This is a review of the slides we used while This is a review of the slides we used while discussing . . .discussing . . .

Inviting others to ‘come unto Inviting others to ‘come unto Christ’Christ’ Alma 17-29Alma 17-29

Four Principles of Inviting Others to ‘Come Unto Christ’

Preparing Self & Others Preparing Self & Others (Alma 17-18)(Alma 17-18)Sharing & Declaring Sharing & Declaring (Alma 17-22)(Alma 17-22)Fruits of Conversion Fruits of Conversion (Alma 20-29)(Alma 20-29)

Fruits of Service Fruits of Service (Alma 26-29)(Alma 26-29)

Principles of Preparing Principles of Preparing Self and OthersSelf and Others

Alma 17:2-3Alma 17:2-3The Spirit and the WordThe Spirit and the Word

““If there is one message I have repeated to If there is one message I have repeated to my brethern of the Twelve it is that it’s the Spirit my brethern of the Twelve it is that it’s the Spirit that counts. It is the Spirit that matters. I do not that counts. It is the Spirit that matters. I do not know how often I have said this, but I never tire of know how often I have said this, but I never tire of saying it - saying it - it is the Spirit that matters mostit is the Spirit that matters most.”.”

(Ezra Taft Benson, mission presidents’ (Ezra Taft Benson, mission presidents’ seminar, 3 April 1985)seminar, 3 April 1985)

““. . . the Lord’s periodic whisperings to my . . . the Lord’s periodic whisperings to my mind. Over the years, these whisperings have mind. Over the years, these whisperings have guided me and reassured me. They give me, from guided me and reassured me. They give me, from time to time, in the words of the Prophet Joseph, time to time, in the words of the Prophet Joseph, sudden strokes of ideas and occasionally the pure sudden strokes of ideas and occasionally the pure flow of intelligenceflow of intelligence (Teachings of the Prophet (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 151). . . . These are inward Joseph Smith, p. 151). . . . These are inward things, often taking the form of a things, often taking the form of a directing phrasedirecting phrase. . I have found that the Lord gives more I have found that the Lord gives more instructionsinstructions than explanationsthan explanations.”.” (Neal A Maxwell, (Neal A Maxwell, Becoming a Becoming a DiscipleDisciple, Ensign, June 1996, p. 12-19), Ensign, June 1996, p. 12-19)

Alma 17:11Alma 17:11Show forth good examples. . .Show forth good examples. . .

““We cannot hope to influence others in the We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of virtue unless we live lives of virtue.direction of virtue unless we live lives of virtue. The example of our living will carry a greater The example of our living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching in which we influence than will all the preaching in which we might indulgemight indulge.. We cannot expect to lift others We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand on higher ground ourselves.” unless we stand on higher ground ourselves.”

(Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1975, 57; or Ensign, Nov. 1975, 38–39)Oct. 1975, 57; or Ensign, Nov. 1975, 38–39)

Alma 17:13Alma 17:13Great [is] the work. . .Great [is] the work. . .

““You cannot light a fire in another You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soulsoul unless it is burning in your own soul.”.”

(Harold B. Lee, in Conference (Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 178–79; or Ensign, July Report, Apr. 1973, 178–79; or Ensign, July 1973, 123)1973, 123)

Alma 17:25Alma 17:25I will be thy servant. . .I will be thy servant. . .

The contrast between the motive to help and the The contrast between the motive to help and the motive to use can even be motive to use can even be seen in some Church serviceseen in some Church service. . A missionary with a motive to use "his" mission for A missionary with a motive to use "his" mission for personal growth and "his" baptisms to gain personal growth and "his" baptisms to gain recognition for "his" accomplishments is a phony and recognition for "his" accomplishments is a phony and a failure. His motives and attitudes are transparent. a failure. His motives and attitudes are transparent. Companions, leaders, and investigators will soon Companions, leaders, and investigators will soon recognize and resent a missionary who sees them as recognize and resent a missionary who sees them as mere objects to be used for his benefit. This same mere objects to be used for his benefit. This same principle applies to presidents and bishops, to principle applies to presidents and bishops, to teachers and temple workers. teachers and temple workers. All must seek to serve as All must seek to serve as instruments of God's purposes rather than as promoters instruments of God's purposes rather than as promoters of their own.of their own. (Dallin H. Oaks, (Dallin H. Oaks, Pure in HeartPure in Heart, p.30), p.30)

Alma 17:30Alma 17:30Term to be his brethren. . .Term to be his brethren. . .

