Study Guide for "Choose Jesus Christ as Your Guide"

In this Easter message, Elder Edward B. Rowe teaches that Jesus Christ is the perfect, personal guide for every person navigating mortality. Using a vivid experience from a war-torn border region filled with land mines, he compares the need to follow an experienced guide with our need to follow the Savior through the dangers of spiritual life. He emphasizes that Christ invites all to come unto Him, leads us along the covenant path, strengthens and changes us as we walk with Him, and heals us when we are wounded by sin or weakness. This talk invites readers to trust the resurrected Christ more deeply, follow Him more intentionally, and return to Him confidently for mercy and healing.

Before Reading

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

What does it mean to let Jesus Christ be my guide rather than only believing in Him generally?
What spiritual "land mines" in life make the Savior’s guidance essential?
How does the covenant path help me stay close to Jesus Christ?
In what ways is the Savior’s invitation both universal and deeply personal?
How does Jesus Christ heal imperfect followers who stray, sin, or feel inadequate?
What practices help me walk more closely in the Savior’s footsteps each day?
What does Easter teach me about trusting the living, resurrected Christ?

Topics

Follow a trusted guide through danger

Elder Rowe begins with a personal experience from his work in a former war zone where hidden land mines made travel dangerous. He was instructed to follow his guide, Winta, exactly and literally walk in his footsteps. As he did so, his fear gave way to confidence, trust, and gratitude. This experience becomes a pattern for understanding our need to follow Jesus Christ carefully in a spiritually dangerous world.

Carefully follow your guide. Winta knows this border area from personal experience.

Walk in his footsteps a few paces behind him. Where he goes, you go. Where he steps, you step.

I was literally to follow in Winta’s footsteps.

The more we walked together and I remained safe, the more my confidence grew.

As I followed in his footsteps, walking with my guide, I developed great trust and gratitude for him.

Why was Elder Rowe’s guide essential in the border region?
What instructions was Elder Rowe given about how closely to follow Winta?
How did Elder Rowe’s feelings change as he continued to follow his guide safely?
How does this experience prepare the main message of the talk about Jesus Christ?
What dangers in my life resemble hidden spiritual land mines?
When have I been protected by following inspired guidance even without fully understanding why?
What would it look like for me to walk more deliberately in the Savior’s footsteps?
How has trust in the Lord grown as I have followed Him over time?

Choose Jesus Christ as your perfect guide

Elder Rowe teaches that just as he needed Winta, all of us need Jesus Christ to guide us through life. The Savior’s invitation is steady and clear: come, follow, walk with, and return unto Him. Christ is the perfect guide because He was completely obedient to the Father and set the example for us. As we strive to follow Him, He strengthens and protects us from Satan’s spiritual traps.

I’ve learned, more importantly, that I need Jesus Christ to be my guide through life’s journey amid its spiritual land mines. All of us do.

Christ’s invitation is constant and consistent: "Come, follow me." "Walk with me." "Return unto me."

Jesus Christ denieth none! No one need walk alone!

I have set an example for you.

That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do.

As we strive to follow His perfect example, He will strengthen us and protect us from Satan’s spiritual land mines.

Why does Elder Rowe say all of us need Jesus Christ as our guide?
What invitations from Christ does Elder Rowe highlight?
What makes Jesus Christ a perfect guide?
What blessings come as we strive to follow the Savior’s example?
How can I respond more fully to the Savior’s invitation to "Come, follow me"?
Where in my life do I most need the Lord’s guidance right now?
What spiritual dangers do I need the Savior’s protection from?
How can I remember that I do not need to walk alone?

Receive the Savior’s personal invitation

The talk emphasizes that Christ’s invitation is extended to all people, but it is also deeply individual. The Savior did not suffer only for humanity in general; He suffered for each person personally. Because He knows each of us perfectly, He can guide us according to our unique strengths, weaknesses, and life circumstances. This doctrine makes discipleship intimate and hopeful.

His invitation is to all—whoever we are, wherever we are.

For "he inviteth ... all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him."

While the Savior’s Atonement is infinite, His invitation is individual.

He invites you and me to accept Him as our personal guide.

He suffered not just for humanity—He suffered for each of us individually.

Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities.

In short, He knows you personally and thus how to guide you based on your distinct strengths, weaknesses, and circumstances.

How does Elder Rowe show that Christ’s invitation is both universal and individual?
What does it mean that the Savior suffered for each of us individually?
Why does the Savior’s personal knowledge of us matter in the way He guides us?
How does this teaching deepen our understanding of the Atonement?
How have I felt that Jesus Christ knows me personally?
What personal weakness or burden do I need to bring to the Savior more intentionally?
How does knowing that Christ suffered for me individually affect my faith and repentance?
What experiences have helped me feel included in the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him?

Walk with Christ on the covenant path

Elder Rowe teaches that although each person’s life path is unique, it must be within the covenant path, which is Christ’s path. We enter and remain on that path through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and making sacred covenants. Walking in His footsteps includes being in holy places and engaging in sacred practices such as temple worship, the sacrament, prayer, scripture study, and ministering. These practices deepen our relationship with the Savior and Heavenly Father.

Though our paths in life are unique, each is to be within the covenant path. For that is Christ’s path.

We enter that path and connect ourselves to Jesus Christ as our guide through exercising faith in Him, repenting, and making sacred promises, or covenants, with Him.

