Elder & Sister W. Mark Bassett of the Seventy
Tuesday devotional, October 29, 2019
Tuesday devotional, Elder and Sister W. Mark Bassett, October 29, 2019
Sister Bassett:
- Your Savior loves you. Your mission name tag bears His name.
- The heavens were quiet for centuries, and then when the Lord did speak, the first word that was uttered was ‘Joseph’, the name of a 14-year old farm boy. The Lord knows your name also. He will care for you.
- While serving with my husband as mission president and wife, I was diagnosed with cancer. This drove me to my knees. This experience taught me that He knows me. I was comforted by His spirit.
- Please know that you are prayed for.
- What is your favorite page in the Book of Mormon? My favorite page is the page that includes Alma 7:11-12. I especially love the word ‘succor’. He knows how to succor His people. When you feel that no one understands you, be assured that there is One who does, and He always will.
- The Book of Mormon is the greatest tool of conversion. It will also keep YOU close to God. As you read the Book of Mormon, look for evidence of the Plan of Salvation. It is so important.
- This is an exciting time to live and to serve.
Elder Bassett:
- Doctrine and Covenants 65:4 — “Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people. Call upon the Lord…”. The gospel is rolling forth.
- Dickens talked of the the best of times, the worst of times, a time of wisdom, and time of foolishness, a time of belief, a time of incredulity, a time of light, a time of darkness, a spring of hope, a winter of despair. Can a time be both the best and the worst? We live in a time when chastity, morality, the family, and marriage are all being attacked and degraded. Even the faithful are being led away.
- Mormon 5:16-18 says, “…the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are driven about as chaff before the wind. They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father. But now, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor…” But later verses in that chapter tell us that we are in the hands of God.
- Ether 12:4-5 tells us that hope comes from faith, and it becomes an ANCHOR. I also want to say to you missionaries that you will be anchors in the lives of those you teach and bring to the gospel.
- Doctrine and Covenants 115:5-6 tells us to arise and shine forth. Do it!
- Doctrine and Covenants 82:14 talks of ‘beautiful garments’. I hope you all understand the deeper significance of that phrase.
- Here are my suggestions to all of you as you begin your missions:
- Strive to obtain the Spirit. Make it your highest priority.
- Be repentant. Keep your personal spiritual life in order.
- Bear the sacred vessels of the Lord. In a way, you are those sacred vessels.
- Seek to declare the word only after you have obtained it yourself (Doctrine and Covenants 11:21)
- Become like the sons of Mosiah, described in Alma 17:2-3 (brethren in the Lord, waxed strong, search the scriptures, pray, fast).
- Be involved with faith, prayer, and good works continually.
- Develop humility. Humility is not weakness. See Mosiah 4:11. Retain in your minds the greatness of God.
- Do not be critical, especially of leaders. If you criticize your leaders, you can know that you are on the wrong path.
- Love the people. Charity is the pure love of Christ.
- Work diligently. Sloth is the most rapid way to lose the spirit of your mission.
- Don’t give into Satan’s deceptions or temptations. Be patient in afflictions, for you shall surely have some.
- Testify of the Book of Mormon and of the priesthood.
- Remember that you are set-apart, meaning your different from the rest of the world. Stand alone, stand assured.
- Be your best self! You have the answers to life’s questions.
- Remember that you and your companion will be the only two set-apart full-time representatives of Christ in your area!
- Remember that you can do anything with God as your companion.
- Joseph’s only purpose in going into the grove was to find out which church to join. He didn’t go into the grove with the desire to become a prophet, to organize a church, to have angelic visitations, to translate ancient scripture. He humbly sought an answer to a sincere question.
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