I’ve been reading in Mosiah 23 and 24 this week about how the Lamanites enslaved the people of Alma, and how this happened even though the people of Alma and were trying to do what’s right. Hard things happen to everyone in life. But the people of Alma continued praying for help. Ultimately, they received courage and strength and were delivered from bondage. This is a key part of the gospel.
The Gospel Message Brings Comfort and Hope
I had a childhood friend who died from Covid last month. His name was Jeff Hale. His family were the ones who brought my family the gospel. My mom was newly divorced at the time, raising me and my little sister. The Hale family just circled around us and loved us. Jeff was a year younger than me. He was a really sweet guy, the kind who smiles a lot and cracks jokes and never hurts anybody. He had 4 kids. His family expressed such faith during his battle with Covid and the whole community rallied and fasted for him. I did too. But he still died.
Now his family perseveres in faith that they will see him again and that they will be strengthened and comforted during this time of loss. I can’t help but feel sad. But I know God will make things right and that Jeff lives on. Knowing about Jesus Christ, His atonement and resurrection, and the Plan of Salvation brings peace and hope in times like these.
I will always be grateful to the Hale family for sharing the gospel with us and sharing their home and their love and being a force for good in my life.
We Share the Gospel By Serving Missions
People share the gospel in many different ways. For some it’s by serving an active, full-time mission, like my daughter is currently doing. Recently I sent her a note about my experience with the Hales. I included this message to her: What you are doing, preparing to bring the light of the gospel to others, really matters. It can bring hope and change lives. It can bring comfort to those who are suffering or grieving loss.
So many people have experienced hardship, loss, or pain in recent years. It’s likely you will minister to many who have suffered. Never forget, the Lord will help you do this. His Holy Spirit will accompany you. And as these people receive the light and hope of the gospel, they will rise up and call you blessed and will always be grateful. I’m grateful my sweet daughter has chosen to serve, like so many before her.
We Share the Gospel By Letting Christ’s Light Shine Through Us
When I was seven, my Mom took my sister and me church shopping. In other words, we were looking for what some call a “church home.” We didn’t totally know it, but we were looking for truth. In the course of our search, Mom remembered a co-worker, Norma Hale. She had noticed she was a happy person, a woman of integrity, a woman of faith. My mom asked her some questions and Norma invited us into her home to learn more.
What happened next felt like a miracle to me. I remember the peace and joy I felt in their home, even amid the chaos of two little boys. I felt safe, secure, welcomed, and loved.
Norma was able to share the gospel with my family just by being who she was, by living what she believed and by letting the Lord’s light shine through her. It was the same with with her husband, John. Our families became lifelong friends. It is with great sorrow that I learned that Norma passed away from a stroke this week. So much heartache in such a short time. The only healing I know comes through our Heavenly Parents and our Savior. And I pray that John and the rest of their family find healing and peace. And that they can remember the blessings that Norma and Jeff brought to so many.
Perfection doesn’t matter. Willingness does.
Sometimes we think we must be perfect to share the gospel, that we must have perfect knowledge or lead perfect lives. But this simply isn’t true. What we need is to be willing. When the missionaries taught my family, I didn’t know if they were perfect in their study that week, or if they had questions they hadn’t found answers to yet, or other struggles. It never crossed my mind. What I did know was that they were willing to serve, regardless of how difficult it was and what trials they may have been facing. They brought the spirit into my home, they brought me joy in a difficult time.
Of course, habits have an effect on our ability to bring the spirit. But most important is our willingness. And when we offer our will to the Lord, we will find that our habits start to fall in line, our knowledge and wisdom grow, and the Lord sanctifies our imperfect offerings.
Elder Marcus B. Nash explains the healing power of sharing the gospel, both for the giver and the receiver. “Joy. Hope. Sustaining power from God. Protection from temptation. Healing. All of these – and more (including forgiveness of sins) – distill upon us from heaven as we share the gospel” (Hold up Your Light).
Isaiah 61:1-3 states it this way: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”
What really stands out to me is the idea of giving beauty for ashes. Everyone experiences a time they when they feel life is full of ashes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could exchange that for beauty? Like the Hales did for my family, along with the missionaries who taught us? Like the Lord does for all of us as we receive the gospel and His healing touch. Indeed, there is a balm in Gilead.
Practical Steps You CAN Take
- Cultivate a willing heart.
- Let your light shine, and Christ’s light shine through you.
- Be willing to answer questions and invite people to learn more. See how I did that? We’re back to the willing heart conversation.
- Nurture friendships. People are more able to receive truth from those they already love and trust.
- If you feel prompted to serve a mission, answer the call.
If you’d like to meet with missionaries and learn more about the gospel, click here.
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