Study Guide for "Careful versus Casual"

In this talk, Sister Becky Craven discusses the importance of approaching our faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ with care and deliberation, rather than a casual attitude. She emphasizes the need for exactness in keeping our covenants and living the gospel, and warns of the dangers of casualness in our spiritual pursuits. Sister Craven also invites us to evaluate our own approach to gospel living and to make any necessary adjustments to align ourselves more carefully with our covenants.

Before Reading

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

What does it mean to live the gospel carefully versus casually?
Why is it important to be careful in living the gospel?
What are some ways we might be casual in our approach to gospel living?
How can we align ourselves more carefully with our covenants?
What are the dangers of a casual approach to our faith?

Topics

Understanding the Difference Between Careful and Casual Gospel Living

Sister Craven emphasizes the difference between careful and casual living of the gospel. While careful living involves exactness in keeping our covenants and living the gospel, casual living can lead us astray and away from the blessings of the gospel. She warns that casualness can lead to rationalizing our behavior and not fully living up to the standards set by the gospel.

There is a careful way and a casual way to do everything, including living the gospel.

If we are not careful in living our covenants with exactness, our casual efforts may eventually lead us into forbidden paths or to join with those who have already entered the great and spacious building.

What does Sister Craven mean by "careful" and "casual" gospel living?
Why is it important to avoid casualness in our approach to the gospel?
What are the dangers of rationalizing our behavior in terms of gospel living?
In what areas of your life might you be approaching the gospel casually?
What changes can you make to live the gospel more carefully?
How can you avoid rationalizing your behavior when it comes to living the gospel?

Evaluating Our Commitment to the Savior

Sister Craven invites us to evaluate our commitment to the Savior and consider whether we are careful or casual in our approach. She provides several questions for self-examination, touching on areas such as Sabbath-day worship, prayer, scripture study, temple worship, and our conduct and appearance.

As we consider our commitment to the Savior, are we careful or casual?

Are we careful in our Sabbath-day worship and in our preparation to partake of the sacrament each week?

Are we careful in how we minister to others and in how we fulfill our callings in the Church, or are we indifferent or casual in our call to serve?

What does it mean to be careful in our commitment to the Savior?
Why is it important to evaluate our commitment and approach to the gospel?
How can you be more careful in your Sabbath-day worship and preparation to partake of the sacrament?
What changes can you make to be more careful in your prayers, scripture study, and temple worship?
How can you be more careful in your ministering efforts and in fulfilling your church callings?

The Importance of Maintaining High Standards

Sister Craven stresses the importance of maintaining high standards in our gospel living. She warns against lowering our standards to fit in or make others comfortable, and encourages us to elevate others instead. She also references the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet as a guide for maintaining these standards.

We do not lower our standards to fit in or to make someone else feel comfortable.

The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet contains standards that, when followed carefully, will bring rich blessings and help us stay on the covenant path.

Why is it important to maintain high standards in our gospel living?
How can lowering our standards lead us astray?
How can you uphold the standards of the gospel in your daily life?
What steps can you take to elevate others through your example?

The Role of Repentance in Staying on the Covenant Path

Sister Craven acknowledges the inevitability of mistakes and the importance of repentance in getting back on the covenant path. She expresses gratitude for the gift of repentance and the power of the Savior's Atonement, and reminds us that while we may not be perfect, we can be worthy.

For the times when this might happen, our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has urged us to get back on the covenant path and to do so quickly.

It’s impossible to live a perfect life. Only one man was able to live perfectly while dwelling on this telestial planet. That was Jesus Christ. Although we may not be perfect, brothers and sisters, we can be worthy: worthy to partake of the sacrament, worthy of temple blessings, and worthy to receive personal revelation.

What role does repentance play in staying on the covenant path?
Why is it important to quickly get back on the covenant path when we stray?
How have you experienced the power of repentance in your life?
How can you better utilize the gift of repentance when you make mistakes?

The Blessings of Careful Gospel Living

Sister Craven testifies of the blessings and happiness that come from carefully living the gospel. She reminds us that deep and lasting happiness comes from intentionally and carefully living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Deep and lasting happiness comes by intentionally and carefully living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What blessings come from carefully living the gospel?
How does careful gospel living lead to deep and lasting happiness?
What blessings have you experienced from carefully living the gospel?
How can you more intentionally and carefully live the gospel to experience greater happiness?