Perfecting the Saints

In my ward on the first Sunday of each month, instead of breaking off into quorums, we break off into committees: Proclaim the Gospel, Perfect the Saints, and Redeem the Dead.  This past November I was asked to give a quick 10 minute lesson on what it means to "Perfect the Saints" in the Perfect the Saints Committee.  I thought it best to answer that question in the context of the gospel as a whole.  Below is the outline I prepared for my lesson.

I. The Laws

     A. The Law of God (Rom. 7:22)

          1. Irrevocably declared in Heaven (D&C 130:20-21)

          2. Only doers of the law are justified (Rom. 2:13)

          3. God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance (D&C 1:31)

          4. We cannot be justified by this law (2 Ne. 2:5)

     B. The Law of Sin (Rom. 7:23)

          1. Opposed to Law of God (2 Ne. 2:11)

          2. All follow this law to one extent or another (Rom. 3:23; Mosiah 16:3-4)

          3. Natural man is enemy to God (Mosiah 16:5; 3:19)

          4. Wages of sin is death (James 1:15; Rom. 6:23)

          5. On our own, there's no hope (2 Ne. 9:8-9)

     C. The Law of the Gospel (D&C 88:78)

          1. More excellent way (Ether 12:11)

          2. Christ freed us from sin and death (Rom. 8:2; Gal. 3:13; Mosiah 15:23)

               a. Never violated Law of God (1 Pet. 1:19)

               b. Suffered for our sins (D&C 45:3-5)

               c. We can become one with Christ (D&C 35:2; John 17:19-23)

II. The Process (D&C 88:39)

     A. Sin (Rom. 5:12)

     B. Death (Alma 12:16)

     C. Justification (D&C 20:30)

          1. Faith in Christ (Enos 1:7-8)

          2. Broken heart, contrite spirit (2 Ne. 2:7)

          3. Repentance (2 Ne. 9:23-24)

          4. Baptism (2 Ne. 31:13)

          5. Gift of the Holy Ghost (3 Ne. 9:20)

     D. Sanctification (D&C 20:31)

          1. Endure to the end (2 Ne. 31:20)

          2. Walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:3-11, 14)

     E. Exaltation (Glorification, Perfection) (D&C 132:22-23)

          1. Joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17-18)

          2. Receive all the Father has (D&C 14:7; 1 Cor. 2:9)

          3. Become perfect (D&C 76:69)

III. What it means to be Saints

     A. Cleanse the inner vessel (Alma 60:23)

          1. Overcoming the power of sin (D&C 84:54-58)

          2. Eye single to the Glory of God (D&C 88:67; 4:5)

          3. How a Saint acts (Rom. 12:1-3, 9-21)

     B. Strengthen your brethren (D&C 108:7; Luke 22:32)

          1. Bear other's burdens (Gal 6:1-2; Mosiah 18:8-9)

          2. Magnify the Priesthood (D&C 121:41-44)

As you might imagine I had to rush through the outline, and I still went over time.  Still, I think it's a good overview of the central tenets of the gospel and our responsibilities once we accept it.