Mighty and Marvelous Missionary Matthew: The Most Important Work

June 2, 2018

“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” –Moses 1:39

Last week we had the opportunity to be visited by an apostle of the Lord, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He entreated us with a wonderful spirit, a few comedic jokes, Love, coupled with Spiritual nourishment and knowledge. He prompted me into a new way of thinking and viewing each person I met. I learned a lot about the True “Worth of Souls”.

Here on my mission I put in a lot of work. I think daily as well about my work outside of the mission that I have either rendered or that I plan on giving in the future such as working in the movie theater, in and out of school and sports, working within my ward and stake, and desiring to study to become an Airline Captain. However, with all of the “Work” that we do each day, what work is most important? Could it be that of the President of a country in order to maintain the political, social, and financial structure of millions of people? Alternatively, could we think more spiritually that the most important work could maybe be that of a spiritual nature such as that of a Bishop, Stake President, or even the Prophet and the Apostles? I remember being asked a similar question once in a missionary prep class and I responded with what I thought was the desired answer: “Missionary Work”. Well, I was almost right, I just needed to dig a little deeper. The most important work is not held within a calling or a position, nor in talent or anything quite of this life. Elder Holland made it clear to us that the most important work is that of The Salvation of Souls.

Elder Holland said to us: “This is the most important work we will ever do in our lives.” However, before we get into thinking that he was just talking to me and my companions, lets realize that he was talking about The work of Salvation of Souls in general. He was talking to those serving and not serving, those old and young, the strong and the weak. If we think about it, this isn’t just a work that we will do within a time period of 24 or 18 months. Now don’t get me wrong, as missionaries we have a divine calling to TEACH doctrine and Baptize converts which plays an essential role in the work of Salvation of Human Souls BUT being baptized and taught aren’t the only roles played in that of Salvation. We each play a role everyday in every place of our lives in the Salvation of human souls, whether they be friends, family, strangers, the needy, the weak, or even our own.

Everything that we must do in every aspect of our lives must be to progress either our own personal salvation or that of another. We serve missions, go to church, read scriptures, marry in the temple of the Lord, serve others, serve in church positions, keeps the commandments, do everyday things such as study, be kind to others, work to support our family and more all because behind it all is the doctrine of the Salvation of Souls, whether it be our own or that of others.

Salvation is only made possible through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes, Faith in him, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, Fulfilling other covenants and enduring to the end through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We are sent as missionaries to teach this. Elder Holland explained that: “An Apostle is anyone who is sent by the Lord to take the message of Christ” So whether we are receiving or giving the message we must help others on their Eternal Progress towards Salvation.

“But there is no such thing as cheap salvation” Elder Holland reminded us. “It cost everything.” And because of that we will face trials and have to strengthen ourselves. We must push ourselves to our limit and give our best to be able to achieve the maximum possible, and that is Salvation. Elder Holland said that “We cannot receive One million dollars of reward for 20 cents of effort.”

In the work of the salvation of souls, our part is to do our best and give our all. We cannot change people; only Christ through the Spirit can do so. President Ezra Taft Benson quotes how in this work Christ is much more powerful than the world: “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”

I close with a poem that Elder Holland shared from French writer Christopher Logue that talks about giving our all and “Coming to the Edge”:

“Come to the Edge”

“No, I cant, its too high”

“Come to the Edge”

“I cant, im scared”

“Come to the Edge”

And so I came...

And he pushed me...

And I flew.

This week and always, my prayer is that we may be able to do everything possible to help to bring to pass the most important work that man has ever been given in the Salvation of Souls. That we may be able to give our all and do what is necessary to “Come to the Edge” and give our all to our family, friends, our fellow man, and ourselves.

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;” –D&C 18:10

-Elder Matthew Arscott

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