As we come unto Christ and help others do the same, we participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation. This work is guided by the two great commandments to love God and to love our neighbors (see Matthew 22:37–39). We show our love for God as we keep His commandments and serve His children (see John 14:15).
The work of salvation and exaltation focuses on four divinely appointed responsibilities. These are outlined below.
Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Living the gospel of Jesus Christ includes:
- Exercising faith in Christ, repenting daily, making covenants with God as we receive the ordinances of salvation and exaltation, and enduring to the end by keeping those covenants.
- Learning and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ at home and at church.
- Becoming self-reliant in providing for ourselves and our families, both spiritually and temporally.
Jesus taught, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The purpose of the church and gospel is to help us become more Christlike – to better follow the Savior’s example of obedience and charity – at home, at church and everywhere else.
Caring for Those in Need
Caring for those in need includes:
- Serving and ministering to individuals, families, and communities.
- Sharing resources, including Church assistance, with those in need.
- Helping others become self-reliant.
To help church members respond to the divine mandate to care for and serve others, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches a personalized approach to caring for the temporal and spiritual needs of members. It focuses on flexibility to the needs and circumstances of individuals throughout the world, coupled with quarterly face-to-face interviews between leadership and everyday members about personal and family needs.
Visit churchofjesuschrist.org/ministering for more information.
Inviting All to Receive the Gospel
Inviting all to receive the gospel includes:
- Participating in missionary work and serving as missionaries.
- Helping new and returning Church members progress along the covenant path.
Uniting Families for Eternity
Uniting families for eternity includes:
- Making covenants as we receive our own temple ordinances.
- Discovering our deceased ancestors and performing ordinances for them in the temple so they can make covenants with God.
- Going to the temple regularly, where possible, to worship God and perform ordinances for His children.