Busy October 3,2016

Hello everyone!

This one will be short. I'm on a time crunch, we have 2 appointments. 

Here's some insights from this week I've pondered.

Baring testimony prepares people to accept commitments you will extend. With this concept the progression cycle is applied. Missionaries give them Witness A, so the investigator can receive Hope, then Act, and receive Witness B. The challenging and testifying missionary executes this well, when he seals truths by baring testimony of them. Those truths are sealed by the presence of the Holy Ghost carried unto the hearts of the people. 

Thus, baring testimony is like a little radar that can be used to determine who is prepared. For the man that is prepared will allow the Holy Ghost to enter into his heart and will act because of the hope he received from the spirit. The missionaries should then invite. Upon extending that invitation to act,  the listening and prepared heart will gain a fresh view of God, and will see the way that is prepared by the Lord. Is this the principle of repentance? Yes it is.

My conversion experience echoes this very concept. As my bishop would bare testimony of the next step I needed to take for my return to activity, I would see a greater light of my potential as the the Holy Ghost entered into my heart. He would simply say "Do you understand what you need to do?" To which I would reply "yes bishop". He would then say "what is that?" I would then repeat back to him what the spirit taught me. "That is exactly right Jared. Are you ready to go to the next level?" In that moment the commitment was extended, and I would follow the guidelines established by the Lord in order to be worthy of that next step. I went from Priest to Elder, received a calling, turned in my mission papers, and received my endowment all based on receiving a witness of such act by the power of the Holy Ghost. The commitments he extended were not hard, because he was able to teach clearly the truth. He gave me witness A, which gave me a hope, I acted, and received witness B.  When all was said and done, he bore testimony that the will of the Lord was working with me, thus his testimony sealed the truthfulness of my actions, giving me greater confidence to act for myself. My mind was illuminated and my soul was filled with light, glory, and immortality. I was encircled about by them, and I knew for myself that the testimony of that man was true. 

This is identified in the confounding of Sherem. Jacob having been filled with the spirit of the Lord, was able to confound all of Sherems words. Because Jacob had gained a witness by the Holy Ghost that the scriptures are true, and that they testify of Jesus Christ. His conviction was sure because he was taught from the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ shall come, and an atonement should be made. Sherem also read the scriptures, but did not have the same results, because he did not comprehend them by the spirit, but used his own logic and worldly wisdom. Sherems words did not have conviction, because they were not a testimony given by the spirit. But Jacob was able to confound Sherem by the conviction he had because of his dealings in the spirit. (Jacob 7:7-12) 

Elder Jared M. Greenburg 

Missouri Independence Mission 

Warrensburg Missouri Area