"Do we realize that every man is in the image of God and is a son of God, and every woman his daughter? No matter where they may be, they are his children, and he loves them and desires their salvation. Surely as members of this Church we cannot sit idly by. We cannot receive the beneficient favor of our Heavenly Father that is bestowed upon us, the knowledge of eternal life, and selfishly retain it, thinking that we may be blessed thereby. It is not what we receive that enriches our lives, it is what we give" (George Albert Smith, in Conference Report, April 1935, p. 46).

The Lord is not looking for extraordinary people to share the Gospel. He is looking for ordinary people like you and like me who are willing to show our love for Him by obeying His command to "be witnesses unto [Him] both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Some of us may never travel to a foreign land as a missionary for the Church, but we are still missionaries in the sense that as Christ's disciples we have the responsibility to share the Gospel with those around us. We should go forth with the attitude of Isaiah, "Here am I; send me" (Isaiah 6:8), realizing that there is someone waiting for us to bring them the Good News - which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Who is to receive the Gospel?

The Lord is not looking for great scholars of the Scripture, or great orators to be able to share the Gospel, but rather He is looking for available people who are willing to take the Gospel to all the world, to all nations, to every man, in his own tongue. Our mission field can be right where we are - in our homes, in the work place, in our schools and in our neighborhoods. We should always"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" (D&C 18:10) and so it is extremely important that everyone have an opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Perhaps there are some who are thinking that they are inadequately prepared for such a task as sharing the Gospel with others. However, let us remember that it was ordinary, available people, throughout the pages of Scripture that took the message of the Gospel to all the regions of the earth. Some of those available people were:

Moses (Numbers 12:3; Hebrews 11:25, 26). To Moses, availability meant self-denial and great leadership to accomplish the plan of God.

David (2 Samuel 16:11; 1 Samuel 16:13; 17:37). In the battle with Goliath, there was only one person available for the fight - David. What made this little shepherd boy so great? The fact that he stepped out of a multitude of warriors and said, "I'll be the one." Any other person could have stepped forward and accomplished this task, but David made the voluntary decison to be great.

Elijah (1 Kings 17:2, 3, 8, 9). Elijah is considered by many to be the greatest prophet of the Jews. What made him great? He followed instructions. God told him to go to the brook Cherith, and he went to the brook Cherith. God told him to go to Zarephath and he went to Zarephath. No argument, no complaint, he just obeyed. He was available.

Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8). The great statement of Isaiah's availability was so simple, "Here am I; send me."

Esther (Esther 4:16). Esther was one of the great ladies of the Old Testament. She faced a situation that could have meant her death, but she said, "If I perish, I perish." She chose to be available.

Mary (Luke 1:38). Mary, a virgin, was told by the angel Gabriel "thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS". To this she replied, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." She would face slander and maligning, but she was willing to pay the price.

Paul (2 Timothy 4:16). Though at his last trial everyone deserted him, Paul remained available to God. Throughout his ministry, Paul had poured out his life for the people to whom he took the Gospel (see 1 Thessalonians 2:8), and because along the way he had made a decisions to serve, he was able to say at the end, "For I am now ready t5o be offered, and the time of my departure is now at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

We too can become mighty instruments to be used by the Master in spreading the Gospel. In order to do so, we must be willing to be available to do as He commands. Each of us can help change others' lives and help them come to Christ by introducing them to the Gospel. Many people in the world are searching for truth but do not know where to find it. If we are not willing to be available to share the message of the Gospel, they will never know that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. In Doctrine and Covenants 50:13-14 the Lord asks the question "unto what were ye ordained? To preach my Gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth." And in D&C 88:81 we are told "Behold, I sent you out to testisfy and warn the people, and it becometh every man who have been warned to warn his neighbor." Everyone is entitled to hear the message of the Gospel. Someone is waiting for you!

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.