Good news deserves to be shared.
In Lehi’s dream, when he tasted the fruit of the tree, he immediately wanted his family to enjoy it as well. “I beckoned unto them,” he said, “and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit” (1 Nephi 8:15).
Nearly five hundred years later, an angel appeared to King Benjamin with a message for his people. “I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy,” he said. “For the Lord…hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy” (Mosiah 3:4).
Shortly after the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Lord called upon members of the church to spread the message of the gospel. Here are a few of the phrases that He used in a series of revelations received between September and December, 1830:
- “Open your mouth” (Doctrine and Covenants 30:5, 11, 33:8-10).
- “Proclaim my gospel, as with the voice of a trump” (Doctrine and Covenants 30:9, 33:2, 34:6, 36:1).
- “You shall declare glad tidings of great joy” (Doctrine and Covenants 31:3).
- “Declare my gospel” (Doctrine and Covenants 32:1).
- “Lift up your voice, and spare not” (Doctrine and Covenants 34:10).
- “You shall declare it with a loud voice” (Doctrine and Covenants 36:3).
This mandate remains in place today. Last Sunday, President Russell M. Nelson taught:
The gospel of Jesus Christ is exactly what is needed in this confused, contentious, and weary world.
Each of God’s children deserves the opportunity to hear and accept the healing, redeeming message of Jesus Christ. No other message is more vital to our happiness—now and forever. No other message is more filled with hope. No other message can eliminate contention in our society.
“Christ Is Risen: Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” General Conference, April 2021
Today, I will look for opportunities to share the joyful news of the gospel. I will remember that the Lord wants me to speak up, to make my voice heard, so that His children can enjoy the blessings which His gospel can bring into their lives.
Paul – It was so great to visit with you at length this week. Your fine post brought to mind a couple of scriptures I often referred to when teaching the full-time missionaries.
From Doctrine & Covenants 33: We must be bold – sweetly bold – in declaring the Restoration of the gospel. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught us new mission presidents that the common phrase used in many missions – “OYM – Open Your Mouth” should be changed to “ITL – Invite to Learn.” (New Mission Presidents Seminar, June 2008, Provo, Utah). Two years later, the curriculum of the Missionary Training Center changed dramatically. One of the key new concepts was, “We invite, they commit, we follow up.” This placed the focus on our responsibility to invite others, as well as upon the individual agency of the invitee. Our response after extending an invitation to learn the message of the Restored Gospel was dependent on the decision of the individual.
Also, from Doctrine & Covenants 60:2-3: The message to the elders in Missouri was that they should share the gospel and its saving ordinances with others or they would lose the blessings the gospel offers.
The Lord does not excuse shyness. “I’m just shy” is unacceptable. He has given a talent – not to some but to all. We are not to fear man. Timidity or uncertainty are not companions of the Spirit (Alma 18:24).
Thanks for the comment, Steve. I also very much enjoyed our conversation this week.
I love your phrase: “sweetly bold.” It reminds me of the admonition in this week’s Come Follow Me reading to preach with a “warning voice…in mildness and in meekness” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:39). That combination of conviction with respect for others is sometimes difficult to achieve!
I also love your comments about shyness. Reminds me of the talk by Elder Dube last Sunday: self-consciousness is a form of self-centeredness. When we get over it and start focusing on others, then we can do the work of the Lord.
You and Sandy are such a great example of righteous service. I appreciate your “sweet boldness” and am grateful for your influence in my life.