaps the biggest deal of your life!
A number of our missionaries have recently shared with me, via there weekly emails, personal experiences that testify of the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These missionaries have countenances that are filled with the love of God.
Notes from the field:
#1 “Dear President, How gratifying it is to be in the service of God and of our fellow men. More and more do I see the need of this restored gospel embedded in the daily life of every human being we contact. He, who watches over this marvelous work, knows the desires of our hearts, and it is His ultimate goal to help us in our journey towards our Heavenly Father. How humbling an assignment it is, to go and do, and specifically minister to his children, as they come unto Him. Not only investigators, but missionaries as well.”
#2. Dear President: Something has really hit me as I've been preparing to leave this area. I way too often confused the ends and the means. This week during weekly planning which lasted a lot longer than usual, and for us they usually go longer anyways, I spent all of it carefully considering how to best plan for the conversion of those I teach. We began by selecting a vision of ours. Some commitment we wanted them to decide to follow on their own without our forcing during the lesson. We then made goals that reflected that vision: Lessons to teach, and smaller commitments that would lead into that larger commitment. Finally we made plans to teach specific principles in specific ways to make sure that it was custom fit to our investigator's needs, and that it would better address their concerns. This reflecting our visions and goals had helped me teach some of the best lessons of my mission, not because there was a spiritual flood of knowledge, but our focus has changed to their conversion, and we have specific visions, goals and plans. When our investigators have them as well, they progress. It seems to be that simple. I love it.”
3. “Dear President, We play basketball with this non member and his progression has been slow, he has had a very tough life and a lot of struggles. Ever since he has been meeting with us, each week we see a change in him. We aren’t the only ones seeing changes in him, he invited his aunt to come to the church to come have a lesson and watch us play basketball. The only reason she came was because she never thought that he would ever go in a church or say a prayer -- so she had to investigate what he was doing. She came and we had a great lesson and then I talked to her while everyone was playing. She expressed sincere gratitude for whatever it is that we have been doing. She told me about his life and how he never smiles and she said, "Look he is smiling. I can see a big change in him.” She started to ask questions about what we have been teaching him. We set up an appointment and now she and her roommate are amazing investigators! Things are rolling here – that’s for sure!”
Elders and Sisters – look in the mirror. What does your countenance say about you? Have you learned that by losing yourself completely in your missionary service that you find yourself happier than you’ve ever been? Many PPM missionaries have purposely placed themselves in this category.
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it, (Matthew 16:25).
When we lose ourselves in the service of the Lord, we end up finding our true selves. We must let go and let God. And then our countenance changes from the inside out.
Counting My Countenance Calories,
Pres. Murray
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Secret to Success
Dear Missionaries,
Would you like to know the secret to success as a missionary? If so, keep reading.
And if you keep reading, you’ll be expected to use this secret. Because once you are given important knowledge, you will be held accountable for what you do with it.
Preach My Gospel states that your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment to help people become faithful members of the Church. The key word is “commitment”. Your commitment is easily measured by observing your daily effort.
The secret to success as a missionary is based on two things: Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice.
In other words, your level of success will be directly linked to your level of effort and your level of sacrifice. The more effort you put into it and the more sacrifices you make, the greater will be your success. This equation is guaranteed. This is the secret to missionary success.
I learned a lot about effort and sacrifice from my father. My dad worked very hard. He owned and operated a creamery in a small town in southern Oregon. The creamery employed about 50 people. It bought raw milk from local farmers and processed it into all kinds of dairy products: milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream, etc.
For over 30 years my dad followed the 6-6-6 Plan. He never called it this – it’s a term I invented to define his effort and sacrifice. My dad would arrive at work each day at 6AM and then he’d work until 6PM. And he worked from 6AM to 6PM for 6 days each week. He only took Sundays off. A typical job requires a person to work 40 hours a week – but my dad worked 72 hours a week. He faithfully followed the 6-6-6 Plan for over 30 years. I never once heard him complain.
As the owner of his company, he was responsible for running the business through good times and bad. I’m sure there were days that he would loved to have handed it over to someone else. But there was no “someone else” to hand it to. It was his job, just like this is your mission. There is no “someone else” to hand it to.
By observing the efforts and sacrifices of my father, I grew up knowing that great effort and sacrifice were required for any degree of success in life. (The photo on the right is of my parents and me at my college graduation in 1977.)
I believe we often underestimate how much effort and sacrifice we can truly give to a cause. One can survive in America by making a mediocre effort each and every day. This is enough for survival in America. But this small effort will not get a Latter-day Saint into heaven, nor will it define an honorable mission!
In our society it is common for young people to attempt something difficult, but to give up after 5-10 minutes if they don’t achieve success. We see this in school, in sports, in video games, in dating – in all kinds of activities.
Learning to work hard and learning to not-give-up are essential survival skills for life. There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself to see how far you can go while serving your mission. Effort begins in your mind and your heart. This is why we set goals for ourselves. Use your goals as the catalyst for personal motivation and measurement.
I believe it’s appropriate to invite each PPM missionary to give a “Super Human Effort” on a daily basis while serving.
You might ask, “Why?”
I simply respond, “Why not?”
It is in the doing of Super Human Efforts that we discover who we are. We find that we have strength, ability and talents that rise to the surface. It’s exciting! We then develop these attributes and become who we are meant to be. I know of no other way to do this.
Super Human Effort is always accompanied by Personal Sacrifice.
What is sacrifice? Many people define sacrifice as giving up something in order to get something better. Nope – this isn’t sacrifice.
To sacrifice is to give up something to help someone else. There is no promise of getting something better. Please ponder this idea for a moment.
Jesus made the greatest sacrifice. He suffered for our sins. Then He gave His life for us. To obey our Father in Heaven, we often must sacrifice.
Our Father in Heaven commands us to make the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. That means giving up our sins and our pride. It means being willing to remember Jesus always and to keep His commandments, no matter what the cost.
This means that:
1. We have faith in Jesus, we repent of our sins, we are baptized, and we keep Jesus’ commandments.
2. We tell other people about our belief in Jesus so they may become His followers and join His Church.
3. We are willing to do any work in Jesus’ Church that He wants us to do.
To return to our Father in Heaven, we must be willing to give everything Jesus asks us to give. The Apostle Paul said we should use our time on this earth to do all we can to help in Jesus’ work. He says we must “put on Christ”.
What is the fuel that motivates a person to give Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice? It is the love of God. It is knowing and loving the Lord and then, in return, feeling His love for you.
President Henry B. Eyring teaches, “It is by giving our whole hearts to the Master and keeping His commandments that we come to know Him. In time, through the power of the Atonement, our hearts are changed, and we can become like Him.”
You have been called and set apart as missionaries of Jesus Christ. President Eyring says that you cannot succeed until you “see with spiritual eyes what it means to be called to serve in the restored Church of Jesus Christ. This is the kingdom of God on the earth. Because of that, it has a power beyond any other endeavor in which humans can engage. That power depends on the faith of those called to serve.”
“You are called of God. The Lord knows you. He chose you. You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. His work is to bless His Father’s spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life. So, your calling is to bless lives.” (Rise to Your Call, Ensign, November, 2002.)
Your success as a missionary will depend on your Super Human Effort and your Personal Sacrifice. Not just for 1-2 days or 1-2 weeks, but for the duration of your mission. This is what it means to “endure to the end”. You can activate the power that President Eyring speaks of through your faithful effort and sacrifice.
And you have the power, right now, to become and remain a successful missionary. It starts with a decision – in your mind and in your heart. The decision is: I WILL DO IT. I MUST DO IT. I WILL GIVE SUPER HUMAN EFFORT AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE. This decision leads to commitment. The commitment leads to a prayer where you promise to give Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice throughout your mission. And then you announce it to your companion and your refuse to live below this powerful standard. You refuse to let discouragement, disunity, discord, distance or discontent throw you off this wonderful pathway for success.
