Part 2 of my talk from August 21. Read Part 1 and Part 3.
Principle 2 : We Must Never Give Up
“President Thomas S. Monson, who has sounded the clarion call to go to the rescue, noted, 'Our members need to be reminded that it is never too late when it comes to our … less-active members … who could have been considered a hopeless cause.'”
As I was working on this talk, Sister X called me to tell me she wants to come back to church. [Sister X got baptized in December and then wanted nothing to do with us by spring due to the negative influence of some "friends."] Even though she stopped coming, I stayed in contact with her, and now I'm picking her up for church next week! I took that as a sign that I had chosen the right topic for this talk!
Principle 3: How Great Shall Be Your Joy If You Bring Save It Be One Soul Unto Christ
Elder Arnold then shared a story about a priests quorum adviser who hunted down a missing priest one Sunday. He found him surfing, and went in after him in his suit! He continued to minister to the young man. That priest has since married in the temple, has a large family active in the Church, has done much temple work for his ancestors, and is bishop for the third time. “He recently shared, 'In our ward, we have 32 active young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, 21 of whom were rescued in the last 18 months.' As individuals, families, quorums, auxiliaries, classes, and home and visiting teachers, we can do that!”
Principle 4: No Matter Our Age, We Are All Called to Go the Rescue
“President Henry B. Eyring declared, 'Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help [the Savior] in His harvest of souls until He comes again.'”
Elder Arnold then shared many examples of how members of all ages have gone to the rescue:
Principle 2 : We Must Never Give Up
“President Thomas S. Monson, who has sounded the clarion call to go to the rescue, noted, 'Our members need to be reminded that it is never too late when it comes to our … less-active members … who could have been considered a hopeless cause.'”
As I was working on this talk, Sister X called me to tell me she wants to come back to church. [Sister X got baptized in December and then wanted nothing to do with us by spring due to the negative influence of some "friends."] Even though she stopped coming, I stayed in contact with her, and now I'm picking her up for church next week! I took that as a sign that I had chosen the right topic for this talk!
Principle 3: How Great Shall Be Your Joy If You Bring Save It Be One Soul Unto Christ
Elder Arnold then shared a story about a priests quorum adviser who hunted down a missing priest one Sunday. He found him surfing, and went in after him in his suit! He continued to minister to the young man. That priest has since married in the temple, has a large family active in the Church, has done much temple work for his ancestors, and is bishop for the third time. “He recently shared, 'In our ward, we have 32 active young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, 21 of whom were rescued in the last 18 months.' As individuals, families, quorums, auxiliaries, classes, and home and visiting teachers, we can do that!”
Principle 4: No Matter Our Age, We Are All Called to Go the Rescue
“President Henry B. Eyring declared, 'Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help [the Savior] in His harvest of souls until He comes again.'”
Elder Arnold then shared many examples of how members of all ages have gone to the rescue:
Amy, age 7, invited her friend Arianna and her family to her annual Primary sacrament meeting program. A few months later, Arianna and her family were baptized.
Allan, a young single adult, felt inspired to share the Church videos, Mormon Messages, and verses of scripture with all his friends using social media.
Sister Reeves began sharing the gospel with each telemarketer who called.
James invited his nonmember friend Shane to his daughter’s baptism.
Spencer sent his less-active sister a link to President Russell M. Nelson’s conference address and reported, “She read the talk, and a window was opened.”Challenge: Don't give up on your rescuing efforts. If something isn't working, pray to know what new approach to take. You will find joy whether or not you reap any results.
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