Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Why a church?
Presdient Russell M. Nelson: “I know that good inspiration is based upon good information…”(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng).
Prophet Joseph Smith: “We had for some time made this matter a subject of humble prayer, and at length we got together in the chamber of Mr. Whitmer's house, in order more particularly to seek of the Lord what we now so earnestly desired; and here, to our unspeakable satisfaction, did we realize the truth of the Savior's promise—'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you’—for we had not long been engaged in solemn and fervent prayer, when the word of the Lord came unto us in the chamber, commanding us that I should ordain Oliver Cowdery to be an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ; and that he also should ordain me to the same office; and then to ordain others, as it should be made known unto us from time to time. We were, however, commanded to defer this our ordination until such times as it should be practicable to have our brethren, who had been and who should be baptized, assembled together, when we must have their sanction to our thus proceeding to ordain each other, and have them decide by vote whether they were willing to accept us as spiritual teachers or not; when also we were commanded to bless bread and break it with them, and to take wine, bless it, and drink it with them; afterward proceed to ordain each other according to commandment; then call out such men as the Spirit should dictate, and ordain them; and then attend to the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, upon all those whom we had previously baptized, doing all things in the name of the Lord.” (HC, v.1: p.60-62, June 1829; see “Section 18,” D&C Student Manual [2002], p.34–36; Revelations in Context, p.22.)
How do you “build up” a church?
Justification - being “pardoned from punishment for sin and declared guiltless” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/justification?lang=eng)
Sanctification – “The process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean, and holy through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Moses 6:59–60)” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/sanctification?lang=eng).
Elder M. Russell Ballard: "President Brigham Young commonly employed “the Old Ship Zion” as a metaphor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said on one occasion: “We are in the midst of the ocean. A storm comes on, and, as sailors say, she labors very hard. ‘I am not going to stay here,’ says one; ‘I don’t believe this is the “Ship Zion.”’ ‘But we are in the midst of the ocean.’ ‘I don’t care, I am not going to stay here.’ Off goes the coat, and he jumps overboard. Will he not be drowned? Yes. So with those who leave this Church. It is the ‘Old Ship Zion,’ let us stay in it.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/stay-in-the-boat-and-hold-on?lang=eng).
St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”
Founding Members of the Church and their ages (1830):
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: “The point of gospel teaching and priesthood ordinances administered by the Church is that families may qualify for eternal life.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/why-the-church?lang=eng).
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: In the Church, Heavenly Father can “achieve needful things that cannot be accomplished by individuals or smaller groups.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/why-the-church?lang=eng).
Teaching Thoughts:
- Christ’s will is to have a church.
- To gather together.
- Strengthen our faith.
- Sacrament – renew covenants.
- Members “sanction” of actions.
- God’s authority.
- Know and better understand true doctrine.
- “mine house is a house of order” (D&C 132:8).
- Help us:
- Have a “godly walk and conversation”
- Be worthy
- Stregthen faith
- “Walking in holiness before the Lord” (20:69)
- Have God’s word today through a living prophet (21:1-9).
- Perform ordinances with authority.
Presdient Russell M. Nelson: “I know that good inspiration is based upon good information…”(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng).
Prophet Joseph Smith: “We had for some time made this matter a subject of humble prayer, and at length we got together in the chamber of Mr. Whitmer's house, in order more particularly to seek of the Lord what we now so earnestly desired; and here, to our unspeakable satisfaction, did we realize the truth of the Savior's promise—'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you’—for we had not long been engaged in solemn and fervent prayer, when the word of the Lord came unto us in the chamber, commanding us that I should ordain Oliver Cowdery to be an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ; and that he also should ordain me to the same office; and then to ordain others, as it should be made known unto us from time to time. We were, however, commanded to defer this our ordination until such times as it should be practicable to have our brethren, who had been and who should be baptized, assembled together, when we must have their sanction to our thus proceeding to ordain each other, and have them decide by vote whether they were willing to accept us as spiritual teachers or not; when also we were commanded to bless bread and break it with them, and to take wine, bless it, and drink it with them; afterward proceed to ordain each other according to commandment; then call out such men as the Spirit should dictate, and ordain them; and then attend to the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, upon all those whom we had previously baptized, doing all things in the name of the Lord.” (HC, v.1: p.60-62, June 1829; see “Section 18,” D&C Student Manual [2002], p.34–36; Revelations in Context, p.22.)
How do you “build up” a church?
- 20:1-16 - God’s authority is needed
- Joseph ordained an apostle (v. 2)
- “Power from on high” (v. 8)
- “Proving …” (v. 11)
- 20:17-36 - Foundation of fundamental doctrines
- “This is my doctrine” (3 Ne 11:32; Section 20:39).
- Articles of Faith
- “Justification” (20:30)
- “Sanctification” (20:31)
- “a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God (20:32)
- 3. 20:37-84 – Practical knowledge of procedures, ordinances, etc.
- Duties of Elders, priests, teachers, deacons, members
Justification - being “pardoned from punishment for sin and declared guiltless” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/justification?lang=eng)
Sanctification – “The process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean, and holy through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Moses 6:59–60)” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/sanctification?lang=eng).
Elder M. Russell Ballard: "President Brigham Young commonly employed “the Old Ship Zion” as a metaphor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said on one occasion: “We are in the midst of the ocean. A storm comes on, and, as sailors say, she labors very hard. ‘I am not going to stay here,’ says one; ‘I don’t believe this is the “Ship Zion.”’ ‘But we are in the midst of the ocean.’ ‘I don’t care, I am not going to stay here.’ Off goes the coat, and he jumps overboard. Will he not be drowned? Yes. So with those who leave this Church. It is the ‘Old Ship Zion,’ let us stay in it.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/stay-in-the-boat-and-hold-on?lang=eng).
St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”
Founding Members of the Church and their ages (1830):
- Joseph Smith - 24
- Oliver Cowdery - 23
- Hyrum Smith - 30
- Samuel Harrison Smith - 22
- Peter Whitmer Jr. - 20
- David Whitmer - 25
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: “The point of gospel teaching and priesthood ordinances administered by the Church is that families may qualify for eternal life.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/why-the-church?lang=eng).
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: In the Church, Heavenly Father can “achieve needful things that cannot be accomplished by individuals or smaller groups.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/10/why-the-church?lang=eng).
Teaching Thoughts:
- Focus on the why. “Why do we have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the earth today?”
- How does the Church bless you that no other organization in the world can do?
- How will you bless someone in the (or at) Church today?