Friday, April 6, 2012

Accepting the Challenge

Mon, Oct 17, 2011
 
Hey Mom,
 
Just wanted to share with you this email my mission president sent all of us. Its just a copy of an article by Elder L Tom. Perry. It really helped me though and I think its what I needed to hear today.
 
Love you,
 
Taryn



Accept the Challenge

By Elder L. Tom Perry

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

From the doctrines describing the importance of the dispensation of the fullness of times, one must have a special feeling of being privileged to be part of this final dispensation, when all things are to be accomplished in preparation for the return of our Lord and Savior. Our interests must surely be piqued as we consider where we fit in this divine plan.

As we look at the periods past and our own era in the Church, it is our responsibility to participate in the ever-reaching destiny of the Church. It would seem to me that as we follow the direction of our present prophet, this will be a time of declaring the word of the Lord to the people of the earth with more boldness and more courage than we have ever known before.

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said: We see some around us who are indifferent concerning the future of this work, who are apathetic, who speak of limitations, who express fears, who spend their time. With doubt concerning its past, they have no vision concerning its future. There is no place in this work for those who believe only in the gospel of doom and gloom. The gospel is good news. It is a message of triumph. It is a cause to be embraced with enthusiasm.

The Lord never said that there would not be troubles. This work has consistently moved forward and has never taken a backward step since its inception.

How glorious is the past of this great cause. It is filled with heroism, courage, boldness, and faith. How wondrous is the present as we move forward to bless the lives of people wherever they will hearken to the message of the servants of the Lord. How magnificent will be the future as the Almighty rolls on His glorious work touching for good all who will accept and live His gospel, and even reaching to the eternal blessing of His sons and daughters of all generations through the selfless work of those whose hearts are filled with love for the Redeemer of the world.

I invite every one of you, wherever you may be as members of this church, to stand on your feet and with a song in your heart move forward, living the gospel, loving the Lord, and building the kingdom.

You are a part of this special generation. It is not by chance that you are here at this important time in the history of the Lord's work. It is your opportunity to declare this message of the Restoration with greater force and effect than any of the previous generations. You have been preserved and prepared for your time on earth to be a part of this great army, to make this the most exciting period in the history of mankind in declaring the gospel of our Lord and Savior to our Father in Heaven's children. You are better educated and trained for this responsibility than any of the other generations which have inherited the earth. If your declarations are to have any force and effect, your words must be backed up by your actions.

 The Apostle Paul felt deeply this sense of incurred debt when he wrote this in his letter to the Romans: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1).

I challenge you to use all of the power and enthusiasm your souls can muster to move forward with this great opportunity which is ours. Let us again hear the Prophet Joseph Smith's words ring in our ears: Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing.

 Com amor,
 Pres. Oliveira

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