Gerrit W. Gong and Sister Susan Gong

Sister Susan L. Gong: Dear elders and sisters, it is wonderful to be with you. You may not know this, but Elder Gong and I love to come to the MTC because this is where we met. He was my teacher in the MTC. So, it took years for things to work out after that, but we think of this as a very special, kind of romantic spot.

(chuckles) We’re so glad to be with you tonight both here in the MTC, in Provo, and around the world. I love being with you in-person, we can look into your eyes and see your beautiful faces. And we see God’s goodness shining through you, each of you. Each of you is made in the image of our Heavenly Father.

I know Heavenly Father lives and that He loves us. Because He loves us, He has given us commandments, and keeping His commandments blesses our lives. Commandments protect us from many physical and spiritual dangers, which are real.

A man we know works with prisoners in a jail, and he says that “if we had just kept the Word of Wisdom, none of us would be in prison today.” Now you don’t get locked up for breaking the Word of Wisdom, for the most part. But one thing leads to another, and breaking one commandment can lead us to bigger wrongs. When we keep God’s commandments, we have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, who offers direction, comfort, inspiration. Keeping the commandments stops us from hurting others. Think how much heartache would be avoided if every father and every mother kept the Law of Chastity.

We’re all trying to follow Jesus and to do what’s right. We want to keep all the commandments, but still, no matter how hard we try, we’re not perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes. Sometimes we make wrong choices. And as you go out into the mission field, you’re going to find that that’s true; all of your investigators too. And our lives are not perfect, and in fact, sometimes life can be very difficult.

We may worry about safety, about money, about health, about the health of loved ones. We might suffer because of the sins of others. We might suffer because of our own mistakes. At some point I think we all feel as though we are broken, or at least that we are not whole.

Do you ever feel like this…a little bit broken? Think about that question for a minute. Do you ever feel a little bit broken? Would it surprise you to know that life was not meant to be easy? Our Heavenly Father knows this, and He has known it from the beginning, and that is why His wondrous plan has always centered on the Savior and His atoning sacrifice.

President Russell M. Nelson testifies that because the Savior offered Himself as the infinite atonement, you and I have the opportunity, the privilege, to be forgiven when we repent. We can also turn to Him for healing of our hearts, for strength when we are weak, and for help to do things we simply cannot do on our own. He taught us how to love, how to pray, how to endure. There is no trial we can endure that He doesn’t know about. He gives each one of us hope.

What do we do when we feel broken or inadequate? Well we turn to our Savior in faith and humility, ready to repent and accept Him as our Savior. When we do this, He will heal us. And through His atonement of infinite and eternal love, He can make us whole again. This process can take time, but through the process, He will give us peace and strength and we are never so broken that we can’t be made whole through Jesus Christ.

In Japan there are wonderful artisans who practice the art of kintsugi, whereby they take pieces of broken porcelain, and attach them using a special lacquer glue to seal the once broken seams. Then, before the glue hardens, they cover it in gold dust, making the once broken seams in the pottery shimmer.

The repaired piece is even more beautiful, stronger, and more valuable than had been before it was broken. The artists call these painstakingly healed and beautiful cracks “precious scars.” Someday, we may look back at our lives and see patterns of golden lines that are the traces of the Savior’s healing power. We will be grateful then, even for life’s challenges and trials, which have made us stronger, more beautiful, and more valuable as we heal and grow through the Savior’s love.

The miraculous healing powers of the atonement of Jesus Christ happen as we invite Christ into our lives, as we humbly repent, and in faith, strive to keep His commandments, the two greatest of which are: To love the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We, and those we love are never beyond the Savior’s ability to heal us if we turn to Him. There is no point of no return.

I pray that we will try every day to keep His commandments and repent so we can come to know the Savior and to feel His love in our lives. This is the good news that you are called to share with God’s precious children. The gospel is true. It is powerful. It is beautiful, and it is important. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong: Elders and sisters, what a great privilege to gather with each of you here and across the world, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, whose representative you are. We’re grateful to be with Elder and Sister Nash. Thank you for the kind introduction with your MTC presidency, with so many other friends, missionaries that we’ve known across the years, in so many different places. I, of course, am always happy to be here with Sister Gong, so thank you, sweetheart.

