Study Guide for "Seek Christ in Every Thought"

In this talk, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discusses the importance of seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our hearts. He emphasizes the need for aligning our minds and desires with Christ's, resisting temptation, and relying on the Savior for help. Elder Soares also discusses the dangers of letting inappropriate thoughts shape our desires and actions, and the hope and redemption that can be found in Christ even after major transgressions.

Before Reading

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

What does it mean to seek Christ in every thought?
How can we align our minds and desires with Christ's?
What are the dangers of letting inappropriate thoughts shape our desires and actions?
How can we resist temptation and avoid losing our spiritual traction?
What hope and redemption can be found in Christ even after major transgressions?

Topics

Aligning Our Minds and Desires with Christ's

Elder Soares emphasizes the need to align our minds and desires with Christ's, which the scriptures refer to as "standing fast in the Lord." This requires us to continually conduct our lives in harmony with the gospel of Christ, focus daily on everything that is good, and treasure up the solemnities of eternity in our hearts.

Seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our heart requires that we align our mind and desires with His.

This course of action implies that we continually conduct our lives in harmony with the gospel of Christ and focus daily on everything that is good.

What does it mean to align our minds and desires with Christ's?
How can we "stand fast in the Lord"?
What steps can you take to align your mind and desires with Christ's?
How can you focus daily on everything that is good?

Resisting Temptation

Elder Soares discusses the importance of resisting temptation to avoid losing our spiritual traction and becoming confused, disoriented, and disillusioned in life. He uses the analogy of a magnet and a metal object to illustrate how resisting temptation can cause it to fade away and lose its power over our minds, hearts, and actions.

Our ancient and modern prophets have constantly reminded us to resist temptation in order to avoid losing our spiritual traction and becoming confused, disoriented, and disillusioned in life.

As we resist temptation, it fades away and loses its power over our mind and heart and, consequently, over our actions.

Why is it important to resist temptation?
How does resisting temptation cause it to lose its power over us?
What temptations are you currently facing and how can you resist them?
How has resisting temptation helped you in the past?

Dangers of Inappropriate Thoughts

Elder Soares warns of the dangers of letting inappropriate thoughts shape our desires and actions. He explains that when such thoughts are permitted and even invited to stay, they can lead us to what we will become in this life and eventually to what we will inherit for eternity.

Despite our continuous efforts to seek out the Lord, inappropriate thoughts may penetrate our mind. When such thoughts are permitted and even invited to stay, they can shape the desires of our heart and lead us to what we will become in this life and eventually to what we will inherit for eternity.

What are the dangers of letting inappropriate thoughts shape our desires and actions?
How can inappropriate thoughts lead us to what we will become in this life and eventually to what we will inherit for eternity?
Have you ever let inappropriate thoughts shape your desires and actions?
What steps can you take to prevent inappropriate thoughts from penetrating your mind?

Hope and Redemption in Christ

Elder Soares speaks of the hope and redemption that can be found in Christ even after major transgressions. He shares the story of a Church member who fell into temptation but was able to find hope and redemption through Christ.

For those who, for whatever reason, fall into temptation and are dwelling upon unrighteous actions, I assure you that there is a way back, that there is hope in Christ.

What hope and redemption can be found in Christ even after major transgressions?
How can we find our way back to Christ after falling into temptation?
Have you ever fallen into temptation and found hope and redemption in Christ?
What steps can you take to find your way back to Christ after falling into temptation?

Constantly Resisting Everything That Might Dissuade Us from Our Eternal Purpose

Elder Soares discusses the importance of constantly resisting everything that might dissuade us from realizing our eternal purpose. He cites the example of Jesus Christ, who resisted several attacks by the devil that attempted to divert Him from His mission.

While preparing to accomplish His divine mission on earth, the Savior Jesus Christ exemplified the importance of constantly resisting everything that might dissuade us from realizing our eternal purpose.

Why is it important to constantly resist everything that might dissuade us from realizing our eternal purpose?
How did Jesus Christ exemplify this principle?
What things might be dissuading you from realizing your eternal purpose?
How can you resist these things?