Asia Area Leader Message (August 2021)

Building Our Foundation on Christ

When we emulate Jesus Christ with actions of love and service, God bestows blessings upon us.  Exercising faith in Jesus Christ is love in action. This is the essence of a joyful life.

Elder John Gutty
Elder John Gutty of the Seventy

The prophet Helaman testified, “…it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation… a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall.”  [i]

 

Our Heavenly Father and His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, are our true source of happiness and joy.  Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father.  His teachings and His atoning sacrifice make it possible for any individual to be saved. Our first step toward salvation is faith in Him. 

 

Knowing Jesus Christ, however, is a lifetime pursuit.  Trusting God and moving forward in life, despite all the challenges we face, is the hallmark of a faithful disciple. As we strive to obey Christ’s teachings and keep the commandments of God, we eventually shape our thoughts, actions, and souls to become Christlike. 

 

At baptism, we covenanted with the Lord. Each week, we covenant through the sacrament to always remember Him.  This is important, so we may always have His Spirit to be with us in all our doings, “…to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved.” [ii]  

 

“True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to action,” [iii] and faith is a principal of action that leads us to righteousness.  Righteousness is the foundation of spiritual power through Christ; for “…the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” [iv]  

 

A faithful servant of the Lord exercises faith to serve Jesus Christ and God’s children on earth.  Like King Benjamin who testified that he spent his life serving God and others, we should be anxiously engaged in the service of our fellow beings.  When we emulate Jesus Christ with actions of love and service, God bestows blessings upon us.  Exercising faith in Jesus Christ is love in action. This is the essence of a joyful life. 


“True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to action,”

Elder David A. Bednar

A few ways to help us nurture our faith and build our foundation on Jesus Christ are:

 

  1. Always love God with all your heart, soul, might, mind, and strength, and likewise, love your neighbour as yourself. (See Mark 12:30, Mathew 22:37-39, Moroni 10:32-33, D&C 4:2)
  2. Always keep the commandments of God. (See John 14:15)
  3. Always be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Only through the Holy Ghost can we learn the true meaning of the atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives.(See John 15:26, Moroni 10:5-7)
  4. Always learn from the scriptures, for the scriptures testify of Jesus Christ. (See John 5:39)
  5. Always be prayerful, thanking Heavenly Father daily in Christ’s name. (See 3 Nephi 18:19, D&C 46:31-32)
  6. Always follow the living Prophet, for therein lies safety. (See D&C 21:4-6)

 

The Apostle Paul testified, “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” [v]   King Benjamin taught he had never sought for gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of the world.  He testified that he had been kept and preserved by the Lord to serve the people.  He warns that those without a clear conscience, who refuse to repent, will shrink from God because of their guilt.  But the righteous who love and serve others and keep the commandments will enter a blessed and happy state. In Mosiah 2:41, King Benjamin taught that this is the “…state of those that keep the commandments of God, for behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual.” He further testified in this verse that all who endure to the end “…are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.”

 

Building Our Foundation on Christ

Reflecting on my childhood, I was taught the reality and divinity of God and that obeying Him assured His blessings upon me. I express my appreciation and gratitude to all those families and individuals who serve God by working relentlessly to bless the lives of others. 

 

Let there be no room for hatred and haughtiness in our lives. We must be humble and subject to the will of God.  Consistent and constant contact with God helps us accomplish this. President Ezra Taft Benson counselled, The great test of life is obedience to God. ‘We will prove them herewith,’ said the Lord, ‘to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.’ (Abr. 3:25). The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it. The great commandment of life is to love the Lord.”  [vi]

 

I have a testimony of connecting with God through prayer.  As I pray, I feel God’s love and warmth.  Early in life, I learned, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” [vii] Prayer itself, is an answer for many questions. As we cry for mercy, humility, and for our households against the power of our enemies, against the devil, and for repentance, may the Lord bless us with hearts of forgiveness and purity.  

 

The Asia Area is blessed by the announcement of several temples.  We pray for everyone to know, feel, and experience the love of God through these holy temples and the ordinances that will be performed there.  I testify that God is real, and Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer.  Only through building our foundation on Christ can we find true happiness in “…the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” [viii] and return to God’s heavenly abode.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 


Notes

[i] Helaman 5:12

[ii] Mosiah 2:36 

[iii] David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sep 2007.

[iv] D&C 121:36 

[v] I Tim 1:5 

[vi] Ezra Taft Benson, “The Great Commandment, Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988.

[vii] Alma 37:37

[viii] Philippians 4:7