Forum Preparation Reading Thomas S. Monson, “Your Jericho Road,” Ensign, Feb 1989, 2 The reading below is an excerpt from a First Presidency Message.

The word road is most intriguing. A generation ago movie moguls featured Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Doro- thy Lamour in films entitled The Road to Rio, The Road to Morocco, and The Road to Zanzibar. Earlier yet, Rudyard Kipling immortalized another road when he penned the lines, “On the road to Mandalay.” (Rudyard Kipling’s Verse, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday and Co., 1946, p. 416.)

My thoughts have turned to a road made famous by the parable Jesus told. I speak of the road to Jericho. The Bible enables us to relive the memorable event that made the Jericho Road famous for all time.

A certain lawyer stood and tempted the Master, saying, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?

“He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

“And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

“And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

“But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

“And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

“And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

“And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? “And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:25–37.)

Each of us, in the journey through mortality, will travel his own Jericho Road. What will be your experience? What will be mine? Will I fail to notice him who has fallen among thieves and requires my help? Will you? Will I be one who sees the injured and hears his plea, yet crosses to the other side? Will you? Or will I be one who sees, who hears, who pauses, and who helps? Will you?

Jesus provided our watchword: “Go, and do thou likewise.” When we obey that declaration, there opens to our view a vista of joy seldom equaled and never surpassed.

Now the Jericho Road may not be clearly marked. Neither may the injured cry out, that we may hear. But when we walk in the steps of that good Samaritan, we walk the pathway that leads to perfection.

Note the many examples provided by the Master: the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda; the woman taken in adultery; the woman at Jacob’s well; the daughter of Jairus; Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha—each repre- sented a casualty on the Jericho Road. Each needed help.

To the cripple at Bethesda, Jesus said: “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” (John 5:8.) To the sinful woman came the counsel, “Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11.) To her who came to draw water, He provided a “well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14.) To the dead daughter of Jairus came the command, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” (Mark 5:41.) To the entombed Lazarus the memorable words, “Lazarus, come forth.” (John 11:43.)

One may well ask the penetrating question: These accounts pertained to the Redeemer of the world. Can there actually occur in my own life, on my Jericho Road, such a treasured experience? Brothers and sisters, today there are hearts to gladden, there are deeds to be done—even precious souls to save. The sick, the weary, the hungry, the cold, the injured, the lonely, the aged, the wanderer, all cry out for our help.

The road signs of life enticingly invite every traveler: this way to fame; this way to affluence; this way to popular- ity; this way to luxury. May we pause at the crossroads before we continue our journey. May we listen for that still, small voice which ever so gently beckons, “Come, follow me. This way to Jericho.” Then may each of us follow Him along that Jericho Road which leads to life eternal. Building Zion Together President Kim B. Clark, BYU-Idaho Devotional, September 15, 2009

The following is a portion of the original devotional address, in which President Clark discuses our responsibil- ity to one another in a Zion community.

I would like to tell you a story about four BYU–Idaho students who helped each other build Zion. These are not real students, but their story is based on real experiences.

Brock had been a student at BYU–Idaho for almost three semesters. Although school was not easy for him, he had enjoyed his time on campus and had been a fairly active member of his ward. Brock had struggled in high school with his testimony. He had worked with his bishop to be worthy to be at BYU-Idaho; but he wasn’t sure he wanted to serve a mission, and he had a lot of questions about his future.

Alison, Sara, and Jen were roommates at BYU–Idaho. They had been at school for three years. Sara had just returned from a mission to Brazil and had re-joined her old roommates. They were in Brock’s ward and in his family home evening group. All three young women were very active in the ward.

One day, while they were eating dinner, Sara asked her roommates what they thought of Brock. They all agreed that he was friendly and fun to be around, but Jen said something that made them all think: “You know, I think there is something missing in his life. When I talk to him or see him at Church or FHE, he seems a little distant to me.” Sara said, “I think what’s missing is the light of the gospel. On my mission I watched people grow in their testimonies so that the light radiated from them. That is what is missing in Brock.” Alison then asked, “Do you think we should say something to him?”

