From: Francis Harper
wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net
Francis Harper Message for 8/31/2018
Dear Ones,
At our prayer meetings we give thanks to God for our many blessings. In our testimonies we express our appreciation for the restoration of the “faith which was once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3), and for The Book of Mormon; a second witness of Jesus Christ.
We should be willing and anxious to share these precious blessings with our friends, neighbors and all who have ears to hear. Why are we so reluctant to do this? Are we afraid we might offend someone? We may be offending God by our negligence to bear witness of the truth. We need to boldly declare the truth we have been blessed to receive.
Perhaps we do not speak the truth as we should because we fear the truth we hold dear, may be rejected, or ridiculed? These fears should not deter us. Paul counseled Timothy: “. . . God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:7-8).
“Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me (Jesus, and his truth) before men, him will I confess also before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:28 IV; 10:32 KJV).
A word of caution was spoken by the Lord to his disciples: “It is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet” (Matthew 7:10).
Seeking the presence of the Holy Spirit and the gift of wisdom in our lives should be our first and highest priority. The spiritual gifts of the discerning of sprits, and knowledge, will guide us to those who have ears to hear and will receive and appreciate the truth we have to share. We need to pray for divine appointments.
In the early morning hours of April 29, 2013, during a delay of several hours between flights at Doha, United Arab Emirates, [on the Persian Gulf] I was studying the Bible. Suddenly a man stopped in front of me. He said he worked for the airlines and wanted to say hello. He said, “you are the only person I have ever seen studying the Bible in this airport.” Without a moment of hesitation I reached into my briefcase for The Book of Mormon. Holding it up for him to see, I said, I believe this is sacred scripture too. He said, “yes, it is a second witness for Jesus Christ.” I heartily agreed. Then I asked, who are you? His name was Benezer Napatuton of the Philippines and a Seventh Day Adventist.
Years before this experience at Doha, I became acquainted with Ed Rust, an employee of Quaker Oats, a Roman Catholic. He occasionally stopped by our Farm Supply Store. We often discussed scriptures from the Bible. Some months later Ed called me. In his travels he had stayed overnight in a motel in South Dakota. He explained that he had a habit of reading from a “Gideon Bible” before sleeping. He said, “last night when I opened a dresser drawer I found a copy of The Book of Mormon.” He excitedly said, “Francis, that book is the word of God!” Then I said, “Ed, have I ever told you I have believed The Book of Mormon from the days of my youth?” He said, “No, you never told me.” Ed, a Roman Catholic, is a second witness that you do not have to be a Restorationist to accept The Book of Mormon as the word of God.
Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. . .” (Romans 1:16). Neither, should we be ashamed of the truth. If we are, surely Jesus will be ashamed of us! We need to stand boldly as Paul, “Witnessing both to small and great. . . the words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:22, 25).
My Love to All,
Francis Harper
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Be Bold
Boldness has been a characteristic of the saints from the beginning. The boldness of the saints is based upon their faith in God and in the righteousness of his cause to “bring to pass the immortality, and eternal life of man” (Doctrine and Covenants 22:23b).
Evel Knievel’s boldness was quite likely based upon a confidence and pride in his own abilities and his insatiable appetite for applause.
The youthful David boldly faced the giant, Goliath, saying to him: Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts . . . the battle is the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
The three Hebrew men, who had been appointed by the king to positions of authority over Babylon, refused to bow down to his golden idol. King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. Yet the Hebrews boldly faced him, saying, “We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace . . . We will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image (Daniel 3:16-18).
Neither was Daniel threatened by the decree signed by King Darius that anyone who would petition any God or man other than himself “shall be cast into the den of lions . . . Now when Daniel knew the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks, before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:7-10).
The apostles Peter and John were commanded by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem not to “speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” (Acts 4:18-19).
When the apostles reported the threats of the chief priests and elders of the Jews, the believers “lifted up their voice to God with one accord . . . Lord, behold their threatening; and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word . . . and when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:24-29). We need more prayer meetings like this today.
When they were filled with the Holy Ghost they spake the word of God with boldness. Those who are filled with the Spirit of God speak with the power, wisdom and authority of God. Alma and the sons of Mosiah had “searched the scriptures diligently . . . they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting, therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority, even as with the power and authority of God (Alma 12:5).
Likewise Stephen, who was “full of the Holy Ghost,” did not hesitate to speak the truth to the high priest and elders of the Jews. “And they ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city and stoned him . . . and he, calling upon God, said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 6:57-59).
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 5:16).
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