STIMULATOR message for the week of October 31, 1972
Message from President Merlin W. Sant, October 31, 1972
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
Dear Missionaries:
This was the apostle Paul’s counsel to the saints at Ephesus, for he knew from personal experience that the strength he needed to accomplish his mission and to withstand evil came only from the Lord. And because of the strength granted him he had steadfastly withstood the trials and persecutions associated with his ministry, even as did the sons of Mosiah while preaching among the Lamanites
Note Ammon’s declaration — “Yea, I know that I am nothing, as to my strength I am weak; wherefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things.” (Alma 23:12) Even with his marvelous achievements, Ammon, in true humility, acknowledged that his strength came only from the Lord.
The Lord wants all his servants to be strong, even as Ammon and his brother, but he grants His strength only to those who truly qualify for it. There are few of us, if any, who can succeed in our ministry without strength from the Lord. This being true, how do we share in His strength? “When that still small voice calls to the performance of duty, insignificant though it may seem and its performance unknown to anyone save the individual and the Lord, he who responds gains corresponding strength and satisfaction.” (Instructor, September 1922)
We are grateful for those whose strength is in the Lord, for those strong missionaries who have gained their strength by responding to the call of duty. There is nothing more powerful, yet beautiful, than one declaring the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, when he is endowed with the full strength of the Lord, the Priesthood, and the Holy Ghost. Let us all put on the ‘armor of god’ as the apostle Paul advised, that we may have the strength to do our duty and to stand against the ‘wiles of the devil’.
Faithfully yours,
President and Sister Sant
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” — Psalm 27:1
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