Can't Believe I Missed This Change! The Four-fold Mission of the Church Has Been Revised
It’s Now “The Work of Salvation and Exaltation”
I don’t like clickbait headlines that make readers stick around and wait for the good stuff.
Besides, I’m embarrassed enough already that I missed this change!
So, let’s get right to the Point.
On December 18, 2020, “The Latest Changes to the General Handbook” were published. The handbook referenced is the “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” previously released on February 19, 2020.
The third paragraph of the press release includes this statement:
“The rewritten chapters align with the handbook’s organizing framework of the work of salvation and exaltation. This work includes (1) following the teachings of Jesus Christ, (2) caring for those in need, (3) inviting all to receive Christ’s message, and (4) uniting families for eternity.”
Wait! What happened to the Four-fold Mission of the Church?
President Kimball announced the Church’s original “three-fold mission” in the April, 1981 General Conference.
“My brothers and sisters, as the Brethren of the First Presidency and the Twelve have meditated upon and prayed about the great latter-day work the Lord has given us to do, we are impressed that the mission of the Church is threefold:
To proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people;
To perfect the Saints by preparing them to receive the ordinances of the gospel and by instruction and discipline to gain exaltation;
To redeem the dead by performing vicarious ordinances of the gospel for those who have lived on the earth.
All three are part of one work—to assist our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, in Their grand and glorious mission “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39.)”
Then in December 2009, President Monson added the fourth element, “Caring for the Poor and Needy.”
Adding the fourth element completed the four-fold mission of the Church we are all familiar with:
Proclaiming the Gospel.
Perfecting the Saints.
Redeeming the Dead.
Caring for the Poor and Needy.
Given President Monson’s personal drive and ministry to ease the emotional and temporal distress of mankind, adding the fourth point to the mission made perfect sense.
The previously stated mission of the Church has been a comfortable part of our culture for decades.
Forty years is a good run! But it was time for a course change more fitting to today's world.
A Clear 360-Degree Approach to Administering the Gospel of Jesus Christ
“The Work of Salvation and Exaltation,” as explained in the General Handbook, is also four-fold but more dimensional than the original mission statement:
“We come unto Christ and assist in God’s work by:
Living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Caring for those in need.
Inviting all to receive the gospel.
Uniting families for eternity.”
The four points of the original mission are still implied in the updated statement if you look closely.
But I think this change provides even more substance and meaning.
It represents the natural flow of change necessary as we approach the second coming.
Moving on…
“The Work of Salvation and Exaltation” is Part of the Core “Doctrinal Foundation” (Point 1.2) of the General Handbook.
The General Handbook establishes the “Doctrinal Foundation” for administering the affairs of the Church.
It’s right there at the beginning of the handbook in giant print: “Doctrinal Foundation.”
“The Work of Salvation and Exaltation” is sandwiched between “1.0 God’s Plan and Your Role in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation” and “1.3 The Purpose of the Church.”
So, this defining direction for the Church and its members is worth paying attention to!
What is the Implication?
I may overthink things.
Uh, no. I definitely overthink things! Just ask my wife…
What does this clarified direction for the Church and its members mean? What does it mean for all of Heavenly Father’s children?
The answer was carefully crafted and included at the very beginning of the December 18, 2020, press release:
“Updates emphasize the work of salvation and exaltation, as well as principles of flexibility, agency and personal revelation.”
That means…
Each of us is primarily responsible for working out our own salvation.
It’s not up to the Prophet, our Bishop or Stake President, or our parents and friends to guarantee our personal eternal success.
Of course, we can help, teach, and encourage each other.
But in the end, it is up to us.
The improved General Handbook is the perfect user manual for approaching life.
You are Probably More Astute and Pay Better Attention Than I Do.
But just in case you missed this change like me, now you know the official current purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Each of us has a role to play.
It’s time to get to work!
Thanks for reading and pondering with me!
Russell Anderson
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