Elder Jeffrey R. Holland took to Facebook and Instagram this week to remind parents and youth why home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning is so important.
"You might be wondering how, with all that you already have on your plate, can you accomplish what the Lord is asking of you?" Elder Holland wrote on Facebook. "The kind of learning the Lord knows our families need in the last days is far too big to fit into a classroom or to be wrapped up in a 45-minute lesson."
To the youth, he added on Instagram, "I want you young people to know that the leaders of the Church are thinking about you as we embark on the shift to home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning. I testify to you that if we are willing, God will lead us to places we’ve never dreamed we could go—as lofty as our dreams might already be."
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View this post on Instagram I want you young people to know that the leaders of the Church are thinking about you as we embark on the shift to home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning. I testify to you that if we are willing, God will lead us to places we’ve never dreamed we could go—as lofty as our dreams might already be. Now I invite you to consider some reasons why learning in the home is so important for you. . 1. The home is where we spend most of our time—certainly more time than we spend at church. We wouldn’t expect our physical bodies to survive long on one meal a week—even if it is a very good meal. Similarly, if a one-hour Church class, even an excellent Church class, is the main setting for our “feasting upon the word of Christ,” then we are in danger of spiritual malnourishment. . 2. The home is both classroom and lab, where learning and living the gospel are so seamlessly combined that they are almost indistinguishable. This living laboratory experience simply can’t be re-created in the classroom alone. . 3. Perhaps most important, the home is—or can be—an echo of heaven, a reminder of the eternal goal we came here to pursue. . Dear young friends, I am honored to walk with you toward the glorious future our Father in Heaven has in store for us. It is our great desire that the Lord will lift us to new heights of spiritual growth through new ways of learning and living the gospel. A post shared by Jeffrey R. Holland (@jeffreyrholland) on Nov 26, 2018 at 12:19pm PST
To both parents and the youth, Elder Holland outlined three reasons a home-centered gospel is so important:
"First, the home is where we spend most of our time—certainly more time than we spend at church (overworked bishops notwithstanding). We wouldn’t expect our physical bodies to survive long on one meal a week—even if it is a very good meal. Similarly, if a one-hour Church class, even an excellent Church class, is the main setting for our “feasting upon the word of Christ,” then we are in danger of spiritual malnourishment. "Second, the home is both classroom and lab, where learning and living the gospel are so seamlessly combined that they are almost indistinguishable. This living laboratory experience simply can’t be re-created in the classroom alone. "And third, perhaps most important, the home is—or can be—an echo of heaven, a reminder of the eternal goal we came here to pursue."
For those who feel overwhelmed by this recent focus, Elder Holland added on Facebook, "Have I frightened you parents? I hope not. This emphasis on teaching, learning, and living at home is not meant to be an added burden for individuals and families. Quite the opposite, actually—we hope that by acknowledging and supporting your efforts at home, we can in some way lighten the burden you carry there. Or, better yet, perhaps we can strengthen you to 'bear [it] with ease.'"
To the youth, Elder Holland said, "Dear young friends, I am honored to walk with you toward the glorious future our Father in Heaven has in store for us. It is our great desire that the Lord will lift us to new heights of spiritual growth through new ways of learning and living the gospel."