Saturday, July 13, 2024

Does Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ Affect the Sharer?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Alma 23-29 in a lesson titled “They ‘Never Did Fall Away.’” It was introduced with the following information. 

Do you sometimes wonder whether people can really change? Maybe you worry about whether you can overcome poor choices you’ve made or bad habits you’ve developed, or you may have similar worries about loved ones. If so, the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies can help you. These people were the sworn enemies of the Nephites. When the sons of Mosiah decided to preach the gospel to them, the Nephites “laughed [them] to scorn.” Killing the Lamanites seemed like a more plausible solution than converting them. (See Alma 26:23-25.)


But the Lamanites did change – through the converting power of Jesus Christ. They were once known as “a hardened and a ferocious people” (Alma 17:14), but they became “distinguished for their zeal towards God” (Alma 27:27). In fact, they “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).


Maybe you have some thoughts or actions to change or “weapons of … rebellion” to lay down (Alma 23:7). Or maybe you just need to be a little more zealous toward God. No matter what changes you need, Alma 23-29 can give you hope that through the atoning power of Jesus Christ, long-lasting change is possible.

The chosen principle for tonight’s discussion is “Sharing the gospel brings me joy” (Alma 26; 29). There are 24 mentions of the word joy in Alma 23-29 indicating that living and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy. The chapters for this give numerous reasons why Ammon, the sons of Mosiah, and Alma rejoiced. The following verses is just a sample.

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.


13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?


14 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell.


15 Yea; they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.


16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.


17 Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?


18 Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church.


19 Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?


20 Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.


21 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.


22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing – unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.

Elder Marcus B. Nash taught: “Sharing the gospel kindles joy and hope in the souls of both giver and receiver. … Sharing the gospel is joy upon joy, hope upon hope” (“Hold Up Your Light,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 71).

President Dallin H. Oaks taught that all members could share the gospel and gave three specific things that we can do. (1) “pray for desire to help with this vital part of the work of salvation. All efforts begin with desire.” (2) “we can keep the commandments ourselves. Faithful, obedient members are the most persuasive witnesses of the truth and value of the restored gospel.”

(3) “we can pray for inspiration on what we can do in our individual circumstances to share the gospel with others” – not what the missionaries or others might do.

President Oaks had other suggestions as to actions that we can take to be more effective while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1.      We need to remember “that people learn when they’re ready to learn, not when we’re ready to teach them….”

2.      As we speak to others, we need to remember that an invitation to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel is preferable to an invitation to learn more about our Church….

3.      When we seek to introduce people to the restored gospel, we should do this in ways that are authentic and in loving concern for the individual….

4.      Our efforts to share the gospel should not be limited to our circle of friends and associates….

5.      Ward bishoprics can plan a special sacrament meeting to which members are urged to bring interested persons….

6.      There are many other opportunities to share the gospel…

7.      Our young members’ fascination and expertise with social media gives them unique opportunities to reach out to interest others in the gospel….

The above suggestions are given to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ to share His gospel. Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with other people brings joy to the people who share it.

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