Many years from now you’ll look back on your mission. I hope you’ll be able to say, “My mission created the foundation for a successful LIFE. I learned how to work. I learned how to replace fear with faith. I learned the Gospel. I learned how to give Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice through good days and bad. I learned how to live.”
With all my love,
Pres. Murray
Would you like to know the secret to success as a missionary? If so, keep reading.
And if you keep reading, you’ll be expected to use this secret. Because once you are given important knowledge, you will be held accountable for what you do with it.
Preach My Gospel states that your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment to help people become faithful members of the Church. The key word is “commitment”. Your commitment is easily measured by observing your daily effort.
The secret to success as a missionary is based on two things: Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice.
In other words, your level of success will be directly linked to your level of effort and your level of sacrifice. The more effort you put into it and the more sacrifices you make, the greater will be your success. This equation is guaranteed. This is the secret to missionary success.
I learned a lot about effort and sacrifice from my father. My dad worked very hard. He owned and operated a creamery in a small town in southern Oregon. The creamery employed about 50 people. It bought raw milk from local farmers and processed it into all kinds of dairy products: milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, sour cream, etc.
For over 30 years my dad followed the 6-6-6 Plan. He never called it this – it’s a term I invented to define his effort and sacrifice. My dad would arrive at work each day at 6AM and then he’d work until 6PM. And he worked from 6AM to 6PM for 6 days each week. He only took Sundays off. A typical job requires a person to work 40 hours a week – but my dad worked 72 hours a week. He faithfully followed the 6-6-6 Plan for over 30 years. I never once heard him complain. As the owner of his company, he was responsible for running the business through good times and bad. I’m sure there were days that he would loved to have handed it over to someone else. But there was no “someone else” to hand it to. It was his job, just like this is your mission. There is no “someone else” to hand it to.
By observing the efforts and sacrifices of my father, I grew up knowing that great effort and sacrifice were required for any degree of success in life. (The photo on the right is of my parents and me at my college graduation in 1977.)
I believe we often underestimate how much effort and sacrifice we can truly give to a cause. One can survive in America by making a mediocre effort each and every day. This is enough for survival in America. But this small effort will not get a Latter-day Saint into heaven, nor will it define an honorable mission!
In our society it is common for young people to attempt something difficult, but to give up after 5-10 minutes if they don’t achieve success. We see this in school, in sports, in video games, in dating – in all kinds of activities.
Learning to work hard and learning to not-give-up are essential survival skills for life. There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself to see how far you can go while serving your mission. Effort begins in your mind and your heart. This is why we set goals for ourselves. Use your goals as the catalyst for personal motivation and measurement.
I believe it’s appropriate to invite each PPM missionary to give a “Super Human Effort” on a daily basis while serving.
You might ask, “Why?”
I simply respond, “Why not?”
It is in the doing of Super Human Efforts that we discover who we are. We find that we have strength, ability and talents that rise to the surface. It’s exciting! We then develop these attributes and become who we are meant to be. I know of no other way to do this.
Super Human Effort is always accompanied by Personal Sacrifice.
What is sacrifice? Many people define sacrifice as giving up something in order to get something better. Nope – this isn’t sacrifice.
To sacrifice is to give up something to help someone else. There is no promise of getting something better. Please ponder this idea for a moment.
Jesus made the greatest sacrifice. He suffered for our sins. Then He gave His life for us. To obey our Father in Heaven, we often must sacrifice.
Our Father in Heaven commands us to make the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. That means giving up our sins and our pride. It means being willing to remember Jesus always and to keep His commandments, no matter what the cost.
This means that:
1. We have faith in Jesus, we repent of our sins, we are baptized, and we keep Jesus’ commandments.
2. We tell other people about our belief in Jesus so they may become His followers and join His Church.
3. We are willing to do any work in Jesus’ Church that He wants us to do.
To return to our Father in Heaven, we must be willing to give everything Jesus asks us to give. The Apostle Paul said we should use our time on this earth to do all we can to help in Jesus’ work. He says we must “put on Christ”.
What is the fuel that motivates a person to give Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice? It is the love of God. It is knowing and loving the Lord and then, in return, feeling His love for you.
President Henry B. Eyring teaches, “It is by giving our whole hearts to the Master and keeping His commandments that we come to know Him. In time, through the power of the Atonement, our hearts are changed, and we can become like Him.”
You have been called and set apart as missionaries of Jesus Christ. President Eyring says that you cannot succeed until you “see with spiritual eyes what it means to be called to serve in the restored Church of Jesus Christ. This is the kingdom of God on the earth. Because of that, it has a power beyond any other endeavor in which humans can engage. That power depends on the faith of those called to serve.”“You are called of God. The Lord knows you. He chose you. You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. His work is to bless His Father’s spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life. So, your calling is to bless lives.” (Rise to Your Call, Ensign, November, 2002.)
Your success as a missionary will depend on your Super Human Effort and your Personal Sacrifice. Not just for 1-2 days or 1-2 weeks, but for the duration of your mission. This is what it means to “endure to the end”. You can activate the power that President Eyring speaks of through your faithful effort and sacrifice.
And you have the power, right now, to become and remain a successful missionary. It starts with a decision – in your mind and in your heart. The decision is: I WILL DO IT. I MUST DO IT. I WILL GIVE SUPER HUMAN EFFORT AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE. This decision leads to commitment. The commitment leads to a prayer where you promise to give Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice throughout your mission. And then you announce it to your companion and your refuse to live below this powerful standard. You refuse to let discouragement, disunity, discord, distance or discontent throw you off this wonderful pathway for success.
Many years from now you’ll look back on your mission. I hope you’ll be able to say, “My mission created the foundation for a successful LIFE. I learned how to work. I learned how to replace fear with faith. I learned the Gospel. I learned how to give Super Human Effort and Personal Sacrifice through good days and bad. I learned how to live.”
With all my love,
Pres. Murray
Monday, May 10, 2010
Love is the Answer
Dear Missionaries,
I don’t always know what the question is. But I do know the answer. The answer is: LOVE.
The scriptures teach that God is love: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love,” (1 John 4:8). “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him,” (1 John 4:16).
If God is love, then love is an enabling power available to all of God’s children. It is a force for good. In fact, it is the force and source of the greatest good.
When we are filled with the love of God, everything changes. We see life differently. We respond to challenges in a new way. Our outlook on life changes. We change our minds about life! We transform! (See Romans 12:2.)
Joseph Smith taught: “A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”
Love is the fuel by which those who come unto Christ live their lives. For this to be true, it must work in the best of times and the worst of times. Let me explain by telling you about World War II and an amazing man named Victor Frankl.
Some of your grandparents or great-grandparents fought in this war. It was a global military conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945 and involved most of the world's nations, including all of the great powers. It was organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies (the good guys, including America and England) and the Axis (the bad guys, including Nazi Germany and Japan). It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million military personnel mobilized.
Marked by significant action against civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in a war, it was the deadliest conflict in human history, with over 70 million deaths.
The Holocaust is the term used to describe the intentional murder of approximately six million European Jews during World War II by Nazi Germany. Jews were forced into concentration camps where they were tortured and then murdered. Only a few Jews survived the concentration camps. One of them was Victor Frankl.
Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist. In 1942, at age 37, the Germans deported him, his wife, and his parents to the Theresienstadt concentration camp. In 1944, he was moved to Auschwitz concentration camp and was then to the Türkheim concentration camp. Meanwhile, his wife had been transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where she was murdered, and his parents had been sent to Auschwitz where they were murdered.
On April 27, 1945, American soldiers took control of Auschwitz and liberated Frankl. To be liberated is to be set free. At last he was free!
