----- 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).
+++++++++++++++++++++++
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
No comments:
Post a Comment