Shall We Not Go On In So Great a Cause?

As we approach another Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, how appropriate that we just finished Joseph Smith’s two epistles to the Church in Doctrine and Covenants sections 127-128. In 128:19 Joseph asks a question we might well ask ourselves, “Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received?”

His response in the final verses of the section brought immense gratitude and joy to my heart as we end another challenging year. The challenges we have faced, if not combated with faith, can easily rob us of the light and joy of the gospel. I will summarize Joseph’s responses here, but I encourage you to read them if you haven’t already and share your own feelings with your families as part of your thanksgiving season:

• A voice of gladness and mercy from heaven; truth and glad tidings for the dead and living

• Knowledge descending as the dews from heaven on those that share these things

• The Book of Mormon

• The Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood restored

• All the keys of the dispensation of the fullness of times

• Visitation of God and Jesus Christ again to prophets on earth

• Restoration of the keys of all dispensations from Adam to present

After reviewing these joyous events of the Restoration, crowned by the blessings of the temple, in verse 24 the Prophet asks, “Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” What is it that he suggests could be that offering, a symbol of gratitude for all the blessings of the gospel? He answers that question with the conclusion of that verse: “and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.”

God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. (Restoration Proclamation)

Might I suggest that one way we can show our thanksgiving for this gift God has given us is to present ourselves worthy to be in the temple? There we can participate in gathering Israel and provide the welding link of eternal families, necessary so that the earth will not be utterly wasted at His coming (Doctrine & Covenants 2). So, please:

1. Present yourself to a member of the bishopric and stake presidency to renew your temple recommend if it has lapsed. We would love to be overwhelmed with interviews for temple recommends.

2. Prepare a name you can take to the temple. It is easy to do and takes just a couple of minutes. Your ward temple and family history leaders would love to show you how; Brother Van Orden would love to show you how; many others I’m sure including youth would love to show you how.

3. Present yourself at the temple to serve those on the other side of the veil. The temples are open and you can make appointments for baptisms, initiatory, endowments, and sealings at many of the temples. Our Provo City Center Temple is closed in December, but you will find several openings at other temples if you plan ahead just a little.

4. Share your own testimony and joy of temple blessings, including the eternal family bonds they make possible, with your children and family.

May I also ask you to show your gratitude for gospel blessings in one other way? There are many in our stake and elsewhere who won’t read or be aware of this message and will be blessed by your invitation to follow. Prayerfully consider who you might invite to make this offering to the Lord in thanksgiving. Who do you know in your family, neighborhood, ward, or group of friends that you can touch and bless in this way during the holiday season?

If you will do these things, I promise you and your family an added measure of joy this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for all that you do to make our stake a “refuge” from latter-day storms. With Joseph, I encourage us to “go on in so great a cause, go forward and not backward. Courage, and on to the victory!”

Love, President Nelson