Victor Frankl was blessed with a mind capable of learning important lessons even in the darkest of times. He found purpose and meaning in the worst of all situations. Read his account of an experience he had while working in the harsh conditions of the Auschwitz concentration camp:
“... We stumbled on in the darkness, over big stones and through large puddles, along the one road leading from the camp. The accompanying guards kept shouting at us and driving us with the butts of their rifles. Anyone with very sore feet supported himself on his neighbor's arm. Hardly a word was spoken; the icy wind did not encourage talk. Hiding his mouth behind his upturned collar, the man marching next to me whispered suddenly: "If our wives could see us now! I do hope they are better off in their camps and don't know what is happening to us."
That brought thoughts of my own wife to mind. And as we stumbled on for miles, slipping on icy spots, supporting each other time and again, dragging one another up and onward, nothing was said, but we both knew: each of us was thinking of his wife. Occasionally I looked at the sky, where the stars were fading and the pink light of the morning was beginning to spread behind a dark bank of clouds. But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look was then more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.
A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth -- that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way – an honorable way – in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfillment. For the first time in my life I was able to understand the meaning of the words, "The angels are lost in perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory...."
The above quotation comes from Victor Frankl’s famous book, Man's Search for Meaning. I encourage you to read this book when you get home from your mission.
In one of the darkest period’s of human history, with a front row seat, Frankl discovered something great: “love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire.”
In a speech given at BYU in January 1996, Professor C. Terry Warner connects Victor Frankl’s observations about love with the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Professor Warner teaches how we can each turn love into a power for good:
“The Savior seems to say to us: "Come unto me, and I will give you such assurance and hope and strength that you cannot be taken hostage by anyone who seems to do you harm. I will liberate you into love. And then you will no longer give anyone cause to resent or fear you. Instead, they will respond to the love that I have bestowed upon you. By abiding in me, you will do much good, bear much fruit."
How then shall we come unto Christ so that everything will be different from what it could possibly be otherwise?
By sacrificing all taking of offense. By giving up criticism, impatience, and contempt, for they accuse the sisters and brothers for whom Christ died. By forswearing vulgarity and pornography, which diminish both the user and the used. By putting aside, in short, every practice that bears the image of murder, obliteration of souls, discord, and death. By giving these practices their true name, violence, and abhorring even their first appearance. By renouncing war in every form and proclaiming peace (see D&C 98:16).”
As a missionary, you are far away from the comforts of home. But you can find a new home in the arms of God as you come unto Christ in your life! You can feel of His love for you. You can gain literal strength and power through this love, as did missionaries of long ago: “blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land,” (Alma 26:36).
So many people are “running on empty”. They are empty of love. It is our job, our responsibility and our privilege to help fill them with love. Life’s most important questions all have the same answer: LOVE.
Powered by love,
Pres. Murray
I don’t always know what the question is. But I do know the answer. The answer is: LOVE.
The scriptures teach that God is love: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love,” (1 John 4:8). “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him,” (1 John 4:16).
If God is love, then love is an enabling power available to all of God’s children. It is a force for good. In fact, it is the force and source of the greatest good.
When we are filled with the love of God, everything changes. We see life differently. We respond to challenges in a new way. Our outlook on life changes. We change our minds about life! We transform! (See Romans 12:2.)
Joseph Smith taught: “A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”
Love is the fuel by which those who come unto Christ live their lives. For this to be true, it must work in the best of times and the worst of times. Let me explain by telling you about World War II and an amazing man named Victor Frankl.
Some of your grandparents or great-grandparents fought in this war. It was a global military conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945 and involved most of the world's nations, including all of the great powers. It was organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies (the good guys, including America and England) and the Axis (the bad guys, including Nazi Germany and Japan). It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million military personnel mobilized.
Marked by significant action against civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in a war, it was the deadliest conflict in human history, with over 70 million deaths.
The Holocaust is the term used to describe the intentional murder of approximately six million European Jews during World War II by Nazi Germany. Jews were forced into concentration camps where they were tortured and then murdered. Only a few Jews survived the concentration camps. One of them was Victor Frankl.
Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist. In 1942, at age 37, the Germans deported him, his wife, and his parents to the Theresienstadt concentration camp. In 1944, he was moved to Auschwitz concentration camp and was then to the Türkheim concentration camp. Meanwhile, his wife had been transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where she was murdered, and his parents had been sent to Auschwitz where they were murdered.
On April 27, 1945, American soldiers took control of Auschwitz and liberated Frankl. To be liberated is to be set free. At last he was free!
Victor Frankl was blessed with a mind capable of learning important lessons even in the darkest of times. He found purpose and meaning in the worst of all situations. Read his account of an experience he had while working in the harsh conditions of the Auschwitz concentration camp:
“... We stumbled on in the darkness, over big stones and through large puddles, along the one road leading from the camp. The accompanying guards kept shouting at us and driving us with the butts of their rifles. Anyone with very sore feet supported himself on his neighbor's arm. Hardly a word was spoken; the icy wind did not encourage talk. Hiding his mouth behind his upturned collar, the man marching next to me whispered suddenly: "If our wives could see us now! I do hope they are better off in their camps and don't know what is happening to us."
That brought thoughts of my own wife to mind. And as we stumbled on for miles, slipping on icy spots, supporting each other time and again, dragging one another up and onward, nothing was said, but we both knew: each of us was thinking of his wife. Occasionally I looked at the sky, where the stars were fading and the pink light of the morning was beginning to spread behind a dark bank of clouds. But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look was then more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.
A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth -- that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way – an honorable way – in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfillment. For the first time in my life I was able to understand the meaning of the words, "The angels are lost in perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory...."
The above quotation comes from Victor Frankl’s famous book, Man's Search for Meaning. I encourage you to read this book when you get home from your mission.
In one of the darkest period’s of human history, with a front row seat, Frankl discovered something great: “love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire.”
In a speech given at BYU in January 1996, Professor C. Terry Warner connects Victor Frankl’s observations about love with the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Professor Warner teaches how we can each turn love into a power for good:
“The Savior seems to say to us: "Come unto me, and I will give you such assurance and hope and strength that you cannot be taken hostage by anyone who seems to do you harm. I will liberate you into love. And then you will no longer give anyone cause to resent or fear you. Instead, they will respond to the love that I have bestowed upon you. By abiding in me, you will do much good, bear much fruit."
How then shall we come unto Christ so that everything will be different from what it could possibly be otherwise?
By sacrificing all taking of offense. By giving up criticism, impatience, and contempt, for they accuse the sisters and brothers for whom Christ died. By forswearing vulgarity and pornography, which diminish both the user and the used. By putting aside, in short, every practice that bears the image of murder, obliteration of souls, discord, and death. By giving these practices their true name, violence, and abhorring even their first appearance. By renouncing war in every form and proclaiming peace (see D&C 98:16).”
As a missionary, you are far away from the comforts of home. But you can find a new home in the arms of God as you come unto Christ in your life! You can feel of His love for you. You can gain literal strength and power through this love, as did missionaries of long ago: “blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land,” (Alma 26:36).
So many people are “running on empty”. They are empty of love. It is our job, our responsibility and our privilege to help fill them with love. Life’s most important questions all have the same answer: LOVE.
Powered by love,
Pres. Murray
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Open to Persuasion
Dear Missionaries,
The lyrics of a particular song often echo in my mind: “I am not in love, but I’m open to persuasion.”
What is persuasion?
Persuasion is the process of guiding another toward the adoption of an idea, attitude, or action.
In the song, a woman is stating that she is willing to fall in love – but that she first must be persuaded to do it. She’s not against falling in love, but it will require some good old-fashioned persuasion.
When we are “open to persuasion” it means that we are willing to change. We are willing to move in a new direction. We are willing to try something new.
Every missionary hopes that the next new investigator will be “open to persuasion”. We hope they will sing, “I am not a Mormon, but I’m open to persuasion.”
Is it appropriate to use persuasion as part of our missionary tools? Of course! Most people are stuck in their ways. They are not interested in changing. They must be persuaded by someone who cares greatly for them.
