Relief Society Lesson -- See Others As They May Become

See Others As They May Become

President Thomas S. Monson

October 2012 Gen. Conference

There is absolutely nothing in this world that will provide more comfort and happiness than a testimony of the truth.

There are countless individuals who have little or no testimony right now, those who could and would receive such a testimony

 if we would be willing to make the effort to share ours and to help them change.

We need to be told that we amount to something, that we are capable and worthwhile. We need to be given a chance to serve.

We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. They can bear the priesthood worthily. And they can serve the Lord diligently.

We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ.

We must have courage to turn our backs on temptation, courage to lift up our voices in testimony to all whom we meet, remembering that everyone must have an opportunity to hear the message.

It is not an easy thing for most to do this. But we can come to believe in the words of Paul to Timothy:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of  fear; but of power, and of love, and

of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.”

-- 2 Timothy 1:7-8

The holy scriptures contain no proclamation more relevant, no responsibility more binding, no instruction more direct than the injunction given by the resurrected Lord:

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” -Matthew 28:18-20

“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.” – Joseph Smith

To each of us comes the mandate to share the gospel of Christ. When our lives comply with God’s own standard, those within our sphere of influence will never speak the lament, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” --Jeremiah 8:20

“If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

“And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” – Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16

 link to a story I read:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/865554419/Prince-Charles-and-the-Book-of-Mormon.html