My neighbors and dear friends David and Holly Jordan are leaving this week to serve as Mission Presidents in London, England. In our church not only do young men and women leave their homes and pressing opportunities in their lives to serve missions, but couples are called and leave established careers, children, grandchildren, elderly parents etc. to serve, mostly at their own expense, our Savior Jesus Christ. They are called to countries throughout the world to share a message that they love and deeply believe, that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth and the message of the gospel brings peace and joy and purpose to the lives of those who will listen and accept the tenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Back to the Jordans. Our children have shared many experiences and our families have, with so many other neighbors and friends, and certainly the Lord, been the village that raised really good children. They will be wonderful spiritual and temporal mentors to young men and women who have chosen to share the message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to the British people. Well, yesterday they spoke in our church and Holly started her talk with one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon, which she called the Remember! Remember! chapter. As a mother I could see her talking to not only us, but to her own children, who were seated on the front row. As background, Nephi has given up the judgement seat as the people who chose to do evil were more numerous to those who chose to do good ... really! He and his brother Lehi, sons of Helaman, decided to preach to the gospel the remainder of their days. I love that ... let us share what we have and know to be true; let us share this plan of happiness with whoever will listen. This is the same spirit as a quote that I read the past few weeks in a "14 Week Walk With Christ" study program that some of the women in our neighborhood have been participating in. The quote, "Doctrine can change behavior quicker that talking about it." Well, the rest of the chapter was a chapter meant for me, as a child, and my children, and I am sure that day to the Jordan children, "Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the name of your first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye may remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how it is said, and also written, that they were good." (Helaman 5:6)
This is my wish also that my children will remember the works and testimonies of their ancestors.
And back to the missionaries Nephi and Lehi, and David and Holly, and my own sons Brett and Todd and Anthony and the rest of the righteous young men and women who have gone forth keeping the commandments and preaching the word ... " And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them— Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers."
Nephi and Lehi were thrown into prison and encircled with fire. The Lamanites could not touch them. They were protected. In prison a voice from heaven called the dissenters to repentance and this is the voice that all of us should listen to, especially when it comes to hearing the word of God. "
And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold it was a STILL voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul -
The Lamanites were overshadowed by a cloud of darkness. Aminadab who had once been a member of the church of God, saw the faces of Nephi and Lehi , that they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld." Aminadab told the people that to have the cloud of darkness removed they repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ ... the cloud of darkness was dispersed and they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire.
Well, some of you may saw that it is just a nice story, but not true. Like all missionaries, like the Jordan's, I would tell you the same thing, pray and listen for the still small voice and you will know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and you may not be encircled about my fire, but you will be encircled about and you will be filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.
" And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying: Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world. And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them."
Well David and Holly our prayers go with you and all those who spread the Gospel. They, like you went forth from the land Bountiful. You will be encircled about and you will find Aminadabs and so many others who will hear the voice. And to my children, I echo Holly's words from one of my favorite chapters, "Remember, Remember!"