Nephi states this very plainly when he says, “For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved,” (1 Nephi 6:4).
Nephi is saying that his entire purpose as a man (“the fulness of mine intent”) is to persuade people to come unto Christ and be saved. Nephi understood that people will not change unless they are persuaded to do so. It is for this reason that he literally gave it his all when teaching.
“Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things,” (1 Nephi 15:25).
“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Nephi understood this principle and this is why he taught with all the energies of his soul and all the faculty (abilities) that he possessed. If he did less than this, then his investigators would not be persuaded to “experiment upon the word” (see Alma 32:27).
The difference between missionary work and being a sales person is that we are NOT trying to convince someone to buy our product! Instead – and this is VERY IMPORTANT – we are striving to get our investigators to their knees in humble prayer so that they can open a channel of true communications with God. We do not try to persuade them to join the Church! Instead we are persuading them to turn themselves towards God to find out if what we teach is true.
We are confident that this process works. This is because what we teach is true and all men and women are born with the Light of Christ – the knowledge of right and wrong. We know that God wants all of His children to find the restored Gospel, to strengthen their faith, repent, get baptized and confirmed, and to endure to the end (which includes receiving the saving ordinance of the temple).
How much do you know and understand about the Light of Christ that resides within each of your investigators?
The following instruction comes from Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles:
The more we know about the Light of Christ, the more we will understand about life and the more we will have a deep love for all mankind. We will be better teachers and missionaries and parents, and better men and women and children. We will have deeper regard for our brothers and sisters in the Church and for those who do not believe and have not yet had conferred upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Light of Christ is defined in the scriptures as “the Spirit [which] giveth light to every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 84:46; emphasis added); “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed” (D&C 88:13; see also John 1:4–9; D&C 84:45–47; D&C 88:6; D&C 93:9).
And the Light of Christ is also described in the scriptures as “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (D&C 84:45), “the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18; see also Mosiah 25:24), “the Spirit of truth” (D&C 93:26), “the light of truth” (D&C 88:6), “the Spirit of God” (D&C 46:17), and “the Holy Spirit” (D&C 45:57). Some of these terms are also used to refer to the Holy Ghost.
The First Presidency has written, “There is a universally diffused essence which is the light and the life of the world, ‘which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,’ which proceedeth forth from the presence of God throughout the immensity of space, the light and power of which God bestows in different degrees to ‘them that ask him,’ according to their faith and obedience.” (Improvement Era, Mar. 1916, 460.)
Regardless of whether this inner light, this knowledge of right and wrong, is called the Light of Christ, moral sense, or conscience, it can direct us to moderate our actions—unless, that is, we subdue it or silence it.” (The Light of Christ, Ensign, April 2005.)
Because we all have the Light of Christ, every person we talk to is “open to persuasion” to learn more about God’s plan for him or her! There is an heaven-sent need and desire for all to do good and be good.
Years of poor choices and bad living can snuff out the Light of Christ. Although it may be deeply buried and hard to find, it is still there!
You and your companion are the Rescue Squad. In your mind, you should think positively and optimistically about each investigator. Can you hear them saying:
“I am not praying about the First Vision, but I’m open to persuasion.”
“I am not reading the Book of Mormon, but I’m open to persuasion.”
“I am not obeying the Law of Chastity, but I’m open to persuasion.”
“I am not coming to Church, but I’m open to persuasion.”
It is vitally important to understand that an invitation to pray or to read is not the same as persuasion!
Persuasion requires planning, passion, energy, emotion, empathy and effort. It is motivated solely by your love for God and your love for your investigator. You are sensing, appropriately, that the very future of your investigator hangs in the balance. If you can successfully persuade them to “experiment with the word” (see Alma 32:27), then you can be assured that God enlighten their soul and they will want more!
We are at war! Satan is a master of persuasion. He makes bad look good.
“Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually,” (Moroni 7:12).
When you were set apart as a missionary, you were given the Power of Persuasion. This true power is enabled and activated by your faith and by your outward actions. You are never alone. When you are meeting with an investigator, always remember:
“And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up,” (D&C 84:88).
As we invite others to come unto Christ, we must persuade them to do those things (pray, read the Book of Mormon, attend Church, clean up their lives) that will convince them of the truth of our great message.
Persuasively yours,
President Murray
The lyrics of a particular song often echo in my mind: “I am not in love, but I’m open to persuasion.”
What is persuasion?
Persuasion is the process of guiding another toward the adoption of an idea, attitude, or action.
In the song, a woman is stating that she is willing to fall in love – but that she first must be persuaded to do it. She’s not against falling in love, but it will require some good old-fashioned persuasion.
When we are “open to persuasion” it means that we are willing to change. We are willing to move in a new direction. We are willing to try something new.
Every missionary hopes that the next new investigator will be “open to persuasion”. We hope they will sing, “I am not a Mormon, but I’m open to persuasion.”
Is it appropriate to use persuasion as part of our missionary tools? Of course! Most people are stuck in their ways. They are not interested in changing. They must be persuaded by someone who cares greatly for them.
Nephi states this very plainly when he says, “For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved,” (1 Nephi 6:4).
Nephi is saying that his entire purpose as a man (“the fulness of mine intent”) is to persuade people to come unto Christ and be saved. Nephi understood that people will not change unless they are persuaded to do so. It is for this reason that he literally gave it his all when teaching.
“Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things,” (1 Nephi 15:25).
“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Nephi understood this principle and this is why he taught with all the energies of his soul and all the faculty (abilities) that he possessed. If he did less than this, then his investigators would not be persuaded to “experiment upon the word” (see Alma 32:27).
The difference between missionary work and being a sales person is that we are NOT trying to convince someone to buy our product! Instead – and this is VERY IMPORTANT – we are striving to get our investigators to their knees in humble prayer so that they can open a channel of true communications with God. We do not try to persuade them to join the Church! Instead we are persuading them to turn themselves towards God to find out if what we teach is true.
We are confident that this process works. This is because what we teach is true and all men and women are born with the Light of Christ – the knowledge of right and wrong. We know that God wants all of His children to find the restored Gospel, to strengthen their faith, repent, get baptized and confirmed, and to endure to the end (which includes receiving the saving ordinance of the temple).
How much do you know and understand about the Light of Christ that resides within each of your investigators?
The following instruction comes from Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles:
The more we know about the Light of Christ, the more we will understand about life and the more we will have a deep love for all mankind. We will be better teachers and missionaries and parents, and better men and women and children. We will have deeper regard for our brothers and sisters in the Church and for those who do not believe and have not yet had conferred upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Light of Christ is defined in the scriptures as “the Spirit [which] giveth light to every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 84:46; emphasis added); “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed” (D&C 88:13; see also John 1:4–9; D&C 84:45–47; D&C 88:6; D&C 93:9).
And the Light of Christ is also described in the scriptures as “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (D&C 84:45), “the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18; see also Mosiah 25:24), “the Spirit of truth” (D&C 93:26), “the light of truth” (D&C 88:6), “the Spirit of God” (D&C 46:17), and “the Holy Spirit” (D&C 45:57). Some of these terms are also used to refer to the Holy Ghost.
The First Presidency has written, “There is a universally diffused essence which is the light and the life of the world, ‘which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,’ which proceedeth forth from the presence of God throughout the immensity of space, the light and power of which God bestows in different degrees to ‘them that ask him,’ according to their faith and obedience.” (Improvement Era, Mar. 1916, 460.)
Regardless of whether this inner light, this knowledge of right and wrong, is called the Light of Christ, moral sense, or conscience, it can direct us to moderate our actions—unless, that is, we subdue it or silence it.” (The Light of Christ, Ensign, April 2005.)
Because we all have the Light of Christ, every person we talk to is “open to persuasion” to learn more about God’s plan for him or her! There is an heaven-sent need and desire for all to do good and be good.
Years of poor choices and bad living can snuff out the Light of Christ. Although it may be deeply buried and hard to find, it is still there!