We wanted to take a moment and to talk about sacred things. It’s very important for me and Sister Gong to be with each of you, and to be able to talk about some of the things that our Savior invites us to do in the scriptures. We’re going to look specifically at a phrase that we read that says to “prepare every needful thing.”

What we see in this comes first from the Doctrine and Covenants. It’s in Section 88, and also in Section 109. As you recall, the Prophet Joseph designated Doctrine and Covenants Section 88 as “the olive leaf plucked from the tree of paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us.”

Verse 119 of Section 88 reads, you know it, “Prepare every needful thing; and establish house, even a house of prayer, of faith, of learning, of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” May I say, please, that one of the ways as a missionary that you prepare every needful thing is to make your apartment, when you get there, or where you are now, a place of prayer and fasting and faith, a place of order.

When we make it a place of God, we prepare for revelation. And when we make our living space a place in which we can receive revelation, that means we do things in that space that invite revelation. For example, we have a good spirit when we make our bed, when we do the dishes, when we do something kind for our companion, such as maybe polishing his or her shoes. The space in which we live can become a place of God, a place of revelation, if we’ll treat it that way, and make it that way. And this is something not just for our missions, but for all our lives.

You know that Section 88 was received by the Prophet Joseph at Kirtland, Ohio, at the end of 1832, and the beginning of 1833. Just three years later, on March 27th, 1836, to the great rejoicing of the Saints, the Prophet Joseph was able to dedicate the Kirtland Temple. He said that the dedicatory that’s now Section 109, was given to him by revelation.

Imagine the blessing of knowing what to pray for because you were so in tune that it comes by revelation, even the prayer that you should offer to the Lord. In this dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, Section 109 and verse 8, we hear again the same injunction we read earlier, to prepare every needful thing, establish a house of prayer, of fasting, and so on. That’s what’s going to happen when our living spaces are conducive to revelation.

Now verse 9 continues, “that your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord.” Do you recognize that pattern? As missionaries we follow that pattern. When we leave our apartment, we pray. And we pray when we undertake any other missionary responsibility. It’s a pattern from the Lord.

Now you may be thinking to yourself, “So, Elder Gong, what are the needful things that I need to prepare now to be a faithful, valiant missionary?” Great question. May I suggest three things this evening that will help us to prepare every needful thing. These things will bless you, bless your companion, the friends and investigators you will find, teach, and baptize. They will bless you and the members and leaders you will come to love and work with with unity.

Three things. Notice that they’re all centered in our Savior. First, seek perfection in Jesus Christ, not the perfectionism of the world. Two, follow the doctrine of Christ, and with kindness, delight in testimony, invite others to do so too. Third, preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, as the Apostle Paul taught. Or put in another way, share with all of your might, mind, and strength, the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ as found in Preach My Gospel, especially chapter 3, “What do I study and teach?”

As you prepare every needful thing, please remember also the Lord’s promise: “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear, but shall be endowed with power from on high.” That’s why we prepare every needful thing. Is that okay?

Number one. First needful thing: Seek perfection in Jesus Christ, not the perfectionism of the world. To seek perfection in Christ is to be patient, full of kindness and long-suffering with ourselves and those around us. To seek perfection in Christ is to put aside the self-centered perfectionism of the world.

I’m going to speak candidly, if I may. The 24/7 spiritual environment and physical schedule at the MTC or wherever you are, are exciting and challenging. But it’s very natural, it’s very natural to feel sometimes a little bit of a gap between who you would like to be, and who you feel you currently are. As Sister Gong said, so often we feel imperfect, inadequate, not good enough, not sufficiently prepared.

Humility is a great thing to have and it can be a blessing if we keep it in perspective and do not need to feel like we have to be perfect now. You know that the perfectionism of the world is a treadmill. The more we focus on our inadequacies and our imperfections, the more inadequate or imperfect we feel. Too often the perfectionism of the world reduces our self-esteem and even our faith. Instead of bringing us closer to the Savior, the world’s perfectionism focuses us on us; drawing us inward instead of drawing us toward our Savior. It draws us to us, instead of to Him.

Now, elders and sisters, please get off the treadmill if you have any part of that perfectionism. Think instead of what the Prophet Moroni taught us about being perfect in Christ. “Yea, come unto Christ and be perfected in him. Deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace, you may be perfect in Christ.” That’s the only place we can find perfection is in our Savior and through His atonement.

