True Disciples of the Savior

Placing Christ at the Center of Our Lives

Elder Vinson emphasizes the importance of placing Christ at the center of our lives and not prioritizing worldly things. He uses the story of Haggai to illustrate the consequences of focusing on worldly comforts over building the Lord's temple.

Don’t you love those descriptions of the futility of prioritizing things of no eternal consequence above the things of God?

We can feel enduring joy when our Savior and His gospel become the framework around which we build our lives.

• What does the story of Haggai teach us about the consequences of not placing Christ at the center of our lives?
• How can we ensure that we are prioritizing the gospel in our daily lives?
• What worldly things might you be prioritizing over the gospel?
• What changes can you make to place Christ more at the center of your life?

Being Fully Committed to the Gospel

Drawing from his experiences playing rugby, Elder Vinson discusses the importance of being fully committed to the gospel and not holding back. He emphasizes that giving our all results in enduring joy, even if it doesn't always result in success or blessings.

I learned a little about being fair dinkum and being committed by playing rugby. I learned that when I played my hardest, when I gave my all, my enjoyment of the game was greatest.

Giving our all doesn’t mean that we will be continually enveloped in blessings or always have success. But it does mean that we will have joy.

• What does it mean to be fully committed to the gospel?
• How does being fully committed to the gospel lead to enduring joy?
• Are there areas in your life where you might be holding back in your commitment to the gospel?
• What can you do to give your all to the gospel?

Our Sacrifices and Efforts Matter to the Lord

Elder Vinson shares the story of Oliver Granger to illustrate that our sacrifices and efforts, not our successes, are what matter to the Lord. Even when we face challenges or seem to fail, our efforts are recognized and accepted by the Lord.

That may be true of all of us—it’s not our successes but rather our sacrifice and efforts that matter to the Lord.

Joy is enduring and is founded on our efforts being accepted by the Lord.

• What does the story of Oliver Granger teach us about what matters to the Lord?
• How does knowing that our sacrifices and efforts are accepted by the Lord influence our commitment to the gospel?
• How have you seen your sacrifices and efforts accepted by the Lord?
• What sacrifices are you willing to make for the gospel?

The Healing Power of the Atonement

Elder Vinson shares a powerful story of a sister in West Africa who found healing from emotional and physical abuse through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This story illustrates the power of the Atonement to heal our deepest wounds and bring us peace and joy.

Then one morning I looked for the pain that comes from all this in my heart and went deeper, looking for it in my soul. It was nowhere to be found. … Then I knelt down and thanked God for making the atoning sacrifice of the Lord work for me.

• How did the Atonement of Jesus Christ help the sister in the story find healing?
• What role does the Atonement play in our ability to find peace and joy?
• How have you experienced the healing power of the Atonement in your own life?
• What steps can you take to more fully apply the Atonement in your life?

The Worth of the Gospel

Using the story of King Lamoni's father, Elder Vinson discusses the worth of the gospel. He emphasizes that the gospel is worth more than all we have and encourages us to be fully committed to it.

This time, he was prepared to give up all his kingdom, because the gospel was worth more than all he had! He was fair dinkum about the gospel.

There is no treasure, nor any hobby, nor any status, nor any social media, nor any video games, nor any sport, nor any association with a celebrity, nor anything on earth that is more precious than eternal life.

• What does the story of King Lamoni's father teach us about the worth of the gospel?
• How can we show that we value the gospel more than worldly possessions or status?
• How have you seen the worth of the gospel in your own life?
• What can you do to show that you value the gospel above all else?