5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God. [ALMA 31:5]
To Preach and To Reach
The true power of preaching the word of God is not just in reciting revelations, but creating relationships. And not just relationships of trust between speaker and hearer, teacher and learner, but the increase of trust in, reliance on and love for between the created and the Creator. Besides, can you imagine if missionaries carried swords and threatened people to let them in to their homes to speak? Though, there are verses in the Book of Mormon where the king of the Lamanites actually made laws allowing the missionaries to not only enter into homes as to teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but made it illegal to harm, or even spit on them (Alma 23:1-7). Wouldn’t that be amazing if there were such laws today!
Nevertheless, brave boys and men, and courageous girls and women still seek to serve and to let their lights so shine to bring the world HIS truths!
DEAFCON 1
There are people in this world who don’t want and don’t want to hear the word of God (yet!). They are purposely deaf to any certainty about deity and any accountability in their lives. And we’ve seen wars started, with and without swords, over words spoken or left unspoken between husband and wife, friends, co-workers, clergy during a liturgy and plenty of literary military to complain and attack each other social media in every city and country. So then, how do we preach and reach people when neither swords or words are not enough?
There are millions of people right now searching for life-saving truths, but don’t know where to find them, or even who to trust anymore in this world. Nevertheless, they will recognize the Light of Christ and His truths in your words and especially in your spirit!
The Spirit of God Makes the Difference
The great Nephite army leader, Mormon, faced such a defining and discouraging dilemma. In writing to his son, Moroni, he said that Satan was winning the war by stirring up the people to anger with each other. While Mormon wasn’t giving up on them, because he would be brought under condemnation if he did, he mourned that whether he used the word of God with or without sharpness, they wouldn’t listen. Because, he feared, “the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them.” [Moroni 9:3-4]
If you want to reach someone’s heart and change their life, it is the Spirit of God alone that has that authority and accountability to create such a transformation through the inspiration and information you humbly provide with your heart, not a sword.
No matter when and where you are called to serve, seek to always do so with love, not shove. Yes, many will still mock and even mar. They may even have swords, guns and other weapons of wickedness to try and deter your testimony. Nevertheless, be still and trust that God will deliver you and guide you to those who want to have His spirit with them always and who are seeking the truths that His words provide in all the Holy Scriptures. Yes, you may even be delayed, but be not afraid, or dismayed. The Lord will be your sword and He will be with you always, wherever you go and He will give you the ways to go and the words to say to help bring His children back home.