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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