The Magnet of Mormonism

President Boyd K. Packer has stated, "Some suppose that our high standards will repel growth.  It is just the opposite.  High standards are a magnet" ("A Defense and a Refuge", Ensign, November 2006, p. 85-88).  It is amazing, this power that Mormonism has.

I have recently started working at Maverick, a gas station a little ways away from my apartment.  All those I have worked with so far know I am a Mormon, and seem to respect me for it.  The reason why, however, humbles me: it is because of the high standards of the Latter-day Saints. 

True Mormons are those clean-shaven, white-shirted missionaries seen on the streets of the great cities and tiny hamlets of the world.  True Mormons are those who do not partake of coffee, tea, or any alcohol whatsoever.  True Mormons, above all, revier and reverence the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Redeemer of the world.  This is the magnet known as Mormonism.  Some how, these standards attract people; it is becaues of the Holy Ghost - that light that is only found within staunch members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Still, the question remains, what, according to the Lord, attracts people to Mormonism?  President Boyd K. Packer states, "The standard, established by revelation, is contained in the scriptures through the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The principles of the gospel life we follow are based on doctrine, and the standards accord with the principles.  We are bound to the standards by covenant, as administered through the ordinances of the gospel by those who have received priesthood and the keys of authority" (Ibid.).  The Lord has stated, "And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the Gospel" (D&C 42:12).  Mormon taught, "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God" (Alma 31:5).  It is the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as found in the Scriptures - both ancient and modern - that attracts people to Mormonism, whether they know it or not. 

Let us, then, as Latter-day Saints, give heed to the words of the Apostle Paul, who said, "be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).  The Lord will be pleased if we do this, by simply preaching His Gospel by the way we live.  I know this is so.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.