President Russell M. Nelson told us two years ago that “the Gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude. Nothing else compares in magnificence. Nothing else compares in majesty.” He clarified “When we speak of the Gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: Every one of our Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.” He clarifies further “To accept and receive His gospel with all its blessings, that God promised to the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
(Russell M. Nelson, July 27, 2018)
I heard the question asked recently “How does Covid fit into this important mandate to Gather Israel?” One response was that during these trying times of loneliness and isolation many people are hurting, and many people are more receptive to the tender message of the gospel. These are opportunities for us to reach out and give a comforting word, offering the hope and courage that the gospel of Jesus Christ possesses.
There are many things we as members of the church can do to help brighten the day of others and to be a beacon of the light of Jesus Christ in their lives. Hopefully, in the five months of good weather we just finished, we took the opportunity to visit our neighbour frequently, at the very least with a smile and a cheery word in the front yard. Hopefully we took the opportunity to invite someone to eat with us out in the fresh air of either our back yard or another place. Hopefully we walked with a friend on beautiful summer evenings. Even those of us without yards, have access to public parks and walkways. How easy it was to invite someone to join us often as we breathed the fresh air of those beautiful days.
We’re now going into a season where we will have to be a little more creative in how we interact with others. The weather has turned cold (its past the middle of October at time of writing), and we’re driven inside where we’ll stay for the next several months. I hope we’re not going to use this as an excuse to isolate ourselves socially just because it is required we isolate ourselves physically. They are NOT the same. It is important that we don’t breath the same air as another not living in our house. That does not mean we cannot be part of their day or part of their life. If we have anything at our fingertips, it is opportunity to influence Heavenly Father’s children for good. Covid or no covid. We know “that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (3N 3:7)
It is no coincidence that the last several decades have led to our ability to not only communicate but to be intimately involved in each other’s lives from anywhere in the world including our own homes.
Many years ago, President David O. McKay spoke of accomplishments and scientific advances that stagger the imagination. “we will yet see” he said in 1968, “exciting developments unfold as research continues.” How amazed he might be today. A decade later, President Kimball said “The Lord will lay in our hand inventions which we can scarcely conceive, whereby we will be able to bring the gospel to the peoples of the world. … I have faith” he said “that the Lord will open doors when we have done everything in our power.” (GC Oct 1974)
So here we are, with tools to communicate at our finger tips that even five years ago we couldn’t imagine. All of them inspired of the Lord, for the purpose of Gathering Israel. Even Social media. Yes, even Facebook. Is there bad about social media? Of course there is. Satan is the great imitator. He has always taken the Lord’s tools and manipulated them for his purposes. Elder Ballard reminds us that “some of these tools – like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand, can be dangerous.” (December 10 2017 BYU Hawaii Commencement) But the responsibility is ours to go forward and use them for good. Elder Gary E. Stevenson said “There are so many applications for the use of technology in appropriate and inspired ways. We should do all we can to teach the righteous use of technology to the rising generation, and warn and prevent unrighteous use and associated hazards as well. Ours is a message of peace. You are the messengers that preach it. And you can do this through these new and exciting channels of technology.” (BYU Womens Conference 2017)
The responsibility is ours to minister to our brothers and sisters, to cheer and uplift, to “comfort the weary and strengthen the weak“, to spread the gospel in everything we do, using words only if necessary. And that responsibility is not suspended because of some outside distraction like Covid19.
54 easy ways to share the gospel just by being you
1 – thank someone who made you smile
2 – share a positive note via email, private message, text or good old fashioned mail – OFTEN
3 – post heart attacks with encouraging words or your fave quotes – on doors, windows or vehicles
4 – give a genuine compliment
7 – offer to run errands for them
5 – SMILE more
being the kind of neighbour who makes the neighbourhood a good one:
6 – check on your neighbours from time to time, especially if they’re elderly or disabled
8 – go to five doors on either side of you, introduce yourself if necessary, and leave your contact information in case someone could ever use a hand
9 – be the kind of neighbour that others will feel they can ask to help out from time to time: watch a pet, check their house while they’re away, mow their lawn, help with Christmas lights or help in an emergency . . . .
10 – be the kind of neighbour who notices things: when someone is celebrating a happy occasion as well as if they might be in distress. Everyone remembers the neighbour who brought a baby gift, or a plate of something for the funeral
11 – be respectful of your neighbours by keeping your yard tidy
12 – be part of making your neighbourhood a cheery place by decorating seasonally ie: putting up Christmas lights
13 – while you’re mowing your front lawn or shovelling your sidewalk, mow or shovel for your neighbour.
