Individualism and the Gospel

Today in church the sunday school teacher shared a story about when he was investigating the gospel. Even though he was starting to change his life for the better, his family was completely opposed to his interest in the Gospel. His family was Catholic. As he described it, there was war in his family. His Aunts wrote him negative letters, his parents and siblings yelled at him for his interest. As he was thinking about being baptized, he wondered why there was so much contention surrounding his decision. He was frustrated and tossed his brand new scriptures on his bed. They happened to flip open to Matthew 10:34-37 which said.

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

From this verse, he realized that he had to make his own decision despite the consequences.

These verses emphasize individual salvation. We are not saved by our culture or community. We are saved individually by living the principles of Christ. As Jeffrey R. Holland said in the October 2010 confererence, "The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you."