Sunday Talk, Following the Savior's Example of Sharing the Gospel

            I was asked by a counselor in our Bishopric to give a talk at an upcoming Sacrament Meeting. Each Sunday Mormons go to church for three hours. One of those hoursis dedicated to partaking of the sacrament and other purposes. One of the purposes of Sacrament Meeting is to “provide gospel instruction” and to“strengthen faith and testimony” (Administering the Church[2010], 138).The instruction given during Mormon Sunday services, unlike other religions, isnot monopolized by church leaders. All members are given an opportunity to instruct their congregation and share their testimony. I spoke on the topic: Following the Savior’s Example of Sharing the Gospel.
Here’s most of the talk I gave. The introduction I gave and the testimony at the end of the talk I didn’t script (sorry), so they are excluded:

In the book the Acts, short for the Acts of the Apostles, we are reintroduced to the men Christ had commissioned to “feed his sheep.” Chapter after chapter we read about the spread of the Gospel message through the Roman Empire.

We may remember Phillip from the Gospels, mainly from the Gospel of John. Not much is said about him there, but what is said speaks volumes. When Jesus beckoned him to “Follow me.” He did.  Phillip reported to Nathanael, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph!” and when Nathanael was skeptical, Phillip replied with an invitation to, “Come and see.”

So, it shouldn’t surprise us when we read Acts, that Phillip is a natural missionary. He is quick to follow promptings. Even if they lead him to a lone road between Jerusalem and Gaza, he goes. And that’s where I want to start.

This story is found Acts 8. Phillip receives an angelic visitation, and he told to, “Arise, and go” to that desert road previously mentioned. And he arose and went and there he beheld an official of the Queen of Ethiopia in a chariot reading the words of Isaiah. Once again, he was prompted to act. He ran up to the chariot and asked the man, “Understandest thou what thou readest?”
And the Ethiopian official replies, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” So, two things I want us to gather from this story: First, that Isaiah has been stumping people for a very long time. Don’t feel bad. And second, most importantly, we need each other, we need to teach each other about the Gospel.

I was given the topic on Following the Savior’s Example by Sharing the Gospel. Now, as I prepared this talk, I veered slightly from that, so forgive me. The topic of this talk is more Following the Savior’s Example by Teaching the Gospel. Semantics, I know. But it had to be said. 

In all efforts to teach the gospel, Jesus Christ is the example.

Consider his teaching moments we witness in the scriptures...
The lessons vary in length from a day-long sermon to a lesson delivered stooped on the ground, dispelling hate in sentence, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” Christ taught in parables and object lessons, he was blunt, saying, “Go and sin no more.” He served those around him, a powerful miracle worker, and yet asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water, a lad to share his bread, and for the Nephites to bring forth their afflicted. 

Consider the ways He has taught you in your life. The methods are quite an array, but there are two constants. And if we practice these two principles we can share the Gospel as Christ did. 

The first is: loving those we teach.
And the second: teaching by the Spirit.

At this point I want to have an intermittent testimony because I am five minutes in and I know I am stating to lose some of you. So if anything, listen to this because this is the whole gist of this talk.
I have been a member of the Church for 12 years, and in that time frame I have been called to teach any many different capacities. I taught in Nursery, Primary, Activity Days, Sunday School, Young Women’s, and Relief Society. I am also a wife, mother, and visiting teacher. And I can tell you, doesn’t matter the audience, the materials covered, or as I have found out more recently your own abilities if you have those two things: love and the Spirit, you can teach the Gospel. I’m the Primary Chorister. I know nothing about music. I’m learning, the Spirit is helping me out a lot, but it is way out of comfort zone. But you know what, I love your children. I love the children in this ward. I wish I had more time to spend with them individually, but I am glad to see them as a group on Sunday. So this is my witness that these two principles work in sharing the Gospel in any setting. 

So, let’s talk about those two principles when teaching and sharing the Gospel. 

First, love.

President Hinckley declared, “Opportunities for sharing the Gospel are everywhere.”  
As it says in True to the Faith “Each parent, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, Church leader, classroom teacher, home teacher, visiting teacher, coworker, neighbor, or friend has opportunities to teach.” We have opportunities of sharing the Gospel not only out in the world, but in our homes and within the Church. I think we forget that sometimes.

