Greetings Brothers and Sisters of our Savior Jesus Christ, it is time for the April 2025 issue of the Herald, and with its arrival I would ask that we set our hearts and minds on the word admonition.
We find wisdom and challenge in the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, the one whom he called his beloved son. Paul says, “Preach the word; be instant in season; those who are out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2 JST/IV). Now, we are not all named Timothy, nor are we all in the exact same situation as he was, but each of us can be witnesses within our own sphere of influence, of the fullness of the gospel, especially, the newly revealed word through His prophet, Maurício Berger. We should be willing and ready at all times to speak with those who may or may not be ready and willing to learn more, as we are prompted by the Holy Spirit, and we must do so with Godly patience and pure doctrine.
The Apostle continues, “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… they shall turn away their ears from the truth…” (II Timothy 4:3-4). We are in a time of which Paul spoke of, a time when many will turn a deaf ear to the truth, but be not discouraged, some will give heed to the light of the truth and seek more as the darkness is overcome within them, eventually coming forth with righteousness. The latter will be even more the case if we are seen persevering through all situations, proving our faith and diligence through affliction and trial (see II Timothy 4:5). As the Apostle Paul exhorts, we must endeavor in this manner throughout all of our mortality, we must finish the course, that we may, in immortality, receive our rewards, having been found righteous by the Righteous Judge (see II Timothy 4:7-8). May the Lord have joy in that day when righteous souls are added to the Father’s Kingdom! Is not this the work and glory of the Lord to be accomplished through this Second Invitation? Let us labor and pray mightily that we may be found as worthy stewards.
Paul’s words, although specifically directed toward Timothy, present us with challenges in our witnessing, especially for those of us who are naturally introverted, of being in less than comfortable situations at various times. However, we can take strength in knowing that when we are about the work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will be with us. I can assure you that multitudes more than myself have felt empowered when just the first step is taken—outside of that self-built comfort zone.
Another faithful soul that I would like to share words of is righteous King Benjamin. The King, at the end of his life, is speaking wisdom and godliness unto his beloved people: “…because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God. Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then had not ye ought to labor to serve one another?” (Mosiah 2:16-18/1:48-50 RLDS).
Is not this true humility? It may be hard for us to imagine living under conditions of such humility since these conditions haven’t existed on earth for many hundreds of years, but what King Benjamin gives us a picture of is, undoubtingly, the United Order, or what the United Order should be in practice, a people submitting to one another, loving, serving, sacrificing for the greater good of the Order, whether one be king or laborer.
Christ’s Nephites give us this example of humility: “Let us therefore be moved by a higher cause, in which brother watches brother and the Church of Christ as a whole, watch over all the members, so that there is no needy, sick, and afflicted in our midst, that we may show ourselves true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, and be worthy representatives of His name amidst a corrupted and misrepresented world. Cease therefore your complaints and your grumblings, for nothing can be more destructive to men in the flesh than to complain continually. Cease looking for mistakes on your brothers or sisters, but love one another just as Christ loved us, for this not only qualifies us to be His disciples, but identifies us as such” (Acts of the Three Nephites 10:1-2).
Now, how can one do such things, especially love our brothers and sisters, even with their mistakes, without true humility coming from the names and attributes of God? When one is genuinely humble one does not look for mistakes in others, although mistakes may be present, but seeks to fix their own mistakes; if everyone is humble enough to fix their own mistakes, then there are no more mistakes to be seen, and we have what is called Zion or a United Order.
As we turn our focus to the articles of this month’s Herald, and read the article from our spiritual sister Renee Crowell we will see the effect of humility on attaining charity and eventually reaching total and pure unity as a people. We are reminded about the importance of filling ourselves, as individuals and as a body, with the high and holy feelings originating from God in order to obtain the full power of the higher priesthood, which He desires to be among us. Sister Renee directs us to take the simple path, the path to Zion with broken hearts and contrite spirits. These words remind me of the commandment given to us: “Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness; even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (D&C 59:8/ 59:2e RLDS); what a sweet-smelling savor unto the Lord this manner of sacrifice must be! As we contemplate the counsel of Sister Renee, let us realize the full gravity of the situation that we are in as the Second Invitation and just how close we are to seeing the powers of Heaven bestowed upon us if we can only continue forward on the path that the Lord has placed in front of us.
Transitioning now to Brother Darren McClelland’s inspiring testimony may it be brought to our minds of how the Lord can take broken people, lives, situations and make them whole again, if only He is called upon with genuine faith and humility. I am reminded of my own walk with God, and how my part of the relationship was almost non-existent until I found it necessary, due to physical ailment, to rekindle it, first through prayer and then scripture study.
I was thrilled to see that Darren and I had chosen to refer to the same verse 2 from Acts of the Three Nephites chapter 10 before knowing what each other was writing about. It is amazing how the negative can be changed to positive with just taking upon ourselves a new perspective in life, such as serving in humility and charity those whom we may have previously grumbled or complained about, or possibly not regarded at all.
Brother Darren’s story about what happened when he touched the door handle gives proof of the fact that when we ask, seek, and knock diligently and earnestly God will open the way for us (see Matthew 7:7-8/ 7:12-13 JST, IV), spiritually, and sometimes also literally. As we each contemplate our place within this Second Invitation we can, undoubtingly, realize that if not for our doing as this scripture says we would likely be somewhere distant from this work. May we all continue to have that thirst for light and truth as our Brother Darren, and receive that living water from above.
Make sure and take note of Patriarch President Samuel Gould’s announcements, including those concerning the upcoming July 2025 conference, and enjoy his eloquent comments and use of scripture, as I know that I always do.
As this editorial draws to a close let us look again at the word admonition; surely we have formed a definition in our minds from the scripture references and articles above. From the Greek word “noutheteo” comes the translation admonish; “noutheteo” means to place on one’s mind. Have the counsels and instructions of the faithful been sufficiently placed on our minds? Perhaps a fitting way to both end this editorial and define admonition is with a quote from the hymn titled “Admonition” written by Joseph Luff: “Time is ripe! My work must hasten! Who-so will may bide the hour.”
May God bless you abundantly; and my love to all.
