Good morning brothers and sister. Today I would like to talk about the October 2021 talk by President Dallin H. Oaks on the Church and the importance of it. And I would like to start by reading a quote from Dallin.H Oaks and it says:
“Attendance and activity in a church help us become better people and better influences on the lives of others. In church we are taught how to apply religious principles. We learn from one another. A persuasive example is more powerful than a sermon. We are strengthened by associating with others of like minds. In church attendance and participation, our hearts are, as the Bible says, “knit together in love.”
And I could not agree more with what he says, brothers and sister. I know and have a testimony that being together with not only like-minded people but also with people who have a faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to help and serve others [will bless us]. Sacrament truly does have a special spirit about it that you can only find in very few other places. And it is not only a desirable place to be it is also a necessary place to be in order to not only gain a stronger testimony of the gospel and of Christ’s church, but it is also the only place where brothers and sister and meet together and renew their covenants with their loving Heavenly Father.
Now that's the main reason we go to church but as we know that's not the end of our Sunday worship. We also worship in attending our second hour of church whether it’s Sunday School, Elders quorum or Relief Society; they are all part of our Sunday worship and are a much-needed way to talk with like-minded individuals about the Lord and his Gospel. Another quote I loved from President Dallin H. Oaks is this one:
“Some say that attending church meetings is not helping them. Some say, “I didn’t learn anything today” or “No one was friendly to me” or “I was offended.” Personal disappointments should never keep us from the doctrine of Christ, who taught us to serve, not to be served. With this in mind, another member described the focus of his Church attendance:
“Years ago, I changed my attitude about going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of others. I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors, … to volunteer for an assignment. …
“In short, I go to church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
I think a lot of us go to sacrament and church meeting for our own spiritual healing or spiritual development, but the way to stay and really grow spiritually and mentally even at church is to serve and help others with their needs not only physical but spiritually especially. Whether you’re helping by being in a calling or just being a friendly member, you can serve your fellow saints in an infinite amount of ways. One scripture that I love is found in the Book of Mormon and its Mosiah 2:17 and it says:
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
This not only testifies of what President Dallin H. Oaks was testifying of, but it testifies that we are not only here for ourselves we are here for any and all people that we can serve. Another example of this is in the Bible when Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. In Luke 22:27 and it says:
“For whither is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”
Can we just kinda think about that for a minute? Jesus is saying here that the better man is the man that serves others. So we can see here that the Bible and Book of Mormon both testify of this, which goes to show just how important [it is], and that we must serve and help other not just outside of the church but especially in church and sacrament.
Now I've talked about why Church is so important. I would also like to talk about why this Church the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is so important.
When I think about this question, I instantly went to gospel topics in the scriptures and what I found was probably the best answer of why this church is so important and it is this:
“It’s certainly true that you can be close to God wherever you are (in fact, it’s a really good idea!), but Heavenly Father has so much more in store for you than generic spirituality. He wants you to become the best you can be. In fact, He wants you to inherit all that He has and gain eternal life. And He has a plan and an organization so you can do that. The plan is the plan of salvation, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the organization— “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth”
Now with that gospel topics gives I think 13 examples as well as that explanation as to why this church is so important and so I would like to invite all of you here and not here to read those reason.
Now before I finish with my testimony, I would like to leave you with a final quote from again President Dallin H. Oaks:
“Despite the good works that can be accomplished without a church, the fulness of doctrine and its saving and exalting ordinances are available only in the restored Church. In addition, Church attendance gives us the strength and enhancement of faith that comes from associating with other believers and worshipping together with those who are also striving to stay on the covenant path and be better disciples of Christ. I pray that we will all be steadfast in these Church experiences as we seek eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God.”
Brothers and sisters, I would just like to bear my testimony.
