Teach them the Truth

 

 

Task:In this revelation, the Lord called upon Joseph Smith to “make a solemn proclamation of my gospel…to all the kings of the world, to the four corners thereof, to the honorable president-elect, and high-minded governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad” (verses 1-2). At the same time the Prophet was also commanded to build a place of lodging for strangers about which Joseph Smith said, “It is important that the Nauvoo House should be finished, that we may have a suitable place wherein to entertain the great ones of the earth, and teach them the truth” (History of the Church 5:137).
Many times missionaries find that those who are in humble circumstances are most receptive to the gospel, but this call to teach the gospel is specifically to people of prestige and influence. Why do you think the Lord would give this commandment?What other proclamations to the world have been issued? Why do you think it was necessary to issue them?
What do these two directives (the proclamation and the Nauvoo House) suggest to you about the Lord’s desires concerning the gospel?What are the implications for Church members concerning their responsibility towards those who are not LDS?
Can/should this commandment have any personal application for you concerning your interaction with nonmembers? If so, what?

The Lord wants us to preach his Gospel to everyone. I think that it is more difficult for us to preach to those of higher status. Sometimes we are too scared that they will reject what we have to say, but to the Lord our backgrounds don’t matter. He wants us all to have a fair chance to learn about His truth. I also think that they Lord wants those individuals to know the truth so they can use their means to build up Heavenly Father’s kingdom.

The Student Manual says, “Other proclamations concerning the Church, its message and its mission, have been issued from time to time, but this early declaration best exemplifies the Lord’s instruction in the revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants.The Family: A Proclamation to the World is another proclamation that has been givin to us. I believe that Heavenly Father gives us proclamation so we may know how to act during these times. He gives them at a specific time to prepare us and to learn what we need to do and be happy.

I believe that the Lord desires all to receive His word. Heavenly Father Loves all His children and He wants them all to receive the truth. The Story about the Prophet John Taylor reminds me of how important it is to preach the Gospel to all. This is his story:
In 1836 Elder Parley P. Pratt, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, was called to serve a mission to Canada. On his way to Toronto, Canada, “a stranger gave him a letter of introduction to John Taylor, a Methodist lay preacher in Toronto. Taylor was affiliated with a group who believed existing churches did not correspond with New Testament Christianity. For two years this group had met several times a week for the ‘purpose of seeking truth, independent of any sectarian organization.’ In Toronto, Elder Pratt was courteously received by the Taylors, but they were not at first enthusiastic about his message.
“Discouraged at being unable to secure a place to preach, Parley decided to leave Toronto. Before going he stopped at the Taylors to get some of his luggage and to say goodbye. While he was there, Leonora Taylor told her friend Mrs. Isabella Walton about Parley’s problem and said she was sorry he was leaving. ‘He may be a man of God,’ she said. Mrs. Walton replied that she had been inspired by the Spirit to visit the Taylors that morning because she was willing to let Elder Pratt stay at her home and preach. He did so and was eventually invited to attend a meeting of John Taylor’s group, in which John read the New Testament account of Philip’s preaching in Samaria. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘where is our Philip? Where is our receiving the Word with joy, and being baptized when we believed? Where is our Peter and John? Our apostles? Where is our Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands? …’ When Parley was invited to speak, he declared that he had answers to John Taylor’s questions.

For three weeks John Taylor attended Elder Pratt’s meetings, making detailed notes of his sermons and carefully comparing them with the scriptures. Gradually he became convinced that the true gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. He and his wife, Leonora, were baptized on 9 May 1836
John Taylor was ordained an elder and served faithfully as a missionary. Later he became the third President of the Church.

As members of the Church we have the duty to preach the gospel. We don’t have to serve missions but we can preach in our communities or to our member friends. Sometimes we don’t know that members might be struggling with their testimonies, but we should always share with them what we know to be true. This commandment teaches me not to be afraid. I need to become more in tune with the spirit so I can share the Gospel with those that need to hear what I need to say. We are all pioneers in some way. We have sacrifice many things for this Gospel because we know it is true. We need to share what we know.
Below I have put a video that I think relates to this lesson.