This Glorious Cause

TheDiscipleMD

I don’t recall exactly when I understood, or more importantly felt, that I was a part of “this glorious cause”. Perhaps it was when I was a young boy or even as a child. Maybe it was when I was called to serve as a full-time missionary in Argentina at the age of nineteen. Perhaps it was while I was out among the people of that land. Maybe it was right after I came home at the age of twenty-one. But sometime during those early years of my life, I became converted, truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believed back then, that I had become part of a cause that was just, and real and one that could provide salvation to all men. And that cause could fill my life with meaningful service to my fellowman and that my life had a purpose! Now, so many years later, I have not been disappointed in my choice of a “cause”.

George Washington once spoke of his “glorious cause”, but today I think there is none greater than the preaching of the word of the restored gospel. Since the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Lord has required of those dedicated to the “cause” their all. For some it has been their life. Among those so doing were the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum as well as many other saints who lost their lives in their pursuit of building up the kingdom. I recently read a talk given by Gordon B. Hinckley, then of the Council of the Twelve. He told this story.
“In 1837, when the Church was struggling in Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph Smith called Heber C. Kimball to go to England to open the work there. Brother Kimball exclaimed in self-humiliation: “O, Lord, I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety … and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!”
But then on reflection he added: “However, all these considerations did not deter me from the path of duty; the moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that he would support me by his almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed; and although my family was dear to me, and I should have to leave them almost destitute, I felt that the cause of truth, the Gospel of Christ, outweighed every other consideration.” (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball [Bookcraft, 1967], p. 104.) (“If Ye Be Willing and Obedient”, Oct. GC, 1974)
For Heber C. Kimball, the “glorious cause” of truth and Gospel of Christ outweighed every other consideration in his life. Over the course of my life I have encountered countless saints of God, ordinary people, who are of the same character as Heber C. Kimball. I have been awe struck with the devotion of the saints, the dignity of their faith and the devotion of their service to their fellowman and to their God. My life has been richly blessed to have associated with such majestic people! On more than one occasion I have brazenly proclaimed across the pulpit that if others condemn our people to Hell because of who they are, than Hell is where I want to be. Because if Hell is full of people like that, I will happily go there!
There has never been a time when the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been upon the face of the earth until now. What a “glorious” cause to be involved in. What better thing could we be doing with our lives? What greater assignment could we have than to prepare the world for the second coming of the Savior. George Washington was right when he declared that they were involved in a glorious cause. Yet, it pales in comparison to the cause we have been given. May we be faithful and diligent in our participation in this great and wonderful work. May the Lord bless us all with the strength and courage to do so is my prayer.


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