Converted to to His Gospel through His Church

Converted to His Gospel through His Church
BY ELDER DONALD L. HALLSTROM, Of the Presidency of the Seventy

Goal - end 5 minutes early


Introduction  - Learner Readiness - The purpose of the Church is to help us live the gospel.

Read quote from Karen's Positive Psychology Class

Read A

A I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes we use the terms gospel and Churchinterchangeably, but they are not the same. They are, however, exquisitely interconnected, and we need both.

Say:  I believe most of us have studied the gospel for many years of our lives.

Read B

B  The gospel is the glorious plan of God in which we, as His children, are given the opportunity to receive all that the Father has (see D&C 84:38). This is called eternal life and is described as “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7). A vital part of the plan is our earthly experience—a time to develop faith (see Moroni 7:26), to repent (see Mosiah 3:12), and to reconcile ourselves with God (see Jacob 4:11).

Read C

C Because our mortal frailties and “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11) would make this life profoundly difficult and because we could not cleanse our own sins, a Savior was needed. When Elohim, the Eternal God and Father of all our spirits, presented His plan of salvation, there was one among us who said, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27). His name was Jehovah.

Q: How do we define the Church?

1. Apostles and Prophets
2. Restoration
3. Magnificent
4. Sheer goodness
5. Programs
6. Meetinghouses
7. Temples
8. Missionaries
9. Humanitarian
10. Welfare System unduplicated anywhere
11. Lay leaders
12. Community of Saints

There is nothing like the Church in all the world.

Learner Involvement

Say: Now that we have established the difference between the church and the gospel, Elder Hallstrom  discusses dangers and goals.
Read C


C - Some have come to think of activity in the Church as the ultimate goal. Therein lies a danger. It is possible to be active in the Church and less active in the gospel. Let me stress: activity in the Church is a highly desirable goal; however, it is insufficient. Activity in the Church is an outward indication of our spiritual desire. If we attend our meetings, hold and fulfill Church responsibilities, and serve others, it is publicly observed.

Q: What is the difference between 'outward' 'public observance' and 'inward' 'private observance'?
(no answers are okay)

Read D

D - By contrast, the things of the gospel are usually less visible and more difficult to measure, but they are of greater eternal importance. For example, how much faith do we really have? How repentant are we? How meaningful are the ordinances in our lives? How focused are we on our covenants?

Q: How do you measure your faithfulness?
Q: Are there still things that need to be repented of, or, are we beyond that?

Read E

E - I repeat: we need the gospel and the Church. In fact, the purpose of the Church is to help us live the gospel. We often wonder: How can someone be fully active in the Church as a youth and then not be when they are older? How can an adult who has regularly attended and served stop coming? How can a person who was disappointed by a leader or another member allow that to end their Church participation? Perhaps the reason is they were not sufficiently converted to the gospel—the things of eternity.

Q: What are some essential differences between being converted to gospel and only converted to the Church?  What do you see in your lives that has changed?

Read Alma 5 (changed countenance)
Read Ether 4 (veil of unbelief)

Learner Application

Say: Now let's talk about how to make the transition to deeper conversion.  Elder Hallstrom suggest three fundamental ways to have the gospel as our foundation:

Say: Before we look at what Elder Hallstrom suggests what would you suggest to the rest of us?

1.  Read F

F - Deepen our understanding of Deity. A sustained knowledge of and love for the three members of the Godhead are indispensable. Mindfully pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, and seek direction from the Holy Ghost. Couple prayer with constant study and humble pondering to continually build unshakable faith in Jesus Christ. “For how knoweth a man the master … who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13).

Q:  What are the suggestions to build unshakable faith in Jesus Christ?
1. Seek direction from the Holy Ghost
2. Constant Study and humble pondering

2. Read G

G - Focus on the ordinances and covenants. If there are any of the essential ordinances yet to be performed in your life, intently prepare to receive each of them. Then we need to establish the discipline to live faithful to our covenants, fully using the weekly gift of the sacrament. Many of us are not being regularly changed by its cleansing power because of our lack of reverence for this holy ordinance.

Q: What are some of the covenants?  Say, Since we are talking about the living the gospel, what would a covenant encompassing the gospel have in it?
Q: Why would we at our age need the cleansing power of the sacrament as we strive to keep our covenants?

Q: What might be considered our lack of reverence for the holy ordinance of the sacrament?

3.  Read H

H - Unite the gospel with the Church. As we concentrate on the gospel, the Church will become more, not less, of a blessing in our lives. As we come to each meeting prepared to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith”, the Holy Spirit will be our teacher. If we come to be entertained, we often will be disappointed. President Spencer W. Kimball was once asked, “What do you do when you find yourself in a boring sacrament meeting?” His response: “I don’t know. I’ve never been in one” (quoted by Gene R. Cook, in Gerry Avant, “Learning Gospel Is Lifetime Pursuit,” Church News, Mar. 24, 1990, 10).

Conclusion / Testimony

I know that as I grow closer to God, striving and improving, my worries and burdens seem lighter.  I am more inclined to share the gospel.  My example improves because I am happy and willing to give of myself.  Little blessings begin to occur.  I am able to endure trials with patience.  My gratitude grows.

The Lord wants the members of His Church to be fully converted to His gospel. This is the only sure way to have spiritual safety now and happiness forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.