Hastening the Work of the Lord

      Missionary work has been a popular topic for the Church of Jesus Christ, and here in the Latter-days, it has become an even greater effort with almost 80,000 full-time missionaries preaching the gospel two by two. Although full of many wonderful experiences and opportunities, the mission can be very difficult. Many missionaries become victims of taunting, insults, and even graver crimes like robbery or assault. Sometimes missionaries may feel the want to return home where they were comfortable and free from these kind of adversities. But the missionaries here and now aren’t the only ones who have felt that way.

     In the book of Alma we read of many miraculous stories of missionaries preaching the “Good News.” But they had to go through hard times in order to see success. In Alma 26, Ammon speaks of his missionaries journeys. He had gone through some tough times. People had mocked him and rejected him. He says that he was about to return home from his labors when he received comfort from the Lord, that if he would be patient in enduring his afflictions, the Lord would give him success. Ammon followed this counsel and returned back to work, preaching the Gospel. After working diligently Ammon asked if there were fruits to be seen from their labor? And indeed there were. The Lord fulfilled his promise that if Ammon would patiently work through the tough times, they would see success. He was an instrument in the Lord’s hands bringing to pass the conversion of thousands. 

Likewise missionaries in our day can take comfort that this promise still applies today. If missionaries will be patient and diligent in the mission field, despite opposition from others, the Lord will give them success. They may not baptize as many or have as many converts as Ammon, but they can be rest assured that the Lord will give them success in His own timing and His own way. 

To read more about current missionary experiences and miracles, check out:

http://mormonmission.blogspot.com/

General Conference in Days of Old

Although this is the 183rd Semiannual General Conference of the restored church, 124 years before the birth of Christ, an amazing general conference was held in the ancient Americas. King Benjamin, a prophet and great leader was soon going to pass on to the next life, and had some final words to say to his people. The people were called to gather around the temple with their families and relatives, and all had their tent doors facing the temple. Because of the multitude, King Benjamin built a high tower where he could speak to all, and had his words distributed among the people who couldn’t hear him. He spoke amazing things to the people, teaching them how to receive revelation from his address; They needed to open their ears so that they might hear, their hearts that they might understand, and their minds that the mysteries of God would be revealed to them. He talked to them about finding happiness through obedience, serving their fellow man, and many other important counsel on how to live their lives. 

Fast forward more than 2,000 years, and the principles are still the same. All the people are gathered around the temple at the conference center, many have their TV’s turned toward conference. For those who cannot hear the word, the Ensign is distributed containing the words spoken, and today we still receive counsel and revelation from the prophets on how to live our lives and find happiness. All we need to do to receive this revelation, is open our eyes, hearts, and minds to the word of God, and the mysteries of our Heavenly Father will be revealed to us.