The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

To answer “Why a church?” Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, a General Authority Seventy speaking at the Jan. 24 Brigham Young University weekly devotional, detailed the importance of — and the need for — an established Church to follow the Savior Jesus Christ.

After proposing the question, “Why a church?” he shared that many of his friends have told him they find spirituality on their own and do not need organized religion. In response, Elder Hamilton provided multiple reasons for not just a church, but Christ’s Church — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

According to the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of adults that are religiously affiliated reported a deep level of spiritual peace weekly, at minimum.

This not only illustrates the Church’s purpose now, but Elder Hamilton explained that the Church has always been around, organized by Jesus Christ himself, with apostles and prophets to guide and lead.

Today, the First Presidency teaches that the Church provides:

  • priesthood keys and authority
  • covenants and ordinances
  • prophetic direction
  • scriptures
  • gospel learning and teaching support
  • service and leadership opportunities
  • a community of Latter-day Saints

Elder Hamilton said the Church is not simply a social club or humanitarian organization, although these are aspects of it. Rather, it is the way by which all come to Christ.

“We can think of the Church using the analogy of a prescription drug capsule. The Church is the capsule, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the medicine delivered inside the capsule. The Church delivers the blessings of the Atonement of Christ to its members who are faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.”

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.