True Religion

What is the purpose of religion? Why did God establish religion? Should one join a religion? These are questions that many people have. The answers can lead to a life of happiness and joy. Finding “True Religion” will lead one to God and, eventually, His presence after mortality.

In “God Knows and Loves You“, Elder Alan T. Phillips states “Religion is not only about our relationship with God; it is also about our relationship with each other.” This means that there are two parts to true religion:

1. Gaining and nurturing a relationship with God
2. Gaining and nurturing a relationship with others

If this sounds familiar, it should. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus is asked, “Which is the great commandment in the law?” He answers, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Religion, therefore, is about keeping the two great commandments of loving God and loving your neighbor. Elder Phillips puts it this way, “[Jesus] explained how the two great commandments to love God and love our neighbor are the foundation of all of God’s commandments. One of our divine responsibilities is to care for those in need. This is why as disciples of Jesus Christ we ‘bear one another’s burdens, … mourn with those that mourn … , and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.’”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explains that “true religion [is] the tie that binds us to God and to each other.” True religion helps to bind us to God and strengthens our human bonds so that all may partake of God’s glory.

Relationship With God

What does it mean to have a relationship with God? The first step is to know that there is a God. In the Book of Mormon, there is a passage where the king of the Lamanites is taught by Ammon. After learning that God may exist, the king offers up this prayer, “O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day” (Alma 22:18). The king’s prayer was answered and he came to know that God does exist and cares for His children.

Knowing that God exists is only the first step in having a relationship with Him. Of course, there are the primary answers of praying, reading scriptures, and attending church that will strengthen our relationship with God. But if you want to have the best relationship you can with Him, you need to participate in ordinances and make and keep, sacred covenants.

Every Sunday in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have the opportunity to participate in the ordinance of the Sacrament. This is an opportunity to remember Christ’s sacrifice for us. There are two components to this ordinance, the bread and the water. The bread represents His body, which was given up by Him on the cross and taken up again in the garden tomb. The water represents His blood, which he shed for our sins.

The ordinance of the Sacrament also allows us to renew the covenant we made at baptism. The baptismal covenant is the first covenant we make in this life. It signifies our commitment to follow Jesus Christ and become perfect in Him. Baptism also washes us clean of our sins. The Sacrament can help us repent of our sins and receive forgiveness. That forgiveness is confirmed through the Holy Ghost.

As we progress in life we participate in other ordinances and covenants we make. These are done in the temples dedicated to these purposes. To get the most out of these ordinances and covenants, we need to study and understand them. Most importantly, we need to live them.

Relationship With Others

In the scriptures, we have two times where prophets have specifically called out what our relationship with others should be. In James 1:27 we read, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” In Mosiah 18:9, Alma tells us that those who “mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death” will be those who are worthy of God’s grace.

The first relationship that we need to cultivate is the one in our own homes. The family relationship is the most important and one that we must make strong. Looking at the scriptures above, we can mourn with our family members, we can comfort them in times of need. We can visit those who are fatherless and widows in our families. It’s also important though that we remain unspotted, and stand as witnesses of God.

Once we have a strong familial relationship, we must cultivate a strong relationship with our neighbors. This relationship involves mourning, comforting, and visiting. It also involves serving and being friends. One thing I love about the cul-de-sac I live in is that we all respect each other’s beliefs and opinions. We have great conversations about all topics, but nothing ever devolves into disagreement or argument. That’s very important in our relationships.

As members of the church, we also need to strengthen one another in the Lord. This can be done during both the Sacrament meeting and our second-hour meetings on Sunday. We strengthen our relationships by sharing our testimonies and acting in a manner where the Holy Ghost can be present and inspire each of us. We do not know everything that is happening in the lives of our congregation but we can ensure that everyone attending our meetings feels welcome and can be spiritually uplifted.

Conclusion

True religion involves two relationships, our relationship with God, and our relationship with others. By participating in the ordinance and covenants God has created, we draw closer to Him. In the same way, participating in our Sacrament and second-hour meetings strengthens our relationship with our Ward members. Those two pieces should then inspire us to strengthen our relationship with all our neighbors.