“ “There are There are no slick tricks, and quickie campaigns no slick tricks, and quickie campaigns usually failusually fail, for , for “a brother offended is harder to be “a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.”won than a strong city.” (Prov. 18:19.) Further, while (Prov. 18:19.) Further, while we must stand on higher ground in order to lift we must stand on higher ground in order to lift another, another, there must be no condescension or there must be no condescension or suggestion that our concern is statistical rather than suggestion that our concern is statistical rather than spiritual.spiritual. Nor are souls to be dropped soon after they Nor are souls to be dropped soon after they have been painstakingly lifted. have been painstakingly lifted. How many times are How many times are we supposed to find the elect anyway?we supposed to find the elect anyway?

(Neal A. Maxwell, in Conference Report, Apr. (Neal A. Maxwell, in Conference Report, Apr. 1982, 55; or Ensign, May 1982, 37)1982, 55; or Ensign, May 1982, 37)

Alma 18:3Alma 18:3A friend to the king. . .A friend to the king. . .

Alma 18:10Alma 18:10Astonished because of the Astonished because of the

faithfulness. . .faithfulness. . .

Mosiah 28:1-3Mosiah 28:1-3they could not bear that they could not bear that any human soul should any human soul should

perish. . .perish. . .

““Love is one of the chief characteristics of Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious anxious to bless the whole human raceto bless the whole human race.. This has been your This has been your feeling, and caused you to forgo the pleasures of feeling, and caused you to forgo the pleasures of home, that you might be a blessing to others, who home, that you might be a blessing to others, who are candidates for immortality, but strangers to are candidates for immortality, but strangers to truth; and for so doing, I pray that heaven’s truth; and for so doing, I pray that heaven’s choicest blessings may rest upon you.”choicest blessings may rest upon you.”

((Teachings of the Prophet Joseph SmithTeachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 175), p. 175)

Sharing & Sharing & DeclaringDeclaring

Alma 17:11Alma 17:11establish my word; yet ye establish my word; yet ye

shall be patient. . .shall be patient. . .

“ “The Lord deals with this people The Lord deals with this people as as a tender parent a tender parent with a childwith a child, , communicating light and intelligence and communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it.”the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it.”

((Teachings of the Prophet Joseph SmithTeachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section , Section Six 1843–44, p.305)Six 1843–44, p.305)

""Obedience to God can be the very highest expression of Obedience to God can be the very highest expression of independenceindependence. Just think of giving to him the one thing, the one . Just think of giving to him the one thing, the one gift, that he would never wrest from you. You know these lines gift, that he would never wrest from you. You know these lines of the poet:of the poet:

Know this, that every soul is freeKnow this, that every soul is freeTo choose his life and what he'll be,To choose his life and what he'll be,For this eternal truth is givenFor this eternal truth is givenThat God will force no man to heav'nThat God will force no man to heav'n. .

He'll call, persuade, direct aright,He'll call, persuade, direct aright,And bless with wisdom, love, and light,And bless with wisdom, love, and light,In nameless ways to good and kind,In nameless ways to good and kind,But never force the human mindBut never force the human mind..(LDS Hymn "Know This, That Every Soul Is (LDS Hymn "Know This, That Every Soul Is Free" by William C. Clegg.)Free" by William C. Clegg.)

(Boyd K. Packer, Obedience, [Brigham Young University (Boyd K. Packer, Obedience, [Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, Prove, 7 Dec. 1971].) Speeches of the Year, Prove, 7 Dec. 1971].)

