From:	Marcus Martins

To:	REID SHANNON RAE

Date:	1/17/00 2:10PM

Subject:	Re: I Have a Quick Question

Shannon:

You are always welcome to ask questions. And here is a quick answer to your quick question:

Ezekiel 33:8-9,11

"When I say unto the wicked, O wicked [man], thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. ... Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

D&C 68:25

"And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents."

D&C 88:81-82

"Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor. Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads."

These scriptures clearly show that we have a responsibility placed on our shoulders to teach the gospel to others. So, whenever we have an opportunity we should impart the word of the Lord to those around us.

BUT that does not mean that we should be preaching 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Missionary work is more effective when performed under an atmosphere of friendship and trust. That means that before we preach we must establish a relationship with our potential investigators. Then, if they do not accept the message, at least we (and the Church) will have in that person a friend. And who knows whether the person who rejects the message today will not accept it some day in the future?

I hope this helps.

Bro. Martins

P.S.: Keep the questions coming--anytime you have them.

>>> "REID SHANNON RAE " <rei98003@neptune.ricks.edu> 01/17/00 12:48PM >>>

Hello Brother Martins,

i just have a little question for you if you have time to answer that's fine, if not that is fine also. anyway, i was thinking about how it says we are held responsibile for teaching our children the gospel and for telling our friends and family about it if they don't have the gospel. Are we held accountable for not teaching someone the gospel if we have the opportunity to? Are we punished for their sins because we didn't tell them about the church? How does that all work? And do you want me to ask someone else because i know that you must be busy. anyway, it has been on my mind for awhile so i thought that i would ask you.

thank you for your time,

Shannon Reid