4th New Member Discussion

Brothers & Sisters we are privileged to be living in the most glorious of times, A time when all the generations of mankind come together. A time just before our Savior appears for his millennial reign. Think about that for a moment.

Last General Conference in April our beloved Prophet spoke on this subject and reiterated the fact that these are perilous times. We know this to be true. Dallin H. Oaks spoke on the signs of the times & our need to prepare for his 2nd coming. He told us there are 4 matters indisputable to Latter-day Saints. 1. The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during the millennium. 2 At the time of his coming there will be great destruction, a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. 3. No one knows the time of his coming, but , 4 the faithful are taught to study the signs and to be prepared for it. He focused primarily on the 4th with our need for spiritual preparation. He began the 4th topic with Alma 34:32 “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God….the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors” and he asked “Are we preparing?”

Imagine that you are living just below a large dam. One day you notice a crack in the dam. What would you do. Would you call someone to repair the crack or see what could be done to repair it? Later you see water leaking through

this crack and you realize that the dam soon will break. Would you mention casually to your family and friends that a problem exists or is developing? Or would you urgently do everything possible to warn others to escape the danger?

We should have much the same concern about sharing the saving truths of the gospel with those who have not yet heard them. We know the dam is about to break but do we see or feel the urgency

D&C 88:81 “It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.”

When we accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and are baptized into his church we accept the responsibility of sharing it with others, particularly relatives and friends.

Great blessings are promised the House of Israel. Some of us may not even comprehend these great blessings, - blessings of the priesthood, of exaltation, salvation and eternal life, the first resurrection, thrones, kingdoms, principalities, powers, dominions, to be gods and have eternal increase and have no end, even the angels are to be subject unto them, all power will be given unto them. He has watched over and protected the House of Israel down through

the ages. We, you and I, are the House of Israel. This is the covenant made to Abraham but continued through

his son Isaac, then Jacob whose name was changed to Israel and he had 12 sons. But do you think about Abrahams other sons and daughters. Ishmael is also a son of Abraham by Hagar. Ishmael also had 12 sons and Esau who Jacob’s brother and son of Isaac also took of Ishmael’s daughters to wife. After Sarah died, Abraham married Katura and had 7 more sons and daughters. Many other people occupied the earth at the time of the Lord’s covenant with Abraham. They also have descendents But only through

Jacob and his literal or by adoption descendents does Abraham’s covenant continue But where much is given much is expected. And rightly so. Why? We may ask.

1 Nephi 15:18 gives insight. The House of Israel is a peculiar treasure unto the Lord. “In the latter days all the nations, kindred, tongues and peoples are to be blessed by them”. How, we may ask? Missionary work.

Sometimes we feel that we’re doing our part by feeding the missionaries and sending our sons or daughters out on full time missions or contributing to the missionary fund but this is not enough and doesn’t full fill our requirements.

Mark 16:15 “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”

D&C 84:74 “Those who have received the kingdom must preach it unto those who have not”

1 Corinthians 9:16 “necessity is laid upon me; yea woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel”

Pay particular attention to this 1 Corinthians: “woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.”

Do not suppose that he is not talking to you and me. Just