Maren's Sacrament Meeting Talk 7/10 Given during our last sacrament meeting in 6th Ward

My Talk…
Preaching the Gospel

When we have something that we really love, something that brings us a lot of happiness and joy, our first instinct is to share it with others. We want them to also be able to attain that joy so we spread it everywhere. The gospel is the perfect example of this. Think of how many blessings the gospel has brought to our lives. Why would we not want others to have it too? Today I’ve been asked to speak on preaching the gospel and I would like to address that in three main points: teaching by example, teaching with service, and teaching with Christ’s light.

First, being a good example can help others receive the gospel in many ways. When we are acting righteously, others can see and feel the gospel’s change in us. It makes others want to have that happiness too. While speaking to a friend the other day she told me how when she meets members of our church she can tell because they are generally very nice and welcoming. It is this sort of behavior that can help us lead others to the gospel. We all know the scripture that was recently our youth theme from first Timothy that states “Let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” When we work hard to be an example to others they will truly be able to see the gospel in us and we can bring them closer to the light. I believe that being an example is a huge part of teaching the gospel because we cannot teach others the rules of the game that we do not play. When we are not acting our part others cannot see Christ’s example in us and often we could mistakably lead others to a misperception about our religion. Youth, we have a wonderful gift of being surrounded by hundreds at school that could receive the gospel. We need to take the initiative and invite our friends to activities, seminary, family home evenings, or dinner with the missionaries. Giving them a glimpse of the gospel can help them see what they are missing. Even just being a good example and standing up for what we believe can bring others with questions about our church. Though we may not be able to convert them right away, it still gives them a taste of what they are missing and may lead them to the gospel later in their lives and help them to be more willing to accept it because of the example you have shown them.

Second, service is the perfect tool to aid us in spreading the gospel to the world. It is like in the story of the sons of Mosiah when each son goes on a mission to the Lamanites. Ammon first serves the people and softens their hearts in the process. He then had much success in preaching them the gospel. Another one of his brothers dove headfirst into preaching and ended up in jail. While diving headfirst isn’t necessarily a bad tactic, service is a preparatory act to allow the gospel to really touch the hearts of those around us. Christ was the epitome of service and often served those around him. The apostles were often confused at the idea of the master serving his servants, but Christ needed to be an example for us. Service could be the one thing a person needs that allows them to open their hearts to the gospel. Missionaries give two years of their lives to preach the gospel, which by the end becomes a small number because of the blessings they receive and how many they were able to effect because of their service. Generations will be blessed because of the people who were converted.

Third, when we are preaching the gospel, we need to do so with Christ’s light and the Holy Ghost’s direction. When we are acting through Christ, we can tap into a power that allows us to show others how important this gospel really is. We can touch, soften, even change hearts if we use Christ’s example while we are teaching the gospel to others. Reaching out in friendship or kindness, service or longsuffering can help bring those to the gospel that may not have received it before. Also, if we use the guidance of the Holy Ghost, he can teach us what we need to do and say to fully help others receive the gospel. This way the Holy Ghost will also be able to speak to those we are teaching the gospel to. When they are surrounded by that feeling of warmth and comfort, it is telling them that what they are hearing is true.

I love having the gospel in my life and I really don’t know what I would do without it. It has definitely touched, softened, and changed my heart. Even lightened it I guess you could say. I would hope that I am living my life worthily enough that I can be guided to those who need to hear the gospel. When it is the most precious thing in my life, the one thing that can bring me happily home to my father in heaven, I would like to share it with everyone I love. Because that is what I truly desire with all my lightened heart, is to be with everyone that I love most, forever. The gospel brings me knowledge that many do not have, and I don’t know how I would get through life without it. I urge you all to share the gospel. It changes people’s lives. I have a few extended family members who are not living within its light anymore and it breaks my heart to see it. I want everyone to be able to share the same happiness that the gospel brings me but it takes all of us to do the work to make it that way. Preaching the gospel is the work we were sent here to do and is the most important mission in heaven. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.