Lesson Prepration Guide for "“This Is My Gospel”

In his General Conference talk, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles draws a powerful analogy between the transformative power of dynamite and the combination of the gospel of Jesus Christ with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He explains how the gospel, while perfect, requires a divinely commissioned church to maintain its purity and administer its ordinances. Elder Renlund emphasizes the Church's role in helping us access God's power and transform our lives through covenants and ordinances.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by sharing a personal experience where a combination of two elements led to a powerful outcome, drawing a parallel to Elder Renlund's analogy of dynamite.
Ask class members to think of something in their lives that was transformed by a powerful combination, similar to how the gospel and church work together.
Start with a brief discussion on the invention of dynamite and how it changed the world, setting the stage for Elder Renlund's metaphor.
Invite someone to read the story of Oskar and Albertina Andersson and discuss how their lives were transformed by the gospel and the church.
Show a picture of dynamite and ask the class what they know about its components, leading into the talk's analogy.

Topics

Discover the Power of Gospel and Church Combination

Elder Renlund compared the combination of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church to dynamite, which is powerful and transformative. The gospel is perfect, but the Church is necessary to maintain its purity and administer ordinances.

The combination of the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides powerful and transformative benefits for us.

How does the combination of the gospel and the Church empower us in our daily lives?
What are some examples of how the Church helps maintain the purity of the gospel?
In what ways can we ensure that we are benefiting from the full power of this combination?
How can we share the transformative power of the gospel and the Church with others?
What are some personal experiences where you felt the power of the gospel and Church working together?

Understand the Church's Role in God's Plan

The Church is integral to God's plan, providing the structure to preach the gospel, administer ordinances, and maintain the authority of God. It is through the Church that we can access God's power and be transformed.

The Church is the instrument through which we learn the central role of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan.

Why is the Church essential in God's plan for His children?
How does the Church help us understand the role of Jesus Christ?
What ordinances and covenants are vital for our spiritual progression?
How can we better support the Church in fulfilling its divine role?
In what ways have you seen the Church help others access God's power?

Embrace the Transformative Power of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ has the power to forgive, transform, and perfect us. His Church provides the means to access this power through ordinances and covenants. The Savior's love and sacrifice make this transformation possible.

The Savior yearns to forgive our sins, help us access His power, and transform us.

How can we better access the transformative power of Jesus Christ in our lives?
What role do ordinances and covenants play in this transformation?
How does understanding Christ's love and sacrifice change our perspective on repentance?
What are some ways we can show gratitude for the Savior's transformative power?
How can we help others understand and embrace this power?

Learn from the Conversion of Oskar and Albertina

The story of Oskar and Albertina Andersson illustrates the transformative power of the gospel and the Church. Their conversion led them to make covenants and ultimately emigrate to receive temple blessings.

Over the years, as they kept their baptismal covenant, Oskar and Albertina were transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.

What can we learn from Oskar and Albertina's conversion story?
How did their commitment to the gospel and Church change their lives?
What sacrifices are we willing to make to receive temple blessings?
How can we maintain our faith when facing criticism or challenges?
In what ways can we share our testimony with others like Albertina?

Commit More Fully to the Savior and His Church

Elder Renlund invited us to commit more fully to the Savior, His gospel, and His Church. Doing so will bring transformative power into our lives, greater than dynamite, and fill us with unspeakable joy.

I invite you to commit yourself more fully to the Savior, His gospel, and His Church.

What does it mean to commit more fully to the Savior and His Church?
How can we evaluate our current level of commitment?
What steps can we take to increase our commitment?
How have you seen increased commitment lead to greater joy and power in your life?
What role does the Church play in helping us stay committed to the Savior?

Additional Discussion Questions

How can the analogy of dynamite help us understand the relationship between the gospel and the Church?
In what ways does the Church help us maintain the purity of the gospel?
How does the Church provide the structure necessary for God's plan?
What are the dangers of separating the gospel from the Church?
How does the Church help us access the Savior's power?
What role do repentance and faith play in our relationship with the Church?
How can we help others see the value of the Church in their lives?
What are some ways the Church has transformed your life?
How does the Church help us keep our covenants with God?
How can we better support the missionaries in sharing the gospel?