News

I thought this story was interesting, and it's worth sharing. In Murietta, California, members of the United Church of the Valley were preparing to serve their first mission, and they turned to an unusual source for help: the Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Asking missionaries of another faith for help in preparing to teach may seem odd, but when you think about it, it really does make sense. After all, Mormons have a very active and successful worldwide missionary program. So whether or not you agree with the specific religious beliefs, you've got to admit that the LDS Church probably does have some good insights into missionary work and sharing the gospel of Christ with others.

According to the North County Times, the Reverend Randy Leisey, pastor of United Church of the Valley, had become interested in the Mormon approach when he heard President Gordon B. Hinckley, then the prophet and president of the LDS Church, speaking in a local conference.

"He said 'You 77 million baby boomers, don't get a motor home. Go on mission,'" Leisey said to the North County Times. "I thought, 'Wow, wouldn't that change the world?'"

Leisey had been more interested in the LDS Church's humanitarian efforts, since members of his congregation would be serving humanitarian missions themselves, helping to build houses in an impoverished country. But Larry Slusser, second counselor to the Temecula Stake (group of local congregations) president of the LDS Church, gave them a challenge in their meeting: "Is there any plan to teach them about Jesus Christ?"

Members of the United Church of the Valley were not completely comfortable with this idea, as they were afraid of appearing pushy and self-righteous. However, President Slusser gave them some ideas for sharing the message of Jesus Christ that would not be overbearing, such as bringing them videos to watch, holding devotionals before work, and staying in contact with the people after the projects were completed.

The important things, as LDS Church leaders will tell you, is to truly become their friends and to not be afraid to share your knowledge of Jesus Christ and the gospel when appropriate.

"The house is going to care for ... one or two generations," Slusser explained. "The faith affects many future generations. . . (Christianity) is life-changing, to give them peace of mind, direction ... ."

"The task of missionary work used to be to make them like you," Leisey commented. "But if you get intellectual about it, you realize how egocentric that is. Our denomination and many denominations started rethinking what mission is all about -- building relationships."

Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has said: "Our opportunity and responsibility are to care, to share, to testify, to invite, and then to allow individuals to decide for themselves. . . At the very least, we have a rewarding relationship with someone from another faith, and we can continue to enjoy their friendship." (M. Russell Ballard, "Creating a Gospel-Sharing Home," Ensign, May 2006, 84-87)

And, in the meantime, we will have given someone we care about the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it can change their lives. Having received the gift ourselves, we naturally want to share it with those we love.

The March issue of the official magazine for adults of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called "the Mormons") is devoted to testimonies and doctrines about our Savior, Jesus Christ. This magazine is the Ensign for English speakers; international readers receive the Liahona.

Featured is a message written by President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was president and prophet of the Church until his passing at the end of January. The entire article can be accessed at www.lds.org, but I'd like to quote just a small portion:

There is none to equal Him. There never has been. There never will be. Thanks be to God for the gift of His Beloved Son, who gave His life that we might live...Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith...

He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God. (Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Testify of Jesus Christ," Liahona, Mar 2008, 4-7)

It is amazing that in this day of shifting values, we have a prophet on the Earth today who can and will testify unequivocally of Jesus Christ. Testimonies of each of the modern-day prophets are also included in the magazine. There are also messages about the Atonement and faith in Christ, and several real-life experiences contributed by members of the Church about how they have seen these principles at work in their own lives. Beautiful artwork depicting scenes from the ministry of the Savior is also featured.

Of particular interest to those who are not members of the Mormon Church may be the article entitled "We Believe." It gives several questions people commonly have about exactly what Mormons believe regarding Jesus Christ, along with the answers to the questions. There is also an article called "Plain & Precious Truths" that lists 25 truths about the Savior, along with corresponding scriptures from the Bible and from latter-day revelation.

As Easter time approaches, it's particularly appropriate to reflect on the ministry and Atonement of Jesus Christ. He isn't just a mythical character whom we celebrate, and He isn't even a god who once lived but is no longer actively interested in our lives. Christ is real, He does live, and He knows us each by name. He knows our sorrows and our burdens, and He is always there for us when we come unto Him.