4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. Moroni 6:4
This scripture helps us remember our responsibility to new members of the church. Here are some thoughts I gleaned from this scripture.
- Keep a record of them so we will remember them. How can we help those we are not aware of?
- Help them be nourished by the good word of God. This means that we must teach the word of God, not the philosophies of men.
- Help them stay on the path. Encourage them, watch over them, and serve them.
- Pray for them and help them remember to pray.
- Rely upon Christ to help them grow in the faith.
The phrase “author and finisher of their faith” reminds us that he is both the beginning and the end of their faith. It is his plan of happiness and he also enabled the plan by doing his part and finishing His Father’s work. (Reference D&C 88:106) Think of finishing in terms of one who completes or perfects the work.
This scripture reminds me of the quote we have all heard many times by President Gordon B. Hinkley.
Quote: Gordon B. Hinkley
“There is absolutely no point in doing missionary work unless we hold on to the fruits of that effort. The two must be inseparable. … It is an absolute imperative that we look after those who have become a part of us. To paraphrase the Savior, what shall it profit a missionary if he baptize the whole world unless those baptized remain in the Church? (Mark 8:36). …
I have said before, and I repeat it, that every new convert needs three things:
1. A friend in the Church to whom he can constantly turn, who will walk beside him, who will answer his questions, who will understand his problems.
2. An assignment. Activity is the genius of this Church. It is the process by which we grow. Faith and love for the Lord are like the muscle of my arm. If I use them, they grow stronger. If I put them in a sling, they become weaker. Every convert deserves a responsibility. The bishop may feel that he is not qualified for responsibility. Take a chance on him. Think of the risk the Lord took when He called you. …
3. Every convert must be ‘nourished by the good word of God’ (Moro. 6:4). It is imperative that he or she become affiliated with a priesthood quorum or the Relief Society, the Young Women, the Young Men, the Sunday School, or the Primary. He or she must be encouraged to come to sacrament meeting to partake of the sacrament, to renew the covenants made at the time of baptism. …
“I am convinced that we will lose but very, very few of those who come into the Church if we take better care of them” (Gordon B. Hinkley, “Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” Ensign, May 1999, 107–9).
Cross References:
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