We follow in His footsteps within the covenant path by being in holy places, like the temple, and by having sacred experiences through partaking of the sacrament, praying, studying the scriptures, and ministering to others.

The more time we spend with our guide in this way—and strive to follow His example—the more we will develop a deep bond and special relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father.

What does Elder Rowe teach about the relationship between our individual paths and the covenant path?
How do we enter and connect ourselves to Christ on the covenant path?
What specific practices does Elder Rowe identify as helping us follow in the Savior’s footsteps?
How do these covenant practices affect our relationship with God?
Which covenant practices are helping me feel closest to the Savior right now?
How can I be more intentional in temple worship, sacrament worship, prayer, scripture study, or ministering?
What does staying on the covenant path look like in my current season of life?
How have holy places and sacred experiences helped me feel guided by Jesus Christ?

Let the Savior change your heart

As disciples spend time with Christ and follow Him, they receive more than direction. Elder Rowe teaches that they feel His love, gain strength, trust Him more, and experience a change in their very nature. This transformation brings greater joy and deeper love and gratitude for the Savior. Following Christ is therefore not merely behavioral; it is deeply transformative.

We will feel the Savior’s love, be blessed with His strength, and have greater trust in Him.

Even our very natures will change to become more like Him.

We will feel more joy.

And our love and gratitude for Him will grow.

What blessings does Elder Rowe say come from spending time with the Savior and following Him?
How does Elder Rowe describe the change that occurs in faithful disciples?
Why is becoming more like Christ more than simply outward obedience?
What emotions and spiritual qualities increase as we walk with Christ?
How have I felt the Savior’s love and strength recently?
In what ways is the Lord changing my nature to become more like Him?
What evidence do I see that my trust in Christ is growing?
How can I better record moments of joy, gratitude, and spiritual change in my life?

Return to Christ and receive healing

Elder Rowe acknowledges that while Christ is a perfect guide, we are imperfect followers. Because all have sinned, Heavenly Father provided a Savior. Through the Atonement, Jesus Christ has power not only to guide but also to heal completely those who have been spiritually injured. Elder Rowe bears personal witness that through faith and repentance with real intent, he has experienced the Savior’s redeeming and healing power, and he promises that others can too.

While the Savior is our perfect guide, we are imperfect followers.

Indeed, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Our loving Heavenly Father knew this would be so. He therefore provided a Savior for us.

Because Christ answered the ends of the law through His Atonement, the Father gave Him all power to heal us completely when we walk imperfectly.

When injured by spiritual land mines, I have experienced Christ’s redeeming and healing power by exercising faith in Him and repenting with real intent.

I have been spiritually healed by Jesus Christ. I promise you can be too!

What contrast does Elder Rowe make between the Savior and us as followers?
Why was a Savior necessary according to Elder Rowe?
What gives Jesus Christ power to heal us completely?
What did Elder Rowe say is required to experience the Savior’s healing power?
What spiritual wounds in my life need the Savior’s healing?
How can I exercise faith in Christ and repent with greater real intent?
When have I experienced the Lord’s redeeming or healing power?
What keeps me from returning to Christ quickly when I have stumbled?

Accept the Savior’s mercy now

The talk includes a direct invitation to return to the Savior immediately. Christ’s arm of mercy is extended, and He will receive all who come to Him. Elder Rowe testifies that no matter how injured, imperfect, or inadequate a person feels, the Savior loves them and invites them to take His hand. The message is urgent, hopeful, and full of compassion.

Please accept His invitation: "Will [you] not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?"

[My] arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive.

No matter how injured you are or how imperfect and inadequate you feel at following Him, He loves you.

His merciful hand is extended to you even now. Please take it!

What invitation from the Savior does Elder Rowe emphasize in this part of the talk?
What does the phrase "arm of mercy is extended" teach about the character of Christ?
How does Elder Rowe address feelings of inadequacy or spiritual injury?
What does the Savior promise to those who come to Him?
What would it mean for me to return to the Savior "now" rather than later?
Are there any sins, habits, or burdens I need to bring to the Lord immediately?
How can I act in faith to accept the Savior’s mercy today?
What truths from this talk help me resist discouragement or hopelessness?

Testify that the resurrected Christ is the way

In his Easter conclusion, Elder Rowe invites everyone to accept Christ as their guide and to return to Him for healing when they struggle or stray. He affirms the witness of President Dallin H. Oaks that Jesus Christ is the way and bears testimony that Christ lives as Savior, Redeemer, and the resurrected Lord. The talk closes as a clear Easter witness centered on the living Christ.

This Easter morning, may we all accept Christ’s invitation to be our guide and walk with Him.

And when we struggle or stray, let us return unto Him that He may heal us—that He may heal you.

Jesus Christ is the way!

He lives! He is our Savior and Redeemer, the resurrected Christ, whom I love.

What final invitations does Elder Rowe give in his conclusion?
How does the Easter setting strengthen the message of the talk?
What testimony does Elder Rowe bear about Jesus Christ at the end?
What does it mean to say that Jesus Christ is the way?
How can I make Easter—or my worship generally—more centered on the living Christ?
What does my life show about whether I truly believe Jesus Christ is the way?
How can I strengthen my testimony of the resurrected Savior?
What is one specific way I will choose Jesus Christ as my guide this week?