Gospel in Action from the LDS Church- Page 4

Serving One Another

(Matthew 6:14; Matthew 25 35-40)
When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17)

The life of Jesus Christ is a wonderful example of service to others. He taught us to love one another and to show kindness without thinking of a reward (Matthew 6:14).

During His mortal ministry Jesus taught His followers to value service and reach out to those in need. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, He explains that He will bless those who feed the hungry, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, and visit the sick. He promises that our charitable acts will never go unnoticed, because "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40; Matthew 25 35-39).

When we are willing to share and show kindness to others, we help our Savior. Many times others' prayers are answered through our willingness to serve. We should listen to the promptings of the Spirit so we will know where the Lord wants us to offer our help.

Summary

The life of Jesus Christ is a wonderful example of service to others. He taught us to love one another and to show kindness by helping other people. When we serve others, we are showing our love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Family Togetherness

(Ephesians 6:14; Colossians 3 18-21; Mosiah 4 14-15; D&C 93:40)
Ye will teach [your children] to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. (Mosiah 4:15)

The family is central to the plan of happiness. Heavenly Father knows that the best way for us to live on this earth while we are away from Him is as a member of a strong, happy family unit. President David O. McKay said: "I know of no other place where happiness abides more securely than in the home. It is possible to make home a bit of heaven. Indeed, I picture heaven as a continuation of the ideal home" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 5; or Improvement Era, June 1964, 520).

Families are most likely to be happy when they are founded on the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. (See "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.)

Several scriptures explain what we should do to create strong, Christ-centered homes. Husbands and wives are to love, honor, and support each other. Children are to honor their parents, and parents should teach their children the gospel and set a good example. All members of the family should do their best to live together in harmony and love. (Ephesians 6:14; Colossians 3 18-21; Mosiah 4 14-15; D&C 93:40)

President Gordon B. Hinckley has also provided a pattern we can follow: "Let parents and children (1) teach and learn goodness together, (2) work together, (3) read good books together, and (4) pray together" ("Four Simple Things to Help Our Families and Our Nations," Ensign, Sept. 1996, 7).

Summary

The family is the most important unit in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Living together in a family is part of Heavenly Father's plan. Our Father in Heaven gave us families to love and care for us, to teach us the gospel, and to help us make wise choices. Our families will be stronger and happier if we love and help each other and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Search the Scriptures

(John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3 15-17; 1 Nephi 19:23; 2 Nephi 4 15-16)
Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:3)

From the time of Adam, Heavenly Father has taught His children how to live so they can return to His presence. Prophets have written these teachings down so we can have them to study. The compilation of these teachings are the scriptures, which include the Old and New Testaments of the Bible; the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ; the Doctrine and Covenants, which contains revelations given to Joseph Smith and other latter-day prophets; and the Pearl of Great Price, consisting of additional revelations, translations, and narrations of the Prophet Joseph Smith. These four books of scripture are sometimes called the "standard works." As we read, search, and study these scriptures, we learn of Jesus Christ, find answers to our problems, and understand what we must do to return to our Father in Heaven. (John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3 15-17)

Latter-day prophets have encouraged us to read from the scriptures daily so that we will develop strength, knowledge, and courage to live the commandments. President Spencer W. Kimball taught, "Each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again" (Ensign, Sept. 1976, 4; see also (2 Nephi 4 15-16).

President Ezra Taft Benson emphasized, "There is a book we need to study daily, both as individuals and as families, namely the Book of Mormon" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 99100; or Ensign, May 1986, 78). President Benson was echoing the counsel of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who said, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (History of the Church, 4:46).

As we read from these sacred records, we can receive understanding and guidance. Many times, answers to our problems and concerns come as we study the holy scriptures and apply their teachings to our lives: "For I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23).

Summary

Heavenly Father directed prophets to keep a sacred record, or scriptures, to teach us and guide us back into His presence. As we read, search, and study these scriptures, we learn of Jesus Christ. We can also find answers to our prayers and understand what we must do to return to live with our Father in Heaven.

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
   
   
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
   
   
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
   
   
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   
   
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
   
   
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
   
   
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
   
   
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
   
   
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
   
   
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
    
    
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
    
    
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
    
    
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

My Gospel Standards

I will follow Heavenly Father's plan for me.

I will remember my baptismal covenant and listen to the Holy Ghost.

I will choose the right. I know I can repent when I make a mistake.

I will be honest with Heavenly Father, others, and myself.

I will use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reverently. I will not swear or use crude words.

I will do those things on the Sabbath that will help me feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I will honor my parents and do my part to strengthen my family.

I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me.

I will dress modestly to show respect for Heavenly Father and myself.

I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.

I will only listen to music that is pleasing to Heavenly Father.

I will seek good friends and treat others kindly.

I will live now to be worthy to go to the temple and do my part to have an eternal family.

I Am a Child of God
I know Heavenly Father loves me, and I love Him.
I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere.
I am trying to remember and follow Jesus Christ.