A Bound Tongue

Look for what Satan’s technique is.

  After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

Joseph Smith-History 1:15

This is not unique Joseph. Satan tries to bind our tongues all the time.  He tries to get us to not say the things we should.  For instance, have you ever felt this binding when you should introduce yourself to a new person?  Has your tongue ever stopped working when you needed to say, “I’m sorry”, “I love you”, or when trying to give a heartfelt compliment? Have you experienced paralysis of the tongue when you needed to stand up for what is right, or share your feelings about the Lord with someone? How about when you were going to invite someone to a Church activity?  If you have had these moments, the answer is found in what young Joseph did.  He exerted all his powers and then God freed Joseph’s tongue.   

Today’s Takeaway: Don’t let Satan Bind your tongue. If you will fight the fear and temptation, God will help loose your tongue.  Think of things you need to say to a family member, friend, or acquaintance. Take that leap of faith and start talking. God will give you the strength beyond your own strength to say what needs to be said.  

Wasting Converts

Look for how new converts fit into these verses.

 64 That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled.

 65 Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;

Doctrine & Covenants 101:64-65

These verses speak of “gathering” to “holy places” and then the wheat being secured in the “garners”.  Garners are what they formerly put wheat into so it would not go bad, and to keep pests from the precious wheat.  In Alma 26:5, speaking of their new Lamanite converts, Ammon said, “And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.”  How is your ward doing with the function of preserving the conversion of people that come into it? Is you ward a “holy place” or “garner” where new converts can come into the church and not be wasted?

Most return missionaries can speak to the different types of wards.  In some wards, when they brought an investigator to church, the person was immediately swept away with people introducing themselves to them, and people inviting them to come to the other meetings with them.  Then in other wards, people were so wrapped up in themselves, the missionaries wondered if a single person would say hello to their investigator.  We need to make our wards so that it is very likely that those who are new, will remain strong through friend-shipping, nourishing with the Word of God, and people looking out for them.

Today’s Takeaway: This coming Sunday, be on the lookout for faces you don’t recognize. Smile and introduce yourself. Help them feel welcomed. Let them become part of your circle of friends. 

What to Do (With or As) The New Person

Look for how to treat new members, and how to be a new member.

  Verily, thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order, organized agreeable to the commandment previously given, a revelation and commandment concerning my servant Frederick G. Williams, that ye shall receive him into the order. What I say unto one I say unto all.

   And again, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams, you shall be a lively member in this order; and inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments you shall be blessed forever. Amen.

Doctrine & Covenants 92:1-2

Did you see the advice of what to do with new members, or people new to our congregations? The Lord tells the group to “receive him”. Are you good at receiving those who are new? When you see a new face at Church, do you automatically go up and introduce yourself and try to get to know them?  Do you invite them to upcoming things and include them?  Or do you think, “Ah, they’re probably just visiting. Someone else will say hi.  I’m too busy.”  Even if they are just visiting for that Sunday, isn’t it nice when people introduce themselves and welcome you? Be that person for others.

Did you see the advice to the new member, or person new to the ward in verse two? The Lord tells us to “be a lively member”.  Sometimes as the new person, we expect everyone to introduce themselves to us.  The Lord in saying to not wait.  There is a saying, “Sitting in a pew doesn't make you a member any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a car.” Go out and introduce yourself, get involved, and get invited. 

Today’s Takeaway: Decide now that the next time you see someone new at Church, you are going to be the one to introduce yourself and welcome them. Take it upon yourself to “receive” them and make sure every new face is warmly welcomed.  On the other hand, if you are ever the new person, be that “lively member” that is easy to get to know.  

The Cure

Look for our responsibility.

73 Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.

 81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

Doctrine & Covenants 88:73 & 81

Imagine that you stumbled upon the cure to all cancer.  What would you do with such an incredible discovery? Would you share the secret to only a few friends and family members?  How wide would you want the secret to be made known?  Naturally you would want to share the secret with as many as possible to avoid the death, disease and misery that cancer inflicts.  

Well that is what the Gospel is.  We have the secret to avoid so much of the misery and pain of this fallen world.  We have the secret to remove the burden of sin through Jesus Christ and to live free through Him and His teachings. So who are we going to share our secret with?

Today’s Takeaway: If you have been warned, then you really need to warn your neighbor.  Perhaps you can let someone know about Mormon.org, or invite someone to Church or a ward activity. Ask the Lord and He will let you know who you can reach out to and how. 

Can't Pour From an Empty Pitcher

Look for what helps us speak with Power.

Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.

Doctrine & Covenants 11:21

As a friend, student, employee, parent… it can be so difficult to say what the Lord would have you say in any given situation.  Wouldn't it be great to always know what to say?  The secret is in that verse.  We first need to obtain and have a reservoir of the nourishment that comes from God’s word in our lives.  Here Hyrum Smith wanted to go out and share the Gospel with others, but he had not yet paid the price to be able to share God’s word.  There is a saying, “You can’t pour from an empty pitcher.”  We have to first be filled (ReCharged) with spiritual nourishment before we can expect to pour out to nourish others.

Today’s Takeaway: Are you sometimes unable to help nourish others because you are spiritually empty? Take a little time each day to recharge.  The scriptures are the best source and this blog hopes to help with that. Great sources are also the Ensign, Mormonchannel.org , LDS.org and many more.  Go and be refreshed each day so you can help strengthen others. 

"By The Way..."

 26 And let my servants Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt take their journey, and preach by the way, even unto this same land.

 27 And let my servants Solomon Hancock and Simeon Carter also take their journey unto this same land, and preach by the way.

Doctrine & Covenants 52:26-27

As the Lord is calling these missionaries in Doctrine & Covenants 52:22-27, in just six verses He commands them five times to preach "by the way”.  Whether you are a full-time missionary or an “every member a missionary” –missionary, there is a great secret to missionary work in that phrase. Sometimes we think of missionary work as a particular event, but really the best missionary work happens along the way. The best missionary work happens as we are going about our lives: at home, work, school, the store, etc…

The phrase is also the perfect thing to say:

·         “By the way, there is a neat activity at our church tonight, would you…”

·         “By the way, this weekend was awesome, at church we learned about how…”

·         “By the way, I saw a huge blessing in my life yesterday when…”

·         “By the way, if you aren't busy Sunday, you should come to church with us…”

Today’s Takeaway: Think through where you will be today and who you will see along the way.  Who could you casually talk to about God or the Church? Is there an activity you could invite someone to, or invite their children to participate in? See if you can mention something about your faith and what God has done for you.  Some of the very best missionary work happens "by the way..."

"Spare Not"

Open your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness.
 Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you.
Doctrine & Covenants 33:8-9

          When it comes to sharing the Gospel, do you select some to share the Gospel with, and “spare” others because “They’re not the type” or “I bet they wouldn't be interested?” Maybe you have been so selective that you haven’t been sharing the Gospel much at all. The scriptures here are saying to “spare not”! It is not for us to decide who to share the Gospel with and who to spare. How many of us have seen people whose lives changed dramatically through the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If someone doesn't seem like the “LDS type”, then good; they need the Gospel even more.  President David O. McKay taught, “The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.”

Today’s Takeaway: Who have you been “sparing” from the Gospel? Why spare anyone from something so amazing? Make a list of people you may have overlooked to invite to a Church activity or Church meeting. Consider who you could share a pass-along card with. Like verse 8 says, open your mouth and it will be filled. Be on the lookout today.