Going to church won't save you.

"Knowing the gospel is true is having a testimony. But being true to the gospel is having a continuous conversion."

As many of you know, I spent a few years in the southern states of the US being a missionary.
They talked a lot about how "it is by grace we are saved."
and though I wholly believe in this concept, I want to take another angle.

When I was little, I took music lessons.
I really liked my music lessons!
But it's important to note that if I hadn't practiced, I wouldn't be able to progress in my piano/guitar/percussion playing abilities.
My mom would still pay for my lesson and my teacher would still teach me... but I didn't grow.

A concept really hit me today.
Church is the vehicle to the gospel.
Going to church is not the thing that will save us.

It is our faith in Christ that does that. Not just our daily acts, but our hearts.

Now, don't get me wrong because I love everything about church.
I love 3 dedicated hours a week to take my mind off of how I wish my life was perfect, and learn how to make it that way.
I love the activities that church gives us. Church activities have taught me SO MANY life skills, good habits, talents, and prepared me for my future life not only physically but spiritually too.
I love that church gives us a family when we otherwise might not have one. There is always a place to belong and people for you to love.

But I think that sometimes (especially growing up in Utah) we put a little too much faith in the "church" and not in Jesus.

Christ is the one who saves me daily.
Would our worship be different if on Sundays we woke up thinking, I get to go hang out with the spirit instead of thinking about "going to church?"

I think most of us are pretty good at this and I just wanted to share my thoughts about elevating our minds. The gospel is about faith, not food or friends.

Church teaches us how to get to our destination but it won't take us there.
It will prepare us and teach us everything we need to know, but it's up to US to get back to God. We all want to be with our families forever. Our covenants and promises that we make to God and keep are the most important thing we can focus on.

I've heard time and time again that the gospel is not a to-do list or a box to check off in our weekly plans. But it is the way we live our lives. Becoming like Christ isn't a game of tag that we try to reach him every so often until he taps us back, but it is about walking with Jesus and letting him carry us when we need it.

Thank you to my parents, siblings and other family members, bishops, leaders, missionary companions, good friends, and home and visiting teachers that have taught me the way.
Because of all your lessons, care, love, and examples... I have slowly learned more and more about who Christ is and what the gospel is.
Now it's my job to live it.
Going to church won't save you, but the things you learn there will.

Peace and Blessins,
marissa xoxo

P.S. (those music lessons eventually paid off when I WANTED to learn and get better!)