Brethren, since the opening of my calling to be the Elders Quorum President here in Plainview Texas, I have frequently looked over a long, nine page roster of 202 families who are Members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with bewilderment on just exactly how the Lord would have me proceed. In an even closer review, my inquiry showed me that 87 of our families do not have a Melchizedek Priesthood holder among them. I know, from review of other blogs and stories online that circumstances half as unfortunate as the one here in Plainview have caused many other Leaders in their respective areas to "Throw In The Towel."
Perhaps there are even times where people don't throw in the towel, but become complacent with the minimum standard. This is not in harmony with the Doctrine of the church. This is not in harmony with the principles of the church. We actually have to do all we can when we can do it. For example, we need to know what is expected of us and therefore seek after the Lord for that understanding. He will deliver. Said the Lord in the 107th Section of the Doctrine & Covenants , "Wherefore now let every man learn his duty to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence." So, to learn his duty, the individual must seek the wisdom of the Lord through prayer and fasting, as well as abounding in good works. It is not until we lose ourselves in service to the Lord that we can feel the cup of joy and charity abide inside us.
The appeal I make here is the fact that if we all learn our duties, and act "...In all diligence." we can without a doubt succeed in the hard work of Activating the Inactive. Let our hearts be open with love, let your mind be clear for understanding, and our souls anchored in trust and faith unto the Lord.
We certainly will not be able to get 100% on our home teaching until we can increase the size of our Melchizedek Priesthood that are active fully. We can, however, improve our stats without a shadow of a doubt if we begin to incorporate what is called "The 5-10-15-20 = 100%."
THE 5-10-15-20 = 100% SYSTEM
"Home Teaching
is not just an assignment. It is a sacred calling. Home Teaching is not to be
undertaken casually. A home teaching call, is to be accepted as if extended to
you personally by The Lord Jesus Christ." (Ezra Taft Benson)
1) Make contact with the people they
teach by the 5th of each month.
"
And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in
secret and attend to all family duties." (Doctrine & Covenants Section 20:47)
“Therefore,
strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all
your exhortations, and in all your doings.” (Doctrine & Covenants Section 108:7)
2) Make An Appointment To Visit By The
10th Of Each Month.
"
And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in
secret and attend to all family duties." (Doctrine & Covenants Section 20:47)
“Wherefore
we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come
unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his
rest.” (Jacob 1:7)
3) Visit The People They Teach By The 15th
Of Each Month.
"
Every elder, priest, teacher, or deacon is to be ordained according to the
gifts and callings of God unto him; and he is to be ordained by the power of
the Holy Ghost, which is in the one who ordains him." (Doctrine & Covenants Section 20:60)
4) Report By The 20th Of Each
Month To The Appropriate Secretary
"They
are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto
Christ." (Doctrine & Covenants
Section 20:59)
"And
see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other,
neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking;" (Doctrine & Covenants Section 20:54)
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I am convinced, and feel the confirmation that we will grow in size and activity.
I hope this has been helpful to you all.
**Lubbock Texas Stake Announcements:
October 1st Through 5th - Temple Closed
Tuesday, October 5th Relief Society @ 6:30
Sunday, October 10th @ 8:30a.m. Branch Council
*****************Plainview Branch Elders & High Priest Lessons By Date:
10-10-10 : Chapter 19 Gospel Principles Manual "Repentance"
10-17-10 : Chapter 20 Gospel Principles Manual "Baptism"
10-24-10 : "Helping Hands, Saving Hands" - By Elder Koichi Aoyagi - April 2010 Conference
10-31-10 : Joint Meeting With Priesthood
11-7-10 : "To The Home Teachers Of The Church" By President Ezra Taft Benson - April 1987 -
11-14-10 : Chapter 21 Gospel Principles Manual "The Gift Of The Holy Ghost"
11-21-10 : Chapter 22 Gospel Principles Manual "The Gifts Of The Spirit"
11-28-10 : "That Our Children Might See The Face Of Our Savior" - By Cheryl C. Lant - April 2010
12-5-10 : "Only An Elder" - by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in 1974
12-12-10 : Chapter 23 Gospel Principles Manual "The Sacrament"
12-19-10 : Chapter 24 Gospel Principles Manual "The Sabbath Day"
12-26-10 : To Be Announced
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