Elder Mervyn B. Arnold, of the Seventy, spoke on rescuing the lost sheep. “As we go to the rescue, God gives us power, encouragement, and blessings,” said Elder Arnold during his Saturday afternoon session of general conference. “Even if we are afraid, God will strengthen us just as he did with Moses. “In effect, the Lord told Moses, ‘You can do it!’ And you know what, so can we,” Elder Arnold said.
Elder Arnold gave four principles to help in the rescue efforts. First was not to delay. “Sometimes many weeks pass as we talk about how to help families or individuals who are in special need. … Meanwhile, our lost brothers and sisters continue needing, and sometimes even calling and pleading for help.”
The second principle is to never give up. Elder Arnold shared an experience he had with a friend, Tim, to whom he regularly shared the gospel with for over 25 years. One day “a miracle occurred,” said Elder Arnold. Tim and his wife accepted the gospel and were sealed in the temple.
Third is how great shall be the joy if one soul is brought to Christ. When Brother José de Souza Marques saw that Fernando, one of the young men in his ward’s priests quorum, was missing and went searching for him only to find that Fernando was surfing. Brother Marques brought him back. Today, Fernando is sealed in the temple and has five children and 13 grandchildren, “all of whom are active in the Church,” said Elder Arnold.
The last principle is that everyone is called to go the rescue. Elder Arnold shared examples of invitations from children, young single adults using social media and adults inviting friends to the baptisms of their children. “Each day more and more of our children, our youth, our young single adults, and our adult members of all ages are heading the Savior’s clarion call to go to the rescue,” Elder Arnold said. “The Lord has provided all of the tools necessary for us to go to the rescue of our less-active and non-member friends. We can all do it!”
Elder Arnold closed by saying, “I know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, that He loves us, and He will bless us as we go to the rescue.”