Focus on Jesus Christ and His Gospel

Embrace Focus Amidst Distractions

Elder Egbo compares the Nigerian football team's success in the 1996 Olympics to our spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of focusing on Christ amidst worldly distractions.

When we ignore the distractions of the world and focus on Christ and His gospel, we are guaranteed success beyond what we can fully imagine and can feel great joy.

President Russell M. Nelson taught: "When the focus of our lives is on … Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives."

• The Nigerian football team succeeded by ignoring distractions and focusing on their goal.
• Focusing on Christ guarantees unimaginable success and joy.
• President Nelson's teachings on focusing on Christ.

• Reflect on a time when you faced distractions but succeeded by focusing on your goals.
• Consider how focusing on Christ has brought joy into your life despite challenges.
• Think about a situation where worldly distractions were overwhelming and how you overcame them.

Learn from Alma the Younger's Transformation

The story of Alma the Younger illustrates the power of focusing on Jesus Christ to transform lives and experience joy, even amidst trials.

Alma began to suffer "the pains of a damned soul." In his darkest hours, he remembered his father teaching that Christ would come to atone for the sins of the world.

Joy was the result, a joy he described as exquisite!

• Alma the Younger turned his life around by focusing on Christ.
• His joy came from exercising faith and pleading for mercy.
• Continuous efforts to help others brought him great joy.

• Share a personal experience of spiritual transformation through focusing on Christ.
• Discuss a time when you felt joy by helping others come to Christ.
• Reflect on how faith in Christ has supported you through difficult times.

Trust in Christ for Parental Guidance

Elder Egbo encourages parents to trust in Christ and His timing when children stray, emphasizing the role of faith and patience.

Trust Jesus Christ with your child, for He is the strength of every parent and every child.

• Parents should trust in the Lord's timing and continue to pray and fast.
• Christ is the hope and promise of good things to come.
• Mortal angels, like Church leaders, can help guide children back to Christ.

• Recall a time when you saw Christ's influence in your child's life.
• Consider how your faith has helped you cope with challenges in parenting.
• Think about how you have seen others act as "mortal angels" in your life or your child's life.

Find Strength in Trials Through Christ

Elder Egbo highlights how focusing on Christ helps us endure trials, as demonstrated by the people of Helam in the Book of Mormon.

The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

• The people of Helam focused on Christ and found joy despite enslavement.
• Their identity as children of God helped them endure trials.
• The Lord eased their burdens and delivered them from bondage.

• Share a personal experience where focusing on Christ helped you through a difficult trial.
• Reflect on how remembering your divine identity has strengthened you in challenging times.
• Discuss a time when you felt the Lord easing your burdens.

Experience Joy in Christ Even in Loss

Elder Egbo shares a personal story of finding joy in Christ amidst the sorrow of losing his mother, illustrating the eternal perspective of the gospel.

The sorrow of losing my mom has been swallowed up in the joy of Christ!

I will be with her again.

• Christ provides hope and joy even in the face of loss.
• The gospel promises eternal families through priesthood keys.
• Focusing on Christ offers rest and peace.

• Reflect on how the gospel has provided comfort in times of loss.
• Share a personal story of finding joy in Christ during a period of grief.
• Consider how the promise of eternal families has influenced your perspective on life and loss.