The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official name of the religion commonly called the Mormon Church. They believe first and foremost that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of God.
While their backgrounds and experiences are diverse, Mormons are united by a commitment to Jesus Christ. Here is a story from one of the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints d telling what his faith means to him.I am delighted to be with you in this sacred setting. Thank you for your faithfulness, for your preparation, and for your goodness. The entire world will be influenced for good because of you and the work of the Lord in which you are now and will continue to be engaged, said Latter Day Saint Apostle David Bednar from a devotional address given at the Provo Missionary Training Center on June 24, 2011.
A Preach My Gospel missionary is a servant of the Lord, called by prophecy and authorized by the laying on of hands, who proclaims the Savior’s everlasting and restored gospel (see D&C 68:1) in His way (see D&C 50:13–14, 17–24).
Please note the similarity between this definition and your overarching purpose as a missionary described in Preach My Gospel: “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end” (Preach My Gospel, 1).
The prophet Mormon used slightly different language to describe the essence of a Preach My Gospel missionary in his generation: “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life” (3 Nephi 5:13).
In Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary, Bednar lists the five requirements as:
1. Understand that they serve and represent Jesus Christ.
2. Are worthy.
3. Treasure up the words of eternal life.
4. Understand the Holy Ghost is the ultimate and true teacher.
5. Understand teaching is much more than talking and telling.
Who is David Bednar?
David Allan Bednar (born June 15, 1952) is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). An educator by profession, Bednar was also president of Brigham Young University–Idaho from 1997 to 2004.
Bednar was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve on October 2, 2004, the youngest man named to that body since Dallin H. Oaks in 1984. He was ordained an apostle on October 7, 2004 by LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley. Bednar and Dieter F. Uchtdorf were called to fill the vacancies created by the July 2004 deaths of quorum members David B. Haight and Neal A. Maxwell.
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Bednar is accepted by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. He is the youngest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at this time. Currently, he is the twelfth most senior apostle in the ranks of the church.
Comments