Christ put it simply when he advised, “and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” 

So, what is love? What does love look like? Most of us are familiar with 13^th chapter of First Corinthians, running through the check list: it suffereth long, it’s kind, envieth not, is not puffed up, etc. That is a classic list of charity and its attributes. But, I really like this scripture in First Thessalonians 2:8. This for me describes what love looks like in regards to missionary work. It’s part of an epistle written by Paul on behalf of himself and his missionary companion Timothy and they are writing the Thessalonians they taught. They have been delayed getting back to them and this is a letter of encouragement, trying to remind them of their missionary work among them and just to keep the faith. And Paul writes,  “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” 

After the Gospels the New Testament is this account of men, commissioned by Christ, to share the Gospel, to build up the Church. They risked safety and sacrificed their lives for this cause. Love is sacrifice.
And in this day and age, the two biggest things we can sacrifice to show love to anyone are: our time and our pride. Time because there just never seems to be enough of it and pride because we have so much it hinders the work. Pride can lead us to pass unrighteous judgement on others! Doubting their readiness or willingness to hear the Gospel. Pride can also cause us to fear embarrassment or cause us to shrink imaging the marred relationships that sharing the Gospel may bring. 

Mormon had no such qualms sharing the Gospel because in his words, “Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.”

I remember the first time I was asked if I wanted to take the missionary discussions. I was 14. It is a very vivid memory for me. I was riding in my friend's car; her mom was driving us to mutual. I had been going to Girls' Camp since I was 11 with my friend, and I would attend mutual for the certification and camp prep. Anyways, we were driving and I just want the youth in the room to imagine this scenario: you  are in the car and your mom asks your non-member friend the following questions, “Have you been reading the Book of Mormon? Do you think it is true? Do you think Joseph Smith was a prophet of God? ” And finally, “Would you like to meet with the missionaries?” My friend was mortified. But I answered affirmative to all the questions except that last one. The first time I was asked if I wanted to take the missionary discussions I said NO. But between you and me, and well, anyone listening in on this talk, the questions that proceeded that invitation to meet the missionaries they are the ones that impacted my life. Because my friend's mom asked me those questions regarding my testimony of the Restoration, I was able to say what I had been feeling and discovering and I hadn't had a safe place or person that I could confide with about that yet. So, it was a powerful moment for me to answer those questions. And, you know what, when I did begin meeting with the missionaries I never took the discussions in her home. And I had them a billzillon times between the time I was 16 and 18. 

But back to the main point, love. My friend's mom loved me. She knew me. She loved her God. She was like Mormon. She wasn't afraid to ask me what people considered the “tough” questions, those questions were the right ones for me.

This kind of leads into the next principle, how do we know what the right questions, or the right method or the right anything? This is where the Spirit comes in. 

The Holy Ghost has many roles, but testifying and teaching of Christ. Whew. It is something remarkable. I have been the Primary Chorister for over a year now- longest term in a calling I have ever had. And one of the most memorable moments for me is teaching the song Follow the Prophet. I doubt many of the kids even remember this, but it is memorable for me. Besides them learning the song my objective was for the kids to understand that prophets are atype of Christ- meaning that they have certain qualities that can remind us and testify of Christ. I used four examples: Moses, Samuel, President Monson, and Daniel. Moses was the lawgiver, Samuel answered “Here am I, send me,” President Monson served others, but when I got to Daniel I talked about how he reminds us how Christ fulfilled the law for us, how Christ subjected himself to death, and came out victor. The quiet that fell. And you know what quiet I am talking about. It is a change in atmosphere, it is a peace, it is truth occupying the space where mundane used to be. It the Spirit. It isn’t me. It is the Spirit.

If Church members prepare spiritually, they will have the privilege of feeling the Holy Ghost teach, testify, and inspire through them. Nephi taught, “When a man speakth by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of children of men.” (2 Nephi 33:1)

We need to be seeking the companionship of the Holy Ghost through prayer and as we study.
To share the Gospel using the Holy Ghost, we need to be living the Gospel.

Let's revisit the story I began this talk with, Phillip and the Ethiopian. 

Where we left off the Ethiopian asked  Peter to teach him, and invited Peter to ride along in the chariot. Peter testifies of Christ and when the chariot comes upon a body of water, the Ethiopian asks to be baptized immediately. 

