9 The Worth of Souls Is Great
The Worth of Souls Is Great
Are intrinsic worth is
not depended upon how we look, act, or what possessions or educations we’ve
accumulates. Our worth as spirit sons and daughters of Heavenly Father
supersedes all of that.
D&C 18 verse 10: “Remember the worth of
souls is great in the sight of God.”
verses 1–5 5 Wherefore, if you
shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and
my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.
The Lord wanted to
establish His Church for the salvation of His children. The stakes of Zion are
a safe haven from the world.
verse 9 The Lord has again
called apostles to take the gospel to all the world. Everyone is invited to
come unto Christ, repent, find forgiveness, be baptized, become members of the
Church and be given the Holy Ghost. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints follows the gospel, teachings, and doctrine of Christ as He reveals it
to our Latter-day prophets.
Heavenly Father’s Plan of
Happiness is for all His children, because the worth of each soul is His
paramount focus. He provided His Son Jesus Christ, so that we could all return
home to Him.
verse 11 “For, behold, the Lord
your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore
he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent
and come unto him.”
Whenever even one soul
returns to the Lord and accepts Jesus as His Savior, He rejoices. He also
invites us to join this work of gathering, restoration, and salvation. Our joy
should also be great every time we help to bring someone to the Savior, so He
can bring them home.
verse 13 “And how great is
his joy in the soul that repenteth!”
“Build up my church.”
Doctrine and Covenants
18:1–5
What counsel does Oliver
receive in verses 1–5? When Jesus has given us
witnesses many times to the truth of the things that we’ve read, we should
trust in those things; we should apply those principles in our lives, and we
should testify of the truths we know and feel and of the peace that has come to
us.
Our testimony will become
a safeguard to us and to many others.
5 Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of
my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail
against you.
Doctrine and Covenants
6:22–24 Think back to the times
when you felt the Spirit and knew that God answered your prayers. Keep that
memory alive through keeping your covenants, exercising faith, living the
gospel, and continually seeking after truth and living by the truth the Lord
has given and will give to you.
verse 5 Build upon the
foundation Jesus has given you, which is the foundation of His Gospel and His
Rock; we can do this by helping to build up His Church and by helping to
establish Zion. If we do, the gates of hell won’t prevail against us.
Ask questions. The Doctrine and Covenants is evidence that questions lead to
revelation. As you study the scriptures, record questions that you have. Then
ponder and pray to seek answers.
For Kids
Each of us is of great worth to God.
Doctrine and Covenants
18:10–13
Read Doctrine and Covenants
18:10–13 together. Substitute
each other’s names in place of the words “soul,” “souls,” and “all men.” This
can personalize this scripture, so that each person knows that the Lord’s
sacrifice was particularly for him or for her. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
love each one of us that much, that the sacrifice was worthy of each of us
alone.
Do you have a valuable
possession? How do you treat it and keep it safe? Look in the mirror. You are a
son or a daughter of Heavenly Parents. How do you think your Heavenly Father
feels about your growth and happiness? How do you think He feels about you
returning safely home to Him?
If we are children of
God, what does that mean for everyone else in the world? We are all God’s
children, and we are all brothers and sisters. “How can we show others that
“the worth of [their] souls is great” in our sight?” How can we help our
brothers and sisters, our parents, our friends, and neighbors, and others we
meet feel how they are important to us and important to God? How can we help
them feel God’s love for them and feel their worth?
“The worth
of souls is great in the sight of God.”
Doctrine and Covenants
18:10–13
Again, substitute your
own name in verses 10-13. Every soul, not just souls collectively, but even
you; every soul is great, important, and valuable in the sight of God. We are
all His children.
Luke 15:1–10 Parable of the man finding
the one lost sheep.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over
one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just
persons, which need no repentance.
The thing is, we all need repentance.
Parable of the lost coin being found.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
John 3:16–17
16 ¶ For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world
to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.
2 Nephi 26:24–28 2 He doeth
not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for
he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he
may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they
shall not partake of his salvation….
He saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the
earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price…
He hath given it [His Salvation] free for all men; and he hath
commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance...
all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are
forbidden.
Moses 1:39 For behold, this is
my work and my glory—to bring to pass
the immortality and eternal life of man.
Once again, you can substitute your own name in here.
“How does God show you
that you are of great worth to Him? How does this affect the way you feel about
yourself and others?”
The Lord rejoices when I repent.
Doctrine and Covenants
18:11–16
verses 11–16 1 For, behold, the
Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore
he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent
and come unto him.
12 And he
hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him,
on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in
the soul that repenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying
repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me,
how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your
joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into
the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you
should bring many souls unto me!
What does repentance mean
to you?
Alma 36:18–21 “O Jesus, thou Son of
God, have mercy on me.”
Repentance
Repentance: A Joyful
Choice
For Kids
Sharing the gospel brings great joy.
Doctrine and Covenants
18:13–16
Do you like to share things that interest you with your family? Do you like to share your favorite treats with your friends? Do you hope they will like them too? Why do you like to share good things with other people? How does it make you feel?
What brings the Lord joy? What does He say will bring us joy?
Doctrine
and Covenants 18:13, 16 13 And how great is his joy in
the soul that repenteth!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought
unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be
your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
If someone were in danger, wouldn’t you be happy if you rescued him?
Think about a time where you have shared a gospel message or
your testimony with someone else.
Think about a time where you served someone and made their load easier.
How did you feel?
I
Want to Be a Missionary Now
Joy comes from helping others come unto Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants
18:14–16
What does it mean to cry repentance?
verses 14–16 Sharing the gospel
brings joy. It invites the Spirit, which helps us to teach and serve the faith
and thanksgiving.
How has the Spirit helped
you to serve others and to teach the gospel? How was your experience? Was your
friend interested in accepting the gospel? Or was a seed planted and a
friendship strengthened?
How have other people
supported you and helped you to come unto Christ?
There Can Be Nothing So
Exquisite and Sweet as Was My Joy
For Kids
I can hear the Lord’s voice in the scriptures.
Doctrine and Covenants
18:34–36
Play “Indentify this Voice” or even “name that tune.”
How do you recognize other people’s voices? (memory)
How do we recognize the Lord’s voice.
Read together Doctrine
and Covenants 18:34–36.
How have you heard the voice of the Lord?
I can hear the Lord’s voice in the scriptures.
Doctrine and Covenants
18:34–36
What is the Lord’s voice
like?
34 These words are
not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me
and not of man;
35 For it is
my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my
Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it
were by my power you could not have them;
36 Wherefore, you
can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my
words.
We can feel the Lord’s
voice as we read and hear His words and receive revelation in our hearts for
ourselves that they are true. There is power in His words.
What will you do to hear
His voice more clearly?
As I Search the Holy
Scriptures This is linked to I
Stand all Amazed
As I Search the Holy
Scriptures: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/hymns/as-i-search-the-holy-scriptures?lang=eng#title1
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/18?lang=eng
Vs 2-3 I have had this
experience in my own writing before, when the Spirit has witnessed what I am
writing is true. So when I look back at those writings or think about them, I
need to trust in that witness, that those words are still true.
Vs 6 We are in this world
that is so full of iniquity. We must repent and retain a remission of our sins
from day to day, so that we can keep standing in Holy places and be not moved.
Vs 18 Ask for the Holy
Ghost to be with you and to receive revelation and knowledge from God, so that
you can teach the gospel and prepare people for the temple and help others to
Come to Christ.
19 And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do
nothing.
Vs 30-33 The Twelve must
be upright and clean so that they can declare the Lord's gospel and have access
to His power and gifts. Jesus spoke directly to them.
Vs 34-36 These words are
recorded with power. We can know they are true through His Spirit, and we can
therefore testify that we also have heard His voice and know His words.
41 And you must preach unto the world, saying: You must repent and
be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ;
42 For all men must repent and be baptized, and not only men, but women,
and children who have arrived at the years of accountability.
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