“Lesson 11 Class Preparation Material: Enjoying the Blessings of the Lord’s Church,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material (2023)
“Lesson 11 Class Preparation Material,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material
Lesson 11 Class Preparation Material
Enjoying the Blessings of the Lord’s Church
At a time when church attendance among various denominations is declining in many places around the world, it may be especially important to seek a deeper understanding of why Jesus Christ established a church during His mortal ministry and then restored it in the latter days. As you study, think how the Lord’s restored Church has brought or could bring your life added purpose, strength, and joy.
Section 1
What unique blessings can be obtained only through membership in the Lord’s Church?
The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s Church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ chose twelve men and ordained them to be His Apostles. He gave them the authority and keys of the priesthood so they could lead His Church, teach His gospel, testify of His reality, and act in His name (see Matthew 10:1, 7–8; 16:19; Acts 1:21–22; Doctrine and Covenants 107:23). You could watch “Jesus Calls Twelve Apostles to Preach and Bless Others” (1:30) to learn more.
After Jesus Christ was resurrected, He continued to lead His Church through His Apostles, who held the priesthood keys to direct the work of salvation. However, many opposed His called servants, and Church members began to fall into error. After the deaths of the Apostles, “men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in Church organization and priesthood ordinances. Because of this widespread apostasy, the Lord withdrew the authority of the priesthood from the earth” (Gospel Topics, “Apostasy,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). This is known as the Great Apostasy.
This state of apostasy continued until Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 (see Joseph Smith—History 1:16–20). A few years after this appearance, Jesus Christ sent heavenly messengers to Joseph Smith, who bestowed on him priesthood authority and keys (see Joseph Smith—History 1:68–72; Doctrine and Covenants 110:11–16; 128:19–21). Through this divine authority, Jesus Christ called new Apostles and reestablished His Church on the earth (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:30).
Today the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hold all the authority and priesthood keys necessary to direct the Lord’s Church. This is especially significant to each of us who wants to be better and come closer to Christ.
Speaking of the importance of church attendance for all “religious-minded people,” President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency observed, “Attendance and activity in a church help us become better people and better influences on the lives of others” (“The Need for a Church,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 24). He then said:
We, of course, affirm that the scriptures, ancient and modern, 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 [see John 3:5]. Members who forgo Church attendance and rely only on individual spirituality separate themselves from these gospel essentials: the power and blessings of the priesthood, the fulness of restored doctrine, and the motivations and opportunities to apply that doctrine. They forfeit their opportunity to qualify to perpetuate their family for eternity. (“The Need for a Church,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 25)
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also taught:
If the power of the priesthood were not upon the earth, the adversary would have freedom to roam and reign without restraint. There would be no gift of the Holy Ghost to direct and enlighten us; no prophets to speak in the name of the Lord; no temples where we could make sacred, eternal covenants; no authority to bless or baptize, to heal or comfort. (“Blessings of the Priesthood,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 32)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
How would you explain to someone not of our faith the unique blessings available to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Section 2
How can actively participating in the Church bless me and others?
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught this about the blessings of Church participation:
It is important to recognize that God’s ultimate purpose is our progress. … That requires more than simply being nice or feeling spiritual. It requires faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism of water and of the Spirit, and enduring in faith to the end. One cannot fully achieve this in isolation, so a major reason the Lord has a church is to create a community of Saints that will sustain one another in the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” [2 Nephi 31:18]. (“Why the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 108)
The Apostle Paul taught how being part of a community of Saints strengthens us and can draw us closer to Jesus Christ.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Ephesians 4:11–14, and consider marking the different ways participation in the Lord’s Church can bless your life.
Elder Christofferson also explained that experiences with other members of the Church provide us necessary opportunities to apply the Lord’s gospel:
As the body of Christ, the members of the Church minister to one another in the reality of day-to-day life. All of us are imperfect; we may offend and be offended. We often test one another with our personal idiosyncrasies. In the body of Christ, we have to go beyond concepts and exalted words and have a real “hands-on” experience as we learn to “live together in love” [Doctrine and Covenants 42:45]. (“Why the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 108)
Record Your Thoughts
We can gain “hands-on” experience in building the Lord’s kingdom through Church callings, ministering assignments, serving others, or learning to get along with those who are different from us. Think about the “hands-on” experiences you have had or are having in your ward or branch. Select one experience and write how it has helped you to apply the teachings of the gospel and become more like Jesus Christ. If you are not attending church, consider recording how you and those in your ward or branch could be blessed if you started attending church.
Section 3
What can I do to help my ward or branch become a more welcoming place for all people?
Think about how it feels to be treated warmly and genuinely when attending church. When have you helped someone in your ward or branch feel that way?
Study in Preparation for Class
Moroni taught the importance of fellowship in the Church. Read Moroni 6:4–5, and consider how you can help create a feeling of belonging in your ward or branch.
Consider the following example of fellowshipping shared by Sister Carole M. Stephens, former counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency:
[Maria] has many friends who are less active or who have not yet heard the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Each day she exercises her faith and prays to know who needs her help, and then she acts on the prompting she receives. She makes phone calls, expresses her love, and tells her friends, “We need you.” She has family home evening in her apartment every week and invites neighbors, members, and missionaries to come—and she feeds them. She invites them to come to church, watches for them, and sits by them when they arrive. (“We Have Great Reason to Rejoice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 116)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
Who in your ward or branch could you bless by reaching out? What will you do to help them feel the love of the Savior when they attend church? Consider watching “Inviting Others to ‘Come and Stay’” (1:39) for examples of how to fellowship.