All Nations, Kindreds, and Tongues
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Elder Gong illustrate the global reach of the Church?
- What are the examples Elder Gong uses to demonstrate God's love for all His children?
- How does Elder Gong relate personal experiences to the teachings of the gospel?
- What prophecies does Elder Gong discuss in his talk?
- How does Elder Gong describe the impact of the Church and its teachings on individuals and communities?
Topics
Understanding God's Love for All His Children
Elder Gong emphasizes that God's love is inclusive and universal, reaching every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. This love is affirmed throughout scripture and encompasses the Abrahamic covenant, gathering His scattered children, and His plan of happiness in our lives.
Our 2020 bicentennial proclamation begins with the profoundly inclusive promise that “God loves His children in every nation of the world.”
God’s love for all people is affirmed throughout scripture. That love encompasses the Abrahamic covenant, gathering His scattered children, and His plan of happiness in our lives.
- What does it mean that God's love is inclusive and universal?
- How is God's love for all His children affirmed in the scriptures?
- How does the Abrahamic covenant demonstrate God's love for all people?
- How have you personally experienced God's love?
- What can you do to help others feel God's love?
- How does understanding God's universal love influence your perspective on the gospel and your interactions with others?
Fulfilling Prophecy through Gospel Service
Elder Gong discusses how individuals can become part of the fulfillment of God's prophecies and promises through service in the gospel. He shares examples of the global reach and impact of the Church and its members, illustrating how prophecy is being fulfilled.
Yet consider how the prophecies God gives His servants are fulfilled. Some are fulfilled earlier, some later, but all are fulfilled. As we hearken to the Lord’s spirit of prophecy, we can become, in our own way, part of the fulfillment of His prophecies and promises—part of the gospel blessing the world.
Yet, because it is true, you and I can witness that prophecy being fulfilled even as we are invited to help bring it to pass.
- What does it mean to become part of the fulfillment of God's prophecies?
- What examples does Elder Gong give of prophecy being fulfilled?
- How can service in the gospel contribute to the fulfillment of prophecy?
- How have you seen prophecy fulfilled in your own life or in the lives of others?
- What can you do to contribute to the fulfillment of prophecy through your service in the gospel?
- How does understanding the fulfillment of prophecy strengthen your faith and commitment to the gospel?
Experiencing Spiritual Growth and Change through the Gospel
Elder Gong shares personal stories of individuals who have experienced spiritual growth and change through their faith in God and their adherence to the principles of the gospel. He emphasizes that God's love and the teachings of the Church can bring about profound change in individuals" lives.
As we increase our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, receive the blessings found in living restored gospel truths and sacred covenants, and study, ponder, and share about the ongoing Restoration, we participate in fulfilling prophecy.
We are changing ourselves and the world in a gospel pattern that blesses lives everywhere.
- How does faith in God and adherence to the gospel lead to spiritual growth and change?
- What examples does Elder Gong provide of individuals who have experienced this kind of spiritual transformation?
- How does participating in the ongoing Restoration contribute to personal growth and the fulfillment of prophecy?
- How have you experienced spiritual growth and change through your faith in God and adherence to the gospel?
- What steps can you take to further your spiritual growth and contribute to the ongoing Restoration?
- How can you help others experience the transformative power of the gospel?
Contributing to Community and Global Good through the Church
Elder Gong discusses the Church's contributions to communities and societies around the world. He emphasizes the Church's role in providing immediate and chronic needs, supporting refugees, and contributing to environmental conservation, among other things. He also speaks to the importance of individual members being good citizens and neighbors.
Religious communities readily respond to immediate needs after natural disasters as well as to chronic needs for food, shelter, education, literacy, and employment training. Across the world, our members, friends, and Church help communities support refugees and provide water, sanitation, handicap mobility, and vision care—one person, one village, one tree at a time. Everywhere, we seek to be good parents and good citizens, to contribute in our neighborhoods and societies, including through Latter-day Saint Charities.
This united effort provides shade, conserves soil, abates future floods. It beautifies neighborhoods, builds community, satisfies taste, and nourishes the soul. If you ask Haitians who will harvest the fruit from these trees, they say, “Whoever is hungry.”
- What examples does Elder Gong give of the Church's contributions to communities and societies?
- How do individual members contribute to the Church's global impact?
- Why is it important for members of the Church to be good citizens and neighbors?
- How have you contributed to your community as a member of the Church?
- What opportunities do you have to contribute to the global impact of the Church?
- How can you be a better citizen and neighbor in your community?
Experiencing God's Love and Blessings through Trials
Elder Gong shares a personal story of a family who experienced an unexpected answer to their prayers through a difficult trial. He emphasizes that God's love and blessings can be experienced even amidst life's challenges and that faith and sacrifice bring the blessings of heaven.
Their house caught fire and burned to the ground. But something else happened. The fire softened their neighbors’ hearts.
Truly, for those with faithful hearts and eyes to see, the Lord’s tender mercies are manifest amidst life’s challenges. Faithfully met challenges and sacrifice do bring the blessings of heaven. In this mortality, we may lose or wait for some things for a time, but in the end we will find what matters most. That is His promise.
- How can trials and challenges lead to unexpected blessings?
- How does faith and sacrifice bring the blessings of heaven?
- What does Elder Gong's story teach about the power of prayer and God's love?
- How have you experienced God's love and blessings through trials?
- What trials have strengthened your faith and brought unexpected blessings?
- How can you maintain faith and hope during challenging times?
