Missionary Work!- Never Give Up!

This week, I was studying about four missionaries in the Book of Mormon; Abinadi, Alma, Nephi, and Samuel the Lamanite.  I learned a few interesting things that I would like to share with you!

Abinadi (Mosiah 11:20-29; 12:1)
1) Was commanded to preach the Gospel

2) The people did not listen

3) He left the city, but was commanded to return

4) It still wasn't easy, but he did everything to fulfill the will of the Lord

5) Was greatly blessed - Alma the Elder was converted!

Alma (Alma 8:9-18)

1) Was commanded to preach the Gospel

2) The people did not listen

3) He left the city, but was commanded to return

4) It still wasn't easy, but he did everything to fulfill the will of the Lord

5) Was greatly blessed - Amulek and others were converted

Nephi (Helaman 10:1-13)

1) Was commanded to preach the Gospel

2) The people did not listen

3) He left the city, but was commanded to return

4) It still wasn't easy, but he did everything to fulfill the will of the Lord

5) Was greatly blessed - Nephi baptized many people  (Helaman 16:1-4)

Samuel the Lamanite (Helaman 13:1-5)

1) Was commanded to preach the Gospel

2) The people did not listen

3) He left the city, but was commanded to return

4) It still wasn't easy, but he did everything to fulfill the will of the Lord

5) Was greatly blessed - the people who listened to him were baptized by Nephi (Hel 16:1-4)

These example teach us a few things: 1) Missionary work isn't easy!  It never was and never will be.  Yet, the Lord has called us to this work because He knows that our salvation and the salvation of others depend on it!  2) The Lord doesn't want us to ever give up.  Sometimes, it feels like no one wants to listen, and that no one is accepting our message.  We are tempted to 'leave' or to just give up; but just like these four missionaries, the Lord calls us out again each day to preach His Gospel, using new ideas and efforts to find those people who are prepared.  3) If we do our part, work hard, never give up, and do all we can to do the will of the Lord, we will be blessed!*

*Interesting thought: Sometimes, we will not see the fruits of our labors in this life.  Abinadi had many fruits!  Just think about the generations of faithful saints that came from the conversion of Alma the Elder, but Abinadi was killed before he was able to see these fruits!  Also, think about Samuel the Lamanite.  All the people whom he taught wanted to kill him!  After he fled the city and returned to his land, he probably had no idea that there were people who listened to him, repented, and were baptized by Nephi!  So, what can we learn from this?  Never give up!  We are making a difference!!  Our efforts are blessing the lives of many people!!  Each of us is a powerful force for good in the Lord's army!!!