Elder Holland's Words for Thai Members and missionaries
Dear all,
Elder Holland came to Thailand for a very short time before he went to Laos to dedicate the land, but has left such a great impact to members and missionaries in Thailand. You will love it. I was there when he spoke to Thai members. Let me tell you that I just felt the power. I witness to you that he is an apostle of the Lord.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sister Lindorf who shared this wonderful talks to us. As usual, I expect a comment from you. I nkow you will love this. Enjoy!
TO THE MISSIONARIES:
In your mission newsletter, convey our love to all the missionaries who did not have the opportunity to be here today. Share everything you can with your associates. Something ought to happen as a result of this meeting!
I came half way around the world to tell you I love you, and nothing matters more to me than that. I believe I am also authorized to say that God loves you.
We owe something to the Church for what the Church thinks we are. You are angels to the Church, because you are missionaries. You are the future of the Church; the lifeblood of the Church.
The Apostolic role is most basically a missionary. We are in this together. I am Apostolic with a capital A. You are apostolic with a small a. Don’t miss this chance!
Not just anyone is sent to Thailand. You’re it! You are the hope of Israel. You are God’s hope for Thailand.
Nothing you will ever do in your life will be more important than what you are doing now. EVER! The most important thing in the universe is the salvation of souls. It is at the heart and meaning of ALL we do and are.
The Atonement cannot do its work until you do yours. You’ve got to do what only you can do, so that the Savior can do what only He can do.
My mission meant everything to me! I want it to mean everything to you!
It seems to me that I have thought of my mission every day of the past 43 years since my mission. …My mission has affected every good thing that has happened since.
This is God’s opportunity for you to be what you never dreamed of being. And it’s never going to come this way again.
This is real life. This is the way, the truth and the life! Don’t you dare walk away from it when you finish your mission.
We have come to declare that we are literally children of God. No other religion teaches that.
Preach My Gospel has to get down into the marrow of your bones! You need to feel that fire so deeply that you couldn’t NOT be a missionary if you tried. You can’t go home and set your lessons on the shelf. You have to know it in your heart. When it is you will know that when you open your mouth, God speaks.
The scripture that “Preach My Gospel” is taken from (D&C 58:14) has a second part… “by the Spirit.” We have to preach the gospel the Lord’s way. Obedience is the first law of everything, not just heaven. It’s not your mission; it’s not yours to make it your mission. It’s the Savior’s mission. So much depends on your obedience to His way. Don’t spend a lot of useless time trying to do it your way.
What do you want your investigator to feel when you see them?... that you were sent there by God. We don’t have a message for them if they do not accept and understand revelation; revelation for the Church as a whole and revelation for each individual in the Church.
Read the Book of Mormon with fresh ideas and a heart open to impressions. The Book of Mormon needs to be the lifeblood of your teachings.
Why is it such hard work? Why don’t we have more success? I have a theory (and it is just my opinion), that it is because salvation has never been a cheap experience. We say we are His emissaries and if we do, we must walk the path He walked. We must suffer when He suffers, cry when He cries, and hurt when He hurts. You cannot witness what you don’t know, have never experienced, or never felt. When you sign your call, you sign up for a trip through Gethsemane. There have never been easy missions. There is no other path, no other cup. This is our mission, our cup.
TO THE MEMBERS:
I testify that God sees your tears and answers your prayers. He will not leave you in your time of need. When you are fearful, lonely, or confused, with not enough money or maybe not enough to eat… God knows your circumstances and He will not leave you. Trust in that! It is part of being a child of God.
Just as the children were sacred to the Savior, so must they be sacred to you. We have to think about saving the little ones. We have to stay active for their sakes. We have to see them as God sees them. It DOES make a difference that you take them to Church and that you raise them in the Gospel.
Why do you think President Hinckley works so hard? His happiness is not complete until ours is complete. It isn’t enough that he has the Gospel, he has to stay with it for the next generations!
We were given two great gifts from a loving Father in Heaven: Christ and His Atonement and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
Every one of us, I fear, have underestimated the Gift of the Holy Ghost we were given when we were baptized. There is no greater prayer I could have for you than that you live worthy of the constant presence of the Holy Ghost. He will guide, teach, protect, prompt, and lead you. The safest, surest blessing I can leave for you is the blessing of the presence of the Holy Ghost.
ELDER HOLLAND’S BLESSING:
I leave a blessing on each of you in Thailand, according to my Apostolic Office.
Brethren, rise up to be equal to the Priesthood you bear. It is the power by which Godliness is made manifest in this world. Live it in your homes and in the Church.
Sisters, you have been the defenders and carriers of faith from the beginning. You are often the first to join, first in attendance, Temple, Family History, Family Home Evening, and Family Prayer. Sisters I bless you and thank you. Continue to show that light in your lives.
I bless the children of all ages that you’ll be safe. To the babes in arms, I bless you that you will grow up free from the blood and sins of this generation; that you will have spiritual and physical safety.
I bless those of you who are ill, struggling, alone, single parents, and in part member families. I bless you all that the Gospel will be rich and full in your lives; that as brothers and sisters we will strengthen each other.
I bless this land, nation, and government, that the Gospel will spread like wildfire. May we all do our part and be missionary minded always.
I call down this blessing upon Thailand and seal it upon you.
posted by Art @ 11:00 PM
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