Most Believing
Most Believing
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
September 2nd, 2024
We excitedly await the arrival of 18 new missionaries this Wednesday. With the arrival of so many missionaries, each zone and district in CASRM will welcome new missionaries. As you have done in the past, please be sure to make these missionaries feel welcomed and loved.
We extend our best wishes to the three young missionaries who will be returning home. Elder and Sister Bowles will also be returning home. We are grateful for your service in CASRM. Though we will miss you, we are excited you can return home to your family and friends.
As missionaries return home, Sister Quinn and I pray they will forever be faithful to the gospel principles they have lived and shared during their missionary service. We are warned in the scriptures that in the last days even “the very elect” (Matthew 24:24) will be deceived if they do not follow the words of the living prophets. President Nelson has warned us that we are living in the last days. He has also provided us guidance on what we need to do to protect ourselves:
“But in the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (President Russell M. Nelson. General Conference, April 2018).
The Book of Mormon teaches us many lessons on how we can survive spiritually:
“Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom…” (Helaman 16:15)
This verse teaches us that to enjoy the strength and wisdom available from the Lord, we must strive our entire life to be among the “most believing.” A mission is a perfect time to develop lifelong habits that will help us stay among the “most believing.” Daily prayer and scripture study. Obedience to standards given to us by the Lord. Service to others. Honoring our sacred baptismal and temple covenants.
In this same chapter of Helaman, we learn of the remarkable blessings that come to those who are counted among the “most believing”:
“And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.” (Helaman 16:14)
These blessings of wisdom, joy, and heavenly visitations are among the most beautiful promised to the “most believing” disciples of Jesus Christ.
In my own life, I have watched friends and loved ones leave the community of “believers.” It has been sad to see the struggles, challenges, and emptiness that have come into their lives as they have tried to live outside the influence of the Holy Ghost – and without the strength of the Lord.
I have also watched those I would describe as the “most believing” overcome life’s most difficult challenges. Their trials and heartbreaks have been swallowed up in the joy of Jesus Christ that He offers all through His grace.
It is Sister Quinn’s and my most sincere desire that each of you will always be among the “most believing.” We know of the strength and wisdom that come to the “most believing.”
Love,
President Quinn
(707) 758-6380
