The Need for a Church

Understanding the Need for a Church

President Oaks discusses the importance of church attendance for spiritual growth and development. He emphasizes that the church provides a platform for learning and applying religious principles and for fostering a sense of community among believers.

Attendance and activity in a church help us become better people and better influences on the lives of others.

In church we are taught how to apply religious principles.

In church attendance and participation, our hearts are, as the Bible says, "knit together in love."

• Why does President Oaks believe that church attendance is important for spiritual growth?
• How does the church help us to become better influences on the lives of others?
• What role does the church play in teaching and applying religious principles?
• How has your church attendance influenced your spiritual growth?
• Can you recall a time when you learned to apply a religious principle through church attendance?
• How has participating in church activities helped you to connect with others?

The Role of the Church in Service

President Oaks highlights the role of the church in providing opportunities for service. He points out that service in the church allows us to rise above individualism and overcome personal selfishness.

In a church we don’t just serve alone or by our own choice or at our convenience. We usually serve in a team.

Church-directed service helps us overcome the personal selfishness that can retard our spiritual growth.

• How does the church provide opportunities for service?
• Why does President Oaks believe that church-directed service is important for overcoming personal selfishness?
• Can you recall a time when you participated in a service activity through the church?
• How has church-directed service helped you to overcome personal selfishness?

The Unique Role of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Oaks discusses the unique benefits of membership, attendance, and participation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He emphasizes that the restored Church of Jesus Christ has been established to teach the fulness of His doctrine and to officiate with His priesthood authority.

We also testify that the restored Church of Jesus Christ has been established to teach the fulness of His doctrine and to officiate with His priesthood authority to perform the ordinances necessary to enter the kingdom of God.

Members who forgo Church attendance and rely only on individual spirituality separate themselves from these gospel essentials: the power and blessings of the priesthood, the fulness of restored doctrine, and the motivations and opportunities to apply that doctrine.

• What unique benefits does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provide according to President Oaks?
• Why does President Oaks believe that forgoing Church attendance can separate members from gospel essentials?
• How has your membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints influenced your spiritual growth?
• Can you recall a time when you experienced the power and blessings of the priesthood through your Church attendance?

The Church's Role in Spiritual Growth and Repentance

President Oaks discusses how the Church provides doctrine, procedures, and inspired helpers that assist members in repenting and drawing nearer to the Lord. He also emphasizes the importance of Church-organized service in fostering spiritual growth.

In the restored Church we have doctrine, procedures, and inspired helpers that assist us to repent.

Individual spirituality can seldom provide the motivation and structure for unselfish service provided by the restored Church.

• How does the Church assist members in repenting and drawing nearer to the Lord?
• Why does President Oaks believe that individual spirituality can seldom provide the motivation for unselfish service?
• How has the Church assisted you in your process of repentance?
• Can you recall a time when your Church service provided motivation for unselfish service?

The Importance of Church Attendance for Worship and Fellowship

President Oaks emphasizes the importance of church attendance for worship and fellowship, highlighting the blessings of living the Word of Wisdom, the prosperity promised for living the law of tithing, and the blessing of counsel from inspired leaders.

One of those laws is to worship in church each Sabbath day. Our worship and application of eternal principles draw us closer to God and magnify our capacity to love.

In addition to feeling peace and joy through the companionship of the Spirit, our Church-attending members enjoy the fruits of gospel living, such as the blessings of living the Word of Wisdom and the material and spiritual prosperity promised for living the law of tithing.

• Why does President Oaks believe that church attendance is important for worship and fellowship?
• What blessings does President Oaks associate with church attendance and living gospel principles?
• How has your church attendance influenced your worship and fellowship with other members?
• Can you recall a time when you experienced the blessings of living gospel principles through your Church attendance?