So this is the English teacher part of me shining through, so forgive me. But let's take this story and enlarge it, make it less about Phillip and more about you and me as member missionaries. 

There will be plenty of times in our lives our paths will intersect with someone, and we will feel prompted to approach their chariots. Sometimes they may even desire for us to come and sit with them. For us to teach them. But rarely are we as lucky as Phillip, able to witness a baptism so quickly if at all. Sometimes it is a really long journey. That's life. And often the chariot isn't much of a smooth ride; it feels more like public transportation- there's lots of stops and a revolving cast doing their best. The only exception to this is Parents. We are in it for our family to win it, even after baptism. Forget the nearest body of water, children, we are riding all the way back home to Ethiopia with you, just try to stop us!

I guess my closing remark is: don't be discouraged in the work. If you have a genuine love for His children, and are revelation-ready, Heavenly Father will use you to share the Gospel. 

Let me just reiterate the testimony I shared five minutes in. I could have spent this time talking about my experiences as a member missionary or sharing stories from the Ensign from other members, but I thought it was best to kind of declutter and get back to basics. We can share the Gospel as Christ taught. We must have love, and we must have the Spirit to guide us.

Where It's At

Got two turntables and a microphone.

"What do you want your children to know?" (WDYWYCK) I love typing this acronym because in my mind’s mic it sounds like the “widdy-wick” of turn tables being scratched. AnNnnnd, since the point of these questions is to keep records for our posterity, it seems fitting, eh? 

All you have to do is ask this question regarding any topic- What do you want your children to know? What does your child want their children to know about their home, about their favorite board game, about love, their strengths, their fears, about their school, their beliefs, etc. It is a nice conversation starter, and an easy way to get a meaningful sentiment for their personal history.  They may even start asking you some WDYWYCKs. Brace yourself!

Here are some of Caleb’s answers regarding the members of our immediate family…


[click to enlarge]

Waiting for the 6th Row

Once again, I am refraining from Facebook during Lent, and yet again this time is showing to be a smorgasbord of productivity.

First, I picked up crocheting again- sort of. I am not any good. My mother has been trying to teach me how to crochet since I was, like, five years old. I never got the hang of it until now… and it is a very loose grip, I warn you. At first I kept getting to the third row of stitches then I would undo that work and start again. It just didn’t look right. I confided my issue with my mom and she sagely told me that “Nothing looks good before the 6th row. Just keep going!” I put a lid on my inner-perfectionist and forged ahead row after row. And wouldn’t you know it, my mom was right. (You’d think after almost 29 years with the woman I would wise up by now!) I mean, the project isn’t proper- I am lousy with counting, so the edges are very uneven, but the middle looks fantastic!

That’s life. Lots of fringes but the middle tends to be nice. And, to be honest, I am still waiting to get beyond the initial rows of stitching here in Texas. Some days are good, but most days I want to rip it out and start over. Don’t misunderstand. Texas is lovely. It is a very happening scene- lots to explore. But, it just doesn’t seem like the place for me. I am aware of some ways the Lord is trying to make this place my home- I enjoy my calling, it is not burdensome or demanding. If it is not the 3rd Sunday (when I am assigned to teach) I am substituting in Primary- which, as you know, I love. It doesn’t fail- each 1st, 2nd or 4th Saturday someone asks me to substitute. It makes my weekend. 

I also accepted the 40 Bags 40 Days challenge, so I have been purging our apartment of stuff. You’d think my home would be cleaner for it but NOPE.

During Spring Break we had a much needed Family Day at Zilker Park in Austin. We packed a lunch, played hard, and rode the miniature train. Afterwards we headed to the University to see Michael’s office and the campus turtle pond. 

That night Michael and I went out on a date to Top Golf, which I recommend to anyone! I stink at golf and I even won a game. GO ME! A server brings you drinks and food while you lounge and play. We ate waAaAaAaaaaaay too much and had to roll home. I have said it before, but I think days like that are hard on Mike because he sees what he has been missing during the semester- US. Here’s to “sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven,” right?
 

That Thursday I took the boys to the temple. An hour and a half drive without traffic to San Antonio- but this is Austin, so there is always traffic on I-35. 

