Membership in the Kingdom: Study Guide 6 (1985)

Come unto Christ

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esus C hrist is the central figure in our Heavenly Father's plan for us.

1. Under the direction of the Father, C hrist is the C reator of the heavens and the earth and all things in them.

2. He is our Redeemer and Savior.

3. He is our Exemplar.

4. He will be our Judge. He will judge us according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

Additional Study What was the ro le of C hrist in the creat ion of the earth? (J ohn 1:1-3, 10; Hebrews 1:1-2 ; Helaman 14: 12) In what ways is C hrist the Redeemer ? (Matthew 26:28; 1 John 2:2; Helaman 14:15-19 ) Christ is our example. (John 13:15; Hebrews 4:15; 2 Nephi 3 1: 16 ) On what basis will we be judged ? (J ohn 5:27; Alma 12:12-15 ; Alma 3.3:22)

Additional Scriptures John 14:6; Romans 5:10; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthi ans 15 :3, 20-22; Ephes ians 3:9; 3 Nephi 12:48; 3 Nephi 27:14

The Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ

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he C hurch of Jesus C hri st is orga nized to help in bringing sa lvatio n to a ll of our Father's chi ldren. The miss ion of the C hurch in this great work is threefo ld : 1. The "perfecting of the saints" (Ephes ians 4: ll - 12).

Through the C hurch, tho e who have come unto C hrist th roug h baptism. Rece ive the continued guidance of modern-day prophets. · Learn the true doctrines of C hri t. ·Receive encou rage ment and support in living Christlike li ves. · Enjoy the fell owship f the othe r member . · Rece ive the grea t bless ings that come through the ordinances of the gospel. · Receive many opportunities to serve others and to bring bless ings into the ir li ve .

Because the C hurch has no paid ministry, the members are given ca llings and ass ignments to serve in the kingdom. They have the opportunity to give of their time and effort to help others and thus to grow in their love for others and for God. In this way the y receive rich blessings and make great progress in becoming more like our Father in Heave n .

2. The proclaiming of the gospel to those who have not accepted it. The members of the C hurch are as ked to share the go pe l with others, especiall y with their friends and rel atives. Through the ir example and caring friendship , friends can see the joy the gospel brings into their li ves and become ready to accept an invitation to learn more about the C hurch.

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3. The redeeming of the dead. Those who do not hear the gospe l during this mortal life will rece ive th e chance to accept it in the sp irit world after this life. But the sacred ordinances of sa lvation must be pe rformed for them by those who are still in this life. Through genealog ica l resea rch , members of the C hurch search for the names of those who have not rece ived bapt ism and the other ordin ances. They then perform these ordinances in behalf of the dead in ho ly temples, which are set as ide for these specia l programs.

Additional Study How does the C hurch help the members progress toward salvation ? {Ephesians 4:11-15; Moroni 6:4- 6) Why will those who have received the great blessings of the gospel want to give se rvice to others? (Matthew 25:35-46; 1 John 3: 18; 1 John 4:20- 21; Mos iah 2: 17) Sharing the gospel is an essentia l responsibility of eac h person who has already received it. {Luke 22:32; James 5:20; Mos iah 28: 1-4; Doctrine and Covenants 88:8 1-82) How will those who died without accepting C hrist and the necessary gospe l ordinances receive th e opportunity to fulfill these requirements fo r salvation? (1 Corinthians 15 :29; Hebrews 11::40; 1 Peter 3: 18- 19; 1 Peter 4:6 ; Doctrine and Covenants 124:29- 30; Doctrine and Covenants 128: 15-1 8)

Additional Scriptures Ezekiel 33:2-9; 1 Corinthians 12 :2 7-28 ; Ephesians 2:19-22; Mosiah 18:8-10, 17-22; Alma 1:26-28; Doctrine and Covenants 18: 15- 16

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The Strait and Narrow Path

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hen a per on i bapti zed , he enters the path that leads to perfection and eternal life with our Father in Heaven . Fo llowing this path requires great fa ithfulnes , for the Lord has said that we must "endure to the end." Bur fo llowing the path a lso brings joy, peace, and the a surance that we are living in a way that pleases our Father in Hea ven . By coming un to C hrist through baptism, keeping his co mmandments, and actively serving in the C hurch, we can be worth y to enj oy the constant guidance of the Ho ly Ghost in our li ves.

Additional Study The path that leads to eternal life is "strait and narrow. " (Matthew 7: 13- 14 , 2 1; 2 N ephi 33:9; Mosiah 3: 17) How do we enter the strait and narrow path ?

(2 N ephi 3 1:17-2 1) What are the rewards of "enduring to the end" as we fo llow the stra it and narrow path through obeying G od's commandments? (Mark 13: 13; 1 N ephi 13 :3 7; 2 N ephi 31:16; 3 N ephi 15 :9; 3 Nephi 27: 16)

Additional Scriptures 2 N ephi 9:24; Alma 38:2 ; 3 Nephi 14:13- 14

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What Can You Do?

1. Finish reading the Book of Mormon (if possible, before your baptism).

2. Be baptized on _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ at _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____

3. Read the pamphlet After Baptism What? and review it with the missionaries .

4. Hear lesson 1 of the home teaching lessons for new members.

Appointment

Date: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Time: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sa ints Salt Lake C ity , Utah Copyright Š 1985 by Corporation of the President of The C hurch of Jesus C hrist of Latter-day Sa ints All Rights Reserved Printed in the United States of America

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