TALK NOTES FROM MY TALK TODAY

Talk notes Jan 2015

Hastening the work of Salvation

There has been much emphasis by the brethren of the church as of late to hasten the work of Salvation. I have felt a personal witness of this even within the church here in this valley. What does it mean to Hasten? It means to hurry or to cause something to happen sooner than it otherwise would.  Sometimes we may ask ourselves, "How can I possibly move faster or do more than I am doing now?" I testify to you that through the Atonement of Christ coupled with a deepened desire and commitment to The Lord, you in fact CAN do more and hasten the work of Salvation in your own lives.

In Luke chapter 2 we are taught of the Savior’s reply to his parents, Joseph and Mary, when they found him teaching in the temple at the age of twelve. His mother expressed concern about having searched for him for three days. As she questioned, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing” (Luke 2:48). Her son’s dutiful response came, saying: “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

Brothers and Sisters the work of Salvation is our Father's business.  We are united with him in the business of saving souls. Christ from an early age gave us a perfect example of making this a priority in his life and ministry.

The Lord is asking us in this last dispensation to not only make it a priority, but to do his work bigger and better, and more efficent than we have in the past. We must not become casual and fail to heed the invitation to Hasten his work. Don't get stuck in a rut and fall into patterns of behavior that keep you from taking time for the Lord's work.

During the early history of the church the Prophet and others would ride in canoes to travel from place to place along the Missouri River. On August 12, 1831 as they were camped at a place called McILwaine's Bend the Prophet received the revelation found in D&C 61. In verse 3 it reads: "But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief." I remember first applying this scripture on my mission and trying to remember that while my appointments and destinations were important, The Lord was going to place people in my path as well ...and that I needed to make sure that my eyes were open to this a long the way.
How many of us our moving too swiftly upon the waters? We need to make sure that we do not let our lives become so busy that we neglect those in need a long the way. ( This could be Our spouse, our children, our neighbor, the homeless and needy, the sick and aflicted, those who are searching for the truth but know not where to find it) These souls are placed in our path every day of our lives. Let us not be like the priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan who refused aid to the half-dead man who was in obvious need, and even distanced themselves from him by walking on the “other side.” But let us be like the unexpected Samaritan who had compassion on the wounded fellow. Who tenderly bound up his wounds, administered soothing oil, placed him upon his own beast and took him to an inn, and stayed with him overnight..and paying the cost of his care. The priest and the Levite, much like the early elders of the church were moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side perished.


We can't go about our Father's business if we are too busy minding our own business.

In Mosiah 4:27 it reads
And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

The Lord is asking us to Hasten his work, but that may require us to give more of our time and energy and start to run a little faster. If we are going to do all things in wisdom and order and it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. The only way I reconcile this in my mind is....we have to increase our strength. We have to get STRONGER so we CAN run faster!

Well how do we become stronger? The only way we can become stronger is by Coming unto Christ in our lives. He is the Master and Giver of strength. The Lord said in Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
When we are yoked with Christ our burdens become light and our strength and our power to do God's will increases.
As it says in Isiaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my STRENGTH and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Brothers and Sisters, where much is given much is required. We must take part in the hastening of the work.

As I said before
 We cannot go about our Father's business if we are too busy minding our own business. Let us come unto Christ with a deepened desire and comittment by making time for The Lord in our lives.
Let me close with 5 suggestions of how we may accomplish this.
1. Make time for more frequent Prayer and Gospel Study. .We must feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
2. Make time to strengthen your family The greatest work you ever do will be within the walls of your own home.
3. Make time to open your mouth and share the gospel. Peter admonished the early followers of Christ to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).
4. Make time for the Temple. It is the great symbol of our Membership. Thomas S monson said I think there is no other place in this world where I feel closer to The Lord than in one of his Temples.
5. Make time for Service, Pres Uchdorf has said, As we lose ourselves in the Service of others we discover our own lives and our own happiness

I leave with you my testimony that as we make time for these things in our lives we will become stronger and we will be embarked in the Service of God with all our heart, mind, and strength. We wil run faster and longer in the work that Lord is giving us in the Latter-days. Let us Hasten his work with all diligence is my prayer.
In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.