I love taking the boys to the temple though, completely worth it. The visit is a wonderful reminder for them about the importance of our family and home. We ate lunch on the temple’s grounds and walked around. I asked the boys to look for squares and other features and asked them why those elements were chosen to adorn the temple and its grounds. These interactions make me smile and give me a glimpse into the depth my children possess.  

You know the song, “I Often Go Walking”- there are only a few Church songs that make me tear up (because I am an emotionless samurai, afterall) and they all come from the Children’s Songbook- and this is one of them.  As I take my children to the temple and have these conversations with them, I hope I am instilling in them a love for the temple and preparing them to hold dear the covenants and the symbols of God’s love found therein. Because I figure-

For if I love temples, covenants, and serving,
I learn how to love them, dear mother, from you.  

 

 

We also celebrated Caleb’s birthday early since his birthday falls on a Wednesday this year. For his celebration he wanted it to be a family affair. He wanted to go to the neighborhood park and fly his newly bought kite (purchased with his own savings) and have a pizza picnic.

For gifts he received the usual fair- play dough tools and legos, but also received a full-size keyboard from Grandpa and Grandma Kappes with headphones (thankgoodness!) Since Caleb is at school during the day, I have been practicing playing the simplified Primary songs found in the Friend magazine- only my right hand though! I feel very accomplished! 

Besides finding a few new gray hairs on top of my head, nothing else to report, really.

 I am in shock that I will be turning 29 this summer! {eeek!}

I miss my blog and I miss my friends! Love ya! 

Sunday Talk, How Christ Helps Us Change

Two weeks ago I was asked by a counselor in our Bishopric to give a talk at an upcoming Sacrament meeting. Each Sunday Mormons go to church for three hours. One of those hours is dedicated to partaking of the sacrament and other purposes. One of the purposes of Sacrament Meeting is to “provide gospel instruction” and to “strengthen faith and testimony” (Administering the Church [2010], 138). The instruction given during Mormon Sunday services, unlike other religions, is not monopolized by church leaders. All members are given an opportunity to instruct their congregation and share their testimony. I spoke on the topic: How does Christ help us change.
Here’s most of the talk I gave. The introduction I gave and the testimony at the end of the talk I didn’t script (sorry), so they are excluded:

 

            The month of December is coming to a close. Gifts have been exchanged and opened, we have started to put away the decorations, a month that was once busy with cookie exchanges, devotionals, traditions, service, visiting relatives, travel, and ugly sweaters parties is beginning to quiet down. The last days of December give opportunity to reflect and assess before we cross the threshold of the new year.

            I think most New Year resolutions fall into one of three camps: something we want to continue, something we want to start, or something we wish to stop. When you are considering your goals for the upcoming year, I hope you accept one last invitation this season. That is, as Moroni issued, "Yea, come unto to Christ and be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32)

            I was assigned to speak on how Christ helps us as we repent or change. First, let me state a disclaimer: Repenting- the process of changing our behavior- is hard. It is uncomfortable. And rarely pleasant. The story of Jesus Christ cleansing the temple comes to mind when I think of repentance. The story is found in all four Gospels of the New Testament:

            During the Passover, Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem, they make their way to the temple. There, "commercial" transactions inappropriate for the House of the Lord are taking place. Christ expels people from the temple, turns over tables, and even places himself between merchants and the temple- embargoing product from entering.

            Imagine the chaos, the awkwardness, and offense these actions had. When we repent, it can feel like overturned tables, it is awkward to admit our wrongdoings or shortcomings, and others may become offended by our attempts at bettering ourselves- mistaking our propriety as superiority. But it is through our faith in Jesus Christ and repentance we are cleansed.

            The disclaimer I stated before is followed by a guarantee: that Christ will help us as we repent and change. Romans 8:35-39 reads: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Just like Paul, I have been persuaded and have a witness of the love of God. I want to share with you a block of scripture that helped me tap into the power of the atonement. When I discovered this scripture, I was grieving. I am not saying grief is something we need to repent of. But for me, during that time, I needed to mourn the life I had envisioned, regroup and realign myself, I needed to change my heart and my spirit needed healing. Whatever may prompt the needed or desired change in your life, this scripture story should help you realize the resources available to you. I know it helped me.

