A talk for our Priesthood Leadership Stake Conference Meeting (June 25, 2016)
I am always happy, for the privilege I have of meeting with the priesthood. I would like to thank our Stake Presidency for this opportunity to speak with you today.
The topic I was given is "Hasten the Work". The word 'hasten or hastening' means: "To cause to move or act swiftly"
The Lord declared: Behold, I will hasten my work in its time. (D&C 88:73)
Brethren, the time is now. There is an urgency in his work. This sense of urgency in promoting the Lord's kingdom in these last days does not arise out of panic, but out of a desire to move swiftly and surely to establish and strengthen his kingdom among all people who are seeking the light and truth of the gospel.
We, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work.
President Thomas S. Monson once mentioned that to his knowledge, the Lord has never indicated that His work is confined to mortality. Rather, His work embraces eternity.
Every good Latter-day Saint in the spirit world is busy, said President Brigham Young. He continues to say: “What are they doing there? They are preaching, preaching all the time, and preparing the way for us to hasten our work in building temples here and elsewhere.” [close quote]
Many of our ancestors died never having the chance to accept the gospel and to receive the blessings and promises we have received. The Lord is fair and He is loving. And so He prepared for you and me a way for us to have the desire of our hearts to offer to our ancestors all the blessings He has offered us.
The Lord gave promises to His children long ago. …
“'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
“'And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse' (Malachi 4:5-6).”
As we do temple work, we develop a spiritual kinship with our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that brings us peace, happiness, and eternal joy.
In the temple there is an influence and spirit that touches the minds, hearts, and souls of those present. Yes, it is truly the House of the Lord.
Another way we can hasten the work is missionary work.
Being an Elders Quorum President is a blessing to me because it helps me understand not only my calling but it also helps me feel the love I have for my brothers and sisters.
I have been thinking of and wondering about members who is not with us today, who is not a part of this group, because he thinks he is not wanted, understood, or loved.
There are in every ward, though they would deny it, are hungry for attention, for brotherhood, and for an active life in the Church.
I would like to read to you from the book of John chapter 21 verses 15-17 and it says:
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Brethren, are we feeding his sheep? In other words, are we doing our part as member missionaries? Are we doing our home teaching every month? Are we seeing every single family we have been assigned to? Are we going out on splits with the missionaries?
I remember we had a discussion in one of our groups and the question was raised, asking if home teaching was a commandment. I was very surprised that every single one of them said it was not a commandment. That it was "just an assignment". Let's see what the Lord has to say about that.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 38
40 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded.
41 And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.
But brother Guerrero, I haven't been assigned to any members of our ward. I do not have a home teaching list. My companion keeps cancelling on me and my personal favorite. I - do - not - have - time.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 58 verses 27-29
Brethren, the time is now. There is an urgency in his work. This sense of urgency in promoting the Lord's kingdom in these last days does not arise out of panic, but out of a desire to move swiftly and surely to establish and strengthen his kingdom among all people who are seeking the light and truth of the gospel.
We, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work.
President Thomas S. Monson once mentioned that to his knowledge, the Lord has never indicated that His work is confined to mortality. Rather, His work embraces eternity.
Every good Latter-day Saint in the spirit world is busy, said President Brigham Young. He continues to say: “What are they doing there? They are preaching, preaching all the time, and preparing the way for us to hasten our work in building temples here and elsewhere.” [close quote]
Many of our ancestors died never having the chance to accept the gospel and to receive the blessings and promises we have received. The Lord is fair and He is loving. And so He prepared for you and me a way for us to have the desire of our hearts to offer to our ancestors all the blessings He has offered us.
The Lord gave promises to His children long ago. …
“'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
“'And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse' (Malachi 4:5-6).”
As we do temple work, we develop a spiritual kinship with our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that brings us peace, happiness, and eternal joy.
In the temple there is an influence and spirit that touches the minds, hearts, and souls of those present. Yes, it is truly the House of the Lord.
Another way we can hasten the work is missionary work.
