Elder Gerrit W. Gong
The Gospel Language of Warmth and Reverence
Elder Gong emphasizes the importance of conveying love with warmth and reverence. He shares how children from around the world perceive love in their families. The way we express love, both in our interactions with others and in our religious practices, can draw us closer to Christ.
“Sometimes we need to know love spoken here is heard and appreciated here.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Matthew 22:37: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
- 1 John 4:7-8: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”
The Gospel Language of Service and Sacrifice
Elder Gong discusses how our Church callings, service, and sacrifice are expressions of gospel love. He encourages members to accept and fulfill Church callings with compassion and humility, recognizing the opportunity for personal growth and the blessings of serving one another.
“As we answer yes to Church leaders to serve the Lord in His Church by His Spirit and our covenants, love is spoken here.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Mosiah 2:17: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 4:2: “Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.”
The Gospel Language of Covenant Belonging
Elder Gong addresses the self-centered nature of the world and the importance of covenant belonging. He underscores the power of divine covenants in strengthening relationships with God and each other. Covenant belonging allows us to become more than we are, as God’s love and wisdom bless us in His time and way.
“Covenant belonging with God and each other can heal and sanctify our most cherished relationships. In truth, He knows us better and loves us more than we know or love ourselves.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Mosiah 18:8-10: “And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.”
- Mosiah 5:7-8: “And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.”
Calls to Action:
- Speak love with warmth and reverence in your interactions with others and in religious practices.
- Accept and fulfill Church callings with compassion, recognizing the opportunity for personal growth and the blessings of serving one another.
- Embrace covenant belonging in your relationships with God and fellow believers, seeking to strengthen them through divine covenants.