Study Guide for "Our Heavenly Guidance System"

In his talk "Our Heavenly Guidance System," Elder Sergio R. Vargas of the Seventy shares a deeply personal testimony of how Jesus Christ transformed his life following his baptism at the age of 26. Drawing parallels between the migratory journey of salmon and our spiritual journey back to our Heavenly Father, Elder Vargas emphasizes the importance of relying on Jesus Christ as our guide. He discusses our divine nature and destiny, the necessity of spiritual nourishment, and the role of covenants and the temple in our return to our heavenly home. Through personal stories and scriptural insights, Elder Vargas invites us to center our lives on Christ to navigate the challenges of mortality and find true joy.

Before Reading

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

How does Elder Vargas relate the journey of salmon to our spiritual journey?
What role does the Light of Christ play in guiding us back to our Heavenly Father?
How does Elder Vargas describe our divine nature and destiny?
What are the spiritual practices Elder Vargas emphasizes for nourishment?
How does Elder Vargas describe the importance of covenants and the temple in our lives?

Topics

Recognize the Light of Christ as Our Guide

Elder Vargas uses the analogy of salmon using a magnetic map to return home to illustrate how the Light of Christ guides us back to our Heavenly Father. He emphasizes that focusing on Jesus Christ helps us find our way home, despite the challenges and temptations of life.

We can all return one day to the heavenly home from where we came. And like the salmon, we have our own magnetic map, or Light of Christ, to guide us there.

As we focus our lives on Jesus Christ, we will find our way home, enduring to the end and rejoicing to the end.

What is the "magnetic map" that guides us back to our Heavenly Father?
How does focusing on Jesus Christ help us navigate the challenges of life?
How can you better recognize and follow the Light of Christ in your daily decisions?
Reflect on a time when focusing on Christ helped you overcome a challenge.

Understand Our Divine Nature and Destiny

Elder Vargas reminds us of our divine heritage as children of heavenly parents and our potential to become heirs of eternal life. He recounts the story of Moses, who resisted Satan by remembering his divine nature, and emphasizes that our divine nature entitles us to divine help.

Each [of us] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.

Our divine nature and covenant relationship with God entitle us to receive divine help.

What does it mean to have a divine nature and destiny?
How did Moses resist temptation by remembering his divine nature?
How can you remind yourself of your divine nature in times of temptation?
Write about a time when you felt God's help because of your divine nature.

Nourish Ourselves Spiritually

Elder Vargas stresses the importance of spiritual nourishment through prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, and regular church participation. He shares the story of Ricardo García, whose dedication to the gospel brought happiness to him and those around him.

Just as salmon need to be nourished in the ocean to grow, we also need to nourish ourselves spiritually to avoid dying of spiritual malnutrition.

The gospel is happiness.

Why is spiritual nourishment essential for our growth?
What practices does Elder Vargas suggest for spiritual nourishment?
How can you improve your spiritual nourishment routine?
Reflect on the impact of spiritual nourishment on your happiness and growth.

Make Covenants and Attend the Temple

Elder Vargas explains that covenants and temple attendance are crucial in our journey back to our heavenly home. He shares personal experiences of finding comfort and hope through temple worship and emphasizes that covenants bring us closer to God.

Temples give us a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ as the center of the covenant that leads us to eternal life.

Our covenants bring us closer to God to the point of making the impossible possible.

How do covenants and temple attendance help us return to our heavenly home?
What personal experiences does Elder Vargas share about the temple?
What steps can you take to prioritize temple attendance in your life?
Write about a time when temple worship brought you peace or insight.

Center Our Lives on Jesus Christ

Elder Vargas invites us to center our lives on Jesus Christ to avoid the temptations and distractions of life. He assures us that by doing so, we will be able to endure to the end and find true joy.

I invite all of us today to center our lives on Jesus Christ and His teachings.

We will stand as temples—holy, firm, and constant.

What does it mean to center our lives on Jesus Christ?
How does centering our lives on Christ help us endure to the end?
How can you better center your life on Jesus Christ?
Reflect on the changes you have noticed when you focus your life on Christ.