Hastening the Work of Salvation Lesson 28 Student

Hastening the Work of Salvation ~ Lesson 28 Student Readings: Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Are You Sleeping through the Restoration? ” Ensign, May 2014. 1

D&C 88: 73 73 Behold, I will hasten my work in its time. Isaiah 60: 20 -22 20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. . 2

Hastening the Work of Salvation In recent years, Church leaders have emphasized the Lord’s prophecy that He will “hasten [His] work” (D&C 88: 73). The work of salvation includes: • • • Member missionary work Convert retention Activation of less-active members Temple and family history work Teaching the gospel

Prepared for Responsibilities on Earth Shortly before his death, President Joseph F. Smith had a vision of the spirit world, which is now recorded as Doctrine and Covenants 138. He learned that the leaders of the final dispensation and “many others” were prepared in the premortal world for their earthly responsibilities. D&C 138: 53 -56 – Look for the responsibilities and preparation

Prepared for Responsibilities on Earth What responsibilities might have been given to you in the premortal world? What preparation might you have received?

Prepared for Responsibilities on Earth What responsibilities might have been given to you in the premortal world? What preparation might you have received? Principle: We were prepared in the premortal life to come to earth in the fulness of times to labor for the salvation of the souls of men.

President Monson said, “Do you realize that the restored Church was 98 years old before it had 100 stakes? But less than 30 years later, the Church had organized its second 100 stakes. And only eight years after that the Church had more than 300 stakes. Today [2014] we are more than 3, 000 stakes strong.

“Why is this growth taking place at an accelerated rate? Is it because we are better known? Is it because we have lovely chapels? “These things are important, but the reason the Church is growing today is that the Lord indicated it would. In the Doctrine and Covenants, He said, ‘Behold, I will hasten my work in its time’ [D&C 88: 73].

“We, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work. ” (“Hastening the Work, ” Ensign, June 2014, 4)

Hastening the Work of Salvation What are some of the ways you have witnessed a “hastening” of God’s work?

Hastening the Work of Salvation What are some of the ways you have witnessed a “hastening” of God’s work? The Lord is hastening His work on both sides of the veil.

“Living prophets and apostles teach us that ‘members of the Church of Jesus Christ are sent forth “to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men” (D&C 138: 56). This work of salvation includes member missionary work, convert retention, activation of less-active members, temple and family history work, and teaching the gospel’. [Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 5. 0]” (“The Work of Salvation: Then and Now, ” Ensign, Sept. 2014). Elder L. Whitney Clayton

Hastening the Work of Salvation Church leaders today have given emphasis to five areas within the work of salvation and asked that each of us participate in these areas in order to hasten God’s work in these latter days. • • • Member missionary work Convert retention Activation of less-active members Temple and family history work Teaching the gospel

Handout: Hastening the Work of Salvation Read and Ponder the questions for each of the 5 areas.

What experiences have you had as you have participated in one or more of these areas of the work of salvation?

President Uchtdorf stated, “When our time in mortality is complete, what experiences will we be able to share about our own contribution to this significant period of our lives and to the furthering of the Lord’s work? Will we be able to say that we rolled up our sleeves and labored with all our heart, might, mind, and strength? Or will we have to admit that our role was mostly that of an observer? ” (“Are You Sleeping through the Restoration? ” Ensign, May 2014).

How does our knowledge and testimony of the Restoration motivate us to more fully participate in the work of salvation?

Student Readings for Lesson 28: • Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Are You Sleeping through the Restoration? ” Ensign, May 2014, 58– 62. • “Hastening the Work of Salvation, ” Ensign, Oct. 2013, 36– 39.