The Lost Batallion: Our Need to Rescue

Every now and then a message is given so strongly that you hear it over and over. On October 18th we were blessed to hear the messages of the leader of the church in a regional conference meeting at the conference center. I was quite amazed as President Monson spoke because I thought his talk was just a repeat of one he had given at conference but quickly I realized I had remembered it for another reason. It was a talk published in the church magazines way back in 1987 and I had just read it in the last few months. The even more interesting part is why I had read it.

Let me explain. Possibly sometime in August a visitor came to our sacrament meeting. Bishop Decker recognized him as the Salt Lake Mission President and came into the congregation to ask him if he would mind bearing his testimony at the end of the meeting. When the speakers finished he invited the president to come and address us. The president encouraged us to go to LDS.org and search the word rescue to find the talk by President Monson entitled The Lost Battalion and to read that talk. As I look at my notes I found reminding me who shared this talk with us it states, whatever your calling it all boils down to we are all shepherds for our Savior.

I don't remember any other words of wisdom he dispelled, but I do remember going home and finding that talk and reading it. In fact I was inspired when I read that talk that I needed to encourage my family to save my uncle as he was one of those lost. Sadly I sent out the email and no one ever replied back. Either way I was inspired to action and I will consider what I can do that may allow him to know of my love for him and how I might be able to guide him to the good shepherd.

It was a powerful feeling to sit in the regional conference and realize that I was learning of our need to rescue those around us for a second time in only a few months. I was amazed. I have reaffirmed to myself that I need to be looking for the ways I can rescue others. There was one person the spirit continued to guide my thoughts towards during that meeting. When I came home I asked Kent if the thoughts I had of how to rescue that person were correct. He reassured me they were and shared that those were the same thoughts he had as he listened to that talk. I am so thankful for the wonderful workings of the spirit and the knowledge that God does care about each and every one of His children. I am thankful that the Lord trusts me to help Him in guiding His children home. I pray that I may always see the opportunities in my life to help my brothers and sisters come home to our loving Father in Heaven.