Alison’s question is a classic, perennial question about our responsibility to reach out and help each other. When we see someone who is spiritually wounded or someone who is struggling with the standards of the gospel, what should we do? President Henry B. Eyring answered that question this way:

You may have been the only one to sense by inspiration the warning cry. The others may feel, as you will be tempted to think, “Maybe the trouble I thought I saw is just my imagination. What right do I have to judge an- other? It’s not my responsibility. I’ll leave it alone until he asks for help.” . . . Yet you are under covenant to go to a spiritually wounded child of God. You are responsible to be brave enough and bold enough not to turn away.11

If you act in faith in the Savior and go to someone who is struggling or spiritually wounded, you do not go alone. It is the Lord’s work. If you go prayerfully seeking the guidance of the Spirit, He will go before you and He will go with you. He promises you that the power of His atoning sacrifice will strengthen you so that those you seek to help will feel Him and see Him through you. You will help them feel and understand the nurture and the admonition of the Lord. I have some ideas I will share with you, but my basic message is simple: Just go! Follow the Savior’s teachings in the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Good Samaritan and go. Be aware of those around you. Someone you know may be lonely, or discouraged, or lost. Someone you know may be struggling with the patterns of Zion. A friend, a roommate, a classmate may still be caught up in Babylon. Be aware of those around you, and talk to them. Go into the wilderness after the one that is lost. Walk the Jericho Road and help those who are alone and wounded. Act in a spirit of mildness and meekness with a voice full of kindness and love. Have lunch with your friend who is struggling. Visit and listen. Share your feelings and your concern. Pray together. Share your testimony of the Savior, of His love, and of His healing power. Encourage your friend with the doctrines of sal- vation and the promised blessings. Extend an invitation to act in faith, to pray, to come back, to come in, to flee Babylon and come to Zion.

Before you go, prepare with prayer listening to the Spirit. Trust the Lord, but don’t wait and don’t turn away. Go in faith that the Lord will go before you, that He will guide you to love and set high standards so that your friend will find strength, forgiveness, and healing power in Christ.

When you go to someone who is struggling, your purpose is to help that person come unto Christ. You will feel a sense of responsibility, and love, and hope. But your friend must choose. If your friend is defensive and will not listen, you may need to find others to go with you. If that does not work and the matter is serious, you may need to get the bishop involved. As the Savior taught in Matthew 18: . . . if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother [or sister].

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church.”12

Brothers and sisters, when we take the nurture and admonition of the Lord to those who are wounded, who are struggling with sin or discouragement, who are confused and lost, we do a great work. It is not an easy work, but it is right and it is good. It is the Lord’s work. It is the work we covenant to do all of our lives.

This is the work that Alison, Sara, and Jen contemplated that day at dinner in their apartment. Let me tell you what happened. The young women decided to talk to Brock. The next Sunday they went up to him after church and asked if they could talk to him. He said, “Sure.” So, they talked. Sara said: “Brock, we think you are a really great guy. But we feel there is something missing in you. We don’t see the light of the gospel in your eyes. Maybe it’s the music you listen to, or what you watch, or where you go; but the light is missing. We just wanted to tell you that if you had that, if you had the light of the gospel in your eyes and in your life, you would be awesome.”

That brief conversation with those sisters had a powerful impact on Brock. He thought about what they said for a long time. He prayed about it and decided they were right. He changed the kinds of movies he watched, and he listened to different music. He worked on being more consistent in his study of the scriptures, and his prayers were different. By the end of that semester he made up his mind to serve a mission. Brock prepared well. By the time he went into the MTC, he was on fire. He was a great missionary and had many wonderful experiences. When he returned home Alison, Sara, and Jen had graduated and married. But it wasn’t long before Brock met his eternal companion; they were married about a year after his mission. Today, the light of the gospel is in his life and in his eyes. And the three sisters were right: He is awesome.

This is how we build Zion together. We pray for help and then we reach out to help and strengthen each other, share testimony and doctrine, and invite each other to act in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I know this happens often on this campus. The Lord wants it to happen for each one of you. He wants you to flee Babylon, every bit of it. He wants you to come to Zion, to build Zion here and now. It is in part so that this university will accom- plish its divinely appointed mission and destiny.

But the Lord’s purposes in your lives extend far beyond this campus. Brothers and sisters, I bear witness to you that God our Father lives. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the Savior and Redeemer. This is His Church and kingdom. He is preparing His kingdom and us for His return in power and glory. This is His promise I will make to you: If you are true to your covenants, if you will act in faith to help your roommates and your friends, you will learn how to build Zion together. The spirit of Zion and the patterns of Zion will get into your hearts, and you will build Zion wherever you go. You will do it in your families with your own children. You will reach out to people who are less active, to the lost, the struggling. You will share the gospel and open the gates of salvation to those who are seeking the truth. You will be in the temple often; and Zion will be in your heart, in your home, in your wards and branches. And the blessings of Zion-the blessings of unity, holiness, righteousness, peace, joy, happiness, and power-will flow into your life and into the lives of your family forever.

I leave you with this promise and invoke the blessings of the Lord upon you as we seek to build Zion together. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes: 11) President Henry B. Eyring, “Man Down!,” Ensign, May 2009, 64 12) Matthew 18:15-17