Alma 18:20, 22-23Alma 18:20, 22-23Thou mayest speak Thou mayest speak boldly. . .wilt thou boldly. . .wilt thou

hearken . . .hearken . . .

lift up you voice as with the lift up you voice as with the sound of a trump. . .sound of a trump. . .

D&C 24:12; 33:2; 34:6; D&C 24:12; 33:2; 34:6; 36:1; 42:6; 75:436:1; 42:6; 75:4

Alma 18:23-28Alma 18:23-28Testimony. . .Testimony. . .

““. . . your personal testimony is the . . . your personal testimony is the strongest arrow strongest arrow in your quiver.”in your quiver.”

(James E. Faust, (James E. Faust, EnsignEnsign, May 1996, 42), May 1996, 42)

“From this we can see that the whole human From this we can see that the whole human family . . . had this knowledge disseminated among family . . . had this knowledge disseminated among them. . .so that God became an object of their faith.them. . .so that God became an object of their faith.

And the And the evidencesevidences which these men had of the which these men had of the existence of a God, was existence of a God, was the testimony of their fathers the testimony of their fathers in the first instancein the first instance. . . . . we have seen that it was . . . we have seen that it was human testimony, and human testimony onlyhuman testimony, and human testimony only, that , that excited this inquiry. . .in their minds. It was the excited this inquiry. . .in their minds. It was the credence they gave to the testimony of their fathers, credence they gave to the testimony of their fathers, this testimony having aroused their minds to inquire this testimony having aroused their minds to inquire after the knowledge of God.”after the knowledge of God.”

(Joseph Smith, Lectures 2:33-34, 56.)(Joseph Smith, Lectures 2:33-34, 56.)

““I have learned that strong, impressive I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction. Unless our own edification, instruction, or correction. Unless we are called by proper authority to do so, they do we are called by proper authority to do so, they do not position us to counsel or to correct others.not position us to counsel or to correct others.

I have come to believe also that I have come to believe also that it is not wise to it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences.continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. They They are to be guarded with care and are to be guarded with care and shared only when the shared only when the Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the blessing of Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the blessing of othersothers. . .. . .

I heard President Marion G. Romney once I heard President Marion G. Romney once counsel mission presidents and their wives in Geneva, counsel mission presidents and their wives in Geneva, “I do not tell all I know; I have never told my wife all I “I do not tell all I know; I have never told my wife all I know, for I found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred know, for I found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred things, thereafter the Lord would not trust me.”things, thereafter the Lord would not trust me.”

We are, I believe, to keep these things and ponder We are, I believe, to keep these things and ponder them in our hearts, as Luke said Mary did of the them in our hearts, as Luke said Mary did of the supernal events that surrounded the birth of Jesus. (supernal events that surrounded the birth of Jesus. (See See Luke 2:19Luke 2:19.).) (Boyd K. Packer, The Candle of the Lord (Boyd K. Packer, The Candle of the Lord [From a talk given at a seminar for new mission [From a talk given at a seminar for new mission presidents, 25 June 1982] in presidents, 25 June 1982] in EnsignEnsign, Jan. 1983, 51-56)., Jan. 1983, 51-56).

Alma 18:36, 39; 22:12-14Alma 18:36, 39; 22:12-14Teach the Teach the

Plan of Salvation. . .Plan of Salvation. . .

““People wonder 'why?' --Why are we People wonder 'why?' --Why are we commanded to do some things, and why we are commanded to do some things, and why we are commanded not to do other things? A knowledge commanded not to do other things? A knowledge of the plan of happiness, even in outline form, can of the plan of happiness, even in outline form, can give . . . minds a 'why'. . .give . . . minds a 'why'. . .

