IT'S A MIRACLE Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Sunday morning, 7 April 2013

   

  

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Elder Anderson asks us to “imagine the scene of the eleven Apostles . . . when the risen Lord came to them and said: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them’ (Matthew 28:19)” . . . ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’ (Mark 16:15).”

“ ‘All nations’? ‘All the world’? ‘Every creature’? Was it possible? . . . (Matthew 28:20; Mark 16:17–18).  Faith overcame doubt, and Peter lifted his voice, saying: . . . ‘This Jesus … God [hath] raised up, [and] we all are witnesses.’ (Acts 2:14, 22–23, 32)”

This is the scope of the work to which all followers of Christ are called. Time has not altered the Savior’s instruction. We are to teach and baptized all—every creature! We also must rely on faith and heavenly help to overcome doubt and accomplish so great a task.

Favorite Quotes:

"Today we have congregations in 189 of the 224 nations and territories of the world. We are few in number, just as Nephi foretold (1 Nephi 14:12).  But at the same time, you and I are eyewitnesses of Daniel’s prophetic words: the ‘stone … cut … without hands … [is filling] the whole earth.’ (Daniel 2:34–35) . . . Our day is a remarkable time of miracles." [Emphasis mine.]

“We are witnessing the miracles of the Lord as His gospel is spreading across the world.”

“If you’re not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart—painted, as Paul said, ‘not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.’(2 Corinthians 3:3).”

“I promise you, as you pray to know with whom to speak, names and faces will come into your mind. Words to speak will be given in the very moment you need them. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:85; 100:6). Opportunities will open to you. Faith will overcome doubt, and the Lord will bless you with your very own miracles.”

“Pray to your Heavenly Father. This is His sacred work. He will guide you in what to do. He will open doors, remove roadblocks, and help you overcome obstacles. The Lord declared, “The voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, … and none shall stay them (Doctrine and Covenants 1:4–5).”

So what?

“President Thomas S. Monson has said: ‘We take most seriously the Savior’s mandate … , “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them . . .’ (Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 5). ‘… No force in the entire world can stop the work of God’  (Thomas S. Monson, “As We Gather Once Again,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 4).

Often we do not take the words of prophets personally and apply them. Elder Anderson specially addresses each individual that follow professes to follow Jesus:

“As surely as the Lord has inspired more missionaries to serve, He is also awakening the minds and opening the hearts of more good and honest people to receive His missionaries. You already know them or will know them. They are in your family and live in your neighborhood. They walk past you on the street, sit by you in school, and connect with you online.

                 “You too are an important part of this unfolding miracle. . . . The Lord needs you now more than ever to be an instrument in His hands. All of us have a contribution to make to this miracle. . . .  “You can help answer their questions. In your everyday conversations you can add to their faith in Christ.

                 “(The Prophet Joseph Smith said: ‘Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. … We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up” (History of the Church, 5:517). “We don’t ask any people to throw away any good they have … ; we only ask them to come and get more.’)”

                

“We must be a friendly people. We must recognize the good in all people. We don’t go about tearing down other churches. We preach and teach in a positive and affirmative way. We say to those of other faiths, ‘you bring with you all the good that you have and let us see if we can add to it.’ That is essentially the essence of our great missionary program and it yields results” (“Messages of Inspiration from President Hinckley,” Church News, Nov. 7, 1998, 2; see ldschurchnews.com).

“President Monson has asked that we pray for “those areas where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely. (Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 6).” As we earnestly and unitedly petition our Father in Heaven, the Lord will continue to open important doors for us.”

“We also pray for our own opportunities to share the gospel. The Apostle Peter said, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh … a reason [for] the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15). The Savior said: “Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up (3 Nephi 18:24).”