The Gift of All
Dear Elders and Sisters:
From Mark 12 we read: 42 "And there came a certain
poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called
unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this
poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in
all that she had, even all her living."
“The rich gave much yet kept back more; the widow’s gift
was her all. It was not the smallness of her offering that made it especially
acceptable, but the spirit of sacrifice and devout intent with which she gave”
(Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 561–62). Elder Talmage also stated: “Whether
it be the gift of a man or a nation, the best, if offered willingly and with
pure intent, is always excellent in the sight of God, however poor by other
comparison that best may be” (The House of the Lord, rev. ed. [1968], 3).
Christ was teaching us that giving our "all" is
what He requires, not just of our abundance.
Translating this from money to mission, consider what would be your
"all" that you have yet to give?
"What lack you yet" in your gift to God as you seek to serve
with “heart, might, mind and strength"?
It is an important question that one must ask over and over again,
especially during these set apart years of being His representative. As Talmage describes, "the best, if
offered willingly (this is such a key ingredient) and with pure intent (the
differentiating factor between service and consecration), is ALWAYS excellent
in the sight of God, however poor by other comparison that best may be (God
will only compare us to our better self, never to another)". He just wants OUR BEST and OUR ALL! And note the differentiating factor is
defined by “the spirit of sacrifice and devout intent with which [we] give.”
I encourage you to conduct an inventory this week of how
complete your "gift of all" is in the Complete Missionary grid. The Complete Missionary grid includes your
dedication to, studies of, and proficiency at PMG; the Book of Mormon and other
scriptures, especially as they relate to PMG;
District 1 & 2 DVDs and other trainings; Pamphlets and other Church
media/materials; and your personal testimony of the Lessons in Chapter 3 of
PMG. As you note those areas where your
gift may be less than your "all", please set a goal and then make a
plan to improve, study more, work harder, and do "all" that is
necessary to improve to give your "all". I promise you this will bless you, your
companionship, your area, and help you accomplish your Zone and Unit goals for
baptism. I testify of these truths.
Sister Clark and I love you and love serving with
you. You are just so good and have such
great hearts. We appreciate your great
sacrifice each and every day and that of your wonderful families for you to be
able to serve here, now.
With much love,
President Clark
PS We bid farewell
to Elders Mo'o, Munzon, Beltran, Robertson, Horrocks, Jorquera, Pace, and Sisters
Neira, Steed, Strasburg, Maw, Taula, and Maxfield. Thanks for serving with No Regrets! God be
with you till we meet again. Also, we
warmly welcome to the Great CFM Elders Flores, Biggs, Baconawa, Strommen,
Ikimau, Austin, and Sister Jefferies.
PPS Please study
PMG Chapter 8 in your ASKS time this week.
