July 27, 2014
The Joyful Burden of Discipleship
BY ELDER RONALD A. RASBAND
Of the Presidency of the Seventy

Introduction

To sustain our leaders is a privilege; it comes coupled with a personal responsibility to share their burden and to be disciples of the Lord.

Learner Readiness - We are share the responsibility together

SAY: I want to read to you this story from Elder Rasband's talk:  On May 20 of last year a massive tornado pummeled the suburbs of Oklahoma City, in the heartland of America, carving a trail more than a mile (1.6 km) wide and 17 miles (27 km) long. This storm, an onslaught of devastating tornadoes, altered the landscape and the lives of the people in its path.

Just a week after the massive storm struck, I was assigned to visit the area where homes and belongings were strewn across the flattened, ravaged neighborhoods.

Before I left, I spoke with our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who relishes such errands for the Lord. With respect borne not only of his office but also of his goodness, I asked, “What do you want me to do? What do you want me to say?”

He tenderly took my hand, as he would have done with each one of the victims and each of those helping with the devastation had he been there, and said:

“First, tell them I love them.

“Second, tell them I am praying for them.

“Third, please thank all those who are helping.”

SAY: Elder Rasband goes on and talks about his calling as a Seventy and how the burden of the gospel, the Church and the Prieshood is shared. This reminds of the old saying, "Many hands make light work".  Elder Rasband than say the folloing:

READ A

READING A - Currently in the Church, the Lord has called 317 Seventies, serving in 8 quorums, to assist the Twelve Apostles in carrying the burden placed on the First Presidency. I joyfully feel that responsibility in the depths of my very soul, as do my fellow Brethren. However, we are not the only ones assisting in this glorious work. As members of the Church worldwide, we all have the wonderful opportunity of blessing the lives of others.

Q: Why is blessing the lives of others so important?

SAY: I went to visit my son in Alaska last week.  I watched the life style of my son and his roommates.  I enjoyed visiting with them.  I actually was impressed by how remarkable James and his roommates are.  But, there was some things missing.  Their focus was different.  Their over riding purpose in life was different.  The joyful burden of discipleship was missing.  That salt was missing

READ B

READING B - This afternoon each of us will raise our right arm to the square and sustain the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is not a mere formality, nor is it reserved for those called to general service. To sustain our leaders is a privilege; it comes coupled with a personal responsibility to share their burden and to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

Q: What does it mean to be a disciple?
Q: Why can it be called a burden to be a disciple?
Q: Why is this burden joyful?
Q: What if it isn't joyful?

READ C

READING C - President Monson has said:

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us. …

“‘… Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it unto me’ [Matthew 25:40].”

Q: What makes us the salt of the earth?

SAY:  I am reminded of a scripture in the Book of Mormon.  It is in Alma 37:46.  Alma is counseling his son, Helaman.  He is preparing Helaman to be his successor as the presiding High Priest of Church.  He says to Helaman, " Do not be slothful because of the easiness of the way".  I then compared and contrasted this phrase with "the joyful burden of discipleship"

Q: Why is way of Christian discipleship easy yet a joyful burden?
Q:  Why is taking Christ's yoke upon us easy?

SAY: Let's continue reading Elder Rasband's talk"

READ D

READING D - Will we respond with love when an opportunity is before us to make a visit or a phone call, write a note, or spend a day meeting the needs of someone else? Or will we be like the young man who attested to following all of God’s commandments:

“All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

The young man was being called to a greater service at the side of the Lord to do the work of the kingdom of God on earth, yet he turned away, “for he had great possessions.”

What of our earthly possessions? We can see what a tornado can do with them in just minutes. It is so important for each of us to strive to lay up our spiritual treasures in heaven—using our time, talents, and agency in service to God.

Q: How does the world view earthly possessions?
Q: How are we to view earthly possessions?

LEARNER APPLICATION

READ E

READING E - Jesus Christ continues to extend the call “Come and follow me.”5 He walked His homeland with His followers in a selfless manner. He continues to walk with us, stand by us, and lead us. To follow His perfect example is to recognize and honor the Savior, who has borne all of our burdens through His sacred and saving Atonement, the ultimate act of service. What He asks of each one of us is to be able and willing to take up the joyful “burden” of discipleship.

SAY:  Brother Rasband tells another story: (tell story about a girl named Tory in the elementary school surviving the tornado.  I just closed my eyes, hoping and praying that it would soon be over.

“All of a sudden it got quiet.

“When I opened my eyes, I saw a stop sign right in front of my eyes! It was almost touching my nose.”6

Tori, her mother, three of her siblings, and numerous friends who were also in the school with her miraculously survived that tornado; seven of their schoolmates did not.

That weekend the priesthood brethren gave many blessings to members who had suffered in the storm. I was humbled to give Tori a blessing. As I laid my hands on her head, a favorite scripture came to mind: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”7

I counseled Tori to remember the day when a servant of the Lord laid his hands on her head and pronounced that she had been protected by angels in the storm.''


Q: Why do you think Elder Rasband inserted this story about Tory in the middle of his talk?
Q: What are some of the blessing of a life of service?  (angels, joy, becoming one, relationship bonds strengthened.)
Q: How can we apply the joyful burden of discipleship in our lifes?  (serving missions, using what the Lord has given us to help others, prioritizing our time to be a life of service).

READ F

READING F - Often we are given the opportunity to help others in their time of need. As members of the Church, we each have the sacred responsibility “to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light,”    “to mourn with those that mourn,” and to “lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

If needed - Q: What did the people in the Land of Helam do to bear each other's burden? (Mosiah 18: 21, 27-28)

Conclusion:

We have been called to something higher than what world offers or tells us what to do with our time. That higher something makes us the salt of the earth.  If we stop being a blessing in the lives of others, was are as salt that has lost its savor.  We are then good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under.  Our life is a life of service.  It is a life of sacrifice.  It is also a life of joy.  It is far better than what the world considers to by happiness and bliss.