“How can I help prepare a very talented and well-to-do family to accept the gospel?” New Era, Nov. 1972, 18–19
“How can I help prepare a very talented and well-to-do family to accept the gospel?”
Answer/Herschel Pederson
Every individual has basic needs and desires he must satisfy to maintain a happy balance in life. Whether rich or poor, everyone has unresolved problems, pressures, and an affinity to God. These areas need to be satisfied just as our temporal needs for food and clothing. Though an individual appears happy, well-to-do, and talented, he still is not complete without the gospel. The voids in his life must be filled if he is to be happy.
Because most people naturally keep their innermost thoughts to themselves, you may not easily know their needs and desires. These needs do, however, come closer to the surface when a person goes through a new growth experience. After marriage, the birth of a child, a move to a new community, sickness, or the loss of a loved one, people seem more willing to want to learn about our Heavenly Father.
God has said, “In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.” (D&C 101:8.)
Prepare by studying the scriptures and praying because when the moment is ripe to talk about the gospel, you must offer correct answers. You can begin by being a genuine friend and neighbor. Water your neighbors’ lawns or care for their pets when they go on vacations. When you bake, take a sample to your neighbor. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” (D&C 64:33.) The main thing to remember is that whatever you do it must be done in humility and sincerity. Vincent de Paul said, “You must love the poor an awful lot or they will hate you for giving them bread.”
It is really the Holy Ghost who converts people to the gospel. We are merely the tools that God uses to help bring about the immortality and eternal life of man. We should so live that we will be inspired to say what God wants said when he wants it said. Anyone brought into the Church without the witness of the Spirit falls into the category of the man who built his house upon the sand. God has given all Church members spiritual gifts that must be cultivated and will aid them in being living examples of the gospel and enable them to speak with the power of the Spirit unto the convincing of men. As individuals we should remember our friends and neighbors in our prayers. We should adhere to the gospel principles as closely as possible so we can be examples and inspired to say the right things.
“And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88; also, D&C 49:27.) God has already gone before and is preparing opportunities for us to exercise the gifts of the spirit. “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.” (D&C 59:21.) God cares for your neighbors and friends and is anxious to witness unto them the divinity of the restored gospel. God also knows the innermost thoughts and desires of every individual, and when you have prepared yourself and have developed a friendship, the opportunity will come to speak to your friends and neighbors. If you are inspired, you will touch the sacred, longing, unsatisfied hungers of the soul that only the gospel through the Spirit can satisfy.
Many would-be missionaries fail in the face of such an opportunity because of logic or reason. They fear to offend or say something that will destroy friendship. The Lord has cautioned us on this point. “But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.” (D&C 60:2.) We seldom influence a man for much good with the light conversation of the day. We must learn to speak when inspired and say those things that are impressed upon our minds by the Holy Spirit. Even though they may seem hard or out of place at times, they are the things that will touch the hearts of those who are pure in heart.
There are many pamphlets and books available that can help you reach your friends. It would be well to have a few available in your home so you can give them out if the opportunity arises. If properly prepared, each of us could have several rich spiritual experiences yearly as we witness the transformation and joy that come into the hearts of those who know and accept the gospel.