Miracles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does Elder Revillo identify as the miracles of the Gospel?
- How does Elder Revillo describe the impact of the Gospel on the Filipino Saints?
- What are the principles and ordinances of the Gospel that Elder Revillo discusses in his talk?
- How does Elder Revillo illustrate the principle of faith and repentance?
- What does Elder Revillo invite us to do to bring miracles into our lives?
Topics
Understanding the Growth of the Church in the Philippines
Elder Revillo discusses the remarkable growth of the Church in the Philippines, from the arrival of the first missionaries to the establishment of numerous missions, stakes, and temples. He considers this growth a fulfillment of scriptural prophecies and a miracle.
This year marks 60 years since the first missionaries arrived in the islands of the Philippines. Today there are 23 missions and more than 800,000 members of the Church in 123 stakes.
This is truly a miracle. We are witnessing the fulfillment of the prophecy in 2 Nephi 10:21: "Great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea."
- How has the Church grown in the Philippines since the arrival of the first missionaries?
- What prophecy does Elder Revillo believe is being fulfilled through the growth of the Church in the Philippines?
- How have you witnessed the growth of the Church in your own area or life?
- How can you contribute to the growth of the Church in your community?
Experiencing the Blessings of Living the Gospel
Elder Revillo shares how living and obeying the principles and ordinances of the Gospel brings blessings, both temporal and spiritual. He uses examples from his own family and other Filipino Saints to illustrate how the Gospel has brought about positive changes and abundant life.
As we live and obey the principles and ordinances of the gospel, we are blessed, changed, and converted to becoming more like Jesus Christ.
That was how the gospel changed and blessed the Filipino Saints, including my family. The gospel is truly the way to a happy, abundant life.
- What are the blessings that come from living and obeying the principles and ordinances of the Gospel?
- How has the Gospel changed and blessed the Filipino Saints?
- How has living the Gospel brought blessings into your life?
- What changes have you experienced in your life as a result of living the Gospel?
Demonstrating Faith in Jesus Christ
Elder Revillo emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as the first principle of the Gospel. He shares the story of the Obedoza family, who demonstrated their faith by selling their house to make a temple trip, and how the Lord blessed them for their faith.
The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many Filipinos have a natural belief in God. It is easy for us to trust Jesus Christ and know that we can receive answers to our prayers.
The Lord takes care of those who demonstrate their faith in Him.
- What is the first principle of the Gospel according to Elder Revillo?
- How did the Obedoza family demonstrate their faith in Jesus Christ?
- How have you demonstrated your faith in Jesus Christ?
- How has the Lord taken care of you when you demonstrated your faith in Him?
Embracing the Principle of Repentance
Elder Revillo discusses repentance as the second principle of the Gospel. He likens repentance to soap, a cleaning agent that allows us to get rid of our impurities and become worthy to be with God. He shares personal examples of how repentance led to conversion and blessings in his family and among the Filipino Saints.
The second principle of the gospel is repentance. Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is a change of mind and heart.
Like soap, repentance is a cleaning agent. It allows us the opportunity to get rid of our impurities and our old debris so we are worthy to be with God, as "no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of [God]".
- What is the second principle of the Gospel according to Elder Revillo?
- How does Elder Revillo liken repentance to soap?
- How has repentance played a role in your own conversion process?
- What blessings have you received through repentance?
Making and Keeping Sacred Covenants
Elder Revillo speaks about the importance of making and keeping covenants through sacred ordinances, such as baptism and the sacrament, which allow us to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and enter into a covenant with the Lord. He invites us to exercise faith, repent, and keep these covenants to experience the miracles of the Gospel.
Repentance leads us to make and keep covenants through sacred ordinances. The first ordinance of salvation and exaltation is baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
We can renew this baptismal covenant every week as we take the sacrament. This too is a miracle!
- How does repentance lead us to make and keep covenants?
- What is the first ordinance of salvation and exaltation?
- How have you experienced the miracle of making and keeping sacred covenants?
- What can you do to better keep your covenants?
