Jesus Christ Is the Treasure
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Recognizing the Importance of Jesus Christ in Our Lives
Elder Renlund uses the story of Carter and Carnarvon's search for Tutankhamun's tomb to illustrate how we can sometimes overlook the most important things in our lives, like Jesus Christ. He warns against "looking beyond the mark" and missing the blessings that come from focusing on the Savior.
Like those people in Jerusalem, and like Carter and Carnarvon, we too can be prone to look beyond the mark.
He is our mark. If we incorrectly imagine that there is a need for something beyond what He offers, we deny or diminish the scope and power He can have in our lives.Key Points:
- We need to guard against the tendency to look beyond the mark and miss Jesus Christ in our lives.
- We need to rely "wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save."
- Jesus Christ is our treasure.
- Can you think of a time when you felt like you were "looking beyond the mark"?
- How has focusing on Christ brought blessings into your life?
- What does it mean to you that Christ is our "mark"?
Valuing the Power of Repentance and the Sacrament
Elder Renlund discusses the importance of repentance and the sacrament in our lives, and how they help us to focus on Christ. He shares a personal story to illustrate the power of repentance and the sacrament in keeping us spiritually clean.
The Savior has given us many ways to focus on Him intentionally, including the daily opportunity to repent.
Just like the treasure that was under the feet of Carter and Carnarvon, the treasured blessings of the sacrament are available to us each time we attend sacrament meeting.Key Points:
- Repentance and the sacrament are powerful ways to focus on Christ.
- The sacrament brings a powerful virtuous cycle into our lives, enabling us to retain a remission of our sins.
- Our spiritual foundation is strengthened through repentance and by conscientiously preparing for and worthily partaking of the sacrament.
- How has repentance played a role in your life?
- What does the sacrament mean to you?
- Can you share a time when taking the sacrament has brought you closer to Christ?
The Importance of Temple Worship
Elder Renlund emphasizes the importance of temple worship in drawing us closer to Christ. He warns against taking the temple for granted, especially as temples become more accessible.
Our commitment to attend should be at least as strong when the temple is nearby as when it is distant.
When we have the Holy Ghost with us, we will be inspired and guided to make and keep other covenants, such as those we make in temples.Key Points:
- We must not take the temple for granted, even when it is nearby.
- Temple worship deepens our relationship with God.
- Making and keeping temple covenants is a way to focus on Christ.
- How has temple worship brought you closer to Christ?
- What does it mean to you to make and keep temple covenants?
- Can you share a time when you felt the Holy Ghost guiding you in the temple?
Trusting in God's Prophet
Elder Renlund encourages us to trust in God's prophet and act on his counsel. He uses the story of Naaman's healing to illustrate the blessings that come from following the prophet's counsel.
When we trust God’s prophet on the earth today and act on his counsel, we will find happiness, and we too can be healed.
We need to look no further.Key Points:
- Trusting in God's prophet and acting on his counsel brings happiness and healing.
- We do not need to seek counsel from exotic sources, prizing the novelty of the source and thinking such counsel will be more enlightened than that which we can receive from a humble prophet of God.
- How has following the prophet's counsel brought blessings into your life?
- Can you share a time when you trusted in God's prophet and saw positive results?
- What does it mean to you to look no further than God's prophet for counsel?