One of your very great blessings is the opportunity to help others get off the world’s perfectionist treadmill. Many people... you’re going to meet them probably every day... are caught in the social media trap of what we call “insta-perfect.” How many of you know the term “insta-perfect”? Yeah, we all know the term “insta-perfect.”

“Insta-perfect” curates body image, social circle, travel and adventures, the smartest person in the room with the best shoes. These are curated images which are not real. They’re not realistic. In some cases, they contribute to depression or anxiety. The world needs that message, and you’ll bring it to them in part by who you are, and in part by what we teach. Even though we know they’re not real, if we let them, they can make us feel inadequate, somehow not enough, imperfect.

As representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, you offer a better way. You meet, teach, and baptize many who will be eternally grateful for you for inviting them to come to our Savior Jesus Christ, and the true perfection He offers. Line upon line, as Moroni teaches, by His grace and power.

Regarding perfection in Christ, you may also meet Christian believers, some of whom may accuse you of teaching blasphemy or false doctrine. They’ll say, “You believe that you can earn your way into heaven, that you think good works or obedience alone to God’s commandments are more important than declaring Christ and Him crucified.” They may say, “To believe is everything, and what you’re teaching about all these other things isn’t helpful.”

Now, they may say they believe that they depend entirely on Christ’s goodness and mercy, and that we think that we earn it somehow. Of course such claims are incomplete and incorrect. Let me just talk about this for a moment if I may.

We believe the Bible to be the word of God. There is no question that we love the Bible. We’re also grateful for the Book of Mormon, which provides another powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and His atoning and redeeming sacrifice. In the Bible, which we love, we find one reference to the atonement of Jesus Christ. Only one reference, specifically in Romans 5:11. “We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”

As I understand it, it’s the only place in the Bible we find the word “atonement,” at least in the New Testament. Think now what we add when we add the Book of Mormon when we are speaking of Christ. In the Book of Mormon we find 29 additional references to “atonement, atoning, and atoner.” You might, in companionship study, see if you can find these. We find six atonement references in Alma chapter 34. We find five atonement references in Mosiah 3. Four each in Second Nephi chapter 9 and Alma chapter 42. Three in Mosiah chapter 4, two in Jacob 4, one each in Jacob 7, Mosiah 13, Alma 21, Alma 30, and Moroni 8.

Each of these scriptural references helps us to speak of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Savior, the Holy Beloved Son of God. We’re not Bible bashing. What we’re saying is there is additional truth about the centrality of the atonement of Jesus Christ that we add when we take the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, and we bring them together.

Further, think of powerful passages such as Second Nephi 2:8 which declare in simplicity and plainness that: “No flesh can dwell in the presence of God save it be through the merits and mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should arise.”

How could anyone hearing that kind of passage not believe that you’re teaching the fundamental Christian message with power and authority? Now again, we need not contend with, but we can add Restoration truths to whatever understandings other friends may have concerning Christ crucified. Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, us, you, stand second to none in understanding and preaching our need and dependence on the mercy, merits, and grace as we seek perfection in Jesus Christ.

As Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Okay? Are we all right on that? If we’re okay, would you raise your hand? All right, thank you. If we’re really okay, would you raise both hands? All right, thank you.

So our first needful thing is to believe and know perfection is in Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, the author and finisher of our faith, the Only Begotten and Beloved Son of God, our Eternal Father, and not in the perfectionism of the world.

Our second needful thing to prepare is to follow the doctrine of Christ, and to invite others to do so. Our missionary purpose is found in the doctrine of Christ. “We invite others to come unto Christ by helping them come to the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” Our primary purpose is not to invite others to come to church, or even to join the Church. Please don’t leave this devotional and say that Elder Gong said that we’re not to invite people to come to church. That’s not what I said.

Our primary purpose is not to invite people to come to church. Our primary purpose is to invite others to come to Jesus Christ and His restored church, and to learn of, and to love Him, and to follow His perfect example, which of course includes baptism by immersion. It’s a true and wonderful gospel principle that the closer we feel to our Savior, we can help others come closer to Him as well.

Now, there are many ways to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the doctrine of Christ. Says the Lord, “I will give you a pattern in all things.” In that spirit, for just a few minutes this evening, may I invite us to focus on patterns which illuminate the doctrine of Christ as taught in Second Nephi 31. Will you get your scriptures if you have them, and turn to Second Nephi 31.