14 – support your community league by taking a class they offer
15 – volunteer at a few community league events now and again
16 – offer to teach a skill you have to your community group, free of charge of course
17 – play a musical instrument in the park, on your balcony or on your front porch for others to enjoy
18 – chalk drawings on the sidewalk with happy cute images or any message intended to create a smile
19 – share something personal with your neighbour: some flowers or produce from your garden, baking, or an extra treat you bought yourself, . . .
20 – take a plastic bag on your next walk to pick up the trash you see
21 – take your children to a public park and invite other children to join the fun
22 – SMILE more
Being a friend
23 – phone someone just to chat and see how they’re doing. Who doesn’t like to know you’ve been thinking of them?
24 – pray for people you know are struggling
25 – start a light-hearted challenge with a friend to see how many people you can greet with a smile, a few words, a text, email, etc. Set the rules so each individual has to improve their personal-best.
26 – have the missionaries over for dinner once a month, and invite a friend or neighbour at the same time, so all can see how pleasant and ‘unthreatening‘ they are
27 – get to know the people our missionaries are visiting by offering to accompany them in their lessons
28 – by phone, email, text, or Private message, reach out to one less active member of your ward this week (and another one next week) just to touch base with them so they know they are missed.
29 – invite the adults and youth you know to follow some of these suggestions too.
30 – ask the Lord to bless you with the opportunity to touch someone’s life for good today, and follow the promptings.
31 – when you go grocery shopping, offer to pick something up for your someone who could use a hand
32 – plan to make extra for dinner and then phone a friend and tell them when dinner will be delivered
33 – share a book
34 – SMILE more
Being the kind stranger
35 – slow down. stop and chat with someone in line. You’re not going anywhere anyway.
36 – offer to let people go ahead of you in line when they have a small amount, or look like they are uncomfortable or in a hurry
37 – put a happy face on your mask
38 – go for a walk around your neighbourhood. Notice people.
39 – wave, nod, smile or say hello to people you pass while walking
40 – set a goal to say hello or otherwise greet one more person than you said hello to yesterday. Keep increasing your goal.
41 – SMILE more
“If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” Seeking is good, but sharing on Social media is better.
42 – post a tender video clip or a fave quote from General Conference on social media
43 – like and comment on others’ uplifting and edifying posts
44 – share a fave music video on social media, and give the reason you like it.
45 – share a recipe on facebook, and tell why you’re sharing it
46 – share your gratitude for blessings on social media
47 – start a fun interactive group text or messenger chat with a survey asking something like “best cake ever eaten?”
48 – SMILE more
JOIN the CONVERSATION
If you’re looking for an example in the church for participating on social media, you’ve got it. The Church has embraced all media in its effort to reach out. If that is where people are communicating, then that is where we should be talking. Elder M. Russell Ballard said “There are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we participate in them. We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics attempt to define what the Church teaches. … Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.
“May I ask that you join the conversation” he implored, “by participating on the Internet to share the gospel. … You can start a blog, … You can download videos from the Church and other appropriate sites, and send them to your friends. …. Far too many people have a poor understanding of the Church because most of the information they hear about us is from news media reports that are often driven by controversies.
49 – take the time to gently and kindly correct misrepresentations in the media about the Church or its teachings
50 – share tender testimony of a specific principle when prompted: in person, in a shared social media post, in response to another’s comment, or in a self written blog or social media post
51 – pray for experiences to share the gospel, and then open your eyes to them
52 – “be thou an example of the believers” (1 Timothy :12) in all you do. Be honest, be fair, be kind, be gentle, be warm, be joyful ….
53 – remember that you represent the Lord in all you do. You took on that responsibility at baptism and you weekly “witness that you are willing to take upon yourself His name, to always remember Him and keep His commandments.” (Moroni 4:3) Take that responsibility very seriously.
“Let us all stand firmly and speak with faith in sharing our message with the world.” Elder Ballard continues “… Your outreach can be international. … As you participate in this conversation and utilize the tools of the new media, remember who you are. .. We simply need to have a conversation, as friends in the same room would have, always guided by the prompting of the Spirit and constantly remembering the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, which reminds us of how precious are the children of our Father in Heaven.” (excerpts taken from ‘Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet’
News of the Church, June 2008)
54 – SMILE more
In case you didn’t see a recurring theme, its a reminder to us all to ‘SMILE’ more. We have so much to be grateful for, even in these troubled times. There is peace in gospel living, in living the principles of provident living, and in living the principles of preparedness – on all levels. We should rejoice as we go forward, because we have so much to rejoice over as we continue to do our best.
May God Bless us in our efforts to love our neighbour as ourselves, to link arms in our efforts to Gather Israel, and to be obedient in all things.
Warmly,
Cindy Suelzle
