The zone convened for another conference. Of course, much of
it addressed further the importance and blessing of having a wide array of
technology in our mission. I was reminded of the importance of having the
Spirit in the lessons we teach. Christ admonishes in section 50 of the Doctrine
and Covenants, “Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth
to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he
preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? And if it be by some other
way it is not of God.”
Meeting with the refugee family most recently was excellent.
Sister Laham and Brother Conrady met us and Ian one night to deliver a mattress
and some bedding to them. Noticing what little they had, Brother Conrady was
moved with compassion. He took us to Wal-Mart and bought a microwave, coloring
books, crayons, and an antenna. Ian donated the television in his room and even
supplied them with a DVD player. Sister Laham told Elder Bischoff and I she had
not seen the father of that family smile so wide since his youngest son was
born. I’ll never forget the gratitude and joy each of them had upon their
faces. The blessings of giving are immense.
This past week there was so much noise about the world
ending on the thirtieth of September. Something about a celestial body hurtling
to Earth, I think. Of course sneaky missionaries use that to their advantage.
“Oh, you think the world is ending? Well it might be a good idea to learn to
repent now, wouldn’t it?”
Sunday brought a lot of drama. Though we did our best to
console a few upset investigators after a blazing lesson of the word of wisdom
in the gospel principles class, the poor souls decided to leave between the
second and third hour. Although this was not desirable in the slightest, I’ve
learned a valuable lesson since: love is not permissiveness. It’s wrong to
teach in a flattering way. “If it be by some other way it is not of God.” It’s
important to be sensitive, but it is wrong to be apologetic in teaching the
truth.
I want to share seven things I have been taught to invite
the Spirit into lessons. The first is prayer. Christ teaches, “The Spirit shall
be given unto you by the prayer of faith” (D&C 42:14).
The scriptures bring very powerfully the influence of the
Holy Spirit as well. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness“ (2 Timothy 3:16).
It is important to bear testimony often in a direct and
genuine manner. A stellar example of this was spoken of Alma, the son of Noah’s
renegade priest, in Alma 5:47: “And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus
been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are
true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also
by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.”
It is easy to take for granted the spiritual power in sacred
music. In a revelation to the prophet Joseph for Emma Smith, the Lord teaches,
“My soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is
a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads”
(D&C 25:12).
A most powerful Christlike attribute and invitation to the
Spirit is love, charity, the pure love of Christ. “And charity suffereth
long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not
her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in
iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things” (Moroni 7:45).
Spiritual experiences go hand-in-hand with bearing testimony
and, if used synergistically, will invite the Spirit powerfully. The Lord
cautions us, “Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and
must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit” (D&C 63:64).
Finally, we can bring the Spirit through priesthood
ordinances. I’ll not soon forget the powerful influence of the Holy Ghost while
administering the sacrament to home-bound brothers and sisters, providing
blessings of comfort and counsel to the spiritually weary, or the blessings of
healing the sick and afflicted in a somber hospital room. We are taught in the
Doctrine and Covenants “Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of
godliness is manifest” (D&C 84:20).
One of the very most important things I’ve learned is this:
the Spirit is the true teacher.
“Only through the Holy Ghost can we accomplish the ultimate
goal of gospel teaching--to build faith in Jesus Christ and help others become
more like Him. The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth, He testifies of
Christ, and He changes hearts. No mortal teacher, no matter how skilled or
experienced, can replace the Spirit” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010],
5.5.4).
Food Bank with Ian!
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