Study Guide for "Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life"

In his inspiring talk, "Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life," Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares personal stories and insights that illuminate how we can infuse our daily lives with sacredness and joy. He emphasizes the power of holiness in transforming ordinary experiences into moments of spiritual growth and connection with God. Through relatable anecdotes and profound teachings, Elder Gong invites us to embrace holiness as a guiding principle in our everyday actions and relationships.

Before Reading

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

What does Elder Gong suggest about the relationship between holiness and joy in everyday life?
How does Elder Gong illustrate the concept of "Holiness to the Lord" through personal stories?
What are the seven Cs mentioned by Elder Gong, and how do they relate to holiness?
How does Elder Gong describe the benefits of religious commitment?
What role do temples play in our journey towards holiness, according to Elder Gong?

Topics

Embrace Holiness in Daily Life

Elder Gong emphasizes the importance of integrating holiness into our everyday lives. He explains that holiness sets things apart for sacred purposes and invites us to infuse daily living with the sacred by rejoicing in our daily experiences. Holiness helps us become more like the Lord as we walk with Him.

Ours is a gospel of joy and holiness in everyday life.

Holiness sets things apart for sacred purpose.

To walk with the Lord, we must become holy, for He is holy.

What does it mean to infuse daily living with the sacred?
How does holiness help us become more like the Lord?
How can you incorporate more holiness into your daily routine?
What are some everyday activities that you can transform into sacred experiences?

Find Strength in Religious Commitment

Elder Gong discusses the benefits of religious commitment, highlighting research that shows religious believers are generally happier and healthier. He describes how religious structural stability provides clarity, purpose, and inspiration, helping individuals navigate life's challenges.

Religious believers are on average happier, healthier, and more fulfilled.

What researchers call "religious structural stability" offers clarity, purpose, and inspiration.

What are some benefits of religious commitment mentioned by Elder Gong?
How does religious structural stability help individuals?
In what ways has your religious commitment brought you happiness and fulfillment?
How can you strengthen your religious commitment to enhance your well-being?

Live Covenants with Authenticity

Elder Gong shares stories of individuals who live their covenants authentically, even amidst challenges. He highlights the importance of gospel covenants, sacrifice, and service in our lives, showing how they lead to spiritual growth and stronger testimonies.

Holiness to the Lord in everyday life looks like two faithful young adults, married for a year, sharing with authenticity and vulnerability gospel covenants, sacrifice, and service in their unfolding lives.

What role do gospel covenants play in our spiritual growth?
How can living covenants authentically strengthen our testimonies?
Reflect on a time when you lived a covenant authentically. How did it impact your life?
What steps can you take to live your covenants more authentically each day?

Experience Holiness in the Temple

Elder Gong underscores the significance of temples in our journey towards holiness. He shares experiences of individuals who find healing, peace, and spiritual power in the temple, emphasizing that temples are places where we can draw closer to God and each other.

Holiness to the Lord in everyday life includes coming more often to the Lord in His holy house.

This is a place of super healing.

What are some blessings of attending the temple, according to Elder Gong?
How do temples help us draw closer to God?
How can you make temple attendance a more regular part of your life?
What personal experiences have you had that illustrate the healing power of the temple?

Connect Across the Veil

Elder Gong shares tender stories of individuals who feel connected to loved ones who have passed on. He explains how holiness to the Lord creates connections that transcend mortality, offering comfort and strength to those who seek it.

Holiness to the Lord in everyday life feels like a spark arcing across the veil to connect, comfort, and strengthen.

How does holiness help us connect with loved ones beyond the veil?
What comfort can we find in knowing that connections transcend mortality?
Reflect on a time when you felt connected to a loved one who has passed. How did it strengthen you?
How can you cultivate a sense of connection with those beyond the veil in your daily life?