Neal A. Maxwell - Neal A. Maxwells Final Writings

The Promise of Discipleship

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special appreciation is due to several. First, as always, I am grateful to my wife, Colleen, for providing not only the deference of time and schedule required for me to try to write, such as in the summer and Christmas holidays, but especially for her steady, exemplary ways of discipleship, so worthy of my contemplation. Then, to our only son, Cory, who encouraged this effort both personally and professionally, and his colleague Suzanne Brady, who did careful editing so deserving of thanks.

Susan Jackson speedily and accurately did the necessary things, including the finding of filed fragments and quotations. While the manuscript was in its rough-draft form, two friends, William O. Nelson and H.E. "Bud" Scruggs, gave helpful commentary from differing perspectives. Larry Skidmore was good to track down quotations from earlier Church leaders when their words were only partially remembered by me.

There is an entire group, however, not identifiable by name, who deserve appreciation, too. These members of the Church, whom I call high-yield and low-maintenance members, constantly provide the rest of us with their own quiet and steady examples of discipleship.

I alone am responsible for what appears in this book. It is not an official Church publication. Even so, I hope it will assist members and others who take any of their time to peruse it.

PREAMBLE

So often my writings have turned in one way or another to the continuing challenge and adventure of discipleship. To ask why is a fair question.

First of all, discipleship is the fundamental process in which we are to be "anxiously engaged" (D&C 58:27). Furthermore, only discipleship"follow me"connects beliefs and behavior, focusing on what we are becoming as well as what we are thinking and doing. Thus, discipleship cannot be merely intellectual. Did not Jesus prescribe and describe this convergence by saying, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me?" (Matthew 11:29). Moreover, the deepest development of discipleship occurs only in this particular manner, small though our yokes may be compared to His.

True, so very many in the world don't even know about Jesus, let alone know enough to respond to the question, "What think ye of Christ?" (Matthew 22:42). Additionally, of those who are aware of Him, many are desensitized and diverted, because He is "far from the thoughts and intents of [their] hearts" (Mosiah 5:13). But genuine Latter-day Saints clearly know who He is and, further, that building up His kingdom is what we are to do "first" (JST Matthew 6:38). No true disciple can be distant from his Master anyway: Christ alone marks the way perfectly. Amid life's uncertainties, His summoning trumpet always gives a certain sound.

Meanwhile, the distracting and intruding things of the world press upon us. In their times and moments, these things are often powerful, even prevailing, in the lives of many. These cares can preoccupy us, if we let them. Whatever these external tugs and pulls are, however, and whatever their lures and perks, the things of the world do not compare to the adventure of discipleship, the trek of treks. Furthermore, serious discipleship is ripe with joyful promise.

But this trek is a difficult, even rugged, journey at times. A great abundance of available spiritual direction and nutrition is needed for this trek. The harvest of the Restoration is truly "enough and to spare," just as the Lord said of the earth's resources (D&C 104:17).

A virtual lifetime of study has long since fully persuaded me that Jesus gospel is, indeed, an inexhaustible gospel. It has proved to be even more exciting in my sunset years, when age itself might have dulled my interests. The gospel invites scrutiny by study, and it induces the on-going introspection necessary for genuine discipleship. Whenever we can help each other along the path of discipleship by words, deeds, and examples, we truly bless each other.

The chapters to follow, therefore, concern the relevancy of the Restoration for our time, its abundance, and the attributes of God on which we constantly depend and which we are to emulate. There are also some samplings of "all these things" which constitute the stiff, tutorial challenges but bring much joy. Because the gifts of the Holy Ghost are so significant, these are given more attention than I have ever given them before, though still not enough.

The book likewise invites us to cast our minds forward to the adventure awaiting us all in the spirit world, where the Lord's work continues with even greater scope and intensity. Finally, a different salute is made to the Prophet Joseph Smith out of deep appreciation for what he accomplished while serving as the Prophet of the Restoration. Try as they haveand willJoseph's detractors will never dissolve the loyalty of the vast majority of members, for the promise is that "thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors" (D&C 122:3).

As is my custom, extensive use is made of the scriptures throughout this book. In the abundance of Restoration scriptures are some which produce a sense of wonder. These scriptures are not drenched in detail; they give, instead, bare-bones but vital information, such as about the demographics of dissent expressed in the premortal world: "And also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he [the devil] away from me because of their agency" (D&C 29:36).

Likewise, a declaratory revelation about the nature of the Holy Ghost comes in a terse verse: "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit" (D&C 130:22). Very essential information is thus often given but without elaboration!

Other gospel gems, however, give us important salvational data, while simultaneously disclosing tender and insightful things about prophetic personalities. Such was surely the case with eloquent Jacob, as he taught regarding the chastity and fidelity required by the seventh commandment:

"Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds" (Jacob 2:9).

Equally eloquent is Enoch's splendid, self-revelatory, and extensive conversation with the Lord, descriptive not only of His doctrine, character, and emotion, but of the Lord as well:

"And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?" (Moses 7:28).