You and your companion are the Rescue Squad. In your mind, you should think positively and optimistically about each investigator. Can you hear them saying:
“I am not praying about the First Vision, but I’m open to persuasion.”
“I am not reading the Book of Mormon, but I’m open to persuasion.”
“I am not obeying the Law of Chastity, but I’m open to persuasion.”
“I am not coming to Church, but I’m open to persuasion.”
It is vitally important to understand that an invitation to pray or to read is not the same as persuasion!
Persuasion requires planning, passion, energy, emotion, empathy and effort. It is motivated solely by your love for God and your love for your investigator. You are sensing, appropriately, that the very future of your investigator hangs in the balance. If you can successfully persuade them to “experiment with the word” (see Alma 32:27), then you can be assured that God enlighten their soul and they will want more!
We are at war! Satan is a master of persuasion. He makes bad look good.
“Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually,” (Moroni 7:12).
When you were set apart as a missionary, you were given the Power of Persuasion. This true power is enabled and activated by your faith and by your outward actions. You are never alone. When you are meeting with an investigator, always remember:
“And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up,” (D&C 84:88).
As we invite others to come unto Christ, we must persuade them to do those things (pray, read the Book of Mormon, attend Church, clean up their lives) that will convince them of the truth of our great message.
Persuasively yours,
President Murray
Monday, April 19, 2010
Book of Mormon - Essential for Missionary Success
Dear Missionaries,
Can you testify of the convincing and converting power of the Book of Mormon? Have the words of God - in pure doctrine - gone down deep into your heart by the power of the Holy Ghost?
The Book of Mormon is powerful evidence of the divinity of Christ. It is also proof of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith. An essential part of conversion is receiving a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. As a missionary you must first have a personal testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. This testimony can lead to a deep and abiding faith in the power of the Book of Mormon during the conversion process.
All investigators must have a personal conversion experience prior to baptism. They must feel something deep down in their heart that conveys the truth of our message: that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored! This experience is usually the result of (1) learning about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, (2) studying the Book of Mormon and (3) praying to God to know if it is true.
Have confidence that the Holy Ghost will testify to anyone who reads and ponders the Book of Mormon and asks God if it is true with a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ. This witness of the Holy Ghost should be a central focus of your teaching.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following at our most recent General Conference (please read, mark and study each of the scripture references):
“The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the Savior’s gospel and is the only book the Lord Himself has testified to be true (see D&C 17:6). Indeed, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.
The convincing and converting powers of the Book of Mormon come from both a central focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspired plainness and clarity of its teachings. Nephi declared, “My soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn” (2 Nephi 25:4). The root word “plain” in this verse does not refer to things that are ordinary or simple; rather, it denotes instruction that is clear and easily understood.
The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth because it centers upon the Truth (see John 14:6; 1 Nephi 13:40), even Jesus Christ, and restores the plain and precious things that have been taken away from the true gospel (see 1 Nephi 13:26, 28–29, 32, 34–35, 40). The unique combination of these two factors—a focus on the Savior and the plainness of the teachings—powerfully invites the confirming witness of the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost. Consequently, the Book of Mormon speaks to the spirit and to the heart of the reader like no other volume of scripture.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that abiding by the precepts found in the Book of Mormon would help us “get nearer to God” than any other book (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 64). Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our [companionships, districts and zones]. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for [missionaries] to observe their [investigators and recent converts], to listen to them, to learn from them, and to teach them.”
On November 14, 2009, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited our mission. This was an unforgettable experience as he spoke to all missionaries in a special meeting held in the Valley Forge Stake Center. All Apostles have deep testimonies of and reverence for the Book of Mormon. Here is Elder Nelson’s testimony about the Book of Mormon:
“I would like to add my testimony of the divinity of this book. I have read it many times. I have also read much that has been written about it. Some authors have focused upon its stories, its people, or its vignettes of history. Others have been intrigued by its language structure or its records of weapons, geography, animal life, techniques of building, or systems of weights and measures.
Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental. When you read the Book of Mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the book—from its first chapter to the last—the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. And look for a second undergirding theme: God will keep His covenants with the remnants of the house of Israel.
The Book of Mormon is a crucial component of that covenant. It is holy scripture that encompasses sacred writings from the small and large plates of Nephi, the plates of Mormon, the plates of Ether, and the plates of brass, which contained “the five books of Moses, … a record of the Jews, … and … prophecies of the holy prophets.”
When Mormon abridged these records, he noted that he could not write a “hundredth part” of their proceedings. Thus, historical aspects of the book assume secondary significance.
The Holy Bible has 66 individual books; the Book of Mormon contains 15. Its first book of Nephi—written some six centuries before the birth of Jesus—records that the prophet Lehi received a vision of the tree of life. His son Nephi prayed to know its meaning. In answer, he was given a remarkable vision. He beheld a virgin bearing a Child in her arms. He envisioned the Redeemer of the world, His earthly ministry, and His Crucifixion. He saw 12 others who would follow the Holy One. And he foresaw the ongoing opposition to the work of God and of His Apostles.
Other great prophets of the Book of Mormon—in their own way and time—testified of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Among them were the brother of Jared, Zenock, Neum, and Zenos. Testimonies of Jesus Christ that predated His birth in Bethlehem were also recorded from King Benjamin, Abinadi, Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, Amulek, the sons of Mosiah, Captain Moroni, the brothers Nephi and Lehi, and Samuel the Lamanite. In a seemingly endless sequence of prophetic proclamations—testimonies of “all the holy prophets” for “a great many thousand years before his coming” —the Book of Mormon makes the solemn declaration that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.” (A Testimony of the Book of Mormon, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 70).
Elders and Sisters – Strengthen your knowledge and testimony of the Book of Mormon! This will increase your power and authority as you invite others to come unto Christ. From your first day as a PPM Golden to the very last day of your mission, your top priority must be that of inviting all to come to Christ!
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that we should: “search the Scriptures—search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God.” [HC 1:282].
The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion. Use it as your main source for teaching the restored gospel. Memorize key scriptures; carefully study the lessons in Chapter 3 and regularly review, with new eyes, Chapter 5. As we diligently do these things, we have the privilege of praying for miracles for our investigators, our leaders, our members and our areas.
Truly testifying,
President Murray
Can you testify of the convincing and converting power of the Book of Mormon? Have the words of God - in pure doctrine - gone down deep into your heart by the power of the Holy Ghost?
The Book of Mormon is powerful evidence of the divinity of Christ. It is also proof of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith. An essential part of conversion is receiving a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. As a missionary you must first have a personal testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. This testimony can lead to a deep and abiding faith in the power of the Book of Mormon during the conversion process.
All investigators must have a personal conversion experience prior to baptism. They must feel something deep down in their heart that conveys the truth of our message: that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored! This experience is usually the result of (1) learning about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, (2) studying the Book of Mormon and (3) praying to God to know if it is true.
Have confidence that the Holy Ghost will testify to anyone who reads and ponders the Book of Mormon and asks God if it is true with a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ. This witness of the Holy Ghost should be a central focus of your teaching.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following at our most recent General Conference (please read, mark and study each of the scripture references):
“The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the Savior’s gospel and is the only book the Lord Himself has testified to be true (see D&C 17:6). Indeed, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.
The convincing and converting powers of the Book of Mormon come from both a central focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspired plainness and clarity of its teachings. Nephi declared, “My soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn” (2 Nephi 25:4). The root word “plain” in this verse does not refer to things that are ordinary or simple; rather, it denotes instruction that is clear and easily understood.
The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth because it centers upon the Truth (see John 14:6; 1 Nephi 13:40), even Jesus Christ, and restores the plain and precious things that have been taken away from the true gospel (see 1 Nephi 13:26, 28–29, 32, 34–35, 40). The unique combination of these two factors—a focus on the Savior and the plainness of the teachings—powerfully invites the confirming witness of the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost. Consequently, the Book of Mormon speaks to the spirit and to the heart of the reader like no other volume of scripture.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that abiding by the precepts found in the Book of Mormon would help us “get nearer to God” than any other book (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 64). Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our [companionships, districts and zones]. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for [missionaries] to observe their [investigators and recent converts], to listen to them, to learn from them, and to teach them.”
