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Because of Jesus Christ (Video)
Weekly Message - The Stone Cut Without Hands…
We live in such an exciting time; when the world is being prepared for the return of our Savior. Daniel the Old Testament prophet, saw our day and described the establishment of the kingdom of God as a “stone cut without hands” that destroyed all other earthly kingdoms and grew until it “filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2: 34-45)
We are witnesses to the events he saw in his dream.
Recently, Brother Nate Sanders, the Stake Sunday School President and a member of the High Council responsible for BYU-Pathway, spoke in the Millrace Ward and taught about this significant way the Lord’s kingdom is literally fulfilling Daniel’s dream.
With his permission, I am sharing a portion of his talk…
Joseph Smith received the keys of the gathering of Israel and the Lord has been preparing the earth since then in many ways. Doctrine and Covenants 4 teaches us about this work. The Church is doing so many different kinds of work to bring about the second coming of our Lord.
Recently President Russell M. Nelson said,
“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that.”
Now, I want to speak about education and why it is important when we talk about the Gathering of Israel. Here is a quote from President Nelson:
“Your mind is precious! It is sacred. Therefore, the education of one’s mind is also sacred. Indeed, education is a religious responsibility. . .Our Creator expects His children everywhere to gain an education as a personal endeavor. When you leave this frail existence, your material possessions will remain here, but the Lord has declared that the knowledge you acquire here will rise with you in the resurrection. … In light of this celestial perspective, if you impulsively drop out or otherwise cut short your education, you would not only disregard a divine decree but also abbreviate your own eternal potential.”
We can take what we learn in this life with us to the next life. Education or lifelong learning is a part of exaltation. It doesn’t have to be formal education. It can be any type of learning. Anything that develops our talents our ourselves. What we learn also helps us participate in the gathering of Israel.
The Church is reaching out to all of the members to provide educational opportunities. I work for BYU-Pathway in their missionary department. It has been a blessing for me and my family. I want to help you understand its purpose and how it can be used as you minister to others. There are also opportunities to serve as a service missionary with BYU-Pathway if you feel prompted.
The mission of BYU-Pathway is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities.
BYU-Pathway
Helps students get the gospel down into their hearts
Helps them become capable learners
Prepares them to lead and support families
It is interesting that the mission is not focused on academic skills or a university degree.
There are no entrance exam requirements, not even a high school diploma is required. Students who start in their first year do not need to live by the Church’s honor code (no other Church school does this). This gives anyone time to prepare to live the commandments and prepare spiritually. It is a time to increase in testimony and faith.
Currently, BYU-Pathway serves nearly 60,000 students, is in over 188 countries, and is in all 50 US states. Most of those enrolled in Pathway are members of the Church, but about 10% are not. Most students live outside the United States. About half of the international enrollments are coming from the continent of Africa. There are countries in Africa that have no members of our Church, and whose government leaders are asking if their citizens can access BYU-Pathway. This tells me that the Church is being looked at and recognized in new ways.
Over 2800 service missionaries are volunteering with BYU-Pathway and a growing number of Young Church Service missionaries. We have three couples serving from our stake in the areas of Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina while still living at home. These missionaries are seeing miracles every day. They get to see members of the Church grow spiritually and see their life situations are improving.
Last year Elder Holland came to speak to the employees and service missionaries of BYU-Pathway. He recalled when he was the Commissioner of the Church Educational System. Members would ask, “When are we getting BYU East Coast, BYU Europe, BYU South America?” He prayed for the day when the Church could provide a spiritually based education to its worldwide membership. 50 years later, that prayer has been answered.
Kim B. Clark, former Commissioner of Church education said,
“What BYU-Pathway has done is to open the opportunity for education to those who have been invisible; who believed that education, especially a Church education, was for someone else, not for them…we live in a day of miracles, when our Heavenly Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ are moving with power in the earth to build up the Kingdom of God and establish Zion in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
I believe BYU-Pathway is one of those miracles. It has a role to play in strengthening the Kingdom of God and establishing Zion.
Brother Sanders concluded his talk by sharing the experience of a man named David, who lives here in Taylorsville, Utah, whose life has completely changed because he enrolled in BYU-Pathway. With the help of Pathway missionaries and leaders, He was able to overcome seemingly insurmountable personal challenges. He not only received an education but also received a restoration of his faith and commitment to the Savior.
David’s experience is being repeated and multiplied all over the world through this magnificent program we know as BYU-Pathway. Members, future members are receiving the blessings of an education which immediately improves their mortal existence, but also helps them internalize the saving principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Sisters and Brothers,
The explosion in the enrollment in BYU-Pathway, combined with…
the impact of JustServe.org, combined with…
the enormous humanitarian efforts of the church, combined with…
the incredibly valuable self-reliance courses and programs, combined with…
the connecting and uniting power of familysearch.org, combined with…
the outpouring of the written and spoken Word of God through the internet and media, combined with…
the construction of hundreds of temples all over the world, combined with…
the tremendous service and proselyting missionary program, combined with…
YOUR everyday efforts to love and serve your neighbors…
are literally fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy represented by the “stone cut without hands” that is growing and breaking down the barriers and biases and imperfections of earthly kingdoms… becoming a mountain…the kingdom of God.
In the face of increasing opposition from the forces of darkness, we move boldly forward sharing light, hope, love, and faith.
May we feel His strength as we go…
I love you all.
President Gardner
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