Technology has become so ingrained in our way of life that we are losing the value of personal interaction and sharing. Our internet-connected world has turned us into a disconnected people who can easily become isolated from our neighbors, families, and friends.

It is possible for a person to work from home, have food and necessities delivered, be entertained at home, and go to church from home. Social media in reality is not very social at all and only further disconnects us from each other. this is not the way we were designed to live isolated and detached from one another.

Romans 12:5
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another.

Galatians 6:2
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The importance of a personal, face-to-face connection with each other in the body of Christ and the sharing of the gospel in like manner was made very real to me in a dream I had recently. I don’t usually remember my dreams the next day; but I awoke from this one in the middle of the night, and there was no doubt in my mind that it was from the Lord. I immediately knew I needed to share it.

My dream occurred on October 4, 2024, the night before a joint priesthood retreat. In this dream, I was attending church; and there was a large crowd present with some important people in the audience. Even the President of the United States was there, as evidenced by his security detail.

A minister started to preach; and there was a great flash of light that was blinding to my eyes. With the light, an angel appeared to the left of the pulpit. He was dressed in a suit like a minister, but his countenance glowed with a celestial light. I knew he was a messenger from God.

I was amazed and astounded at this and listened with rapt attention as he spoke to the assembly. As I listened, I looked around to see if everyone else was as amazed as I was. But no one else seemed to notice that an angel I had appeared and was speaking to all of us. I decided I needed to document what was going on, so I did what every person does these days: I got out my cell phone to video the occurrence.

As soon as I go out my phone, the countenance of he angel dimmed, and I could no longer hear his voice. In my dream, when I realized that I could not hear the angel any longer, I put away my phone. Then I could once again hear the voice of the angel and see the light of his glory.

My next thought was that I needed to tell others about this angel message, so once again I got out my phone to call someone and tell what I was experiencing But when I put the phone to my ear, I again couldn’t hear the voice of the angel or see the light of his countenance.

The next thing I knew, I was leaving the building to go out and tell others about the angle message. As I walked away from the church building, I wondered if I would still be able to hear the angel’s voice. Much to my surprise, as I went out to share the angel message, I could still hear the voice of the angel, even though I was no longer in the church. The voice was still speaking to me, going with me as I went to visit people personally to tell them about the message.

We have that angel message to share. An angel came to the earth with the Restoration of the gospel.

Revelation 14:6
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

This message has been clearly evident in the world, just like the bright flash of light in my dream and the angel with a countenance like lightning speaking forth a marvelous message. Buit many in the world are blind and deaf to the message that has gone forth.

Before I went to bed that night, I had been reading counsel from Joseph Smith III on priesthood duties. He had instructed the priesthood that their primary duty and the primary duty of the Church was to preach the gospel, and all the efforts of the Church should go toward that end. Joseph Smith III wrote, “All other things connected with the preaching of the word and the building up of the Kingdom are but secondary” (“Address to the Priesthood,” The Saints’ Herald, July 22,1903).

It appears that we have lost the urgency of that mission over the years. In my dream, it was obvious that our work is to be actively ministering, taking the gospel to people, and sharing wherever we are able.

I am convinced that God would speak to us through His angel messengers and by the voice of His Spirit if we would not place the distractions and sins of the world between Him and us. In my dream, I saw my phone as the distraction that it so often is, keeping me from hearing God’s voice.

Our world is filled with media, entertainment, and “infotainment” (soft news) that can occupy our attention every waking moment, We need time every day with God alone, in silence, with only our thoughts and communication with Him.

The gospel message is not a conclusive video of an angel from God put online for others to view and believe. So often, people search for “Truth” online to find the proof that will allow them to believe or disbelieve what God has said. But truth must be obtained by faith in Him. In my dream, the church was full of people who could not or would not hear the gospel even when it was declared unto them by an angel.

Through faith, our eyes are opened and our ears unstopped to receive the testimony of Jesus Christ shared with us by others. The foundation of the gospel is in the Word of God, acted upon by faith in Jesus Christ, which brings us into a relationship with God.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a personal gospel. It is made for face-to-face ministry. For us, this might be at church or with a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a stranger. Individual ministry is needed just as much as pulpit ministry, and it is often more effective.

Every member of the Church of Jesus Christ is to be a witness and share the gospel with those with whom we come in contact. Let us lay aside the things that distract and isolate us from God and each other and become intimately involved in the work of the Church and the saving of souls in the Kingdom of God.

D&C 85:22a
22a Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned, to warn his neighbor; therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads.