Elder Dale G. Renlund
Elder Dale G. Renlund shares insights on the importance of living the doctrine of Christ repeatedly, iteratively, and intentionally. Through a personal story of a kayaking trip in Hawaii, he illustrates how maintaining spiritual momentum is essential for safety and progress in our spiritual lives. He emphasizes the continuous application of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end as a powerful, virtuous cycle that brings us closer to Jesus Christ and strengthens our faith.
Maintaining Spiritual Momentum
Elder Renlund explains the importance of maintaining spiritual momentum, drawing a parallel with his experience of kayaking. Just as consistent paddling helped him stay balanced and move forward, maintaining spiritual practices helps us stay on course in our journey towards Christ. He highlights that slowing down or stopping makes us vulnerable to challenges.
“By consistently paddling the kayak, I maintained momentum and forward progress, mitigating the effect of waves hitting me from the side. The same principle applies in our spiritual lives.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Alma 32:27: “But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.”
- Helaman 5:12: “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
The Doctrine of Christ as a Virtuous Cycle
Elder Renlund emphasizes that the elements of the doctrine of Christ—faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end—should be experienced repeatedly and iteratively. This cycle draws us closer to Jesus Christ each time we go through it.
“Spiritual momentum is created ‘over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ.’ Doing so, President Russell M. Nelson taught, produces a ‘powerful virtuous cycle.’”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 2 Nephi 31:20: “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 18:18: “Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.”
Daily Nourishment of Faith
Elder Renlund stresses the need for daily spiritual nourishment through prayer, scripture study, reflection, repentance, and following the Holy Ghost. He compares it to the necessity of daily physical nourishment and warns against restricting spiritual practices to one day a week.
“Our faith in Jesus Christ needs to be nourished daily. It is nourished as we pray daily, study the scriptures daily, reflect on the goodness of God daily, repent daily, and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost daily.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Matthew 4:4: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
- Mosiah 4:11: “And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.”
The Role of Covenants
Elder Renlund discusses the importance of covenants made through baptism and in the temple. These covenants connect us more strongly to Jesus Christ and allow us greater access to His power. He clarifies that the source of power is the Lord, and covenants create a conduit for this power.
“Through these covenants, we have greater access to His power. To be clear, baptismal and temple covenants are not, in and of themselves, the source of power. The source of power is the Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Mosiah 18:10: “Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?”
- Doctrine and Covenants 84:20: “Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.”
Compassionate Ministering
Elder Renlund highlights the importance of compassionate and non-judgmental ministering. He encourages us to help others in ways that are genuinely supportive and to avoid comparing ourselves to others.
“As we minister to others, we do not need to ask unhelpful questions or state the obvious. Most people who are struggling know that they are struggling. We should not be judgmental; our judgment is neither helpful nor welcome, and it is most often ill-informed.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Moroni 7:48: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”
- John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Calls to Action
- Live the doctrine of Christ repeatedly, iteratively, and intentionally.
- Maintain your spiritual momentum by engaging in daily spiritual practices.
- Make and keep covenants to access the power of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.
- Minister to others with compassion, empathy, and love, avoiding judgment.
- Help others on their journey to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.