We can do this in whatever language you’re studying, wherever you are. If you’re doing it with paper scriptures or on a phone or whatever it is. And then when you’ve found Second Nephi 31, will you raise your hand please? Good, thank you. Notice if you would, please, in verse 2, it says “I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ.” Did you find that, do you see that? Good, thank you.

Now, look down the page and in verse 21, kind of at the end of the chapter, notice it says, “Behold this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” So what we’ve just found is between verse 2 and verse 31 is the doctrine of Christ.

Let’s look first at what it just told us, “the doctrine of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” This doctrine, in a sense, begins and includes certainly, God the Father, who is our Eternal Father. When we read carefully and closely, we even hear the voice of the Father in this section.

So here we are. There is verse 2. There is verse 21. And everything in between is what we’re going to look for, starting with “the Father.” If you have your scriptures someday, go back through and just notice if you would, where we find reference to “the Father.”

Study each of those passages and see what they teach about “the Father.” The doctrine of Christ includes “the Father,” but it also includes “the Son.” So having noted the role of the Father, let’s now look for and study references to “the Son.” Remember we’re looking for patterns. And now, the Holy Ghost.

What do the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost invite us to do? “To follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do.” Where and how does the doctrine of Christ include following the example of the Son?

And what example do the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost teach us about the doctrine of Christ when they teach about the central ordinances and covenant, baptism? Let’s look for and study patterns relating to baptism as found in Second Nephi 31, and the doctrine of Christ.

In a future companionship study, maybe you would enjoy and benefit by seeing what we learn about baptism of water, and baptism of fire, and the Holy Ghost. Some say baptism of water symbolizes the cleansing of the outer, while baptism of fire symbolizes sanctifying the inner. Others say water and fire are sequential, as in water in preparation for fire.

Maybe you’d make a note if you would, please. Doctrine and Covenants 110:3. Let’s look there for a moment. I’ll invite you to study it more carefully in companionship study, but let me just read it. If you have it, turn there quickly. Section 110:3, but keep your finger in Second Nephi 31 because we’re going to come back.

Here in the Kirtland Temple, we have a precious description of our Savior’s appearance. “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah.” Notice that in that description, which describes the remarkable, personal experience of Jesus Christ, it’s all framed in terms of what? Fire and water. Go back through and look again. The description of our Savior is described in terms of fire and water.

Let’s go back to Second Nephi 31. Think that these verses are not being shared with us in some general way, they’re being shared with all urgency of heart. They’re specifically addressed to us as “beloved brethren and sisters.” They have a personal element, an urgency, to speak to real people with significant messages. That’s also part of our gospel pattern.

Now, let’s put it together.

Please never say that you’re tired of studying the scriptures. There are layers and layers and depth, and depth of sacred meaning, that if you’ll search them and ponder them and love them, you’ll see things, and see things, and hear things, and hear things from now until eternity.

As we keep the commandments, as we follow the example and seek that which the Father and the Son teach us, we can really understand the doctrine of Christ, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Following Him, and keeping His commandments, baptism of water and of fire, inviting with urgency, my beloved brothers and sisters, we see the pattern we just saw.

When you study the gospel through the scriptures, please remember what Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “the gospel is inexhaustible.” A reason it’s inexhaustible is that the atonement of our Savior is infinite and eternal, and the Holy Ghost can teach us infinite and eternal ways we need at the very moment, as we treasure up the things of eternity, to share with our brothers and sisters.

And that brings us to our third needful thing to prepare. Remember Apostle Paul said, “Preach Christ Jesus the Lord.” There is flexibility and resilience and a strength in knowing that we are centered in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is what and who we preach; His restored gospel in its fullness.

On occasion, you may find something you did not know about the gospel or the Church, perhaps something relating to our history or our policy. Someone may deliberately bait you, make fun of you, stir up a debate, try to get you to engage in what we called earlier, “Bible bashing or scripture bashing.” Please don’t do it. Nothing good comes of contention. For those with eyes to see, and ears to hear, we can add precious, restored gospel truths to whatever truths and understanding others may have. These precious, restored gospel truths are found throughout Preach My Gospel, but especially in Preach My Gospel chapter 3, appropriately titled “What do I study and teach?”

