This lesson was shared on April 26th by Brittany Lake. It is based on the M. Russell Ballard talk from October 2008's general conference.
The work of the church is unstoppable. It has progressed steadily, and increased exponentially throughout the years. The lesson outlined the church's history and work that has been accomplished, even though challenged every step of the way.
The growth of the church has been great in spite of, and perhaps because of, great challenges faced by the world.
Joseph Smith knew that no enemy then present or in the future would have sufficient power to frustrate or stop the purposes of God.
Nearly 18 decades have passed since the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1830. We have had 178 years to observe the fulfillment of prophecy and to watch "the truth of God" as it goes forth "boldly, nobly, and independent."
Throughout the 1840s, while persecution raged against Joseph Smith and the early church, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ continued to cover the earth through faithful service of 1,454 missionaries.
Soon after the martyrdom, Brigham Young and the church made preparations to move west. Hardship, affliction, death, and apostasy were ever present with the pioneers, still, the work moved forward. In the 1850s, 705 more missionaries were called and served in areas including Scandinavia, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Hawaii.
By the time Brigham Young died in 1877, worldwide membership had grown to more than 115,000.
The work continued in this fast pace throughout much of the next century. None of this was easy, however. Challenges, obstacles and persecution accompanied every attempt to take "the truth of God" into every continent and country so that it could "sound in every ear".
The destiny of this church and its literal fulfillment through the decades is to remind us of this simple truth:
"This is God's work, and God's work will not be frustrated."
The challenges we face today are different, but they are no less demanding. Instead of angry mobs, we face those who constantly try to defame. Instead of extreme exposure and hardship, weface alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, all kinds of filth, sleaze, greed, dishonesty, and spiritual apathy. We see the institution of the family under attack.
The Lord isn't asking us to load up a handcart, he's asking us to fortify our faith. He's not asking us to walk across a continent, only to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He's not asking us to give all our worldly possessions to build a temple, only to give of our means and time, despite the pressures of modern living, to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built.
"He isn't asking us to die a martyr's death, he's asking us to live a disciple's life."
