The Language of the Gospel
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What are some similarities between preserving a native language and preserving the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Why is it important to be diligent and concerned at home in teaching the gospel?
- How can strong modeling in the home influence the preservation of the gospel?
- What role do traditions play in maintaining the gospel in our families?
- How does Elder Cordón suggest we combat the worldly traditions of our day?
Topics
Preserve the Gospel through Diligence at Home
Elder Cordón emphasizes the importance of being diligent and concerned at home to preserve the gospel. He highlights the need for parents to actively teach and model gospel principles, particularly through daily family and personal scripture study.
We can therefore conclude that powerful teaching is extremely important to preserve the gospel in our families, and it requires diligence and effort.
Fathers and mothers, don’t miss out on these great blessings. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
- Why is it not enough to merely speak the language of the gospel at home?
- What does Elder Cordón say about the importance of daily scripture study?
- How can you make a conscious effort to preserve the language of the gospel in your home?
- What steps can you take to ensure daily family scripture study happens in your household?
Model Gospel Principles in the Home
Elder Cordón discusses the importance of parents modeling gospel principles for their children. He shares a personal story about his father's example of paying tithing during difficult times, which taught him the principles of faith and obedience.
We "bring language alive" when our teaching and modeling work together.
It is not enough just to talk to our children about the importance of temple marriage, fasting, and keeping the Sabbath day holy. They must see us making room in our schedules to attend the temple as frequently as we can.
- How did Elder Cordón learn the principle of paying tithing?
- What does "bringing the language alive" mean in the context of gospel teaching?
- What gospel principles can you model more effectively in your home?
- How can you ensure that your actions align with the gospel teachings you share with your family?
Maintain Righteous Traditions
Elder Cordón highlights the role of traditions in preserving the gospel. He warns against adopting traditions that lead to disobedience and losing light and truth. Instead, he encourages families to uphold traditions that support gospel living, such as keeping the Sabbath day holy and daily scripture study.
As families, we need to avoid any tradition that will prevent us from keeping the Sabbath day holy or having daily scripture study and prayer at home.
To combat the worldly traditions of our day, we need to use the scriptures and the voice of our modern prophets to teach our children about their divine identity, their purpose in life, and the divine mission of Jesus Christ.
- What are some traditions that might prevent us from keeping the Sabbath day holy?
- How can we use the scriptures to combat worldly traditions?
- What family traditions can you establish or strengthen to support gospel living?
- How can you teach your children about their divine identity and purpose through family traditions?
Understand the Eternal Consequences of Losing the Gospel
Elder Cordón explains the eternal consequences of losing the language of the gospel. He shares scriptural examples of "language loss" and emphasizes that, unlike the debatable benefits of maintaining a native language, the consequences of losing the gospel are clear and eternal.
In the context of the plan of salvation there is no debate about the eternal consequences of losing the language of the gospel in our homes.
No achievement in this life, important as it may be, will be relevant if we lose the language of the gospel in our families.
- What are the eternal consequences of losing the language of the gospel?
- How does Elder Cordón use the example of the rising generation in the Book of Mormon to illustrate his point?
- How can you ensure that the gospel remains a central part of your family's life?
- What steps can you take to prevent the loss of the gospel in your home?
Embrace the Language of the Gospel with Patience and Love
Elder Cordón concludes by reminding us that learning the language of the gospel is a lifelong process. He assures us that Heavenly Father is patient with our efforts and mistakes, and He treasures our sincere attempts to embrace His teachings.
As children of God, we are imperfect people trying to learn a perfect language.
He treasures and understands our feeblest utterances, mumbled in sincerity, as if they were fine poetry.
- How does Heavenly Father view our efforts to learn and live the gospel?
- What does Elder Cordón say about the process of learning the language of the gospel?
- How can you show patience with yourself and others as you strive to learn and live the gospel?
- What can you do to make the process of learning the gospel a joyful and loving experience for your family?
