Living Sacredly as We Prepare for General Conference
As General Conference approaches, do you feel ready to draw closer to Christ and renew your commitment to live a holier life?
In his uplifting address, Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invites us to reflect on how holiness can transform our daily routines and attitudes. He reminds us that “holiness to the Lord makes daily living sacred” and that choosing to live in a way that honors God prepares us to gather to Christ, both personally and as a community of Saints.
With General Conference on the horizon, this message challenges us to consider how holiness in our lives today prepares us for the Savior’s Second Coming. Elder Gong’s message aligns beautifully with the Come, Follow Me lesson for March 31–April 6, “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People” (D&C 29), emphasizing that gathering to Christ means living each day as a disciple, regardless of our circumstances.
How can we infuse our everyday choices with holiness? How can we prepare our hearts to gather to Christ and to the sacred teachings of Conference? Let’s explore Elder Gong’s message and its profound impact on our lives as disciples of the Savior.
Apologetic Issues: Holiness and Gathering to Christ
Criticism: Holiness is Unattainable for Ordinary People, especially given the demands of modern living. Expecting members of the Church to live holy lives creates undue pressure and guilt.
Response: Holiness is not about perfection but about progress.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong teaches that “Holiness to the Lord makes daily living sacred” by infusing ordinary acts with purpose and devotion. Rather than demanding flawless living, holiness invites us to draw closer to God by making small, intentional choices that align with His will. This mindset transforms daily actions into opportunities for discipleship.
In Doctrine and Covenants 29, the Lord reassures His people that despite their imperfections, He will gather them as a hen gathers her chicks, signifying protection and care (D&C 29:2).
Solution: Holiness is less about flawless living and more about living with intent and reliance on Christ’s grace.
Common Fallacy: Perfectionism Fallacy
This criticism demonstrates a Perfectionism Fallacy by suggesting that holiness requires sinlessness. In reality, holiness means striving to live in harmony with God’s will, relying on the Savior’s Atonement to make up the difference. Recognizing this allows members to pursue holiness with hope rather than guilt.
Apologetic Application: Holiness and Gathering to Christ
Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s message in Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life centers on how holiness transforms daily living, preparing us to gather to Christ (D&C 29:2) and live in harmony with His teachings. This doctrine is not just theological but also practical, guiding members to live intentionally and make choices that reflect sacred purpose.
Holiness Transforms Daily Living: The doctrine of holiness in everyday life teaches that “Holiness to the Lord makes daily living sacred” (Elder Gong). Holiness is not about perfection but about progress and devotion—choosing to live in alignment with God’s will even in small, everyday actions.
To God, all things are spiritual: Doctrine and Covenants 29:31-35 teaches that “all things unto [God] are spiritual”, emphasizing that even our daily choices and attitudes are part of living a holy life.
We are commanded to be Holy: 1 Peter 1:16 commands us to “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” This scripture highlights that holiness is about aspiring to Christlike living, not achieving flawlessness. Elder Gong reassures that holiness sets things apart for sacred purpose and invites us to infuse daily living with the sacred, rather than demanding flawless behavior. The Lord gathers His people despite imperfections, as seen in D&C 29:2, where He calls to gather them “as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings”. This imagery shows that protection and belonging are available even when we are struggling.
Real-Life Analogy: Just as a compass keeps travelers oriented in the wilderness, holiness keeps disciples aligned with Christ, no matter how far they may feel from perfection. Each small, intentional choice—like prayer, scripture study, or serving others—guides us toward becoming more Christlike.
Practical Apologetic Use: When someone questions whether holiness is achievable or worth pursuing, invite them to see it as a journey rather than a destination. Emphasize that holiness is about progressing closer to Christ day by day. This perspective reduces guilt and empowers individuals to keep moving forward with faith.
Historical and Doctrinal Connections
In Doctrine and Covenants 29, the Lord revealed truths to the early Saints concerning the gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion. Despite being newly organized as a Church, members had profound questions about the Second Coming of Christ, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Plan of Salvation. The Lord responded by teaching them that “all things unto me are spiritual” (D&C 29:34), emphasizing that living holy lives prepares us to gather to Christ.
The gathering of Israel is a pivotal theme throughout scripture, from ancient Israel’s return to the Promised Land to the modern gathering of Saints under prophetic guidance. Just as the ancient Israelites were gathered and prepared through the leadership of Moses and other prophets, the Lord continues to gather His people today through living prophets and apostles.
