Resolving Concerns — by Elder M. Taylor
* RESOLVING CONCERNS* by Elder Taylor
Hawera District Meeting — July 14, 2015 — Hawera New Zealand
Scripture joke: How do we know that Jesus was an avid vegetable gardener? Check out John 14:27. :o)
Church history quiz: Four of our current apostles were not serving as general authorities at the time of their apostolic calls. Can you name these four?
Engravo: Alma 50:32. There are two more great engravos nearby, one on page 342 and one page 343.
Internal evidence: Alma 50:19-20
The importance of the Spirit in resolving concerns:
- Acknowledge the concern. “If I understand you correctly, your concern is ….”
- Offer a brief statement or scripture from either the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants
a/ I have both a “sticky issue” index and a “frequent concern” index in my scriptures
- There is a way to resolve your concern and to know the truth:
a/ “If what we just read [or quoted or discussed] is true, then your concern has been answered by modern prophets and modern scripture.”
b/ “If modern-day prophets and scriptures are true, then there has been a restoration of the gospel of Christ through Joseph Smith
c/ “Joseph Smith was an instrument in the hands of God in bringing forth The Book of Mormon.”
d/ “Any sincere seeker after truth can receive a witness that The Book of Mormon is true. Let us show you how.”
e/ Key point: The Spirit can and will touch the heart of the investigator when any or all of the above statements are made.
- We are not here to “debate” you into the Church, to “sell our product”, to try to “convince” you by flashy presentations or argument, or to have a scriptural wrestling match with you.
- Our mission and purpose is to introduce you to the Book of Mormon and to the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It will then be your responsibility and opportunity to turn to the Lord, study with real intent, have faith in Christ, and ask if our message is true.
- We are simply inviting you to do what Joseph Smith did. He had a question, and he asked the Lord for an answer.
- He didn’t debate or contend with or argue with with the ministers in his area. He also didn’t say “..its not worth the time..”, “this is too hard…”, “…this requires too much effort…”, “…I am happy where I am…”; he read scripture, sought truth, and asked the Lord.
- Bear testimony.
What if there is not a clear or concise or straight-forward answer?
- Doctrine and Covenants 101:32-34
- Two shelves — answered questions and unanswered questions
- “Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.” — Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2013 Conference Report
- 1 Nephi 11:17
- What is the key to the above verses and quotes? You will be reading the word of God from the Book of Mormon and quoting the words of an ordained apostle of the Lord. The Spirit will witness and testify!
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