Preacher - Romans 10:15-21

Earlier in chapter 10, we read that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” but then Paul asks, essentially, how people are supposed to call upon an entity that they don’t know. This is a fair point and Paul asks “how shall they hear without a preacher?” I didn’t really think that this would have been a big deal, but really, if we think about it, how else are people supposed to learn about the gospel? Yes there are some people who naturally are more inclined to believe or have basic understanding of the gospel, but the doctrine and ordinances etc. have to be taught.

It seems that Paul’s not only saying that the gentiles are worthy of the gospel, but that they need to be taught by the very people he’s trying to convince of their worthiness. Paul also reminds them of the blessings of preaching the gospel, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” The IM quotes Elder Quentin L. Cook as teaching about these promised blessings, “It has been observed that the members are going to have to move their feet ad let their voices be heard if they are to achieve this blessing.”
Hearing the gospel is critical in accepting it, and building a relationship with Jesus Christ follows a predictable pattern, Paul says, “so then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The IM says, “Paul taught that hearing the word of God is essential to developing faith in Jesus Christ. This teaching helps us understand that attendance at Sabbath day and other church meetings plays a vital role in development of faith.”
The IM quotes Elder Robert D. Hales as teaching, “The first step to finding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to let His word- spoken by the mouth of Hid servants, the prophets touch your heart. But is it not enough merely to let those words wash over you, as if they alone could transform you. We must do our part. Or as the Savior Himself said, ‘He that hath ears to hear let him hear.’ In other words, hearing requires an active effort… It means taking seriously what is taught, considering it carefully, studying it out in our minds. As the prophet Enos learned, it means letting other’s testimonies of the gospel ‘(sink) deep into (our) heart(s).’”
The process of conversion for those who are receptive to the gospel requires effort, not only for those who are teaching, but those who are listening as well. Again, this all comes back to the predictable pattern of developing faith, hearing the gospel, then implementing it in our lives. It would make sense that it would be a predictable pathway to conversion because the way to gain and build a testimony isn’t a secret, God doesn’t work in secrets. Everyone has to know before hand what exactly they are getting into, and God works in the open. That might be one of the greatest fallacies that Satan has taught, that God’s law or gospel has deep, painful twists and turns or complication in building a relationship with him. That isn’t the case, but he’ll only show us once we are ready.