Stand Firm in Christ's Work

At a vacation house in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, my 7-year-old self was upstairs in a room just playing the day away.  An amazing thought overtook me that I should quickly look out the window.  I followed that prompt and took a peek. I saw my one-year-old brother, Thomas, toddling his way towards that backyard pier that led to an inlet that fed to the ocean.  I raced downstairs and outside just in time to see him wander right off the dock and into the water. I ran as fast as I could and frantically started searching for him in the water. I was so scared. Then I saw it. A little hand desperately trying to reach the surface. I grabbed it and lifted him to safety. I hugged him so tight and just started to cry. I was so happy my little brother was safe.

I’m writing about this for two reasons: 1) You see that day, T-Bird was my responsibility. My mom assigned me to watch him. And he almost suffered the unthinkable because I got a little distracted; and 2) It’s my earliest memory of the Holy Ghost speaking, well, more like shouting to me.

Jesus Christ has always called His people to be a light unto the World. He’s given the Saints in this dispensation a specific assignment to gather Israel. It’s a big job and there’s a lot to do. And as you can see from the story above, I can get a little distracted. I assume I’m not alone.

I think that’s why He asks His prophets to steadily remind us of this important work. In October 2024 General Conference President Nelson called us all again to the work:

“I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ and rejoice in Christ.”

That can be an overwhelming assignment to talk of, have faith in, and rejoice in Christ in public amongst peers. But I hope we can take a bit of confidence from the fact that as Saints we are blessed to have the greatest companion constantly with us as we do this great work. The Holy Ghost.

Can you have a better companion than the Holy Ghost? A member of the Godhead divinely appointed to provide impressions to your heart and and promptings to your mind about specific individuals. To be with you on your right hand and your left and in your heart (D&C 84:88.) A companion that will testify of the Father and the Father’s love whenever gospel truth is spoken (John 15:26.) A spirit that can dwell in the hearts of anyone in quiet need of connection with the Father and bring the peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding from Him above (John 14:16.)

I’ll close with a quote from Elder Bednar's 2017 talk, “Called to the Work” and a brief testimony.

“All around you, every day, are friends and neighbors “who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.” (D&C 123:12)  As you are directed by the Spirit, you can share a thought, an invitation, a text or tweet that will introduce your friends to the truths of the restored gospel. You need not and should not wait for your official call to become anxiously engaged in missionary work”

I testify of the truthfulness of the power of the Holy Ghost and invite us all to take on Elder Bednar’s challenge. This is how we stand firm in Christ’s work. As someone who has been off the covenant path and sometimes easily distracted I’m eternally grateful for those willing to to talk of, have faith in, and rejoice in Christ to me. There are many around us who like my brother on his way to the water, are blissfully unaware of the danger ahead or also like my brother in the water, desperately struggling and yearning for the safety of their Savior.

Any time we share the teachings of Jesus Christ and invite people to church, perform ordinances that help redeem the dead and connect families, or minister in higher and holier ways in our ward families we are answering the call to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.