On November 14, 2009, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited our mission. This was an unforgettable experience as he spoke to all missionaries in a special meeting held in the Valley Forge Stake Center. All Apostles have deep testimonies of and reverence for the Book of Mormon. Here is Elder Nelson’s testimony about the Book of Mormon:
“I would like to add my testimony of the divinity of this book. I have read it many times. I have also read much that has been written about it. Some authors have focused upon its stories, its people, or its vignettes of history. Others have been intrigued by its language structure or its records of weapons, geography, animal life, techniques of building, or systems of weights and measures.
Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental. When you read the Book of Mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the book—from its first chapter to the last—the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. And look for a second undergirding theme: God will keep His covenants with the remnants of the house of Israel.
The Book of Mormon is a crucial component of that covenant. It is holy scripture that encompasses sacred writings from the small and large plates of Nephi, the plates of Mormon, the plates of Ether, and the plates of brass, which contained “the five books of Moses, … a record of the Jews, … and … prophecies of the holy prophets.”
When Mormon abridged these records, he noted that he could not write a “hundredth part” of their proceedings. Thus, historical aspects of the book assume secondary significance.
The Holy Bible has 66 individual books; the Book of Mormon contains 15. Its first book of Nephi—written some six centuries before the birth of Jesus—records that the prophet Lehi received a vision of the tree of life. His son Nephi prayed to know its meaning. In answer, he was given a remarkable vision. He beheld a virgin bearing a Child in her arms. He envisioned the Redeemer of the world, His earthly ministry, and His Crucifixion. He saw 12 others who would follow the Holy One. And he foresaw the ongoing opposition to the work of God and of His Apostles.
Other great prophets of the Book of Mormon—in their own way and time—testified of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Among them were the brother of Jared, Zenock, Neum, and Zenos. Testimonies of Jesus Christ that predated His birth in Bethlehem were also recorded from King Benjamin, Abinadi, Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, Amulek, the sons of Mosiah, Captain Moroni, the brothers Nephi and Lehi, and Samuel the Lamanite. In a seemingly endless sequence of prophetic proclamations—testimonies of “all the holy prophets” for “a great many thousand years before his coming” —the Book of Mormon makes the solemn declaration that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.” (A Testimony of the Book of Mormon, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 70).
Elders and Sisters – Strengthen your knowledge and testimony of the Book of Mormon! This will increase your power and authority as you invite others to come unto Christ. From your first day as a PPM Golden to the very last day of your mission, your top priority must be that of inviting all to come to Christ!
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that we should: “search the Scriptures—search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God.” [HC 1:282].
The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion. Use it as your main source for teaching the restored gospel. Memorize key scriptures; carefully study the lessons in Chapter 3 and regularly review, with new eyes, Chapter 5. As we diligently do these things, we have the privilege of praying for miracles for our investigators, our leaders, our members and our areas.
Truly testifying,
President Murray
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Change
Dear Missionaries,
Most people do not like to change. Have you noticed this?
Missionaries don’t like to change areas. Missionaries don’t like to change companions. Missionaries don’t like to change teenage attitudes and self-images, even when it blocks them from being more effective and more Christ-like. Missionaries get upset when a new mission president arrives.
Ward members get upset when a new bishop is called or when ward boundaries are changed.
Investigators don’t like to change their lives – thus making it difficult to keep even simple and basic commitments.
There is an old saying, “People are creatures of habit.” This means that we like to do the things we’ve always done, even if they are destructive, nasty bad habits. We often prefer to be “stuck in our ways”.
And yet the light of Christ in each of us desires a brighter, better life.
When I was a bishop of a YSA ward in the Seattle area, a member made the following statement in a Sacrament Meeting talk: “Here’s what I have learned recently. It is better to have no boyfriend than a bad boyfriend.”
This young woman had been stuck with a bad boyfriend. She was a creature of habit. The boyfriend took away her light and her happiness. But she stayed with him. She gave in to a bad life. But then one day she realized that she had agency – she could choose a new and better life. This would require change, and temporary pain and trauma – she had to break-up! And the result was so much better than she expected! This is always the case when we get rid of the bad and embrace the good.
As a mission president, I’ve been amazed at the way many of our missionaries change for the better. Gone is the inward selfish view of life. Gone is self-doubt, self-absorption, self-misery, and self-justification. These missionaries have listened and learned from the invitation to “let go and let God”. They have replaced their fear of change with faith that God will make them better and happier. (Here’s a little secret: this formula will work every time!)
But some are afraid to change because they believe the result will be terrible. They falsely believe that turning to God will shrink their personalities. They believe that they will lose their identity. They believe that complete obedience to God’s commandments will create a dull and boring life. This is the view that Satan promotes. It is completely false and incorrect. I plead with these missionaries to change their mind!
When we look to God and turn to God and willingly change those things need changing, then we begin to truly live! Consider this gem of a scripture: “Look to God and live” (Alma 37:47).
Joseph Smith once said, “I am at all times willing to give up everything that is wrong, for I wish this people to have a virtuous leader,” History of the Church, 6:412.
President Thomas S. Monson teaches the following about the necessity for personal change:
“During a time long past, and in a place far away, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught the multitudes and His disciples “the way, the truth, and the life.” He provided counsel with His holy words. He lived an example for us with His exemplary life.
His teachings and His example prompted Peter to ask this question: “What manner of persons ought ye to be?” During His ministry on the American continent, the Lord Jesus Christ added significant words when He answered the same question: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
In His earthly ministry, the Master outlined how we should live, how we should teach, how we should serve, and what we should do so that we could become our best selves.
In our mortal journey, the advice of the Apostle Paul provides heavenly guidance:
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Then came the concluding charge: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
In the search for our best selves, several questions will guide our thinking: Am I what I want to be? Am I closer to the Savior today than I was yesterday? Will I be closer yet tomorrow? Do I have the courage to change for the better?” (Source: April 2006, Ensign).
It does take courage to change for the better!
A noted psychoanalyst, who specializes in helping people change, made the following observation about human nature:
“Often we do not choose, but (we) drift into those modes (of thinking and behavior) which eventually define us. Circumstances push and we yield. We did not choose to be what we have become, but gradually, imperceptibly became what we now are by drifting into the doing of those things we now characteristically do,” (Allen Wheelis, How People Change).
None of this would be a bid deal if it were not for our understanding of God’s plan for man.
Alma the Younger, a prophet of God, teaches, “All mankind…must be…changed from their carnal and fallen state…and unless they do this, they can nowise inherit the kingdom of God,” (Mosiah 27:25-26).
Dallin H. Oaks, a modern (or latter) day Apostle teaches this in his own word, “The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change…The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change.”
Because of our understanding of God’s plan for man, the necessity to change is a huge deal – perhaps the biggest deal of your life!
When you are studying Christ-like attributes in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel, you are studying “requirements for change”! When you are inviting a wonderful investigator to make and keep commitments, you are introducing him or her to “requirements for change”!
But change is hard. There are two ways to create change. One is doctrinal and the other is behavioral. When used together, the result is a complete transformation into a “new creature”. Study both of these carefully:
Change based on doctrine - “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel,” (Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, October 1986).
Change based on behavior - “Personality change follows change in behavior. If we want to change what we are, we must begin by changing what we do. The new mode (of behavior) will be experienced as difficult, unpleasant, forced, unnatural, anxiety-provoking. Change will occur only if considerable effort of will is maintained over a long period of time,” (Allen Wheelis, How People Change).
