Jesus Christ teaches the way back to our eternal home. He understands our Heavenly Father’s plan of eternal progression better than any of us. After all, He is the keystone of it all. He is our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Savior.
President Nelson tells the story of a young police officer in the fires in Paradise, California, helping to save others and all of the time worrying about where his family was.
How does this story and the story he tells of his daughter Wendy, relate to the plan of eternal progression?
How has a knowledge of the plan of salvation helped you when you have lost loved ones?
The Savior Himself has made it abundantly clear that while His resurrection assures that every person who ever lived will indeed be resurrected and live forever, much more is required if we want to have the high privilege of exaltation. Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter.
What do you think that President Nelson means when he says that salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter?
What is required for a family to be exalted forever? We qualify for that privilege by making covenants with God, keeping those covenants and receiving essential ordinances.
What are these essential covenants and ordinances?
Ever since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, Jesus the Christ has offered His mighty arm to help all who choose to follow Him. Repeatedly, scriptures record that despite all kinds of sins from all kinds of people, His arms are outstretched still.
In what ways does Jesus the Christ reach out with outstretched arms?
What examples have you seen in your life?
Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior’s Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.
How can we help those who have distanced themselves from the Church get back on the covenant path and receive essential ordinances?
One such dear friend of mine had limited experiences with God. But he longed to be with his departed wife. So he asked me to help him. I encouraged him to meet with our missionaries in order to understand the doctrine of Christ and learn of gospel covenants, ordinances, and blessings.
That he did. But he felt the course they advised would require him to make too many changes in his life. He said, “Those commandments and covenants are just too difficult for me. Also, I can’t possibly pay tithing, and I don’t have time to serve in the Church.” Then he asked me, “Once I die, please do the necessary temple work for my wife and me so that we can be together again.”
What do you take from this story?
Does it have any relevance to your ministering efforts?
(Excerpts from President Nelson’s address are in italics)
Latter-day Bloke 