Take Up Our Cross
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does Elder Soares mean by "taking up our cross"?
- How does Elder Soares suggest we can overcome personal challenges and adversities?
- What advice does Elder Soares provide for those struggling with feelings of loneliness, addiction, or bitterness?
- How can the teachings of the gospel provide hope and healing in our lives?
- What role does patience and faith play in our spiritual journey according to Elder Soares?
Topics
Understanding the Concept of Carrying Our Cross
Elder Soares explains the metaphor of carrying our cross as a symbol of sacrifice and devotion to the Lord's cause. This entails denying ourselves of worldly desires, controlling our appetites and passions, and being submissive to the will of the Father, even in the face of adversity.
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
- What does it mean to "take up our cross"?
- How can we deny ourselves of worldly desires and passions?
- What sacrifices might we have to make in order to follow Christ?
- What worldly desires or passions do you need to deny in order to follow Christ?
- What sacrifices have you made or are willing to make to follow Christ?
- How have you experienced the truth of Christ's words, "whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it"?
Overcoming Personal Challenges and Adversities
Elder Soares discusses how accepting the Savior's teachings and following Him can help us overcome personal challenges such as loneliness, addiction, and feelings of bitterness. He emphasizes the importance of faith, repentance, and forgiveness in this process.
Our determination to cast off all that is contrary to God’s will and to sacrifice all we are asked to give and to strive to follow His teachings will help us to endure in the path of Jesus Christ’s gospel—even in the face of tribulation, the weakness of our souls, or the social pressure and worldly philosophies that oppose His teachings.
Please never give up after subsequent failures and consider yourself incapable of abandoning sins and overcoming addiction. You cannot afford to stop trying and thereafter continue in weakness and sin! Always strive to do your best, manifesting through your works the desire to cleanse the inner vessel, as taught by the Savior.
- How can faith, repentance, and forgiveness help us overcome personal challenges?
- What does it mean to "endure in the path of Jesus Christ’s gospel"?
- How can we manifest our desire to "cleanse the inner vessel" through our works?
- What personal challenges are you currently facing and how can you apply the Savior's teachings to overcome them?
- What steps can you take to manifest your desire to "cleanse the inner vessel"?
- How can you practice forgiveness in your life to overcome feelings of bitterness?
The Role of Patience and Trust in God's Timing
Elder Soares highlights the necessity of patience and trust in God's timing in our spiritual journey. He warns against setting our own deadlines for the Lord's blessings and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging that God is aware of our needs.
We must remember that taking our cross upon ourselves includes being humble and trusting in God and in His infinite wisdom. We must acknowledge that He is aware of each of us and of our needs.
We cannot condition our faithfulness to Him by imposing upon Him a deadline for the answers to our desires.
- Why is it important to trust in God's timing?
- How does humility relate to carrying our cross?
- What does it mean to condition our faithfulness to God?
- How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing in your life?
- Are there any desires or expectations for which you have set a deadline for God?
- How can you show your acknowledgement that God is aware of your needs?
The Power of Forgiveness and Healing
Elder Soares explains how forgiveness can lead to healing and peace. He emphasizes the importance of forgiving those who have hurt us and turning to the Lord for help in overcoming negative feelings and emotions.
We cannot repent for other people, but we can forgive them—by refusing to be held hostages by those who have harmed us.
May we choose to seek His help and take an important and difficult step by forgiving those who have hurt us so that our wounds may begin to heal.
- How does forgiveness lead to healing and peace?
- Why is it important to forgive those who have hurt us?
- How can we seek the Lord's help in forgiving others?
- Who do you need to forgive in your life?
- How can you seek the Lord's help in your journey towards forgiveness?
- What steps can you take to start the healing process from past hurts?
Enduring to the End with Faith
Elder Soares shares the story of a faithful sister who, despite her debilitating illness, remains steadfast in her faith and devotion to Christ. He emphasizes the importance of enduring to the end, no matter what challenges we face.
During my visit, while holding Sister Calamassi’s hand and looking into her eyes, I saw an angelic glow emanating from her countenance—reflecting her confidence in God’s plan and her perfect brightness of hope in the Father’s love and plan for her.
I felt her firm determination to endure in her faith until the end by taking up her cross, despite the challenges she was facing.
- What does it mean to "endure to the end"?
- How can faith and hope in God's plan help us endure challenges?
- What can we learn from Sister Calamassi's example of faith and endurance?
- How can you apply the principle of enduring to the end in your current circumstances?
- What challenges are you facing that require faith and hope in God's plan?
- How can you strengthen your determination to endure in your faith?
