Forsake Not Your Own Mercy
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Understand the Purpose of the Fall
Elder Holland discusses the necessity of the Fall and its implications for our mortal experience. He emphasizes that understanding this doctrine helps us navigate life's challenges with patience and empathy.
Having a doctrinal understanding and spiritual witness of why every single one of us struggles with moral, physical, and situational challenges is a great blessing.
A testimony of the Fall does not excuse sin or a lax approach in life’s duties, which always call for diligence, virtue, and accountability.Key Points:
- The Fall is essential to experiencing joy.
- Understanding the Fall helps temper frustrations with life's challenges.
- A testimony of the Fall encourages patience and kindness.
- Reflect on a time when understanding the purpose of the Fall helped you cope with a difficult situation.
- Share an experience where you felt empathy towards someone struggling because of your understanding of the Fall.
- Consider how the knowledge of the Fall has influenced your view on repentance and mercy.
Embrace Divine Mercy Through Christ
Elder Holland highlights the mercy available through Jesus Christ, urging us to seek His help and healing. He uses Jonah's story to illustrate the Savior's power to deliver us from our sins and struggles.
You have immediate access to divine help and healing despite your human flaws.
This awe-inspiring mercy comes in and through Jesus Christ.Key Points:
- Divine mercy is perfectly suited to our individual needs.
- Christ's Atonement provides healing and relief from personal struggles.
- Turning to Christ brings hope, healing, and joy.
- Recall a moment when you felt the Savior's mercy in your life.
- Share how turning to Christ has helped you overcome a personal challenge.
- Think about a time when you witnessed someone else experience divine mercy.
Learn from Jonah's Story
Elder Holland uses Jonah's story as a symbol of Christ's Atonement and a lesson in repentance and mercy. He encourages us to learn from Jonah's mistakes and his eventual acceptance of God's will.
Jonah’s self-sacrifice to save his shipmates is Christlike indeed.
Jonah provides a vivid testimony that in mortality, "all are fallen."Key Points:
- Jonah's story is a symbol of Christ's death and resurrection.
- Jonah's journey teaches the importance of repentance and accepting God's will.
- Despite his flaws, Jonah's story directs us to Christ's Atonement.
- Reflect on a time when you had to change direction in your life like Jonah.
- Share an experience where you learned from a mistake and turned back to God.
- Consider how you have seen the story of Jonah reflected in your own life.
Forsake Not Your Own Mercy
Elder Holland urges us not to forsake the mercy available to us through Christ. He warns against the "lying vanities" that lead us away from spiritual responsibilities and emphasizes the importance of clinging to covenants.
Forsake not your own mercy.
Start by refusing to listen to the "lying vanities" of the adversary.Key Points:
- Do not turn away from the divine mercy available to you.
- Avoid the temptations that lead you away from your spiritual path.
- Cling to covenants and turn to the temple for strength.
- Think of a time when you had to choose between spiritual responsibilities and worldly distractions.
- Share how keeping your covenants has brought you closer to Christ.
- Reflect on how you have resisted "lying vanities" in your life.
Find Joy in Christ Amidst Trials
Elder Holland testifies that focusing on Christ and His gospel brings joy, even during trials. He shares that joy comes from understanding God's plan and the Savior's role in our lives.
Joy comes from and because of Him.
When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.Key Points:
- Joy is found in Christ, regardless of external circumstances.
- Understanding God's plan brings peace and happiness.
- Focusing on the Savior helps us find joy amidst trials.
- Share an experience where you found joy in Christ during a difficult time.
- Reflect on how understanding God's plan has brought you peace.
- Think about a time when focusing on the Savior helped you overcome a challenge.
