Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Beauty Of The Gospel


These are some words that came to my mind as I answered questions for seminary today. It is incredible what can happen to us when we follow the Spirit's promptings--and just listen.

"Behold, I say unto you, my servants Ezra and Northrop, open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, whose word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow, soul and spirit; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
 For verily, verily, I say unto you that ye are called to lift up your voices as with the sound of a trump, to declare my gospel unto a crooked and perverse generation."  Doctrine and Covenants 33:1-2
1. What do you think it means to declare the gospel “as with the sound of a trump”?

The notes of a trumpet are clear, strong, and powerful. When we declare the gospel "with the sound of a trump", we declare it with power. If we are faithful, then the Holy Ghost will clearly manifest the truth of the gospel to those we teach. As we speak, we must teach with clarity, strength and power, declaring the gospel to others through the way we act, speak, and live.

2. In Ezra Thayre’s vision, when he played the trumpet, it produced the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. Why do you think the sound was so beautiful?

The gospel itself is beautiful! The word beauty is defined as "the quality present in a thing or person 
that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind." The note that pierced the air as he blew into the horn must have filled him with joy as the power filled him. The beauty of that sound was from the power of it. We can feel God's power through things like this, when we fill our lives with beauty and joy.

Ever smiling,
JS

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