            This story is recorded in the 24^th chapter of Luke. The setting, a dusty road to Emmaus. Two disciples of Christ, walk and, in verse 14, “talk together of all these things which had happened." What had happened? Well, nothing they had planned. Jesus was condemned to death and was crucified, and on the third day, there was much confusion about where his body had gone. 

Companionship 

            As this pair of disciples communed and reasoned together the resurrected Christ, unrecognized, drew near and went with them. He engages in their conversation. 

            As we go through our change, we need support. We need to talk. We need company. Through prayer we can communicate our doubt, our longing, and our frustrations to our Father in Heaven through our Great Mediator, Christ. God will also place others on your road to sustain you. A bishop, a visiting teacher-just another disciple to commune and reason with, that will allow the Savior to draw near.

Instruction 

            The Savior hears his disciples’ uncertainty, he observes they are sad, senses their disbelief and begins to instruct them concerning himself through expounding the scriptures.

            This past General Conference, President Packer gave a wonderful talk- when I first heard it I thought it was a very plain and simple talk- but over the course of the past few months I have re-read it, I have taught it within our family, and have applied it's teachings regarding the scriptures. As I have done so the talk has become more significant to me. If you have a deficiency in your scripture study, I encourage you to read the talk, “The Key to Spiritual Protection” by President Packer. He affirms that, I quote, “The gospel teaches us to be happy, to have faith rather than fear, to find hope and overcome despair, to leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel. Paul and others warned about the trials of our time and the days yet to come. But peace can be settled in the heart of each who turns to the scriptures and unlocks the promises of protection and redemption that are taught therein. We invite all to turn to the Savior Jesus Christ, to His teachings as found in the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.” The purpose of scripture is to testify of Christ. There is a great reservoir of strength and hope found there. Through the scriptures we sit at the feet of the author and finisher of our faith.

Ordinances & Covenants

            My favorite part of this account comes after the two disciples ask the Savior to stay with them for the evening. It has been a long day of traveling. They sit down to eat. As it is written in verse, 30-31. “And it came to pass, as he (Christ) sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him...” It is after the blessing and breaking of bread, they recognize their Savior. Today, we have partaken of broken and blessed bread in remembrance of Christ. Elder Groberg counseled, “Those who would deny themselves the blessing of the sacrament by not attending sacrament meeting or by not thinking of the Savior during the services surely must not understand the great opportunity to be forgiven, to have his Spirit to guide and comfort them! What more could anyone ask? As we worthily partake of the sacrament, we will sense those things we need to improve in and receive the help and determination to do so. No matter what our problems, the sacrament always gives hope.” Coming to church and striving to fulfill and renew the contract between us and the Lord is our subscription to open eyes granted through the companionship of the Spirit- that comforts, guides, testifies, and sanctifies.  

Testimony

            After the disciples eyes are opened, Christ vanished from their presence. They rose up the same hour, no doubt invigorated by this experience, and returned to Jerusalem, there they found the eleven apostles and other disciples and witnessed, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed.” These two disciples gained a testimony. We gain a testimony as we repent.

            Sister Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society President, asserted, “It is through repenting that I have come to know the Savior, and it is as I seek His help to change me that my faith and dependence on Him increase. I bear testimony of His reality and power.”

            The Manhattan Temple, has a stain glass rendering of this story, it is beautiful. It greets you as you pass the reception desk. When I visited the Manhattan temple I didn't even notice it at first. In New York, there is such a rhythm and just a quicker pace about the city I didn't manage to slow down when I entered the temple. To be honest, I didn't really slow down until I entered the dressing room! After our session, when we were readying to depart my husband pointed the stain glass mural out to me. I am glad I was able to have caught it and behold it. It brought comfort to my soul.

            At the beginning of this talk, I mentioned the invitation to come unto Christ. Let me read the rest of that verse I referenced:

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.”

Change is not a race. It is a personal journey.  Repentance is not a feat of strength. It is one of the primary principles of the Gospel. Slow down and behold the power of the atonement, and the grace of your God.

            On our journey of improvement and progression Christ provides companionship, instruction, covenants. Repentance is an opportunity to cultivate a testimony to sustain us and to share with others.

            Just like Sister Beck and many of you, I also bear testimony of the reality and power of Jesus Christ.

 The first floor of the Manhattan Temple, a stain glass rendering by Tom Holdman.