Doctrine and Covenants Connection:
Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s message, Holiness to the Lord in Everyday Life, aligns seamlessly with the Come, Follow Me lesson for March 31–April 6, “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People” (D&C 29). He teaches that holiness transforms everyday living by inviting us to dedicate even mundane tasks to the Lord. This doctrine of daily holiness connects to the gathering of Israel by preparing disciples to be spiritually unified and ready for the Savior’s return.
President Russell M. Nelson taught that the gathering now takes place in each nation and that Zion is to be established “in each realm where He has given His Saints their birth and nationality” (“The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign, Nov. 2006). This prophetic continuity reassures us that our small, holy actions contribute to the grand work of gathering to Christ.
Living Apologetics: How to Apply Holiness in Everyday Life
How can we live with holiness while coming to Christ?
Infuse Holiness into Daily Routines: Set aside a moment each morning to dedicate your day to the Lord. Offer a prayer asking for guidance to live with purpose and holiness. In everyday tasks, such as cooking, working, or commuting, remind yourself that these actions can be expressions of discipleship when done with love and gratitude.
Create Holiness Habits: Choose one mundane task to transform into a holy habit. For example, when washing dishes, pray for your family members and thank God for daily blessings. When facing challenges, practice intentional patience and kindness, viewing them as opportunities to grow in Christlike attributes.
Faith in Action: How Can You Share This?
1. Family Discussions:
During family home evening or scripture study, discuss how living with holiness prepares us to gather to Christ. Share a story from Elder Gong’s talk that demonstrates finding holiness in challenging circumstances.
2. Teaching Moments:
When teaching a lesson at church, highlight how small acts of devotion contribute to becoming holy and being gathered in by Christ. Use the imagery of the hen gathering her chicks from D&C 29:2 to illustrate how Christ gathers even those who feel distant.
3. Social Media Sharing:
Share the quote: “Holiness to the Lord makes daily living sacred. It draws us closer and happier to the Lord and each other.” Encourage others to comment with ways they bring holiness into their own lives.
By living with intentional holiness and sharing that vision with others, we not only strengthen our own discipleship but also become active participants in the gathering of Israel. As we prepare for General Conference, let us embrace holiness in everyday life and invite others to gather with us.
Quick Reference: Key Defenses
1. Holiness is about progress, not perfection — Elder Gerrit W. Gong teaches that holiness transforms daily living by inviting us to align our actions with Christ’s teachings, not by demanding flawlessness. Living with intentional purpose prepares us to gather to Christ.
2. Gathering to Christ includes all who desire to come — The Savior’s invitation to gather is not limited to the spiritually strong but extends to all who are willing to follow Him. The imagery of the hen gathering her chicks (D&C 29:2) symbolizes the protective and inclusive nature of Christ’s call.
3. Daily acts of devotion become sacred through intentionality — Infusing everyday actions with gratitude, purpose, and kindness turns mundane moments into holy practices. Elder Gong emphasizes that even small, simple acts can reflect holiness to the Lord.
These key defenses help clarify the apologetic message that holiness and being gathered by Christ are attainable for everyone through intentional, faith-filled living.
Conclusion: Preparing for General Conference Through Daily Holiness
Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s message challenges us to see holiness not as a distant ideal but as a daily commitment. By infusing our everyday lives with sacred purpose, we gather closer to Christ and prepare ourselves for His Second Coming. Living with holiness means choosing to follow Christ intentionally, even in the small, mundane tasks of life.
As we look forward to General Conference, let us reflect on how we can gather to Christ by living more intentionally. Are we actively choosing holiness in our words, thoughts, and actions? Are we allowing Christ’s love to gather us under His wings, even when we feel distant or imperfect?
By living with purpose and gratitude, we can experience the transformative power of holiness and invite others to gather with us in faith. Let us commit to making daily discipleship a sacred priority, knowing that our small, consistent efforts bring us closer to the Savior.
“All around us are opportunities to laugh, delight, see with grateful eyes. Ours is a gospel of joy and holiness in everyday life. Holiness sets things apart for sacred purpose. But holiness also invites us to infuse daily living with the sacred—to rejoice in daily bread amidst this world’s thistles and thorns. To walk with the Lord, we must become holy, for He is holy, and to help us become holy, the Lord invites us to walk with Him.” — Elder Gerrit W. Gong
The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.
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