Elder Ballard talks about the need for members of the church to assist in finding people to teach the gospel to. He shares that on the of the missions of the church is to proclaim the gospel. He is aware that this is easier said than done and that some people have a desire but just don't know what they can do.
He shares several examples of people around the world that have had success sharing the gospel and then outlines 4 steps that we can do to put our faith into action and ask the Lord for support in our desire to serve the Lord.
He encourages us to prayerfully put these steps into action. This effort is truly a process of putting our faith into action.
He gives us a list of things that we can do to prepare someone to feel the spirit. This list is not complete but gives several ideas of things that we can do to make it easier for the spirit to be present in our activities.
He concludes with direction to listen to the Holy Ghost and then act of those promptings.
I find that many people want to share the gospel but don't know exactly what they can do to help prepare their friends and family. I appreciate a basic outline of steps that Elder Ballard shares and then to follow it up with a list of activities we can do to prepare our friends to be more likely to feel the spirit. I am working with several people right now to try to encourage the spirit to touch their lives when they are in my home. Although the experiences don't always go exactly like I would think they should in my mind, I know they are seeing the blessings of the gospel in my family and that is giving them hope for a brighter future. I hope to continue to have spiritual moments in my home with them and to use several of the examples that Elder Ballard suggests will help prepare them to feel the spirit in their lives.
- The First Presidency has said that one of the threefold missions of the Church is to proclaim the gospel. If we accept this mission, we should be willing to center our efforts on bringing souls unto the Lord on condition of repentance.
- Two years ago I spoke on this subject, and I continue to feel an urgent need that we must constantly remind and help each other in our responsibilities to share the message of the Restoration with others.
- We often hear members say, “I know I should share the gospel, but I don’t know how to do it.”
He shares several examples of people around the world that have had success sharing the gospel and then outlines 4 steps that we can do to put our faith into action and ask the Lord for support in our desire to serve the Lord.
- There are many ways to share the gospel. I know that the following four simple steps will help you in your effort to find and to share the gospel with others because many members have used them and have had successful missionary experiences.
- Step one: Prayerfully set a date by which you will have someone prepared to hear the gospel. We must start somewhere, and this simple act of faith on our part will serve to motivate us. Do not worry if you do not have someone already in mind. Let the Lord help you.
- Step two: Prayerfully choose a friend or someone you already know, someone with whom you may have already discussed the gospel, or given a Book of Mormon or other Church literature, or taken to church.
- Step three: Share your date and your plans with your bishopric, ward mission leader, and the full-time missionaries. They will help you.
- The most important step is step four: With the help of the Spirit, invite your nonmember friend to hear the missionary discussions. This step, extending an invitation to hear the gospel, requires the most faith—faith to do as you are prompted by the Holy Ghost.
He encourages us to prayerfully put these steps into action. This effort is truly a process of putting our faith into action.
- In talking of faith and saving souls, you should understand that when the Spirit is present, people are not offended when you share your feelings about the gospel. By prayerfully following these steps, you are putting a plan into effect that translates your faith into action.
He gives us a list of things that we can do to prepare someone to feel the spirit. This list is not complete but gives several ideas of things that we can do to make it easier for the spirit to be present in our activities.
- There are many good ways that you can use to prepare someone to feel the Spirit. A few examples are: bear your testimony, pray together, read the scriptures, give a Book of Mormon, share a spiritual experience, take your friend to church, present a gospel film or tape, and discuss the gospel. Please note that all of these same steps and principles will also work when we use them to invite the inactive member of the Church to come back into full activity.
He concludes with direction to listen to the Holy Ghost and then act of those promptings.
- Listen to the prompting of the Holy Ghost, and then act in faith in sharing the gospel.
I find that many people want to share the gospel but don't know exactly what they can do to help prepare their friends and family. I appreciate a basic outline of steps that Elder Ballard shares and then to follow it up with a list of activities we can do to prepare our friends to be more likely to feel the spirit. I am working with several people right now to try to encourage the spirit to touch their lives when they are in my home. Although the experiences don't always go exactly like I would think they should in my mind, I know they are seeing the blessings of the gospel in my family and that is giving them hope for a brighter future. I hope to continue to have spiritual moments in my home with them and to use several of the examples that Elder Ballard suggests will help prepare them to feel the spirit in their lives.
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