Your 18 months or two years as a missionary is the perfect time for personal change and transformation. This unique once-in-a-lifetime experience allows you all the time and space you need for change. You can become the “real” and “authentic” you when, in the words of Joseph Smith, you “give up everything that is wrong”.
You also now have a better understanding of how difficult it is for your investigators to change. You must develop their trust. And then you must teach like Nephi: “with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty (ie senses) which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things,” (1 Nephi 15:25). If you don’t do this, then they will remain stuck in their ways and we will fail in our efforts to build the Church in PPM.
Change is my middle name,
Pres. Murray
Most people do not like to change. Have you noticed this?Missionaries don’t like to change areas. Missionaries don’t like to change companions. Missionaries don’t like to change teenage attitudes and self-images, even when it blocks them from being more effective and more Christ-like. Missionaries get upset when a new mission president arrives.
Ward members get upset when a new bishop is called or when ward boundaries are changed.
Investigators don’t like to change their lives – thus making it difficult to keep even simple and basic commitments.
There is an old saying, “People are creatures of habit.” This means that we like to do the things we’ve always done, even if they are destructive, nasty bad habits. We often prefer to be “stuck in our ways”.
And yet the light of Christ in each of us desires a brighter, better life.
When I was a bishop of a YSA ward in the Seattle area, a member made the following statement in a Sacrament Meeting talk: “Here’s what I have learned recently. It is better to have no boyfriend than a bad boyfriend.”
This young woman had been stuck with a bad boyfriend. She was a creature of habit. The boyfriend took away her light and her happiness. But she stayed with him. She gave in to a bad life. But then one day she realized that she had agency – she could choose a new and better life. This would require change, and temporary pain and trauma – she had to break-up! And the result was so much better than she expected! This is always the case when we get rid of the bad and embrace the good.
As a mission president, I’ve been amazed at the way many of our missionaries change for the better. Gone is the inward selfish view of life. Gone is self-doubt, self-absorption, self-misery, and self-justification. These missionaries have listened and learned from the invitation to “let go and let God”. They have replaced their fear of change with faith that God will make them better and happier. (Here’s a little secret: this formula will work every time!)But some are afraid to change because they believe the result will be terrible. They falsely believe that turning to God will shrink their personalities. They believe that they will lose their identity. They believe that complete obedience to God’s commandments will create a dull and boring life. This is the view that Satan promotes. It is completely false and incorrect. I plead with these missionaries to change their mind!
When we look to God and turn to God and willingly change those things need changing, then we begin to truly live! Consider this gem of a scripture: “Look to God and live” (Alma 37:47).
Joseph Smith once said, “I am at all times willing to give up everything that is wrong, for I wish this people to have a virtuous leader,” History of the Church, 6:412.
President Thomas S. Monson teaches the following about the necessity for personal change:
“During a time long past, and in a place far away, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught the multitudes and His disciples “the way, the truth, and the life.” He provided counsel with His holy words. He lived an example for us with His exemplary life.
His teachings and His example prompted Peter to ask this question: “What manner of persons ought ye to be?” During His ministry on the American continent, the Lord Jesus Christ added significant words when He answered the same question: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
In His earthly ministry, the Master outlined how we should live, how we should teach, how we should serve, and what we should do so that we could become our best selves.
In our mortal journey, the advice of the Apostle Paul provides heavenly guidance:
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Then came the concluding charge: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
In the search for our best selves, several questions will guide our thinking: Am I what I want to be? Am I closer to the Savior today than I was yesterday? Will I be closer yet tomorrow? Do I have the courage to change for the better?” (Source: April 2006, Ensign).
It does take courage to change for the better!
A noted psychoanalyst, who specializes in helping people change, made the following observation about human nature:“Often we do not choose, but (we) drift into those modes (of thinking and behavior) which eventually define us. Circumstances push and we yield. We did not choose to be what we have become, but gradually, imperceptibly became what we now are by drifting into the doing of those things we now characteristically do,” (Allen Wheelis, How People Change).
None of this would be a bid deal if it were not for our understanding of God’s plan for man.
Alma the Younger, a prophet of God, teaches, “All mankind…must be…changed from their carnal and fallen state…and unless they do this, they can nowise inherit the kingdom of God,” (Mosiah 27:25-26).
Dallin H. Oaks, a modern (or latter) day Apostle teaches this in his own word, “The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change…The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change.”
Because of our understanding of God’s plan for man, the necessity to change is a huge deal – perhaps the biggest deal of your life!
When you are studying Christ-like attributes in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel, you are studying “requirements for change”! When you are inviting a wonderful investigator to make and keep commitments, you are introducing him or her to “requirements for change”!
But change is hard. There are two ways to create change. One is doctrinal and the other is behavioral. When used together, the result is a complete transformation into a “new creature”. Study both of these carefully:Change based on doctrine - “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel,” (Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, October 1986).
Change based on behavior - “Personality change follows change in behavior. If we want to change what we are, we must begin by changing what we do. The new mode (of behavior) will be experienced as difficult, unpleasant, forced, unnatural, anxiety-provoking. Change will occur only if considerable effort of will is maintained over a long period of time,” (Allen Wheelis, How People Change).
Your 18 months or two years as a missionary is the perfect time for personal change and transformation. This unique once-in-a-lifetime experience allows you all the time and space you need for change. You can become the “real” and “authentic” you when, in the words of Joseph Smith, you “give up everything that is wrong”.
You also now have a better understanding of how difficult it is for your investigators to change. You must develop their trust. And then you must teach like Nephi: “with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty (ie senses) which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things,” (1 Nephi 15:25). If you don’t do this, then they will remain stuck in their ways and we will fail in our efforts to build the Church in PPM.
Change is my middle name,
Pres. Murray
Monday, April 5, 2010
Compelled to be Humble
Dear Missionaries,
This is the Week Six Sickle Thruster. Included in this Sickle Thruster is the new Study Chart for the next transfer. Please refer to this one a regular basis throughout the next transfer. Some missionaries tape the chart to the wall above their study desk. We expect every PPM missionary to use the Study Chart and an integral and essential part of your daily Personal Study.
Our primary goal is to help “build the Church”. We do this by inviting others to be baptized; helping develop new members and befriending and reactivating those who have fallen away from the church. A three-legged stool often represents this three-pronged effort. << show clip art of three legged stool >>
We will know that we have been successful in our goal when we see more people coming to Church every Sunday; more people going to the temple regularly; more people paying tithing regularly; more families praying together, holding Family Home Evening and serving each other.
To help us with our goal, we have two areas of focus: (1) To Come Unto Christ (for ourselves and all those with whom we work) and (2) To Become Master Teachers.
We expect every PPM missionary to make these areas of focus their top priorities!
We invite you to come unto Christ and to become fully converted to the truth of the restored Gospel. We invite you to repent of any habit, thought, practice or idea that is inconsistent with that of being a follower of Christ. We invite you to study the words of Christ, the example of Christ, the Atonement of Christ and the majesty of Christ. We invite you to invest great time and purpose in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. We invite you to dedicate your life to Him!
In order to become more successful in helping others come unto Christ, you’ll need to improve all aspects of your teaching skills. To be a Master Teacher, you must become a Master Planner…and a Master Finder…and a Master Communicator…and a Master Organizer.
Diligent and consistent use of the Transfer Study Chart will help you make great improvements as a Master Teacher!
----------------------------------------------
I hope you enjoyed General Conference and Easter as much as Sister Murray and I did. We learned so much from the talks and from the Spirit. We loved hearing from our 15 favorite Apostles.
There are two messages from Conference that I’d like to repeat. They are both from the Saturday night Priesthood Session.
The first is from Elder Ronald A. Rasband, the Senior President of the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Rasband told of being trained, in 2000, as a newly called Seventy. Part of the training included spending a day with an Apostle as missionaries were assigned to their missions. He spent this day with Elder Henry B. Eyring. At one point in the day, Elder Erying asked him where he thought a new missionary should go. Elder Rasband was startled – he had no idea. He had assumed that Elder Eyring would be doing this special activity all by himself. Elder Eyring said to him, “Brother Rasband, pay closer attention and you too can know.”
