Friday, June 12, 2020

Francis Harper Message for 6/12/2020

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Francis Harper


Francis Harper Message for 6/12/2020

All Are Called





            Before the ascension of Jesus, he met with his eleven disciples and “spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-19). This message has been called The Great Commission. The Lord’s disciples of 2020 are still being called to accomplish these holy tasks; teaching and baptizing all nations.

            Performing the ordinances of baptisms must be accomplished by those who have been called of God and ordained with authority to baptize. Jesus asked: “The baptism of John; was it of [from] heaven, or of men?” (Luke 20:4). John’s baptism was from heaven attested by the Holy Spirit, who appeared in the form of a dove. It was necessary and appropriate for John, the Baptist, to appear as an angel to ordain Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith, Jr., giving them the authority from heaven to baptize each other and all nations. This happened on May 15, 1829, on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Northern Pennsylvania.
            All disciples are called/commissioned to the task of teaching the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. “Prosecute the missionary work in this land and abroad so far and so widely as you may. All are called according to the gifts of God unto them; and to the intent that all may labor together, let him that laboreth in the ministry and him that toileth in the affairs of the men of business and of work, labor together with God for the accomplishment of the work intrusted to all.” (Doctrine and Covenants 119:8 a-b).
            “I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom; teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that is expedient for you to understand . . . Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man [and woman] who hath been warned, to warn his neighbor; therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads” (Doctrine and Covenants 85:21-b, 22-a).
            “. . . inasmuch as parents have children . . . that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance; faith in Christ the Son of the living God; and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying of the hands when eight years old, the sin be upon the head of the parents” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:4-a).
            What a joy it is to be associated with the Lord as he hastens to complete his work in these last days. When Jesus was urged by his disciples, to eat with them, he said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of” (John 4:34). Teaching the Samaritan woman was more satisfying to him than eating. Then he added: Say not ye there are yet four months, then cometh harvest? Behold,  I say unto you, Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he who reapeth, receiveth wages,and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he who soweth, and he who reapeth, may rejoice together” (John 4:37-38). “And if it so be that you should labor all your days, in crying repentance unto this people, and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great will be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” (Doctrine and Covenants 16:3-f).
 
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Dear Ones,
 
            Disciples of Jesus: Our task of teaching the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue and people is not accomplished by simply teaching them about Jesus. Our task is not completed until they have a personal testimony of the Lord’s power and love.
            Bringing souls to God is a labor of love; enduring love. “And if it so be that you should labor all your days, . . . and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him [or her] in the kingdom of my Father!” (Doctrine and Covenants 16:3-f). How many months, or years, did the father pray for the return of his prodigal son (Luke 15)? If we have the love of the Savior in our hearts we will be praying for those we know who are “wandering in strange roads” (1 Nephi 2:81).
            Intercessory prayers should always accompany our efforts in bringing souls to God. An angel appeared to Alma II, and said: “Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant Alma, who is thy father: For he has prayed with much faith concerning thee, that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of truth; therefore for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith” (Mosiah 11:167-169).
            Jesus said to Nicodemus [and to all] verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  . . . marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again” (John 3:5, 7). Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men, and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God becoming his sons and daughters; and thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 11:186-187). “An inheritance in the kingdom of God is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (1 Nephi 4:63).
            Our teaching task “is to preach [and teach] . . . , saying, you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; for all men must repent and be baptized, and not only men, but women; and children who arrived to the years of accountability” (Doctrine and Covenants 16:6-c-d). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God therefore being justified only by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
            Repentance is an absolute necessity for all of us unless we choose to forfeit our inheritance in the kingdom of God! David and Solomon were both guilty of abominable sins. But Solomon “repenteth not as did David his father, that I may forgive him” (1 Kings 11:33). How tragic it was for Solomon that he did not repent. And how tragic it will be for us if we do not repent as David, even as it is written in Psalm 51.
            “We’ve a story to tell to the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light . . .”
            Refrain
            For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noon-day bright, And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.
            “We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above, hath sent us His son to save us, and show us that God is love . . .”
            Refrain     (Hymns of the Restoration #94)
 
My Love to All,
High Priest Francis Harper






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