Lesson #33- Missionary Work by Julie C.

*Julie asked the class to stay open to the spirit during the lesson to an promptings we may receive about specific people who we could help bring closer to Christ.

Faith cycle:

Faith in Jesus Christ --> Hope --> Charity --> more faith in Jesus Christ

We see this in the stories of the great missionaries in the scriptures: Ammon, Alma, Paul, Enos, the Sons of Mosiah.

In terms of sharing the gospel with others, what works based on your experience? Class list is below:

-friendship

-commonality

-example

-being mentally prepared

-prepared with materials (DVDs, pass along cards etc.)

-intimacy with others, being comfortable sharing things we feel deeply about

-waiting for appropriate time

-prayer

-preparing to serve a full-time mission or accepting a missionary calling locally

-always being a witness of Christ

Remember that this is the Lord's work, therefore he will make up for things we lack. Julie shared her experience that as she has shared the gospel with others, the Lord has always compensated when she feels she didn't express herself as well as she would have liked or couldn't think of all the right things to say in the moment. Because the Lord loves his children and wants them to return to him, he will find ways to communicate with them that surpass our imperfect ability to communicate so we need not be overly concerned with our personal shortcomings.

Jacob 5:71-72-

71And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and^alabor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the^blast time that I shall ^cnourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.

72And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.

This is the Lord's work and we are privileged to be able to participate in it. He will accomplish his work, but it is our choice whether or not we benefit from helping him.

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; . . . the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

-Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:540.