Joy Through Covenant Discipleship
John A. McCune, of the Seventy
Elder McCune teaches that joy and eternal perspective come through covenant discipleship with Jesus Christ.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Embrace the Light of Discipleship
Elder McCune shares the story of Uyanga Altansukh, who was drawn to the Church by the light she saw in a mission president. Her journey along the covenant path illustrates the transformative power of discipleship.
I wanted my children to be like this man with a light in their countenance, spreading joy to others around them.
With this joy, I could tell that my faith and testimony were growing.Key Points:
- The light of Christ can be seen in His disciples.
- Discipleship begins with a desire to follow the example of Christ-like individuals.
- Joining the Church and participating in its teachings can bring joy and growth in faith.
- Reflect on a time when you felt drawn to someone's light and kindness.
- Consider how your own discipleship has influenced those around you.
- Think about how your journey in the Church has brought joy to your life.
Understand the Nature of God and His Love
Elder McCune discusses the attributes of God the Father and Jesus Christ, emphasizing their perfect love, mercy, and justice. He explains how these attributes are reflected in the covenant relationship we have with Them.
The attributes of God the Father transcend any less-than-perfect attributes of a fallen man.
Just like our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is perfectly merciful and just.Key Points:
- God's love is perfect and transcends human understanding.
- Jesus Christ embodies the perfect attributes of the Father.
- Through Christ, we are given the power to overcome our natural tendencies.
- Share an experience where you felt God's love in your life.
- Discuss a time when understanding Christ's attributes helped you in your discipleship.
- Consider how making covenants has deepened your understanding of God's love.
Experience Joy Through Covenant Keeping
Elder McCune explains that making and keeping sacred covenants with God brings spiritual power and joy. This joy is a gift reserved for those who are true covenant disciples.
As disciples, when we make and keep sacred covenants, we are blessed with spiritual power.
Our ability to sense a full measure of God’s love, or to continue in His love, is contingent upon our righteous desires and actions.Key Points:
- Covenants connect us to God and Jesus Christ in a special relationship.
- Keeping commandments allows us to abide in God's love.
- Joy is a natural result of covenant discipleship.
- Reflect on how keeping a specific covenant has brought joy to your life.
- Share an instance when you felt empowered by your covenant relationship with God.
- Consider how abiding in Christ's love has influenced your daily actions.
Gain Eternal Perspective in Trials
Elder McCune shares examples of individuals who have found joy despite trials, emphasizing that an eternal perspective through Christ allows us to experience joy even in difficult times.
Joy and eternal perspective come through being bound to the Savior by making and keeping covenants and through Christlike discipleship.
He knows he will be with his daughter again and will spend an eternity with her.Key Points:
- Eternal perspective helps us find joy amidst trials.
- The knowledge of Christ's victory over death brings comfort and joy.
- Covenant discipleship enhances our ability to maintain joy in adversity.
- Think of a trial where your faith in Christ gave you comfort.
- Share how an eternal perspective has helped you in a difficult situation.
- Discuss a time when you felt joy despite facing challenges.
Participate in the Gathering of Israel
Elder McCune encourages members to engage in the gathering of Israel by sharing the joy and love they feel from their covenantal relationships with others.
As we make and keep covenants, we will naturally turn outward and have a desire to help others feel the measure of joy and love we feel in our covenantal relationships.
We can be part of the greatest cause on the earth today—the gathering of Israel.Key Points:
- Covenant discipleship inspires us to share the gospel with others.
- Participating in the gathering of Israel is a way to bring joy to others.
- Our joy is enhanced as we help others come unto Christ.
- Reflect on a time when you shared the gospel with someone.
- Consider how participating in the gathering of Israel has brought you joy.
- Share an experience where you felt joy in helping someone come closer to Christ.
