May 14, 2012

14 May  2012

Dear Sisters and Elders,

A beloved prophet, Ezra Taft Benson taught,

 “In all ages, prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day.

Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us.  Make no mistake about it---you are a marked generation…

For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the second coming of the Lord.  Some individuals will fall away, but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its Head---even Jesus Christ.

While this generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time: (It is that) God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest….children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly.”

That is who we are. He has not left us alone in this great responsibility. He has given us the Book of Mormon.  In our Zone conferences we read about how some great missionaries went about their work. They ‘gave themselves to much prayer and fasting’ and they did ‘fast and pray oft’. Many of our missionaries are experimenting on the word and are giving themselves to much prayer and fasting.  One companionship reported : “We just had a family of three show up at church today! Three potential baptisms. Fasting works!”

           

Preach My Gospel promises that great blessings are available to those who obey God’s commandment to fast. Fasting and prayer go together. When we fast and pray with faith, we are more receptive to receiving answers to our prayers and blessings from the Lord.  He promises us that He will guide us continually.  We should fast and pray for specific purposes. P. 79

You and I must strive to understand and live the principles and standards of the higher law as taught by Jesus Christ  in Mathew Chapter 5 ; 3 Nephi Chapter 12.  As we do so, we are promised that we can enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost and follow his direction. As we follow his direction, we can fulfill the responsibility of our generation. As David A. Bednar said, “We were fordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham.  We are here upon this earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel.  That is who we are, and that is why we are her--today  and always.” November Ensign 2005.

Please share with me in your weekly email your experiences with the fast and your Book of Mormon reading. Go forward with faith. The harvest truly is great. You are the hope of Israel.  I love you and I believe in you.

President Summerhays