This is my fourth General Conference that I have taken the time to study afterwards. I am a little embarrassed to admit that – I have always loved General Conference – but really taking the effort to dive into the talks in the six months inbetween Conference was not something I used to do. BUT it has become an incredible blessing in my life. There are so many amazing talks (and it is so hard to pick!), but I am hoping to share a talk from conference that really impacted me each month.
For November, I wanted to share President Dallin H. Oak’s talk, “The Need for a Church“. I really appreciated this talk. I know President Oaks is not a lot of peoples “favorite” – but I love him! I am sure it is in big part due to his professional background, but he just speaks with such clarity and he doesn’t shy away from the “tricky” subjects. I love how he takes things that are made to be so murky and speaks clear truth.
This conference, he spoke of Church attendance and worship. These are subjects that needs some clarity! I was one of those that really enjoyed doing church at home during the pandemic. I loved teaching my kids how to lead the music, listening to their sweet prayers and talks, and the gospel discussion that was able to happen even more! And there was something so special about the sacrament being given in our home. I loved it.
When I first heard this talk, my first reaction was, that was good but I didn’t really need it. We are active on Sundays and in our callings. We are doing all the things! But, through more study, I realized that YES, I did need this, too!
Too often I think I have attended church because it was where I knew I was supposed to be. But there is SO much more than that. President Oaks helps us see that through our church attendance our hearts are “knit together in love”, it helps us overcome our “me” attitude and work together for the benefit of others, and, ultimately, helps us grow spiritually. Jesus Christ organized a church so that we can carry on His work and it is only through a church with the priesthood that we can obtain the ordinances necessary to return to our Father in Heaven.
I also really appreciated President Oaks’ remarks about how too often we go to Church so that we can GET something out of it. And we need to change that perspective. And instead of gauging church by what we GOT, we should focus on what we GAVE. Church attendance is about worshipping the Lord and serving one another. We use the word “active” so frequently in the church and it immediately implies someone that is where they should be – going to church every week. However, the word “active” is not passive, we should be engaged in the work and service of others and our God.
I loved this talk. Yes, I will continue in my weekly worship at Church and in my service in my calling. But I also hope that I can really dive deeper into the question, “why do I go to Church?”.
Here are my highlights from President Oaks’ talk:
“My message concerns such good and religious-minded people who have stopped attending or participating in their churches. If we cease valuing our churches for any reason, we threaten our personal spiritual life, and significant numbers separating themselves from God reduce His blessings to our nations.
Attendance and activity in a church helps 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. 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.”
The scriptures…clearly teach the need for a church. Jesus Christ organized a church and contemplated that a church would carry on His work after Him.
Personal disappointments should never keep us from the doctrine of Christ, who taught us to serve, not to be served.
Church attendance can open our hearts and sanctify our souls.
In service we find heaven-sent opportunities to rise above the individualism of our age. Church-directed service helps us overcome the personal selfishness that can retard our spiritual growth.
In church we associate with wonderful people striving to serve God. Without those associations…research shows increasing difficulty for parents to raise children in their faith.
We…affirm that the scriptures…clearly teach the origin and need for a church directed by and with the authority of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We also testify that the restored Church of Jesus Christ has been established to teach the fulness of His doctrine and to officiate with His priesthood authority to perform the ordinances necessary to enter the kingdom of God.
Another great advantage of the restored Church is that it helps us grow spiritually. Growth means change. In spiritual terms this means repenting and seeking to draw nearer to the Lord. In the restored Church we have doctrine, procedures, and inspired helpers that assist us to repent.
Individual spirituality can seldom provide the motivation and structure for unselfish service provided by the restored Church.
Our members’ religious faith and Church service have taught them how to work in cooperative efforts to benefit the larger community.
In addition to helping us learn spiritual qualities like love, compassion, forgiveness, and patience, [cooperative efforts] give us the opportunity to learn how to work with persons of very different backgrounds and preferences.
Most humanitarian and charitable efforts need to be accomplished by pooling and managing individual resources on a large scale.
In addition to feeling peace and joy through the companionship of the Spirit, our Church-attending members enjoy the fruits of gospel living.
Crowning all of this are the authoritative priesthood ordinances necessary for eternity, including the sacrament we receive each Sabbath day.
One of [the] laws is to worship in church each Sabbath day. Our worship and application of eternal principles draw us closer to God and magnify our capacity to love.
I remind all that we do not believe that good can be accomplished only through a church.
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. Church attendance gives us the strength and enhancement of faith that come 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.”
FULL text and video of President Oaks’ talk can be found HERE.
Other messages from the October 2021 General Conference that I have found particularly impactful:
- The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation by President Russell M. Nelson
- The Savior’s Abiding Compassion by Elder Ulisses Soares
- The Greatest Possession by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
- Invite Christ to Author Your Story by Sister Camille N. Johnson
- Daily Restoration by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
