Sis. Ovard gave the lesson on Sunday from the conference talk - Converted to His Gospel through His Church by Elder Hallstrom
She started off her lesson by asking us "Are you a convert?"
After a brief personal story she said that at some point we all us at some point have to be converted to the gospel. The purpose of the church is to help us live the gospel.
She divided us into 2 groups and gave us a stack of scriptures references. She told us to work as a group to put the scriptures into 2 different categories
Does it belong in "THE GOSPEL" or "THE CHURCH" category.
Here is the list and answers according to Elder Hallstroms talk:
1. Ephesians 2:20 - church
2. D&C 128:18 - church
3. Mosiah 3:12 - gospel
4. D&C 84:38 - gospel
5. D&C 88:6 - gospel
6. 2 Nephi 2:11 - gospel
7. Moroni 7:26 - gospel
8. D&C 14:7 - gospel
9. Jacob 4:11 - gospel
10. Abraham 3:27 - gospel
11. D&C 31:7 - church
She asked if it was hard to tell difference? Sometimes it was as each group had different scriptures listed under each of the categories.
She went on to say that the Church and the Gospel are NOT the same but connected.
The gospel is the plan of salvation
The church is the programs - temples, welfare, missionaries, etc
This Church is based on the GOSPEL. The Gospel is the same as Christs times but the church has evolved. Think about how we now have the block program where before primary and sunday school, etc where at all different times and days throughout the week. And think about our RS activities. How many names and formats has it gone through? Yet the purpose is the same and the gospel hasn't changed just the way the church would like it named/organized.
Elder Hallstrom says, "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.
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?"
Sis. Ovard had us make our own handouts too :)
We listed the 3 ways to have the gospel be our foundation
1. Deepen our understanding of deity (know to God better)
2. Focus on our ordinances and covenants
3. Unite the gospel with the church
Elder Hallstrom sums it up best by saying:
"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."
Thank you Sister Ovard! We enjoyed hearing from you!
- Sis. Pyrah