I felt the title a very appropriate blog to write, for a few reasons. Initially, when I read the scripture of which this came from, I was moved upon by the Spirit to prayerfully ponder this, and I felt inside, that the Lord was trying to focus my attention to a smaller item of great importance. The scriptures reads:
“And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.” (Moroni 9:6)
I am relatively sure that you know how I am about to proceed with this, yet, nevertheless, keep reading.
Let us first take into account the chore that sat upon Mormon’s shoulders. On one hand, we have Mormon addressing his son Moroni, and the multitude of unrepentant Nephites who were nearly at the point of completely being severed from the Lord.
In the battle against inactivity, with both those who acknowledge their faults publicly, and those who deny fault with respect to their inactivity, there are a few underlying points we all should reflect upon. Nomatter the type of those whom you are assigned to Home Teach, the idea will always be the same. Yet we often find the cases concerning the inactive on polar opposites. There are the reluctant people who still hold some faith, and say they do, yet do not demonstrate it through regular church activity. On the other extreme, we have people who have left the Church for one reason or another, vocally proclaim their dissatisfaction, yet stop short of removing their names from the records of the church. Either way, we still have a commandment from the Lord through our Stake Presidency, that “Rescue” is the bread and butter of our priority list.
Mormons admonition to labor diligently (Notwithstanding their hardness) should be taken very seriously. If we do not use our talents in a manner which is favorable to the Lord, we can not hope to succeed, and thus we will be brought under condemnation. Mormon reminds us that while we are in this tabernacle (See scriptures for multiple references of our body being a temple) we have a labor to perform. Our labor is defined by many things such as:
1) “They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.” (D & C 20: 59)
2) “Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.” ( 3rd Nephi 18:32)
3) “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;” (D & C 18: 10)
So how am I attempting to tie this into the first scripture I mentioned, and Home Teaching? Well, we know that we have a duty to continue to reach out to others in Home Teaching without negativity, or a sense of idiosyncratic ideology. We will not always be greeted happily, we will not always get persons to make and keep our appointments with them, and we will not always find them willing to do what they need to do on their own to come back into favor with the Lord. Regardless, with careful regular prayer, scripture reading, and church attendance, the joy found in the fruit of this Gospel can again be found.
I feel impressed to admonish you brethren, that you remind yourselves continually of the great importance of Home Teaching. I have a special testimony in the role this plays in bringing many back unto Christ. So, in approaching those who are not desirous to come back, recall the words of Mormon (The Blog Title) that “Notwithstanding their hardness [of heart] let us labor diligently. And a labor it shall be.
Thank you brethren, for living your lives in a manner that helped me in the past, and now will help others in days to come. I pray we will always remember the need to discuss all things in prayer to the Lord, so that he could empower us. Such is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
**Submit Your Testimony To Share On http://plainviewreview.blogspot.com by sending your story, missionary moment, inspiring thought or conversion story with testimony to PlainviewEldersQuorum@ldsliving.com**
**************************
Lubbock Texas Announcements:
Sunday November 7th Daylight saving ends. Clocks back by one hour.
Sunday November 7th @ 8:30am Branch Welfare
*****************
Plainview Branch Elders & High Priest Lessons By Date:
11-7-10 : “To The Home Teachers Of The Church” By President Ezra Taft Benson – April 1987 –
11-14-10 : Chapter 21 Gospel Principles Manual “The Gift Of The Holy Ghost”
11-21-10 : Chapter 22 Gospel Principles Manual “The Gifts Of The Spirit”
11-28-10 : “That Our Children Might See The Face Of Our Savior” – By Cheryl C. Lant – April 2010
12-5-10 : “Only An Elder” – by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in 1974
12-12-10 : Chapter 23 Gospel Principles Manual “The Sacrament”
12-19-10 : Chapter 24 Gospel Principles Manual “The Sabbath Day”
12-26-10 : To Be Announced
to see you post a comment on the blogs that you read.
Feedback is one of the greatest things a blog writer
can get, and it also spawns good discussions between
fellow readers. So please, rate and comment. If you
you have not yet signed up to receive the blog already
I encourage you now to do it. It only takes seconds!
The Vine In The Vineyard Of The Lord 