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ANNVER - Just need help with counceling and encouraging to give members who think its
enough just to be sealed then not to go temple sessions no more or just to be baptised then not attend
church or to attend and partake of sacrement and not to accept callings or assignments like home
teaching/visiting teaching etc, are there any scriptures or talks given by general authorities to councel
and teach the importance of the nessecity to gain exaltation for these types of members?
JOEL - I think deep down inside all members know that they are supposed to participate and serve in the church to be
considered for exaltation in God's kingdom. What you describe are symptoms of a weak testimony and a lack of
confidence in God that he will bless us according to our level of obedience.
"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all
blessings are predicated—
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
(D&C 130: 20-21)
To obtain the blessings of eternal life we must be obedient to the laws of God - keeping the sabbath day
holy; serving others; participating in the priesthood ordinances of the temple, etc.
There are plenty of scriptures that address those who exhibit the behavior you speak of.
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
(Rev 3: 15-16)
"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind
and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." (D&C 4:2)
"Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs
from the sun.
These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the
kingdom of our God." (D&C 76: 78-79)
Notice it doesn't say they don't have a testimony, but that they are not valiant in that testimony.
"Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give
unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it
may not be known." (D&C 60: 13)
The Parable of the talents in Matt 25
"Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt 7: 19-21)
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)
"Ye are the alight of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all
that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven." (Matt 5: 14-16)
Here's a story President Monson related in a Conference talk regarding those who don't want to attend church
or participate:
Long ago a church leader came to visit a member who complained that there was no real reason for him to
attend church or get involved. The leader noticed the member's warm fireplace where the pieces of wood had
burned brightly, with the embers still glowing and giving off heat. He then proceded to take in hand some
brass tongs and removed one of the hot glowing embers. That ember slowly turned pale in light and turn
black. No longer would it glow. No longer would it warm. He then demonstrated that by returning the black,
cold ember to the bed of living coals, the dark ember would begin to glow and brighten and warm again. He
concluded, “People are somewhat like the coals of a fire. Should they absent themselves from the warmth and
spirit of the active church membership, they will not contribute to the whole, but in their isolation will
be changed. As with the embers removed from the heat of the fire, as they distance themselves from the
intensity of the spirit generated by the active membership, they will lose that warmth and spirit.
(Thomas S. Monson Ensign Nov 1997)
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