There is a talk I want to talk about by Elder M. Russell Ballard who is a member of the Quorum of he Twelve Apostles. It's entitled "To Whom Shall We Go?" He talked about his trip to the Holy Land and while they were in the Upper Room where they had the Last Supper, he read from John 17:9,11,20-21
“I pray for them … that they may be one, as we are. …
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.”Elder Ballard talks about family and how he wants to be one with Heavenly Father and Christ and also his own family. Our family, friends, the Lord and the restored Gospel relationships are what is most important in this life. They should be cherished, nurtured and protected.
Elder Ballard goes on to talk about the disciples of Christ walked away because His teachings and doctrines were too hard to accept. Christ asked the twelve apostles “Will ye also go away?" (John 6:67). Then Peter replied
“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
“And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69 emphases added)Other focused on what they couldn't accept while the apostles focused on what they did believe and follow Christ. Is this how we should be? Should we follow Christ on what we do know and by studying His words with the help of the Holy Ghost which the apostles also received we will know more of Christ's teachings.
Today many of the people are leaving the Church because they do not understand Christ's teachings and doctrines. They may claim it's too hard or they just do not want to try and be tired of the well doing they have done. They may leave because of Church policies. Those do come from the Lord. The Church leaders are apostles of Christ and also mouthpieces for Christ. Things also have a way of resolving themselves if we but patiently pray for and wait for the answers from the Lord.
Elder Ballard poses the question to those who may be faltering in their faith:
“To whom shall [you] go?” If you choose to become inactive or to leave the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where will you go? What will you do?"
I have seen those who have gone inactive or leave the Church change and becoming more into the ways and thoughts of the world instead of what Christ would have us do. It is a heartbreaking thing to watch.
Elder Ballard quotes Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “We should not assume … that just because something is unexplainable by us it is unexplainable.”
He gives some encouraging words if anyone is thinking about leaving the Church: "I encourage you to stop and think carefully before giving up whatever it was that brought you to your testimony of the restored Church of Jesus Christ in the first place. Stop and think about what you have felt here and why you felt it. Think about the times when the Holy Ghost has borne witness to you of eternal truth.
Where will you go to find others who share your belief in personal, loving Heavenly Parents, who teach us how to return to Their eternal presence?
Where will you go to be taught about a Savior who is your best friend, who not only suffered for your sins but who also suffered “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind” so “that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities,” including, I believe, the infirmity of loss of faith?
Where will you go to learn more about Heavenly Father’s plan for our eternal happiness and peace, a plan that is filled with wondrous possibilities, teachings, and guidance for our mortal and eternal lives? Remember, the plan of salvation gives mortal life meaning, purpose, and direction.
Where will you go to find a detailed and inspired Church organizational structure through which you are taught and supported by men and women who are deeply committed to serving the Lord by serving you and your family?
Where will you go to find living prophets and apostles, who are called by God to give you another resource for counsel, understanding, comfort, and inspiration for the challenges of our day?
Where will you go to find people who live by a prescribed set of values and standards that you share and want to pass along to your children and grandchildren?
And where will you go to experience the joy that comes through the saving ordinances and covenants of the temple?"
We know that living the teachings and doctrines of Christ can be hard but with faith, prayer and the help of the Holy Ghost we can live those teachings. We can take a break, see where we are and not rush on the path. We should always refresh ourselves with the living water of Christ.
We should never abandon the truths that Joseph Smith has taught. We need to continually apply the teachings of the Book of Mormon to our lives by study, ponder and prayer.
When we wander off the straight and narrow path dangers come and we can end up in the mist of darkness and be led away by the teachings of the world.
Let us not leave the safety of the "Good Ship Zion" where Heavenly Father and Christ are at the helm. Through the storms we can survive with study, ponder, prayer and unwavering faith in Christ and His teachings.
Partake of the goodness of the Gospel which is through the study of the scriptures.
Remember "to whom shall you go" and salvation comes through Christ.
I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know the scriptures to be true. This is Christ's church restored again once more upon the earth never to be taken away. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
