Missionary Advice Sent to My Sons Alan & Jalen: "Remember & Nourish" (June 29, 2014)

I am realizing that this summer will mark the 25th anniversary of the return from my mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Boy how time flies. I can hardly believe that I have kids serving missions, I don't know where all the time went. SUNDAY THOUGHT: "Remember & Nourish" Moroni 6:4 is a great scripture that discusses how to help new members remain active. It says: 4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. (Moroni 6:4) As a missionary, we have to remember & nourish our investigators, less actives, new members, and other members in our ward. Some ideas on how we can remember those we serve: 1. Praying daily for them 2. Serving them with acts of kindness...planned and unplanned. 3. Keeping track of their progress...and congratulating them on the progress they have made 4. Remembering their names, birthdays, and special occasions. 5. Showing an interest in their hobbies, accomplishments, and milestones. Some ideas on how we can nourish those we serve: 1. Teaching them the doctrines using the scriptures, general conference talks, and lesson manuals. 2. Preparing them to receive the priesthood and go to the temple for their endowment and marriage. 3. Helping them with Family Home Evening 4. Helping them develop good habits like reading the scriptures, family prayer, personal prayer, etc. 5. Helping them feel the spirit through our own testimony of the gospel. I was thinking about all the times as a missionary you need to REMEMBER... 1. Remember a certain house or street that you DID NOT knock on, but feel inspired to go back to that house or street. 2. Remember what lesson you taught last time to an investigator and follow the spirit to teach the next lesson. 3. Remember to keep the mission rules and rise up at the right time to do your study and prayer 4. Remember to keep a prayer in your heart all the day long and sing hymns of praise 5. Remember to use the power of fasting and prayer when a small or major miracle is desired 6. Remember to invite, invite, and invite some more...invite to go to church, invite to be baptized, invite to receive the discussions, invite to prepare for the temple and priesthood (new members) 7. Remember to Open your Mouth in all times and in all places Two Phrases which appear in the scriptures a lot, especially in the Book of Mormon.... "Retain in Remembrance" & "Retain a Remission of our Sins" - we must 1st Remember but then 2nd Retain in Remembrance certain important events in our life and important spiritual experiences from church history, family history, and scriptures. To "retain in remembrance" and "retaining a remission or our sins" requires constant reminders. REMEMBERING is a key part of God's Plan...we have to remember our duty, remember our goals, remember our purpose, & remember our covenants...the word "remember" appears 282 times in the scriptures!!! When you go to the temple again, really pay attention to the powers of Satan...he has a lot of power...his goal is to "shift our focus" from spiritual to carnal and temporal desires. His goal is not only to get us to commit sin, but to intermix philosophies of men and truth from the scriptures so our path is blinded. His goal is to get us sidetracked into worldly pursuits. We need to use our powers of remembrance, to shift our focus into worthwhile gospel pursuits. I love you my Sons and Elders...We are praying for you. I hope you will always "retain in remembrance the greatness of God." Love Forever, DAD