“That All May Be Edified”
Dear Elders and Sisters:
In our recent Worldwide Training - Teach Repentance and
Baptize Converts, Elder Bednar instructed us so well on the role of the Holy
Ghost in our teaching and the investigators' conversion. We are to bring the messages of salvation to
their hearts through the power, direction, and influence of the Holy Ghost and
they will need to act to receive it and take it into their hearts, again, by
the power, direction, and influence of the Holy Ghost.
As I review this my mind is drawn to D&C 88:122 which
states; "Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen
at once; but let one speak at a time (50;50) and let all listen unto [their]
sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified...."
The word edify comes from the French edifier and from the
Latin edificare and means to “improve spiritually” and to “instruct” (Robert K.
Barnhart, The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology [New York: H. W. Wilson Company,
1988], s.v. “edify,” 315). The Oxford English Dictionary gives this meaning:
“In religious use: To build up (the church, the soul) in faith and holiness; to
benefit spiritually; to strengthen, support” (2nd ed., s.v. “edify,” 5:71).
Thus, to edify is to instruct and improve the soul in knowledge generally, and
in particular to increase in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and
holiness. (Jay E Jensen, ‘That All May Be Edified’)
Edification is part of a revelatory process which
requires the gifts of the spirit. The
objective of 'Teaching in the Savior's Way' states: "The goal of every
gospel teacher - every parent, every formally called teacher (missionaries)...,
and every follower of Christ - is to teach the pure doctrine of the gospel, by
the Spirit, in order to help God's children build their faith in the Savior and
become more like Him." Teaching and
learning that lead to edification and heavenly confirmation are fundamental to
the Father’s Plan and your purpose as a Missionary.
It is not enough to be familiar with the material, the
Lessons for example in PMG. They must be
internalized, owned, loved, and cherished and you must have a firm testimony of
their doctrinal truths. Sister Clark's
challenge to you is inspired and designed to help you become more effective
teachers who invite the truths of the Restoration unto the hearts of your
investigators, through/by the Spirit.
With her, I am asking you to make one of your greatest desires as a
missionary to be an effective, spiritual teacher - to "Teach in the Lord's
way". Please re-dedicate yourself
to being a Complete Missionary and "Treasure Up" the words in PMG,
the Scriptures (particularly the Book of Mormon), the Pamphlets, District 1 and
2 DVDs, and reviewing your personal testimony.
As you do so, you will be "unveiled" to these investigators as
angels "sent from on high" to teach them, increase their faith, and
help them make and keep sacred covenants with their Heavenly Father in order to
return home to Him.
With much love and appreciation for all you are doing to
build the Kingdom,
President
Clark
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