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Conversations
Conversations are the most effective way to bear witness of the life saving message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Evidently Jesus preferred conversing with people individually rather than in great crowds of thousands, such as when he preached and fed five thousand (Matthew 14) and four thousand (Matthew 15). Most often Jesus taught people, individually or in small groups, as he traveled from place to place with his disciples.
He enjoyed talking to small groups or individuals, such as the woman at the well. “Now Jesus being weary with this journey, it being about the sixth hour [noon], sat down on the well; and there came a woman of Samaria to draw water; Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink” (John 4:8-9). The Lord’s disciples had gone into town to buy their lunch. The woman was surprised that Jesus, a Jew, would ask her, a Samaritan, for anything. The Samaritans had not been faithful to the teachings of the Jews.
During their conversation this woman at the well became aware that Jesus was an extraordinary person. In haste, she “left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come see a man who told me all things that I have ever done. Is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him” (John 4:30-32).
“In the meantime his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him meat to eat? Jesus said unto them, My meat is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:33-36).
“So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them; and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; “And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying; we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (John 4:42-44).
When Jesus said to his disciples, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of” (John 4:34); he was saying, the joy and satisfaction he received from sharing the living bread and water with those who were hungering and thirsting for truth and righteousness, surpassed the temporary benefits received from consuming the food and drink which satisfies the tastes and appetites of our physical bodies. We will also taste of this joy and satisfaction as we share the bread of life.
Our conversations are observed by the Lord. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:16-17).
What is more important than having a face to face, heart to heart conversation with a person who is hungering and thirsting for truth? Such conversations often lead to conversions. We need to prepare ourselves for the blessed opportunities to share our testimonies of the truth and reality of Jesus and his everlasting gospel. For as the Apostle Peter said: “We have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
We should not be hesitant to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, for as the Apostle Paul wrote: “It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16); And to those of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people; including you and me!
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Dear Ones,
Most of us spend a considerable amount of time each day conversing with family, neighbors and fellow workers. Do the things we say help or hinder those to whom we speak?
One of the favorite hymns we sing is Look For The Beautiful (Hymns of the Restoration, 226). The words of verse three are especially appropriate for us to consider in these days of the pandemic when many are discouraged and depressed by the many new and difficult challenges they encounter each day: “Talk of the beautiful, talk of the true; Tongues full of poison are whispering to you; Answer them not with a tale-bearing word, only in blessing the voice should be heard; talk of the beautiful, talk of thy Lord.”
How wonderful it would be if all the words we speak in conversations each day were prompted and anointed by the Holy Spirit. Such words would bring blessings to troubled souls. Isaiah said: “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season . . .” (Isaiah 50:4). “A word spoken in season [timely] how good it is!” (Proverbs 15:23).
Nephi wrote: “When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost, the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 15:1).On one occasion my father was given these words by the Spirit: “Let your words carry power and weight.” This was the blessed assurance that by the power of the Holy Spirit he could boldly proclaim the “words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:25).
People need to hear the words of the Lord. He said to his disciples: “I am the bread of life . . . I am the living bread which came down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die . . . It is the Spirit that quickeneth [which is refreshed and blessed]; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are life” (John 6:48-49, 63).
On a recent evening, I received a call from a lady who is a member of our Restoration Branch. She explained that she had a friend with her who was going through a tough time who needed some help. I suggested that she bring her friend, and her nine year old son, to my home where we could sit down at the kitchen table and have a good heart to heart, face to face, conversation.
Following the introductions, we listened. I hope the troubled woman could detect our sincere interest and compassion as she shared. We heard of her divorce and her struggles to make “ends meet.” She told of the roof of her home leaking, her need for a reliable car to get her to and from work at a nursing home, and finally she spoke of her need for someone to come and help her mow her lawn which includes a very steep area. She added, “One of the roof leaks is directly over my bed!”
After hearing her many concerns and making some suggestions that might alleviate some of her problems, I asked her about her faith in God, and of her church affiliation. She seemed to be lacking in these areas. I told her the best thing I could do for her was to introduce her to her very best friend, Jesus Christ. After sharing a personal testimony, and suggesting she accompany her friend to church, we closed our conversation with prayer. She seemed to be encouraged. Hopefully, the tide of her sea of trouble bas been turned and the rest of her story will be beautiful. Jesus promised: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He keeps his promises.
My Love to All,
High Priest Francis Harper
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