Providing your students with a collection of Providing your students with a collection of unrelated truths will hurt as much as it helpsunrelated truths will hurt as much as it helps. . Provide a basic feeling for the whole plan, even with Provide a basic feeling for the whole plan, even with just a few details, and it will help them ever so just a few details, and it will help them ever so much more. Let them know what it’s all about, much more. Let them know what it’s all about, then they will have the 'then they will have the 'whywhy'”'”

. . . Alma said this, and this is, I think of late, my . . . Alma said this, and this is, I think of late, my favorite scripture, although I change now and again: favorite scripture, although I change now and again: ‘God gave unto them commandments, after having ‘God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption’made known unto them the plan of redemption’ (Alma (Alma 12:32). Let me say that again: ‘God gave unto them 12:32). Let me say that again: ‘God gave unto them commandments, commandments, afterafter having made known unto them having made known unto them the plan of redemption.’ Now, let me say it again: the plan of redemption.’ Now, let me say it again: ‘God gave unto them commandments, ‘God gave unto them commandments, afterafter having having made known unto them the plan of redemption.’made known unto them the plan of redemption.’ (Boyd K. Packer, (Boyd K. Packer, The Great Plan of HappinessThe Great Plan of Happiness, , Religious Symposuim, BYU, 10 August 1993).Religious Symposuim, BYU, 10 August 1993).

Alma 19:31Alma 19:31Allow them to teach. . .Allow them to teach. . .

Oh, if I could teach you this one principle. A Oh, if I could teach you this one principle. A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it!testimony is to be found in the bearing of it! Somewhere in Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that “leap of your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that “leap of faith,” as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when faith,” as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the you have gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two. a footstep or two. “The spirit of man,”“The spirit of man,” is as the scripture is as the scripture says, says, indeed the candle of the Lordindeed the candle of the Lord.”.” ( (Prov. 20:27Prov. 20:27.).) It is It is one thing to receive a witness from what you have read or one thing to receive a witness from what you have read or what another has said; and that is a necessary beginning. what another has said; and that is a necessary beginning. It is quite another to have the Spirit confirm to you in your It is quite another to have the Spirit confirm to you in your bosom that what you have testified is truebosom that what you have testified is true. Can you not see . Can you not see that it will be supplied as you share it? As you give that that it will be supplied as you share it? As you give that which you have, there is a replacement, with increase!”which you have, there is a replacement, with increase!” (Boyd K. Packer, (Boyd K. Packer, The Candle of the LordThe Candle of the Lord, Ensign, Jan. 83, , Ensign, Jan. 83, p. 51)p. 51)

Fruits of Fruits of ConversionConversion

Alma 20:14-15Alma 20:14-15“know that they are just “know that they are just

men and holy prophets . . .”men and holy prophets . . .”

““I honor and revere the name of Joseph I honor and revere the name of Joseph Smith. I delight to hear it; I love it. I love his Smith. I delight to hear it; I love it. I love his doctrine. doctrine.

What I have received from the Lord, I have What I have received from the Lord, I have received by Joseph Smith; he was the instrument received by Joseph Smith; he was the instrument made use of. . . .made use of. . . .

I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smithwhen I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the , the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the Kingdom of God on earth” (Discourses of Kingdom of God on earth” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 458).Brigham Young, 458).

““How thankful we ought to be . . . how How thankful we ought to be . . . how thankful we are, for a prophet to counsel us in words thankful we are, for a prophet to counsel us in words of divine wisdom as we walk our paths in these of divine wisdom as we walk our paths in these complex and difficult times. The solid assurance we complex and difficult times. The solid assurance we carry in our hearts, carry in our hearts, the convictionthe conviction that God will that God will make his will known to his children through his make his will known to his children through his recognized servant is recognized servant is the real basis of our faith and the real basis of our faith and activityactivity. . We either have a prophet or we have nothing: We either have a prophet or we have nothing: and having a prophet, we have everythingand having a prophet, we have everything” (” (Teachings Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckleyof Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 499-500)., p. 499-500).

Alma 22:15-18Alma 22:15-18“what shall I do . . .”“what shall I do . . .”[see also Acts 2:37; 4:13-17][see also Acts 2:37; 4:13-17]

"I have come to know, in interviewing people who have made mistakes in their lives, that a very convincing evidence of repentance is that they are willing to do whatever is required of them. Occasionally, when a bishop is hesitant to issue a temple recommend, a member will resist the bishop and perhaps argue with him. That very attitude is a signal that the bishop may well need to consider very, very carefully whether or not someone with that spirit should be given the privilege of entering the house of the Lord. It indicates that member may not be quite ready." (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple, p. 54-55)

Alma 23:16; 27:27Alma 23:16; 27:27“that thereby they might be “that thereby they might be

distinguished . . .”distinguished . . .”

