Close to Scripture!
Dear Elders and Sisters,
Last week I wrote about the Book of Mormon. This
week I feel guided to write to you about Preach My Gospel.
In 3 Nephi 26, just after the Prophet editor Mormon is
lamenting his inability to write everything that was recorded but offering his
reassurance he (and his son) abridged the records for the "intent" to
bless the Gentiles, appears this verse: 9. "And when they shall receive
this (the Book of Mormon), which is expedient they shall have first, to try
their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then
shall the 'greater things be made manifest unto them.'" I have always
wondered what the "greater things" would be. Being a lover of the
Book of Mormon, in my prideful moments, I often think I am ready for these
"greater things".
The more I study Preach My Gospel coupled with my
understanding of how it was written and who wrote it, I believe it fits this
category of "greater things [to] be made manifest." I absolutely love
each and every chapter in it! You have
heard me reference "Complete Missionaries" and much of that reference
is to your required knowledge of Preach My Gospel. While I believe this
to be the base case missionary - familiar with and versed in Preach My Gospel -
I am pleased with how versed so many of you are with Preach My Gospel. I often
hear reference to it in casual conversation, I have enjoyed teaching
appointments with missionaries teaching with it and from it. And I have
been blessed to enjoy trainings where you have referenced it, trained from it,
or referred to it for scriptural passages. Well done, I say, Well Done!!!
But I do believe we can and should do better. In
each of the last Zone Conferences we've asked a question to discern your obedience
and commitment in regard to Preach My Gospel. It is: "Have you
studied each of the chapters in Preach My Gospel during the last six
weeks?" It has been shared with me that to a few Missionaries
"study" in this context may mean "glanced at" or "looked
over for a few minutes". I remember once in an interview with a
Missionary I inquired as to how his study of Preach My Gospel was going and he
looked at me curiously and then gave a response that saddened me. His
response was: "I read it in the MTC. Should I read it again?"
No! No! No! Don't you dare treat Preach My Gospel that
way! It is an inspired volume and will bless your life as a Missionary
almost as much as your STUDY of the Book of Mormon.
In 3 Nephi 27:25 it states; "Out of the books that
have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be
judged..." Therefore, I believe we will be held accountable and judged for
what is in Preach My Gospel as one of the "books...which shall be [has
been] written". I hope and pray you continue to make Preach My Gospel part
of your everyday study.
President Cleveland, former Stake President of the Fresno
Stake now serving as Mission President in Michigan Detroit, shared with me that
when Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was here he stated
relative to Preach My Gospel: "That's about as close to scripture as
anything we've seen in a long time from the Twelve."
Thank you for continuing to be great Preach My Gospel
missionaries in your effort to be Complete Missionaries. If you need to be more
invested in Preach My Gospel, please become more invested. I promise it
will bless your ministry in countless ways.
Thank you for your goodness, your love and support, your
faith and prayers, and the inspired way in which you move the work of salvation
forward.
Sister Clark and I look forward to being with you in Zone
Conference this week. Please come prepared to receive revelation and plan
on leaving changed, not just entertained.
With much love,
President Clark
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