Membership in the Kingdom: Study Guide 6 (1986)

MEMBERSHIP IN T H E KINGDOM STUDY

GUIDE 6

Come unto Christ Jesus C h r i s t is the central figure i n the p l a n of our Heavenly Father.

1. U n d e r the direction of the Father, C h r i s t is the Creator of the h e a v e n s a n d the earth a n d all things i n t h e m .

2. H e is our R e d e e m e r a n d Savior.

3. H e is our E x e m p l a r .

4. H e w i l l be our Judge. H e w i l l judge u s according to our w o r k s a n d the desires of our hearts.

Additional Study Jesus C h r i s t created the earth: J o h n 1:1-3, 10; H e b r e w s 1:1-2; H e l a m a n 14:12 (p. 401)* C h r i s t is the R e d e e m e r : M a t t h e w 26:28; 1 J o h n 2:2; H e l a m a n 14:15-19 ( p . 401) C h r i s t is o u r e x a m p l e : J o h n 13:15; H e b r e w s 4:15; 2 N e p h i 3 1 : 1 6 ( p . 114) W e w i l l be j u d g e d according to our thoughts, w o r d s , a n d actions: J o h n 5:27; A l m a 12:12-15 (p. 238); A l m a 33:22 ( p . 292)

JESUS

CHRIST

Creator Redeemer and Savior

Judge

* References to the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants are followed by the page number where the passage is found. A l l other references are to the Bible.

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The Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t is organized to help b r i n g salvation to all the c h i l d r e n of our H e a v e n l y Father. T h e mission of the C h u r c h in this great w o r k is threefold:

MISSION OF THE

CHURCH

Perfect the Saints.

Redeem the dead.

Proclaim the gospel. 'v

1 . Perfect the Saints ( E p h e s i a n s 4:11-12). T h r o u g h the C h u r c h , those w h o have come unto C h r i s t through baptism— • Receive the c o n t i n u e d guidance of m o d e r n - d a y prophets.

• L e a r n the true doctrines of C h r i s t .

• Receive encouragement a n d support in l i v i n g C h r i s t l i k e lives.

• E n j o y the f e l l o w s h i p of the other members.

• Receive the great blessings that come t h r o u g h the ordinances of the gospel.

• Receive m a n y opportunities to serve others a n d to b r i n g blessings into their lives.

Because the C h u r c h has no paid m i n i s t r y , the m e m b e r s are g i v e n callings a n d assignments to serve i n the k i n g d o m . T h e y have the o p p o r t u n i t y to give of their time a n d effort to h e l p others. T h e y g r o w i n their love for others a n d for G o d . I n this w a y they receive rich blessings a n d m a k e great progress i n becoming m o r e like our Father i n H e a v e n .

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2. Proclaim f/ic yos/x'/ lo those loho have not accepted it. T h e members of the C h u r c h are asked to share the gospel w i t h others, especially w i t h their f r i e n d s a n d relatives. T h r o u g h their e x a m p l e a n d caring f r i e n d s h i p , friends can see the joy the gospel brings into the lives of m e m b e r s . T h e y c a n become ready to accept a n i n v i t a t i o n to learn more about the C h u r c h .

3. Redeem the dead. M a n y people do not hear the gospel d u r i n g this mortal life. T h e y w i l l receive the chance to accept it i n the spirit w o r l d after this life. But the sacred ordinances of salvation m u s t be performed for them by those w h o are still on the earth. T h r o u g h genealogical research, members of the C h u r c h search for the n a m e s of those w h o have not received baptism a n d the other ordinances.

T h e y then p e r f o r m these ordinances in behalf of the d e a d . T h e y do this i n holy temples, w h i c h are set aside for these special programs.

Additional Study T h e C h u r c h helps the members progress t o w a r d salvation: E p h e s i a n s 4:11-15; M o r o n i 6:4-6 (p. 520) Those w h o receive the great blessings of the gospel w a n t to serve others: M a t t h e w 25:35-46; 1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:20-21; M o s i a h 2:17 (p. 148) S h a r i n g the gospel is a n essential responsibility of each person w h o has already received it: L u k e 22:32; James 5:20; M o s i a h 28:1-4 (p. 202); Doctrine a n d C o v e n a n t s 18:15-16 (p. 29); Doctrine a n d C o v e n a n t s 88:81-82 ( p . 170) Those w h o die w i t h o u t accepting C h r i s t a n d the necessary gospel ordinances receive the opportunity to fulfill these requirements for salvation: 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 15:29; H e b r e w s 11:40; 1 Peter 3:18-19; 1 Peter 4:6; Doctrine a n d C o v e n a n t s 124:29-30 (p. 248); Doctrine a n d C o v e n a n t s 128:15-18 (p. 261); Doctrine a n d C o v e n a n t s 138 (p. 286)

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The Strait and Narrow Path W h e n a person is baptized, he enters the path that leads to perfection a n d eternal life w i t h our Father i n H e a v e n . F o l l o w i n g this path requires great faithfulness, for the L o r d has said that w e m u s t endure to the e n d . But f o l l o w i n g the path also brings joy, peace, a n d the assurance that w e are l i v i n g i n a w a y that pleases o u r Father i n H e a v e n . B y coming unto C h r i s t through baptism, keeping the c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d , a n d actively s e r v i n g i n the C h u r c h , w e can be w o r t h y to enjoy the constant guidance of the H o l y G h o s t i n our lives.

COME UNTO CHRIST THROUGH

BAPTISM

Exercise faith Repent of your sins.

Be baptized.

Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Keep the commandments.

Serve in the Church.

Additional Study T h e path that leads to eternal life is "strait a n d n a r r o w " : M a t t h e w 7:13-14, 2 1 ; 2 N e p h i 33:9 (p. 116); M o s i a h 3:17 (p. 153) W e enter the strait a n d n a r r o w path by being baptized: 2 N e p h i 31:17-21 ( p . 114) The Lord will endure to the of G o d : M a r k 2 N e p h i 31:16 3 N e p h i 27:16

give eternal life to those w h o end i n obeying the c o m m a n d m e n t s 13:13; 1 N e p h i 13:37 ( p . 26); ( p . 114); 3 N e p h i 15:9 ( p . 437); (p. 459)

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What Can You Do to Prepare for Activity in the Church?

1. F i n i s h reading the Book of M o r m o n (if possible, before y o u r baptism).

2. Be baptized on at 3. H e a r lesson 1 of the home teaching lessons for n e w members.

Appointment: Date: Time:

Š 1986 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. A l l rights reserved Printed i n the United States of America

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