"Hastening the Work"
If you’re a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, you have heard this phrase in the last few years a lot.
There is even a website at
in case you missed it. But if you aren’t a Mormon and you have no idea what I am talking about, the phrase is short for Hastening the Work of Salvation, which is simply (although it is not simple) letting people know about Jesus Christ, about His love for them, and the way His gospel will change their lives.
This link says it better than I do. https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/members-and-missionaries#media=14424200789892361816-eng
The amazing thing is this. It seems like many Mormons are actually stepping
it up.
We
can feel it in everything from the youth that have answered a prophetic call
for younger missionaries,
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/thousands-more-mormons-choose-missionary-service
to
Genealogy,
https://familysearch.org/
to
much more meaningful and interactive youth curriculum.
People
everywhere and of all faiths are doing more good than ever before!
But here’s the thing.
We’re not the only
team on the floor.
Neil Andersen summed it up well in his last
conference address:
“My young
friends, the world will not glide calmly toward the Second Coming of the
Savior. The scriptures declare that “all things shall be in commotion.”1 Brigham
Young said, “It was revealed to me in the commencement of this Church, that the
Church would spread, prosper, grow and extend, and that in proportion to the
spread of the Gospel among the nations of the earth, so would the power of
Satan rise.”2
Oh, bother.
"...in proportion to the spread of the Gospel among the nations of the earth, so would the power of Satan rise."
So the next time you hear, "Hastening the Work", just think twice about who all is doing the hastening.
What do we do about it?
Here is the end of Andersen's talk.
Here is the end of Andersen's talk.
"Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.
Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.
Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.
Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.
As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are—tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow. And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ. The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure. You will rejoice that God has placed you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ’s glorious return.
The Savior said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”25This is His promise to you. I know this promise is real. I know that He lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
