How Can I Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 71-75 in a lesson titled “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. June 30–July 6: “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper”: Doctrine and Covenants 71–75

Ever since he was a boy, Joseph Smith faced critics—even enemies—as he tried to do God’s work. But it must have been particularly difficult in late 1831 when Ezra Booth began publicly berating the Church, because in this case the critic was a former believer. Ezra had seen Joseph use God’s power to heal a woman. He had been invited to accompany Joseph on the first survey of the land of Zion in Missouri. But he had since lost his faith and, in an attempt to discredit the Prophet, published a series of letters in an Ohio newspaper. And his efforts seemed to be working, because “unfriendly feelings … had developed against the Church” in the area (Doctrine and Covenants 71, section heading). What should believers do in a case like that? While there is not one right answer for every situation, it seems that often—including in this case in 1831—part of the Lord’s answer is to declare the truth and correct falsehoods by “proclaiming [the] gospel” (verse 1). Yes, the Lord’s work will always have critics, but in the end, “no weapon that is formed against [it] shall prosper” (verse 9).

The scripture block contains the following four principles: (1) The Spirit will guide me as I proclaim the Savior’s gospel (Doctrine and Covenants 71), (2) The Lord blesses me through the ministry of leaders like bishops (Doctrine and Covenants 72), (3) I have many opportunities to share the Savior’s gospel (Doctrine and Covenants 73), and (4) “Labor with your might … proclaiming the truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 75:1-16). This discussion will be about the last principle: “Labor with your might … proclaiming the truth.”

The revelation fund in Doctrine and Covenants 75 was addressed to people who had “given [their] names to go forth to proclaim [the Savior’s] gospel” (verse 2). One way to study this revelation is to make two lists: (1) how to share the gospel effectively and (2) how the Lord blesses and supports us as we do.

How to share the gospel effectively

Verse 3: Go forth without tarrying. Labor with your might and do not be idle.

Verse 4: Lift up your voices and proclaim the truth as revealed and commandments given to you.

Verse 10: Call on the name of God for the Comforter.

Verse 11: Pray always and not faint.

Verse 22: Gird up your loins and be faithful.

 

How the Lord blesses and supports us as we do

Verse 5: Those who are faithful will receive great blessings including a crown of honor and glory as well as immortality and eternal life.

Verse 16: Those who are faithful shall overcome all things and be lifted up at the last day.

Verse 21: Ye shall be filled with joy and gladness….

Verse 22: Ye shall overcome all things and be lifted up at the last day.