We are strengthened by associating with others of like minds. A persuasive example is more powerful than a sermon. In church we are taught how to apply religious principles. 3 If we cease valuing our churches for any reason, we threaten our personal spiritual life, and significant numbers separating themselves from God reduce His blessings to our nations.Īttendance and activity in a church help us become better people and better influences on the lives of others. We are concerned that attendance in all of these is down significantly, nationwide. 2 When I say “churches,” I include synagogues, mosques, or other religious organizations. Today, my message concerns such good and religious-minded people who have stopped attending or participating in their churches. “And, anyway, they insist that they need their weekends for family recreation … church-going would really get in their way.” 1 They teach their children honesty and virtue and they tell themselves that is about all the Church would do for them. They don’t go to church, though, and they feel they can be good enough without it.
“Kenneth and his wife, Lucille, are good people, honest and upright. Petersen, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, began a talk with this example:
