Elder Lund explains Jesus' invitation, 'Come unto me'

REXBURG, Idaho — Elder Gerald N. Lund of the Quorums of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encouraged students to follow the Savior’s counsel to "come follow me" in a devotional address given Sept. 23 at Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Elder Lund based his talk on the New Testament scripture from Matthew 11:28-30: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

"The first thing we note from the opening phrase 'Come unto me' is this passage is written in the first person. It is Jesus himself speaking," Elder Lund said. "The second thing to note is the very first word 'come.' Though this is put in the imperative form, it feels much more like an entreaty or an appeal than a command. The tone is gentle and inviting, not demanding."

Elder Lund explained that Jesus' invitation is an invitation to all.

"To whom was Jesus speaking when he said, 'Come unto me'? He was speaking to you and me, to our neighbors across the street or in the upstairs apartment, to kings and paupers, beggars and tycoons," he said.

He warned students of the dangers of pride.

"If we are too proud to bow our heads in submission to God, it is because our hearts are hardened against him," Elder Lund said. "And when we are stiff-necked and hardhearted, we cannot be taught by the Lord."

He concluded his talk with his testimony of Jesus Christ.

"I testify that in the Savior Jesus Christ we can find rest to our souls. We can have our burdens lifted," Elder Lund said. "I testify of the Master who suffered in both body and spirit until he cried out from the cross 'It is finished.' I testify that he understands our needs, our sorrows, our pain and our weaknesses."

The devotional speaker on Sept 30 will be Idaho Falls Temple President John H. Groberg. Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.