Missionary Preparation: Lesson 196
Our Covenant Responsibility to Share the Gospel
“In Thy Seed … Shall All the Families of the Earth Be Blessed”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:
During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brother Wisan from Thailand felt prompted to share his feelings and impressions of what he was learning in his study of the Book of Mormon on his social media account. …
His brother, Winai, although set in his religious beliefs, was touched by the post and responded, unexpectedly asking, “Can I get that book in Thai?”
Wisan wisely arranged for a copy of the Book of Mormon to be delivered by two sister missionaries, who began teaching his brother.
… Within months, Winai was baptized!
Wisan later said, “We have a responsibility to be an instrument in the hands of God, and we must be always ready for Him to do His work in His way through us.” (“Love, Share, Invite,” Liahona, May 2022, 86)
missionary work
Baptized individuals have made a covenant with Heavenly Father to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end of their lives. By keeping this covenant, they receive the same blessings promised to Abraham. They also have a duty to share the Savior’s gospel so everyone can receive these blessings.
Lesson Purpose: To deepen your understanding about your covenant responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Learn How
Learning your responsibility
Abraham on the Plains of Mamre, by Grant Clawson
To understand your covenant responsibility, it is important to know about the Abrahamic covenant. Read Abraham 2:9–11, looking for what the Lord told Abraham He would do to bless the nations and families of the earth. Note: These verses contain a portion of what is known as the Abrahamic covenant.
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What are some ways the Lord can bless the families of the earth through Abraham’s seed?
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about Abraham’s seed:
We are the seed of Abraham. …
… Missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are, and that is why we are here—today and always. (“Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 47)
As part of the Abrahamic covenant, God has promised many blessings. These include His priesthood, eternal families, and an inheritance in the celestial kingdom. He desires all His children to have these blessings. Those who enter into this covenant have the privilege and responsibility of sharing this message with the world.
Dig Deeper: To better understand the importance of this responsibility, you could read the first three paragraphs of Preach My Gospel under the heading “Your Commission to Teach the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Fulfilling your covenant responsibility
If it is available, watch “President Russell M. Nelson Introduces Preach My Gospel, Second Edition.”
Isaiah 49 talks about gathering Israel in the last days and preaching the gospel. Nephi said these prophecies show that God will keep His promise to bless all families through Abraham’s descendants (see 1 Nephi 22:7–9).
Defining words. Learning the definitions of words will deepen your understanding. For example, foreordination refers to the time in the premortal spirit world when “God appointed certain spirits to fulfill specific missions on earth.”
Learn about Isaiah’s prophecies by reading the scriptures and statements that follow. As you do, record in your notebook what you learn about your responsibility to help gather Israel.
Foreordained to help gather Israel
Read and link Isaiah 49:3, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; and Abraham 3:22–23. Note: The servant in Isaiah 49:3, 5 could be anyone who leads people to Christ. Some examples include members of Israel, prophets, and the Savior Himself.
You were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing.
This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth. (Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel”)
Sharing the light of the Savior with others
Read and link Isaiah 49:6 and Matthew 5:14–16.
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
All missionaries teach and testify of the Savior. The spiritual darkness in the world makes the light of Jesus Christ needed more than ever. Everyone deserves the chance to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. (“Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” Liahona, May 2022, 7)
Feeding the spiritually hungry
Read and link Isaiah 49:10; John 6:35; and 3 Nephi 20:7–8.
President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared:
With one voice and one accord, we bear witness that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to satisfy ultimate spiritual hunger and slake definitive spiritual thirst. (“He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 1997, 65)
Take a minute to think about what you have learned about the covenant responsibility to share the gospel. To help you think about this, complete one or more of the following statements in your notebook:
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Today I learned that people around the world …
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Today I learned that I …
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Today I learned that the Savior …
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you deepen your understanding about your covenant responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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What you learned about your responsibility to share the Savior’s gospel with others.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?