STIMULATOR message for the week of September 12, 1972
Message from President Merlin W. Sant, September 12, 1972
“There is no privilege that is not inseparably bound to a duty.”
Dear Fellow Missionaries —
Do we fully realize what a great privilege we have been granted in being called to serve as missionaries in this choice land? Let’s see what a privilege is according to the dictionary. It says a privilege is “a right granted as a peculiar advantage or favor.” How do we feel about the right granted us to represent our Heavenly Father and His Church in teaching the Gospel to the people of New Zealand?
As Elder Brockbank pointed out, this is a land favored above many others,. Where else can you find a country with only three million people where the Lord has provided so abundantly for the spiritual welfare of His children? For here in this one small country we have a temple, seven stakes, two missions, a Church school, a visitors center, and dozens of chapels. Must we not agree that we are favored and enjoy peculiar advantages not known to missionaries in many other parts of the world? So we must acknowledge to our Heavenly Father and to ourselves, that we are truly privileged.
Then what is a duty? Again, referring to the dictionary, a duty is “anything a person is morally obligated to do.” In light of this definition, we are obligated to do many things. Let’s name a few of them:
• Obey the mission rules to the letter.
• Learn the discussions promptly and well.
• Teach twenty hours or more per week.
• Give ten discussions or more per week.
• Be an example of the believers.
• Serve the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength.
“Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty and act in the office in which he is appointed in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:99-100).
Faithfully yours,
President and Sister Sant
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