Elders,
It is a great day. I hope that you are having a wonderful week. This coming Sunday Mitch Seaman is going to lead our discussion President Eyring’s talk “Try, Try, Try” from last conference ( https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/try-try-try?lang=eng ). I encourage you to read it in advance and think about how you can add to the conversation.
Alma 43:47-50
47 And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.
48 And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts–yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage.
49 And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.
50 And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they fled even to the waters of Sidon.
Matt Newton used this story in his talk on Sunday. I felt inspired to read it again to let it sink in a bit more – especially as it pertains to my family and those that I minister with and to.
It reminds me a bit of the Scottish patriot William Wallace. His ragtag army was pitted against a far superior (in size, equipment, and training) English army. Wallace’s troops were starting to doubt. They wanted to quit, to give up and go home. He saw and sensed their concerns and as Moroni did, he “sent forth and inspired their hearts” with thoughts of freedom. He then led them on to a miraculous victory. (Watch part of his inspirational speech here – https://youtu.be/lEOOZDbMrgE )
We as husbands, fathers, and priesthood holders are entitled to personal revelation to know how to help inspire and lead our families – even at times against all odds. We need to be present and involved “Moroni saw the fierceness”, then as we communicate with our family we will be able to receive promptings from the spirit “perceiving their intent”. Then, we must have the courage to act and deliver the message from/with the spirit “inspired their hearts”, become unified and join with them “cry with one voice”. Finally together we fight and “stand against the Lamanites with power”.
This is a pattern we can use within our families, our ministering assignments, and within our quorum. We:
- See the situation (observe / watch / seek to know)
- Receive promptings to help
- Deliver the inspiration
- Stand together and fight
Elders – this is a battle for the souls of men and we are called to help gather and protect these souls. This is ministering at its finest. We can be a William Wallace or Captian Moroni to those around us. We have the priesthood of God and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost to guide us. We can be “mighty men of valor”. We can be men of God. We can do this together.
God bless you. I pray for you and your families.
Have a great week. I love you guys,
President Oldroyd
801-573-6828
Dave,
I love the uplifting message of encouragement you send every week. It reminds me to read the lesson material we are going to cover and be a little better prepared. It helps me to live better on a day to day basis and to try (try, try) harder to work to have the spirit. As President, you do us a great service.
Thank you. Harro