Study Guide for "Apart, but Still One"

In his General Conference address titled "Apart, but Still One," Elder Joni L. Koch of the Seventy emphasizes the importance of unity among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Drawing from personal experiences and scriptural teachings, Elder Koch illustrates how our actions and words can either build or erode unity within the Church. He encourages us to align our behavior with the teachings of Jesus Christ, fostering a sense of oneness both in and out of church settings.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What personal experience does Elder Koch share to illustrate the concept of unity?
How does Elder Koch suggest we handle our differences within the Church?
What examples does Elder Koch give of how our words can either build or destroy unity?
How did Elder Koch's father respond to correction from Church leaders, and what lesson does Elder Koch draw from this experience?

Topics

Fostering Unity in the Church

Elder Koch emphasizes the importance of leaving behind our differences when we gather as a Church. He highlights the collective activities we engage in, such as singing hymns and partaking in the sacrament, which help create a sense of oneness.

As we all enter a meetinghouse to worship as a group, we should leave behind our differences, including race, social status, political preferences, and academic and professional achievements, and instead concentrate on our common spiritual objectives.

Why is it important to leave behind our differences when we gather as a Church?
How do collective activities like singing hymns and partaking in the sacrament foster unity?
What differences do I need to leave behind to foster unity in my congregation?
How can I contribute to a sense of oneness in my ward or branch?

The Power of Words in Building or Destroying Unity

Elder Koch discusses how our words can either knit our hearts together in unity or erode love and trust. He provides examples of constructive versus destructive comments and emphasizes the importance of speaking positively about others.

Depending on what we choose to say about one another, our words will either have our "hearts knit together in unity," as Alma taught those he baptized in the Waters of Mormon, or they will erode the love, trust, and goodwill that should exist among us.

Our words about our fellow beings should reflect our belief in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and that, in Him and through Him, we can always change for the better!

What impact do our words have on unity within the Church?
How can we ensure that our words reflect our belief in Jesus Christ and His Atonement?
What can I do to speak more positively about others in my congregation?
How have my words either built or destroyed unity in the past, and what can I learn from those experiences?

Responding to Correction from Church Leaders

Elder Koch shares the story of his father, who chose to remain united with the Church despite being publicly rebuked. This example illustrates the importance of humility and commitment to unity, even when we face correction.

It is also likely that we will all experience some correction from our ecclesiastical leaders, which will be a test of how united we are with them.

My dad, however, decided to remain one with our fellow Saints.

Why is it important to remain united with Church leaders, even when we are corrected?
How does humility play a role in maintaining unity?
How can I respond more positively to correction from Church leaders?
What steps can I take to remain united with my fellow Saints, even when disagreements arise?

Overcoming Small Offenses

Elder Koch recounts the story of Simonds Ryder, who fell away from the Church over a misspelling of his name. He uses this example to illustrate how small offenses can lead to significant spiritual consequences.

Some start criticizing and becoming divided from Church leaders and members for things that are so small.

Such was the case of a man called Simonds Ryder, who became a member of the Church in 1831. After reading a revelation that pertained to him, he was perplexed to see that his name was misspelled Rider, with the letter i instead of with the letter y. His reaction to this event contributed to his questioning the prophet and eventually led to persecuting Joseph and falling away from the Church.

What can we learn from the story of Simonds Ryder about the dangers of taking offense?
How can small offenses lead to significant spiritual consequences?
What small offenses have I allowed to disrupt my unity with others, and how can I overcome them?
How can I develop a more forgiving and understanding attitude towards minor mistakes or offenses?

The Example of Jesus Christ in Unity

Elder Koch concludes by referencing Jesus Christ's prayer for unity among His followers. He testifies that as we strive to be one with Church members and leaders, we will feel more united with Heavenly Father and the Savior.

Just moments before His excruciating experiences in Gethsemane, when Jesus was praying to the Father for His Apostles and all of us, the Saints, He said, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee."

I testify that as we decide to be one with the members and leaders of the Church—both when we’re assembled together and especially when we are apart—we will also feel more perfectly united with our Heavenly Father and the Savior.

What does Jesus Christ's prayer teach us about the importance of unity?
How can striving for unity with Church members and leaders help us feel more united with Heavenly Father and the Savior?
In what ways can I strive to be more united with Church members and leaders?
How has striving for unity with others helped me feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?