Let me first bear you my Testimony, in which the Lord commands all to bear record of their convictions and also promises forgiveness of sins... (as found in Doctrine & Covenants 84:61) "For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you."
What things are communicated to me brethren? That Salvation will come to all men who believe on His name, even Jesus Christ... and are Baptized by Immersion, given the Gift of The Holy Ghost by the Laying on of Hands by those having (proper) authority. Entering into the covenants that he wills us to through righteous observance of all commandments, being clean and pure and converted in our hearts.... with Charity, "the Pure Love Of Christ" (Moroni 7:47). I have seen the hand of The Lord in my life, he whom has seen fit to lift me up from out of mine afflictions, out of the desperation of the pains that I was racked with (Me, Rex) and will use Alma as an example, I was pained from all the evil I had done and "...was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul." (Alma 36:16). I know that because of the sacrifice of the Savior.... the awe inspiring and always inconceivable Atonement that lifts us from the burden of sin... we can return to a loving Heavenly Father.... and experience a fullness of joy that will come from Eternal Life with The Holy One Of Israel! I know that this is his work brethren. I know, by the communication of the Holy Ghost that God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ did indeed visit that boy Joseph Smith... and commence then and there with the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness, never again to be taken from the Earth. The Dispensation of the Fullness of times! This I bear my witness to all of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I wish a recording was available, or transcript (Although I am very very glad it was guided by the Holy Ghost) for all the messages given us at this Branch Conference on Sunday February 28th, 2010. It is a collective talk I will write here, hopefully touching all the message of the entire Stake Presidency; This "talk" I write I wish to forever be known as....
"The Plainview Ward" : The Prophetic Revelations Of The Lubbock Stake Presidency
This conference has been one of which has appealed to both the Spirits of the loving members and to those whom have sought how to lengthen their stride in performing the greatest work we could all ever endeavor in, Missionary Work! The scriptures refer to it as proclaiming repentance to the world.In a talk called "Becoming A Missionary" By Elder David A. Bednar, Of The Quorum Of The Twelve Apostles, this was mentioned;
The heirs of all the promises and covenants made by God to Abraham are referred to as the seed of Abraham (see Bible Dictionary, “Seed of Abraham,” 771). These blessings are obtained only by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Brethren, the process of becoming a missionary is directly related to understanding who we are as the seed of Abraham.
Abraham was a great prophet who desired righteousness and was obedient to all of the commandments he received from God, including the command to offer as a sacrifice his precious son, Isaac. Because of his steadfastness and obedience, Abraham is often referred to as the father of the faithful, and Heavenly Father established a covenant with and promised great blessings to Abraham and his posterity:
“Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou has obeyed my voice” (Gen. 22:16–18).
Thus, Abraham was promised a great posterity and that the nations of the earth would be blessed through that posterity.
How are the nations of the earth blessed through the seed of Abraham? The answer to this important question is found in the book of Abraham:
“And I will make of thee [Abraham] a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;
“And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father” (Abr. 2:9–10).
We learn in these verses that Abraham’s faithful heirs would have the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the authority of the priesthood. Thus, the phrase “bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations” refers to the responsibility to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to invite all to receive by proper priesthood authority the ordinances of salvation. Truly, great responsibility rests upon the seed of Abraham in these latter days.
How do these promises and blessings relate to us today? Either by literal lineage or adoption, every man and boy within the sound of my voice tonight is a rightful heir to the promises made by God to Abraham. We are the seed of Abraham. One of the primary reasons we receive a patriarchal blessing is to help us more fully understand who we are as the posterity of Abraham and to recognize the responsibility that rests upon us.
My beloved brethren, you and I, today and always, are to bless all peoples in all the nations of the earth. You and I, today and always, are to bear witness of Jesus Christ and declare the message of the Restoration. You and I, today and always, are to invite all to receive the ordinances of salvation.
Proclaiming the gospel is not a part-time priesthood obligation. It is not simply an activity in which we engage for a limited time or an assignment we must complete as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather, missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are, and that is why we are here—today and always.
..... part 2 in the works!
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