“It makes sense to me that the Lord would choose out of the world those who are (or who could become) different from the world and, therefore, could lead the world to a different outcome. We must be different in order to make a difference.” (Neal A Maxwell, Disposition of a Disciple, p. 54-55)

Alma 24:7Alma 24:7“gratitude in face of “gratitude in face of

trial . . .”trial . . .”

Alma 24:19Alma 24:19“rather die than commit “rather die than commit

sin . . .”sin . . .”[see Alma 56:47][see Alma 56:47]

Fruits of ServiceFruits of Service

One of the trials of life is that One of the trials of life is that we do not usually we do not usually receive immediately the full blessing for righteousness receive immediately the full blessing for righteousness or the full cursing for wickedness.or the full cursing for wickedness. That it will come is That it will come is certain, but ofttimes there is a waiting period that certain, but ofttimes there is a waiting period that occurs, as was the case with Job and Joseph. . .occurs, as was the case with Job and Joseph. . .

The righteous must continue to love God, trust The righteous must continue to love God, trust in His promises, be patient, and be assured, as the in His promises, be patient, and be assured, as the poet said, that --poet said, that --

Who does God's work will get God's pay,Who does God's work will get God's pay,

However long may seem the day,However long may seem the day,

However weary be the way.However weary be the way.

No mortal hand God's hand can stay,No mortal hand God's hand can stay,

He may not pay as others pay, He may not pay as others pay,

In gold, or lands, or raiment gay, In gold, or lands, or raiment gay,

In goods that perish and decay;In goods that perish and decay;

But God's high wisdom knows a way, But God's high wisdom knows a way,

And this is sure, let come what may--And this is sure, let come what may--

Who does God's work will get God's pay.Who does God's work will get God's pay.

(Author unknown)(Author unknown)

I testify to you that God's pay is the best pay that I testify to you that God's pay is the best pay that this world or any other world knows anything about.this world or any other world knows anything about. And it comes in full abundance only to those who love And it comes in full abundance only to those who love the Lord and put Him first.the Lord and put Him first.

((The Teachings of Ezra Taft BensonThe Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, , 352352) )

Alma 26:9, 27:4Alma 26:9, 27:4“who have so dearly beloved “who have so dearly beloved

us . . .”us . . .”

Alma 26:11, 35; 27:18Alma 26:11, 35; 27:18“my joy is full . . .”“my joy is full . . .”

[see D&C 18:10-16][see D&C 18:10-16]

Alma 26:12Alma 26:12“I am nothing. . .in [God’s] “I am nothing. . .in [God’s]

strength I can do all strength I can do all things . . .” things . . .”

[see D&C 35:13-14][see D&C 35:13-14]

Alma 26:16Alma 26:16“I cannot say the smallest “I cannot say the smallest

part which I feel . . .”part which I feel . . .”

Alma 26:22Alma 26:22“it shall be given unto such “it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to bring thousands of souls

to repentance . . .”to repentance . . .”

““An old saying teaches that you can count the An old saying teaches that you can count the number of seeds in a single apple, but number of seeds in a single apple, but you can’t count you can’t count the number of apples in a single seedthe number of apples in a single seed.”.”

(James E. Faust, (James E. Faust, EnsignEnsign, May 1996, 42), May 1996, 42)

Alma 26:27-30Alma 26:27-30“we have suffered every “we have suffered every

privation . . .”privation . . .”

Alma 26:37Alma 26:37“we see that God is mindful “we see that God is mindful

of every people . . .”of every people . . .”

Alma 28:14Alma 28:14“we see the great call of “we see the great call of

diligence of men to labor in diligence of men to labor in the vineyards . . .”the vineyards . . .”

The End . . .The End . . .