Thursday, September 18, 2014

Golden Envelopes - September 2014

September 17, 2014


Preach My Gospel, pg. 4


Missionaries are to go “in the power of the ordination wherewith [they have] been ordained, proclaiming glad tidings of great joy, even the everlasting gospel” (D&C 79:1).  You have the authority to preach the gospel.  If you hold the priesthood, you have the authority to administer the ordinances thereof.  As you prayerfully and worthily exercise that authority, you will receive spiritual power, which is evidence of the reality of your call.  Do not be afraid or shy about fulfilling this commission.  Just as the sons of Mosiah, you are to teach with the power and authority of God (see Alma 17:2-3).



When you were set apart by priesthood authority, you received the right and privilege to represent the Lord.  You received a ministerial certificate that verifies that authority to the world.  President Spencer W. Kimball said:  “The setting apart may be taken literally; it is a setting apart from sin, apart from the carnal; apart from everything which is crude, low vicious, cheap, or vulgar, set apart from the world to a higher plane of thought and activity.  The blessing is conditional upon faithful performance” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 478).



Along with your authority comes a responsibility to live worthy of your calling.  As the Lord’s representative, you are to be “an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12).   Strive to live according to God’s commandments and keep the covenants you made in the temple; know the scriptures; be courteous, on time, and dependable; follow missionary standards of conduct, dress, and grooming; love the people with whom you serve and work.  Honor Christ’s name by your actions.



In addition to authority, you are also to exercise power in your work.  The authority that you have received can lead to power.  Indeed, spiritual power is one evidence that your authority is real.  Spiritual power is a gift that makes it possible for you to do your work more effectively.
















































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