You and I can be instruments in the Lord’s hands and do much good:
(1) through directly introducing or teaching the gospel and/or
2) being an example of living it).
Both bring those we serve to Jesus Christ.
Look for and seek the opportunity and the Lord will give you His spirit and power to do His work through you.
Ask yourself during this lesson: “How can I be an instrument in the Lord’s hands? How can I bless others through the Lord using me as his instrument to work through.”
- What does it mean to be an “instrument” in God’s hands?
President Monson (paraphrased): “If God has an errand to run, I want Him to know that Tom Monson can run it.”
D&C 58:26-28—Anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do things of your own free will and bring to past much righteousness, for the power is in them.
Great book of President Monson living this: “Consider the Blessings”
First, being “an example of the believers,” as Paul put it
Doesn’t just apply to spreading the gospel but being an example of living the gospel because “all things are spiritual to God.”
Putting the gospel into action bring others to Him.
President Monson explained it this way: “Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”
“It was said of Him (Jesus), He went about doing good.”
Acts 10:38
Look up and read Elder Don Clark “Becoming Instruments in the Hands of God”:
Brother Clark continues: “I have thought about Jim Drinkwater many times and wondered how he came to be one that the Lord could trust. Jim was a little, crippled man that God trusted to help a blind farmer with a heavy mortgage and three children. I have learned a great deal from my grandfather’s experience with Jim Drinkwater. I have learned that a person does not need to have a Church calling, an invitation to help someone, or even good health to become an instrument in God’s hands.”
- Q. How then do you and I become instruments in God’s hands? The prophets and the scriptures teach us how, as well as everyday experiences that are around us, I’m sure many that you’ve always could share.
When asked, which is the greatest commandment, the Savior replied:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:36–39).
Joseph F. Smith said: “Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1917, 4).
When we feel love for God’s children, we are given opportunities to help them in their journey back to His presence.
After losing his eyesight, my grandfather fasted and prayed that if he was to remain in darkness, the Lord would give him peace. He states that almost within the hour “my mind was enlightened and the cloud of darkness had lifted from me.” He could see again, not with physical eyes, but spiritual eyes. Later, Alma Benjamin Larsen was called to be a patriarch, where he served for 32 years. Like the sons of Mosiah, my grandfather fasted and prayed, and as a result, he was a powerful INSTRUMENT IN HIS HANDS, and ultimately given the opportunity to bless thousands of God’s children.
1) Desire to be an instrument in God’s hands to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ, gospel of peace, great plan of happiness to His other children. Being a Latter-day missionary.
A familiar quote by the Prophet Joseph Smith who declared that “after all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith[2007], 330).
The prophet Alma the Younger tells us of revelations that he received: “I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it … yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy” (Alma 29:9). Alma had received revelation of what to do.
There are great examples from the Book of Mormon of the Lord using ordinary people, like you and I, to do His work of redemption of His children.
Examples from the Book of Mormon:
The Lord said unto Mosiah: “Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life (exaltation); and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.” (Mosiah 28:7) courage—mission—promise
2) PRAY for the opportunity—seek it and look for it
- How did Ammon respond? He was happy for the opportunity to serve the King.
- 29 read: purpose of his mission—“that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.”
3) Listen to and follow the spirit – “led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand what I should do.” Nephi
4) Seize the opportunity—CARPE DIEM!—ACT!
“When the Lord commands, do it!!” Joseph Smith
GREAT BLESSINGS OF MISSIONARY WORK—JOYS AND REWARDS:
Read:
Alma 26:2,*3—“we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work!”
- 4Alma 27:2-5, 15, 16
Alma 29: 9-10
5) The more we listen to the spirit and obey it, the more the Lord will use us as “instruments” in His hands, like the example of President Monson, and now how the Lord is using our current prophet, President Nelson as an instrument to bring about great things in these last days—reiterating that the church is to be in the Lord’s name, His church, not Mormon’s. Inspired, innovative, obedient, and courageous to “go and do” when the Lord commands!
CHALLENGE TO BE INSTRUMENTS IN GOD’S HANDS IN WHATEVER WAY HE WANTS TO USE US TO BLESS HIS CHILDREN AND ANSWER THEIR PRAYERS
READ: 1 Nephi 13:37—ending scriptures for us in the Latter-days
