The Restored Gospel and christian History Lesson 3 & 4

Lesson 2 I learn about the Apostasy, why it happened, and how I can avoid personal Apostasy.

The Doctrinal Mastery Core Document says,

              "The need for the latter-day Restoration of God's truths, priesthood authority,
                and Church arose because of apostasy. Apostasy occurs when one or more
                individuals turn away from the truths of the gospel."

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrinal-mastery-core-document/doctrinal-topics.p70?lang=eng

I would like to point out that it is when the individual turns away from God, God does not turn away from us even when we sin. His love endures all. We may become offended, or question God's commandments, doctrine or a prophet's counsel. Perhaps we suffer from selective obedience.

A talk that impressed me on obedience is from April 2014 conference called, "If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments" by Elder Robert D. Hales. He discusses the types of obedience and one of them is "selective obedience". He says:

"At times members may participate in “selective obedience,” claiming to love God and honor God while picking and choosing which of His commandments and teachings— and the teachings and counsel of His prophets—they will fully follow. Some obey selectively because they cannot perceive all the reasons for a commandment, just as children do not always understand the reasons for their parents’ counsel and rules. But we always know the reason we follow the prophets, for this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and it is the Savior who directs His prophets in all dispensations. As our understanding of obedience deepens, we recognize the essential role of agency. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed three times to His Father in Heaven, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” God would not override the Savior’s agency, yet He mercifully sent an angel to strengthen His Beloved Son."

It is our covenants that protect us from personal apostasy. When we are keeping our covenants, the promises we have made to the Lord, we have His spirit with us, and we are becoming like Him.

President Russell M. Nelson said something profound I have been pondering for a few days. In his talk "Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives" April 2017

"We also increase the Savior’s power in our lives when we make sacred covenants and keep those covenants with precision. Our covenants bind us to Him and give us godly power. As faithful disciples, we repent and follow Him into the waters of baptism. We walk along the covenant path to receive other essential ordinances. And gratefully, God’s plan provides for those blessings to be extended to ancestors who died without an opportunity to obtain them during their mortal lives"

Our covenants, covenants the Lord is willing to make with us, "will bind us to Him." Can you think of any other way that we are linked to Him other than through covenant. We must not turn away from the Lord, and be watchful of how we act, not criticizing, or being in contempt or willfully rebellious against truth.

I have felt the power of keeping my covenants with the Lord in my life. I feel greater peace and I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, is eager to assist me through the challenges of life. Giving up or thinking it is all too difficult to manage is listening to a voice that wants us to fail. If we reach out to the Savior when we need help He will help us.