By paying closer attention, Elder Rasband was able to receive direct inspiration that a particular missionary should go to the Japan Sapporo Mission – and this is exactly where Elder Eyring assigned that missionary!
This principle works in all aspects of missionary work. If you are simply “going through the motions” – even if you are being obedient – you will not receive direct inspiration that can guide you in all parts of the work. To become a truly effective missionary, you must “pay closer attention and you too can know”. You too can know how to help an investigator who is not progression. Or how to find more investigators. Or how to work with an active family to secure more referrals. Or how to help your companion. Or how to keep your mind and heart clean and pure. Elders and Sisters: Pay closer attention and you too can know!
A second lesson from Conference came from President Henry B. Eyring. At the end of a wonderful talk about diligence in the priesthood, he said the following:
“I close now with this counsel to the Lord’s priesthood servants:
Ponder deeply and diligently in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets.
Persist in prayer for the Holy Ghost to reveal to you the nature of God the Father and His Beloved Son.
Plead that the Spirit will show you what the Lord wants you to do.
Plan to do it!
Promise Him to obey.
Act with determination until you have done what He asked.
And then pray to give thanks for the opportunity to serve and to know what you might do next.”
President Eyring has provided an inspired pattern for living for those desiring to come unto Christ, “put on Christ”, and stay with Christ throughout their lives. I highly recommend that you carefully study his counsel and then put it into practice.
On a mission we should all adopt improved patterns for thinking and living. And then we should make these a permanent part of our being.
Many fine missionaries return home from their missions and rapidly fall back into a very carnal, lazy, worldly way of life. This is always a disaster of massive proportion. While on their mission, each of these missionaries proved to all onlookers that “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). They served obediently and valiantly. We loved serving with them!
But they never truly internalized this new way of living. They obeyed the mission rules because they were compelled to do it. And the Lord truly blessed them with happiness, inspiration and missionary success.
Once home, they were no longer compelled or required to work hard, pray, study scriptures, set goals, avoid pornography, etc. They quickly reverted back to an old way of living that guarantees a descent (downward slide) into mediocrity. Yikes – don’t let this happen to you! Are you only being good because your are compelled?
A great example of this principle is taught by Alma the Younger in Chapter 32 of the Book of Mormon. He was teacning a group of poor people whose great poverty compelled them to be humble. They are similar to PPM missionaries who become humble only because they were compelled to obey the mission rules:
“13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.
14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?
15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.
16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.”
Elders and Sisters – I love the gospel of Jesus Christ because I love Jesus Christ. I want to do my best and be my best for Him. I want to repent because it’s the right thing to do – not because it’s a mission rule! I want to choose the right for the rest of my life. Please join me is this great journey.
All my love,
Pres. Murray
This is the Week Six Sickle Thruster. Included in this Sickle Thruster is the new Study Chart for the next transfer. Please refer to this one a regular basis throughout the next transfer. Some missionaries tape the chart to the wall above their study desk. We expect every PPM missionary to use the Study Chart and an integral and essential part of your daily Personal Study.
Our primary goal is to help “build the Church”. We do this by inviting others to be baptized; helping develop new members and befriending and reactivating those who have fallen away from the church. A three-legged stool often represents this three-pronged effort. << show clip art of three legged stool >>
We will know that we have been successful in our goal when we see more people coming to Church every Sunday; more people going to the temple regularly; more people paying tithing regularly; more families praying together, holding Family Home Evening and serving each other.
To help us with our goal, we have two areas of focus: (1) To Come Unto Christ (for ourselves and all those with whom we work) and (2) To Become Master Teachers.
We expect every PPM missionary to make these areas of focus their top priorities!
We invite you to come unto Christ and to become fully converted to the truth of the restored Gospel. We invite you to repent of any habit, thought, practice or idea that is inconsistent with that of being a follower of Christ. We invite you to study the words of Christ, the example of Christ, the Atonement of Christ and the majesty of Christ. We invite you to invest great time and purpose in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. We invite you to dedicate your life to Him!
In order to become more successful in helping others come unto Christ, you’ll need to improve all aspects of your teaching skills. To be a Master Teacher, you must become a Master Planner…and a Master Finder…and a Master Communicator…and a Master Organizer.
Diligent and consistent use of the Transfer Study Chart will help you make great improvements as a Master Teacher!
----------------------------------------------
I hope you enjoyed General Conference and Easter as much as Sister Murray and I did. We learned so much from the talks and from the Spirit. We loved hearing from our 15 favorite Apostles.
There are two messages from Conference that I’d like to repeat. They are both from the Saturday night Priesthood Session.
The first is from Elder Ronald A. Rasband, the Senior President of the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Rasband told of being trained, in 2000, as a newly called Seventy. Part of the training included spending a day with an Apostle as missionaries were assigned to their missions. He spent this day with Elder Henry B. Eyring. At one point in the day, Elder Erying asked him where he thought a new missionary should go. Elder Rasband was startled – he had no idea. He had assumed that Elder Eyring would be doing this special activity all by himself. Elder Eyring said to him, “Brother Rasband, pay closer attention and you too can know.”
By paying closer attention, Elder Rasband was able to receive direct inspiration that a particular missionary should go to the Japan Sapporo Mission – and this is exactly where Elder Eyring assigned that missionary!
This principle works in all aspects of missionary work. If you are simply “going through the motions” – even if you are being obedient – you will not receive direct inspiration that can guide you in all parts of the work. To become a truly effective missionary, you must “pay closer attention and you too can know”. You too can know how to help an investigator who is not progression. Or how to find more investigators. Or how to work with an active family to secure more referrals. Or how to help your companion. Or how to keep your mind and heart clean and pure. Elders and Sisters: Pay closer attention and you too can know!
A second lesson from Conference came from President Henry B. Eyring. At the end of a wonderful talk about diligence in the priesthood, he said the following:
“I close now with this counsel to the Lord’s priesthood servants:
Ponder deeply and diligently in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets.
Persist in prayer for the Holy Ghost to reveal to you the nature of God the Father and His Beloved Son.
Plead that the Spirit will show you what the Lord wants you to do.
Plan to do it!
Promise Him to obey.
Act with determination until you have done what He asked.
And then pray to give thanks for the opportunity to serve and to know what you might do next.”
President Eyring has provided an inspired pattern for living for those desiring to come unto Christ, “put on Christ”, and stay with Christ throughout their lives. I highly recommend that you carefully study his counsel and then put it into practice.
On a mission we should all adopt improved patterns for thinking and living. And then we should make these a permanent part of our being.
Many fine missionaries return home from their missions and rapidly fall back into a very carnal, lazy, worldly way of life. This is always a disaster of massive proportion. While on their mission, each of these missionaries proved to all onlookers that “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). They served obediently and valiantly. We loved serving with them!
But they never truly internalized this new way of living. They obeyed the mission rules because they were compelled to do it. And the Lord truly blessed them with happiness, inspiration and missionary success.
Once home, they were no longer compelled or required to work hard, pray, study scriptures, set goals, avoid pornography, etc. They quickly reverted back to an old way of living that guarantees a descent (downward slide) into mediocrity. Yikes – don’t let this happen to you! Are you only being good because your are compelled?
A great example of this principle is taught by Alma the Younger in Chapter 32 of the Book of Mormon. He was teacning a group of poor people whose great poverty compelled them to be humble. They are similar to PPM missionaries who become humble only because they were compelled to obey the mission rules:
“13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.
14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?
15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.
16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.”
Elders and Sisters – I love the gospel of Jesus Christ because I love Jesus Christ. I want to do my best and be my best for Him. I want to repent because it’s the right thing to do – not because it’s a mission rule! I want to choose the right for the rest of my life. Please join me is this great journey.
All my love,
Pres. Murray
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