Gospel Doctrine: Straightway & Immediatelyby Nola Redd | More from this Blogger 26 Jan 2007 11:00 AM When you finish up Matthew chapter 4, you learn of the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, two sets of brothers, all four fishermen. Their response to the Savior's call showed the depth of their faith and the testimony of the Holy Ghost. If you check the JST of verse 19, you can see that Christ revealed His divine nature to Peter and Andrew. "I am he of whom it is written by the prophets." Surely the Holy Ghost testified to them of the truth of His words. Although the scriptures do not tell us that he identified Himself to James and John, the Spirit must have again born witness to their need to obey. All four men were fishermen, men who depended on the sea for their livelihood. They caught food for their families and for their income. Yet when Christ called, they didn't beg to wait until after the fishing season finished. They didn't cast their nets one last time. Peter and Andrew "straightway left their nets, and followed him" (verse 20), and James and John "immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him" (verse 22) (emphasis added). Similarly, as we are called by God, we must act with immediacy. In our daily lives, we must seek to put Him first and foremost. When we are called to serve in the church, we should respond with joy and take the necessary action. When we recognize areas of our lives that need to be changed in order for us to grow closer to Christ, we should act to improve and better ourselves. As we studied the Relief Society and Priesthood lesson a few weeks ago, we heard President Kimball admonish us to act immediately, to not procrastinate. Similarly, those disciples called served as real life examples of people who put the Savior first in His life. We, too, must put the Savior first, striving to overcome our temporal bodies and the natural man within us. As we do so, we will be blessed, even as those who followed Christ in His mortal ministry. Related Articles: Gospel Doctrine: Prepare His Way and Make His Paths Straight Gospel Doctrine: Unquenchable Fire Gospel Doctrine: The Ordinance of Baptism Gospel Doctrine: The Temptations of Christ Learn more about Nola Redd  Freelance writer Nola Redd is a stay-at-home mom to three kids, with a fourth on the way. Relevantlds tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags follow, faith, obedience, Quick Discuss this article
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