If I might say it, sometimes we find a missionary who is afraid to open their mouth because in a very natural way, we’re afraid someone may ask us the question we don’t know the answer to. Some missionaries are not certain how to address hard or challenging questions or situations.

But I’ll teach you something I’ve learned from President M. Russell Ballard. You’ve been called of God by prophecy and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, and thus you can preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. If you confront questions or issues with which you’re unfamiliar or unsure, focus on what you know. You may not know everything, no one does. But you know, and you will learn what you need to know, to invite honest seekers of gospel truth to draw closer to Jesus Christ.

Everything in a sense you need to know to start is in chapter 3 because those are the restored truths. And if you learn those truths, you don’t need to be afraid of any situation. You can always return to those truths because they’re the foundation truths of the restoration. Your testimony can invite each soul to follow Jesus’ example, and to be kind, compassionate, and to find joy on His covenant path. Because this is His work, He will help you. Trust Him. Always give Him the credit, and glory with faith and gratitude.

Let me repeat that promise again. You can address every honest concern, every genuine question, every personal issue by teaching and testifying of Christ Jesus the Lord, as found in the truths and principles in Preach My Gospel chapter 3.

For example, we preach Jesus Christ through the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We preach Jesus Christ as central to the Plan of Salvation. We preach Jesus Christ in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We preach Jesus Christ in the commandments and the blessings found therein. We preach Jesus Christ in laws and ordinances given in love by God, to protect, guide, save, and exalt us with enduring joy.

A great way to study and learn thoroughly the gospel doctrine and principles found in Preach My Gospel chapter 3, is for you and your companion now, and throughout your mission, and even after your mission, to ask each other real-life questions and situations. See how Preach My Gospel doctrines and principles can help answer them. And keep learning throughout your mission. You can return again and again to the truths found in Preach My Gospel, including the many scripture topics and references.

For example, what gospel doctrines and principles can we teach to help a family who is grieving because a child has recently died? Or what about to help someone who feels life has no purpose or meaning? Or to help someone who feels left out, unwanted, unvalued? What about to help someone who wants to know if God still speaks today? Already you can see how the things you’re learning in chapter 3 and elsewhere can answer those questions of the soul. Please remember the restored doctrines and principles you teach from Preach My Gospel, including chapter 3, can help you address essential questions from honest seekers of gospel truth, willing to draw closer to God, who is our Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Other chapters in Preach My Gospel also help us as missionaries to recognize and understand the spirit, testify of the Book of Mormon, develop Christ-like attributes, learn our mission language, use time wisely, and so on. Are we okay on point three? Thank you. Good.

We’ve spoken tonight of three needful things: Seek perfection in Christ, not the world of perfectionism. Two, follow the doctrine of Christ. Look for the patterns and invite others to do the same. It is part of the Lord’s pattern. And three, preach Jesus Christ the Lord, and the fullness of His restored gospel is found in Preach My Gospel, all the chapters, but including chapter 3.

I’d like to conclude this evening with a scripture which is really a testimony. Recently President Nelson shared this scripture, and I would like to share it with you in that same spirit. It’s found in Doctrine and Covenants section 68:6.

“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and you shall bear record of me.” Can you think of a greater promise from the Lord and His prophet, than knowing that we need not fear, we can be of good cheer, for the Lord is with us and will stand by us. Why do we know that’s true? Because we are bearing record of Him, “even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the Living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.”

Elders and sisters, how grateful we are for the testimony that you each have, which will grow as you study, and seek with faith, and work in every way that you can. Please let the spirit help you, please let your companions help you, and please help your companions. God is our Father, Jesus is His Son, the Living Son of the Living God.

How grateful we are for the patterns the Lord gives us. One pattern of which is an unbroken succession of authority in the priesthood, for covenants and ordinances, including in baptism, and the holy temples, from the time of the Prophet Joseph, to President Nelson today.

How grateful we are for the scriptures. We’ve talked about the scriptures tonight, the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and others. How grateful we are for the patterns which allow us to see, to hear, to feel. The gospel is true. It’s all true. We give you our love, we give you Godspeed, this promise that comes from the 68th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, and all the other promises, in the sacred and holy name of our Savior Jesus Christ, amen.