Total Dedication to The Lord’s Work
Dear Elders and Sisters:
In the ancient Mosaic law of sacrifice there were three
kinds of sacrifices: 1. Sin and Trespass Offerings; 2. Burnt Offerings, and; 3.
Peace Offerings. I want to write a bit
about Burnt Offerings. In this sacrifice, the offering was placed on the altar
and completely burned. The only thing left was the smoke ascending as a “sweet
savour” to Jehovah. (Lev. 1:9.)
"According to Jewish scholars, the offering
symbolized complete self-surrender and devotion to God on behalf of the
penitent. The purpose of burnt offerings
parallels the process of justification through the Spirit, as Enoch identified:
'By the Spirit ye are justified.'
"When we think of the gift of the Holy Ghost, we may
gloss over what must transpire between the laying on of hands for the gift and
the actual receipt of the Holy Ghost. We can also easily forget how the gift
continues to function in our lives after we receive it. The gift of the Holy
Ghost involves, among others, the process of justification.
"Strictly speaking, the term justify in Hebrew means
to make right, in a moral sense, or to cleanse. In Greek, the term means to
render innocent or righteous. Thus, when the Bible speaks of us as being
justified, it means that our sins have been forgiven and that we are considered
righteous in the sight of God. Justification requires that we exercise faith
and repentance and submit to the ordinance of baptism, as discussed earlier.
When we truly fulfill these requirements in the right spirit, the Holy Ghost
ratifies, or seals, the ordinance—at which point we are forgiven of our sins.
The Holy Ghost also actually cleanses us of sin in what the scriptures call a
“baptism of fire.” (See 2 Ne. 31:13–14, 16–18.)
"Many familiar phrases of the restored gospel remind
us that if we are to remain justified—“retain a remission of [our] sins,” as
Benjamin puts it (Mosiah 4:12)—we must work with our might, mind, and strength,
having an eye single to the glory of God, being long-suffering, and enduring to
the end. What God requires is a sacrifice—the total sacrifice of our
self-interest and rebelliousness. Paul, for instance, in references to burnt
offerings, wrote, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God.” (Rom. 12:1.) He said that such a sacrifice is pleasing to God. (See
Philip. 4:18.)
"In the burnt sacrifice, the entire animal was
consumed, symbolizing the disciple’s total dedication as well as the Savior’s
total, infinite sacrifice in his behalf. In the laying on of hands for the gift
of the Holy Ghost, the disciple dedicates himself entirely to the Lord’s work
as a member of God’s kingdom." (McMullin, Sacrifice in the Law of Moses)
Early this year or even late last year Branch, Ward, and
Stake Councils set inspired goals as to how many baptisms they felt they could
achieve this year. That combined number
for this entire mission added to 1,342.
With the creation of the Modesto Mission effective July 1, we now have 8
Stakes in the California Fresno Mission, each of which has the same inspired
goal they set for baptisms as of the first of the year. When we were last together in our Specialized
Training, I had each companionship account on their assigned Ward/Branch's goal
and the progress towards it year to date.
After our training, I sat down with what was reported and did some work
to determine what the new goal is for this mission based on the mission split
and our remaining eight Stakes/Zones.
Guess what the number is? Just
guess? It is 1,000!!!
Wow! Can you
believe that? It seems the Lord would
have this mission baptize 1,000 no matter what size we are. I think we should be honored to know the Lord
trusts us to assist these wonderful Branches, Wards, and Stakes in their Work
of Salvation to teach and baptize 1,000 of Heavenly Father's children that He
has prepared to receive the blessings of salvation under the Hastening of His
Work. I know that as we Live our Purpose
in Exact Obedience, follow the Mission Culture, Talk With Ten, and work through
the Inspired Vision we will be successful.
The Power of One will be the ongoing theme that will carry us and
motivate each of us to the instrument God desires to assist in the Work of
Salvation in this wonderful mission. I
know having the spirit to be with us always will be paramount to our
success. These Branches, Wards, and
Stakes are counting on us to offer our total dedication to the Lord's work as
Members of God's Kingdom. Will your
sacrifice be a total and complete offering?
Sister Clark and I absolutely love every moment of
serving with you. Thank you for being
worthy and willing to offer a complete and total sacrifice.
With much love,
President Clark
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