Elder Dale G. Renlund
Elder Dale G. Renlund, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, emphasizes the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, our ultimate treasure. He draws parallels to the story of archaeologists Carter and Carnarvon, who found King Tutankhamun’s tomb, and how we often overlook the blessings that are right in front of us by looking beyond the mark. Elder Renlund highlights the significance of the sacrament and temple attendance in deepening our relationship with God and encourages us to trust and follow the counsel of living prophets.
The Danger of Looking Beyond the Mark
Elder Renlund warns against the tendency to overlook the blessings of Jesus Christ by “looking beyond the mark.” He references the people of Jerusalem who failed to recognize the Savior and urges us not to make the same mistake.
“Like those people in Jerusalem, and like Carter and Carnarvon, we too can be prone to look beyond the mark. We need to guard against this tendency lest we miss Jesus Christ in our lives and fail to recognize the many blessings He offers us.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 2 Nephi 25:7-8: “And they keep the law of Moses and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled. For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.”
- 2 Nephi 27:25: “Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men.”
The Power of the Sacrament
Elder Renlund shares his childhood misunderstanding about baptism and the cleansing power of Jesus Christ’s atonement. He emphasizes the significance of the sacrament and how it enables us to retain a remission of our sins through the gift of repentance.
“Just like the treasure that was under the feet of Carter and Carnarvon, the treasured blessings of the sacrament are available to us each time we attend sacrament meeting. We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion if we approach the sacrament the way a new convert approaches baptism and confirmation, with a broken heart and contrite spirit.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Moroni 6:4: “And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.”
- 3 Nephi 18:7: “And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.”
Prioritizing Temple Worship
Elder Renlund discusses the importance of not taking temple attendance for granted, especially as temples become more accessible. He encourages members to maintain a strong commitment to attending the temple and deepening their relationship with the Savior.
“Our commitment to attend should be at least as strong when the temple is nearby as when it is distant.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Psalm 24:3-4: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-16: “And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.”
Trusting in the Counsel of Living Prophets
Elder Renlund encourages trust in the counsel of living prophets, comparing it to Naaman’s willingness to follow the prophet Elisha’s counsel for his healing. He emphasizes the importance of looking to the prophet for guidance and happiness.
“When we trust God’s prophet on the earth today and act on his counsel, we will find happiness, and we too can be healed. We need to look no further.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Amos 3:7: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 21:5: “For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.”
Calls to Action:
- Focus on Jesus Christ in your life and recognize the blessings He offers.
- Approach the sacrament with a broken heart and contrite spirit, relying on the merits of Christ.
- Prioritize temple worship and maintain a strong commitment to attending, whether the temple is nearby or distant.