Scriptures: Exodus 34:29–35; Psalm 99; II Corinthians 3:12—4:2; Luke 9:28–43a; Alma 14:128; Doctrine and Covenants 161:4a

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship: A poem by St. Francis of Assisi (Translated by Daniel Ladinsky)

Dear God, please reveal to us
Your sublime
Beauty
That is everywhere, everywhere, everywhere,
So that we will never again
Feel frightened.
My divine love, my love,
Please let us touch
Your face.

*Hymn: “Holy Spirit, Come with Power” HS 287
OR “As We Gather” NS 3
OR “Prophetic Church, the Future Waits” HS 293

*Invocation

*Response

Hymn: “Holy Spirit, Truth Divine” HS 281
OR “Come and Find the Quiet Center” Worship & Rejoice 477
OR “Santo, Santo, Santo” NS 43

Scripture for Peace and Justice: Psalm 99

Prayer for Peace

Scripture for Confessional Reflection: Doctrine and Covenants 161:4a

Preparation Activity

Ministry of Music
OR “Hosea” NS 15
OR “There’s a Spirit in the Air” HS 214

Message

Hymn: “O Holy Dove of God Descending” HS 285
OR “All Are Called” R-9
OR “I Will Sing, I Will Sing” NS 19

Disciples’ Generous Response

*Hymn: “Every Good and Perfect Gift” HS 151
OR “God of Creation” HS 395
OR “Now Sing to Our God” NS 40

*Benediction

*Postlude

Scriptures: Exodus 34:29–35; Psalm 99;
II Corinthians 3:12—4:2; Luke 9:28–43a

In this passage Paul contrasts the new life in Christ with the old life “under the veil.” He refers back to Moses, specifically in Exodus 33, where the people are not permitted to see God because of their sinfulness. Because people’s sinfulness was judged as disobedience to the law, this meant they could not see God. However, in Christ, one’s relationship with God is not dependent on obedience to the law. Instead, through God’s grace, Christ makes it possible for us to see God. The “veil” is removed.

The image of the veil describes how those who have not received Christ are unable to see clearly—unable to see God, themselves, or others as they really are. With the removal of the veil, God’s glory can be perceived. It is like seeing one’s reflection in a mirror. But what is seen is not the old self, but the new self in Christ. In a sense, we see ourselves as God sees us. In Christ, we are transformed from the old self to the new self; we become new. But this is not of our own doing; rather, it is the work of God in Christ. “This comes from the Lord, the Spirit” (v. 18).

An important verse, the one from which today’s theme is taken, says: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (v. 17). In today’s world, freedom often means that one has the right as an individual to do what they please, even if it violates the well-being of others or the norms of the community. But this is not what Paul means here. For Paul, freedom is associated with freedom from slavery to the law and to the separation from God that disobedience to the law created under the old covenant. The new freedom is the freedom to be who we were created to be under God with the guidance and enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

The last two verses of this week’s lesson (4:1–2) remind the disciple of God’s mercy and that all “shameful things” have been renounced. The call is to openness and honesty that allows us to “commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God” (v. 2). There is no longer any need to be deceptive, deceitful, or dishonest, or to hide from anyone anything that we do.

Emphasis here is on the work of the Spirit and how it brings us freedom. On this Youth Ministries Day, in societies where temptations to selfishness and competition are all around, this is wise counsel: Life in God’s Spirit frees us for the greatest experience of fulfillment in life.