Make a Difference with Simple Invitations
You never know what good will come as you share the Savior’s love and light with others.
Illustration by Kyungeun Park
One day when President M. Russell Ballard (1928–2023) was a junior in high school, his friend Nedra asked him, “Russ, why aren’t you going to seminary?”
At the time, President Ballard’s parents didn’t attend church. He went occasionally with good friends, but he didn’t go to seminary. So Nedra invited him, and the next day he arrived at 6:30 a.m. for early-morning seminary. From then on, he participated in seminary every day—even on cold, snowy winter mornings.
“The things I learned in seminary touched my heart,” President Ballard said. “My testimony grew as I learned more about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. This prepared me to serve my mission in England and to continue in a lifetime of service to the Lord and His Church.”
Nedra likely had no idea what would come of her simple invitation, but her example shows that opportunities are everywhere to share the light and joy that Jesus Christ and His gospel bring. This time of year—Christmastime—is a special time to do so as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, “the light, the life, and the hope of the world.”
Begin with Love
The Savior taught that the greatest of all the commandments are to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).
That’s where we should begin when we invite others to church or activities such as a Christmas sacrament meeting or ward Christmas party. Your love for God will strengthen your desire and ability to serve Him and to love and serve others. If those around you can feel that you genuinely love and care for them, they will likely be more willing to learn more about you—including what you believe.
Share What’s in Your Heart
Let’s say your friend invites you to a party, but you’ve already chosen to go on a ward temple trip that day. Instead of just saying, “Sorry, I can’t go,” you can also tell your friend about the temple and the blessings it brings into your life. It can be that simple!
President Ballard taught that we “bear testimony of what [we] know and believe and what [we] feel” and that “a pure testimony … can be carried by the power of the Holy Ghost into the hearts of others who are open to receive it.” We can also share what’s in our hearts “by being good neighbors and by caring and showing love.” This will “radiate the gospel in our own lives, and … radiate to [others] the blessings the gospel has to offer.”
It can be scary to share. You may worry that others won’t be interested or may even reject you. That might happen sometimes, but the Spirit will guide you as you pray and move forward with the courage to share what you know to be true every chance you get.
Don’t Give Up!
While the kind of response President Ballard gave to Nedra’s invitation will not always be your experience, it’s important to never give up! People may decline your invitations from time to time. When that happens, accept it graciously and don’t take it personally. A “no” to attending church or an activity or to finding out more about your beliefs most often doesn’t mean a “no” to you.
Keep being a friend. Reach out when you can. And always look for ways to share the Savior’s light with your words and actions.
Like Nedra, you never know what good will come as you show love, share what’s in your heart, and invite others to feel the Savior’s love and light—at Christmas and always.