Hello blog readers! Hope you are all feeling well. :)
Thought today comes partially from a conference talk that I got reminded of:
https://www.lds.org/general-
The thing that I realized I like about this talk, is that it points out an interesting difference between the Chruch and the Gospel.
It is interesting to think about, and a bit of a gray area kind of line to draw, but let me share with you my own attempt at defining the two.
The Church as we know it is the organisation that God has built upon the earth in which we can learn about the Gospel, support each other, receive revelation through Priesthood leaders, and in an effective and organized and God-revealed way, carry out God's work and help to all the ends of the earth.
The Gospel on the other hand is the teachings. The truth. The scriptures. Learning about God, His nature, His Love for us, about his Plan, about Jesus Christ and His role and Love for us as well, the Atonement, and any and all other teachings pertaining unto Eternal Truth and our Salvation.
In the Church we are taught the Gospel, and the Gospel teaches us to go to church, and in a sense, how to get more out of it, and about the Priesthood thereof, but they are actually two different things. The interesting point emphasised by the aforementioned talk (if I remember correctly) is that we need to be careful to base our testimony on the Gospel itself, and not on the ward, or as one could call it, the Church. We need to focus on the Savior and the Salvation he brought to pass, our relationship with God, etc. There are many sad stories of people who joined the church because of the nice community they found there, and then fell away because of small, often imagined offences supposedly caused by the 'Church' or more accurately, the members around them.
(On this topic it is also important to point out a little phrase I have heard 'The Chruch is perfect, the members are not.' Just because the people make mistakes, doesn't mean that the organization is not from God. Trust Him. He knows what He has organized, and who He has called.)
The moral here? Put your heart into God's hands, and not in the ward or ward building. God has no shortcomings. He will never let you down. God loves you. God has the Plan. Christ came and 'paid' for you personally. The Church is a wonderful and -essential- stepping stone that God has given us to come back to Him, but it is only one piece of the Eternal Perspective. :)
I testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior. I testify of the truth and directly God-Given and God-Organized nature of this wonderful Church, given to us by our Father. I testify of Priesthood power as the Power of God, and how it helps every one of us in our daily lives. I testify of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who is mighty to save, and I close this in His name, 'im Namen Jesu Christi' amen. :)
Love you guys. Go have an amazing week. Smile. :)
- Elder Michael Miles
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