Return and Receive
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the difference between a goal and a plan according to Elder Ballard?
- Why does Elder Ballard emphasize the importance of aligning our personal goals with Heavenly Father's eternal plan?
- What are the two key words Elder Ballard uses to symbolize God's goals for us?
- How does Satan attempt to distract us from our spiritual goals?
- What role does self-reflection play in staying focused on returning to God's presence and receiving His blessings?
Topics
Set Goals with an Eternal Perspective
Elder Ballard explains that setting goals and making plans should be done with an eternal perspective. He highlights that our goals should align with Heavenly Father's plan for us, which is to achieve immortality and eternal life. By focusing on these eternal destinations, we can find true happiness and fulfillment.
A key to happiness lies in understanding what destinations truly matter—and then spending our time, effort, and attention on the things that constitute a sure way to arrive there.
His goal is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man [and woman]," and His means to achieve it is the plan of salvation.
- What is the difference between a goal and a plan?
- Why is it important to align our goals with Heavenly Father's plan?
- How can you ensure your personal goals align with Heavenly Father's eternal plan?
- What are some short-term goals you can set that lead to your long-term spiritual goals?
Understand the Importance of Returning and Receiving
Elder Ballard identifies "return" and "receive" as the two key words that symbolize God's goals for us. Returning to God's presence and receiving eternal blessings are the ultimate objectives we should strive for. He encourages us to have unshaken faith in Jesus Christ and to endure to the end.
To return to His presence and to receive the eternal blessings that come from making and keeping covenants are the most important goals we can set.
We return and receive by having "unshaken faith in [the Lord Jesus Christ], relying wholly upon" His merits, pressing "forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men [and women] … feasting upon the word of Christ, and endur[ing] to the end."
- What do the words "return" and "receive" symbolize in the context of God's plan?
- How can we ensure we are on the path to return to God's presence and receive His blessings?
- What specific actions can you take to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ?
- How can you better endure to the end in your daily life?
Recognize and Resist Satan's Distractions
Elder Ballard warns about the various ways Satan tries to distract us from our spiritual goals. He uses loud voices and enticing temptations to lead us away from God's plan. Elder Ballard emphasizes the importance of staying focused and not being swayed by secular philosophies or immoral influences.
Satan can neither return nor receive. The only thing left for him is to oppose the Father’s plan by using every possible enticement and temptation to bring us down and make us miserable like unto himself.
These voices belong to those who disregard gospel truth and who use the internet, social and print media, radio, television, and movies to present in an enticing way immorality, violence, ugly language, filth, and sleaze in a way that distracts us from our goals and the plans we have for eternity.
- How does Satan attempt to distract us from our spiritual goals?
- What are some of the loud voices that Elder Ballard mentions?
- What are some distractions in your life that you need to eliminate to stay focused on your spiritual goals?
- How can you better recognize and resist Satan's temptations?
Engage in Regular Self-Reflection
Elder Ballard advises us to regularly engage in self-reflection to assess our progress towards our spiritual goals. He suggests having a personal, private interview with ourselves, using introspective questions from Alma 5 as a guide. This practice can help us stay aligned with our goal of returning to God's presence and receiving His blessings.
It’s kind of like having a personal, private interview with yourself. And if that sounds unusual, think about it: who in this world knows you better than you know yourself?
As a guide for me during this private, personal review, I like to read and ponder the introspective words found in the fifth chapter of Alma, wherein Alma asks: "Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"
- Why does Elder Ballard suggest having a personal, private interview with ourselves?
- What are some of the introspective questions from Alma 5 that can guide our self-reflection?
- How often do you engage in self-reflection, and how can you make it a regular practice?
- What specific questions will you ask yourself during your personal, private interviews?
Align Goals with the Doctrine of Christ
Elder Ballard emphasizes the necessity of keeping the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of our goals and plans. Without Christ, no eternal goal is possible. He encourages us to study "The Living Christ" and "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to deepen our understanding and faith in the Savior.
We must keep the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of our goals and plans. Without Him, no eternal goal is possible, and our plans to achieve our eternal goals will surely fail.
Prayerfully reading "The Living Christ" is like reading the testimonies of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the prophets of the Book of Mormon. It will increase your faith in the Savior and help you stay focused on Him as you follow your plans to reach your eternal goals.
- Why is it essential to keep the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of our goals and plans?
- How can studying "The Living Christ" and "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" help us in our spiritual journey?
- How can you ensure that your goals and plans are centered on the doctrine of Christ?
- What insights have you gained from studying "The Living Christ" and "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"?
