Lesson for July 23, 2017

Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen about a talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "A Voice of Warning." She wanted to approach this lesson by asking the journalism questions who, what, why, when, who, how? What is the voice of warning? In the D&C it says it behoves every man to warn his neighborhood. Sister Horrocks said she felt like with her children, she was a steward and was suppose to warn them. Are we supposed to put on sackcloth and stand on a soapbox and warn people about their spiritual danger. Elder Christofferson said that the warning voice is supposed to be one of love. It needs to be firm and clear and rooted in love, such as the sacrifices made by our missionaries. To warn is to care. If we're going to warn neighbors about spiritual dangers, we do it by love, persuasion, and caring. Linda Campbell told of a story Elder Holland told at the missionary conference about a young man who left his family to join a motorcycle gang. Two missionaries stopped by his house and were not put off by his Doberman Pinschers and asked him where he came from. The man said he was from Pocatello and he admitted the family he came from and their name. One of the elders said, "That's my family, too, and God sent me to invite you to come home. Our parents have been praying for you every morning and every night." The man did come back and was eventually sealed in the temple. Lisa Merrill read some of her daughter's mission letter telling about a man's conversion and the change that has come over him as he has learned. She said she has been compared to Jesus and talking to them feels good. Love is reflected in kindness and ways we approach people. Heather Cantrell told of her cousins who showed up at her house yesterday to mend the rift in their family. Her cousin had been warned by her stake president that she needed to visit Heather. What a great surprise. We need to think of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Our neighbor is really anyone we come into contact with. Teaching and testifying of the gospel truth is important and especially the joys that can be had with faithfulness. Staying in touch with relatives and friends and showing them a way and a pattern to behave can benefit. It could be a stranger. Lisa Anderson had an experience with a home health care person who came to help take care of Lisa's unle and was very interested in a church magazine with President Hinckley on the cover. So you never know when you will have an opportunity. Heather Cantrell said she gave a Book of Mormon to several people who have joined the Church. Kristine told about going to Jerusalem and went to the Garden Tomb. It was shady and green and birds singing. The tour leader said they would now have a testimony meeting. One member of the group was Elder Martinez of the Seventy. He said it is our privilege to bear testimony. His son said, Whenever I think of Jesus, it just makes me smile." Then people felt comfortable bearing their testimony. Kristine said we need to be loving and kind and willing to be bold in sharing good news.