Asia Area Leader Message (August 2022)

Find Christ at Church

All of us come and partake of the sacrament to remember the Atonement of the Son of God and to witness our willingness to take His name upon us.

Elder John Gutty
Elder John Gutty of the Seventy

Where and how do we find Jesus Christ? The prophet Jeremiah counseled, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”[1] All those who are humble and pure in heart can find Him.

Attending sacrament meeting is the perfect place to draw closer to Jesus Christ. Worshipping the Saviour and attending church services shows our desire to follow Him. At Church, we learn more about Jesus Christ from others who are striving to follow Him. Church is a place of striving members that seek to follow Him and live gospel standards with all the world’s challenges.

“Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”[2] He dwells in our hearts, houses, and in all the places that we look; He is ubiquitous.

The Lord said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” When you serve others, you will feel His love and presence and how pleased He is with your desire to help people. This will also let you share His love with others—they will see His spirit through you.

As we meet together, as we share and bear one other’s burdens, we make them light.[3] We have promised the Lord that we will always remember Him and keep his commandments. It is our goal to endure to the end and we strive to return to our Heavenly Father.


“Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

3 Nephi 14:7

The word sacrament comes from two Latin stems: sacr meaning “sacred,” and ment meaning “mind.” Thus, the sacrament provides an opportunity for us to ponder and remember with gratitude the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps more compelling is the Latin word sacramentum, which literally means “oath or solemn obligation.” All of us come and partake of the sacrament to remember the Atonement of the Son of God and to witness our willingness to take His name upon us.

Partaking of the sacrament is a witness to God that the remembrance of His Son will extend beyond the short time of that sacred ordinance. The Lord promises us his Spirit will be with us always as we partake of the sacrament worthily.

As we prepare and worthily partake the sacrament, we are blessed, and it helps us in our spiritual development. As we find Jesus Christ in ordinances, godliness is manifest.

Find Christ at Church

Alma said that his joy was more full because of the success of his brethren[4]. As we invite people to church, we will be able to feel the same joy.

Finding Christ is not a new idea, as people have sought Him in ancient times as well as today.[5] Praying with a pure heart will always help us find Him. Loving as Christ did helps us to find Him in others whom we serve. Inviting people unto Jesus Christ helps us find Him because we are a covenant people[6] and it is our duty and responsibility to help others.

The Lord said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”[7] He also commanded, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”[8]

As we live the gospel, and try to keep His commandments, I pray that the Lord may strengthen every feeble knee and fill our hearts with love for God and His children. May he bless us with strength to overcome the challenges of life that we may return to Him in his kingdom.

 


[1] Jer. 29:13.

[2] 3 Nephi 14:7.

[3] Mosiah 18:8.

[4] Alma 29:14.

[5] Ether 12:41.

[6] Mosiah 18:9.

[7] John 14:15.

[8] Matthew 22:39.