Being an Elders Quorum President is a blessing to me because it helps me understand not only my calling but it also helps me feel the love I have for my brothers and sisters.
I have been thinking of and wondering about members who is not with us today, who is not a part of this group, because he thinks he is not wanted, understood, or loved.
There are in every ward, though they would deny it, are hungry for attention, for brotherhood, and for an active life in the Church.
I would like to read to you from the book of John chapter 21 verses 15-17 and it says:
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Brethren, are we feeding his sheep? In other words, are we doing our part as member missionaries? Are we doing our home teaching every month? Are we seeing every single family we have been assigned to? Are we going out on splits with the missionaries?
I remember we had a discussion in one of our groups and the question was raised, asking if home teaching was a commandment. I was very surprised that every single one of them said it was not a commandment. That it was "just an assignment". Let's see what the Lord has to say about that.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 38
40 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded.
41 And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.
But brother Guerrero, I haven't been assigned to any members of our ward. I do not have a home teaching list. My companion keeps cancelling on me and my personal favorite. I - do - not - have - time.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 58 verses 27-29
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
Brethren, if you do not have a home teaching assignment -- here's a thought. Ask for one.
When we accepted the waters of baptism we made covenants. Those who have been to the temple should know we made even greater covenants which I may add - should not be taken lightly. If you can't get your companion to go - ask another member. An Elder, a priest, a teacher - even the missionaries are available. You can even ask your leaders if you have to. Brethren, there are no excuses. None.
Yes, there are times it may seem inconvenient because we want to watch the game or even more common, we might feel a little tired. The truth is, the work still needs to get done and we must find the time to do it.
I remember one rainy day the missionaries texted me a reminder to go out that evening and I sat there and began to think.... "uuuh, I don't want to go out. It's raining." So what did I do? I text them back and cancelled. As I put my phone down, the Spirit of the Lord said: "Are you going to let my chosen ones walk in the rain?"
These were missionaries on bikes in case you didn't know.
I remember I tried to ignore that prompting but I couldn't resist. So I text them back telling them I will go.
You see... the Lord always provides a way. Always. We just need to listen and obey. The more we obey, we will receive more.
President Tanner once said, and I quote: "Every bishop, every stake president, every leader of any organization knows someone who needs attention, and you and we have the responsibility of going to find that lost sheep. If we had knowledge tonight that some young man was lost, if anyone knew of someone who was drowning, we wouldn’t hesitate one minute to do all in our power to save that individual, to save the one who was lost, the one who was drowning, the one who was in need of our help. These young men and these older men who are inactive in the Church, who have strayed away from the Church because of inactivity or for any reason, need our help and need our attention just as much. They need our prayers and our consideration, and nothing will bring us greater joy and happiness than to see one come back into activity." [close quote]
President Tanner once said, and I quote: "Every bishop, every stake president, every leader of any organization knows someone who needs attention, and you and we have the responsibility of going to find that lost sheep. If we had knowledge tonight that some young man was lost, if anyone knew of someone who was drowning, we wouldn’t hesitate one minute to do all in our power to save that individual, to save the one who was lost, the one who was drowning, the one who was in need of our help. These young men and these older men who are inactive in the Church, who have strayed away from the Church because of inactivity or for any reason, need our help and need our attention just as much. They need our prayers and our consideration, and nothing will bring us greater joy and happiness than to see one come back into activity." [close quote]
Let us as leaders, and all of us, always remember and never forget that everyone is looking for happiness. Everyone wants to be happy. It is our great privilege and responsibility to show him or her the way to happiness and success. Often some little thing, or a misunderstanding causes one to become inactive. There are those who are discouraged and inactive because they have felt neglected or have been offended; or they are guilty of some transgression of their own, and as a result feel that they are outcasts or that there is no place for them, that they are not worthy or wanted. They feel that they are lost and cannot be forgiven. We as leaders must let them know and make them know that we love them, and help them to understand that the Lord loves them, and that the Lord will forgive them if they will truly repent.
[Bear Testimony]
And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
