- “The eighteenth chapter of Genesis tells the story of God appearing to Abraham and sharing His intentions to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Hearing this intent, Abrahams asks God a rather pointed question. “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (v. 23) Then he starts to bargain with the Lord. “Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt though also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?” (v24) And God answers, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes” (v. 26) Think about that. “I will spare all the place.” The entire city. And why? For their sakes. For the sake of the good. Then Abraham, apparently knowing that the people in Sodom and Gomorrah were really pretty bad, rethinks his proposition. Realizing there might not actually be fifty righteous within the cities, he makes a counteroffer, asking if God wouldn’t spare the city for forty-five righteous (v. 28) And so they go, Abraham bargaining with God, essentially pleading on behalf of the righteous until they get down to ten. And God says, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake” (v. 32). style=”font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;”>” Seven Miracles that Saved America, Page 293
- “I believe this to be the most marvelous age in all the history of the world. For some reason you and I have been permitted to come on the scene at this time…” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 2000, 52)
- “It is not by chance that you have been reserved to come to earth in this last dispensation of the fullness of times. Your birth was foreordained in the eternities.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, 43)
- “…Whether you realize it or not, you are a generation drenched in destiny. If you are faithful, you may be a part of some of the winding-up scenes for this world, and as participants, not mere spectators…” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, Mar. 1983, 70)
- 1 Nephi 1:20…God is merciful to His chosen and will deliver them
- Mosiah 24: 5-6…There are many nonmembers who are great people
- Alma 16: 15…Missionaries are “chosen for the work” to preach the word throughout all the land
- D&C 121:34-35…Many called, few chosen
- 2 Nephi 28:14…We need to find the few humble disciples that are in other churches
- D&C 123:12…Chosen in other churches can’t find truth
- D&C 29:7…The missionaries look for the chosen
- Matthew 24:22…Last days are shortened so that chosen can be saved
- “The Lord has determined in His heart that He will try us until He knows what He can do with us. He tried His Son, Jesus. … Before He [the Savior] came upon earth the Father had watched His course and knew that He could depend upon Him when the salvation of worlds should be at stake, and He was not disappointed. So in regard to ourselves. He will try us, and continue to try us, in order that He may place us in the highest positions in life and put upon us the most sacred responsibilities.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow
- “The Lord has determined in His heart that He will try us until He knows what He can do with us. He tried His Son, Jesus. … Before He [the Savior] came upon earth the Father had watched His course and knew that He could depend upon Him when the salvation of worlds should be at stake, and He was not disappointed. So in regard to ourselves. He will try us, and continue to try us, in order that He may place us in the highest positions in life and put upon us the most sacred responsibilities.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow
- Jacob 5:74… And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit, and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.
- April 28th, 1995 – Friday. Quito, Ecuador… “Elder Hanks & I had a good study. I kind of realized how special we really are. If you think of all the people that chose to be on Christ’s side are now living in millions of different worlds. The strongest spirits were sent here to this world because this is where they sacrificed Jesus Christ. This was the only world wicked enough to do it. In this world, in the Last Days, the valiant were sent here to be able to live in the most wicked time. The next most valiant would be the church members. Out of all of these valiant spirits, only a few go on a mission. They’re the chosen of the valiant. If you could just imagine how special we actually are. Then, on top of that, to be a leader among the chosen is something mind-boggling. I don’t know what I did in the pre-existence but the Lord has blessed me a ton. He has helped me want to be the best I can. I have this deep desire to be righteous. I want to be like the Apostles, just because they’re so righteous and so smart & so spiritual & so right. I’m realizing little by little my potential. I’m very far from it but I’ll keep striving for it. I’m so glad to be an Elder, and I feel very privileged to be a leader. Man, I pray that the Lord guides my words, thoughts & action. I want to help Him & His work so bad. I pray I can. I love this work. I’m blessed all day & every day. Even during the tests.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
- “It is not by chance that you have been reserved to come to earth in this last dispensation of the fullness of times. Your birth was foreordained in the eternities.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, 43)
- May 9, 1995 – Tuesday – Quito Ecuador… “Today was another spiritually uplifting day. We talked with President Farnsworth for about 4 hours! …..He also explained that the “Discussions are there to wake up what the investigators learned in the Pre-mortal life.” So the chosen are going to listen & remember only by the Spirit. The investigators that progress are chosen, those that don’t….we shouldn’t waste our time. He gave us a lot of advice & knowledge today…..I could see the importance of this missionary work. We need to find the chosen – and quick!!! I realize how important and urgent it is to inform the people. I also realized that the Lord was telling me to get prepared to not forget the changes I’d made here in the mission and to keep growing daily – spiritually. Man, I have a deep desire to learn more about the gospel and live it. Now I need to apply it. The desire doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t act on it. I pray I can live up to the calling I have now as a missionary and plus my calling I have in my life.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
- December 28, 1995 – Thursday – Quito Ecuador… “A lot of appointments dogged us today. Satan was trying to deanimarnos (discourage us). But he can’t. THis morning we had Zone Study. Our Zone is sweet. We have a lot of fun together. Elder Herrera and I walked all over the place today. We had 3 charlas. Yesterday we had 6. Yesterday, during the Joseph Smith principle at the Bustamante’s house, the Spirit was so strong. It was in my whole body testifying that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I have no doubt of that!!! We committed Marcelo Sifuentes and Mirian Zambrano to be baptized on the 7th of January. They’re neat people, and will be baptized. I love this work. At times I’m so tired, or want to give up, but no way. It’s like the 4th Quarter. Bear down and get ‘em. Before the mission I was worried because I had no excitement for the church. It was all Sports! I could get hyped up for Sports but not church. I prayed a lot during high school that the Lord would convert my excitement for Sports to excitement to Spread the Gospel. I tell you what, the Lord has answered my prayers. My adrenaline gets flowing to leave the house, hunt down the chosen, teach with the Spirit, and help people progress. I love it when the other team – Satan – tries to impede us or beat us. I get pumped to find out how to beat him.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal