Come Follow Me-May 25-31, 2026-What is Gospel Culture?

In his conference talk , "Follow the Prophet, he Knows the Way, Elder Michael John U. Teh says, “When my parents joined theChurch, little did they know that they were embracing yet another set of values and traditions-even the gospel culture, based on the plan of salvation, God’s commandments, and the words of the living prophets.  Over time, as our family strived to fully embrace the gospel, my parents discovered that some of our well-loved traditions were not consistent with gospel culture.  It became apparent to them that they neededto make a choice.”When I think of gospel culture, I generally thinkabout things like green jello and carrots, funeral potatoes, or family pictures in BYU shirts (my family is guilty of that one).  I had never thought about a gospel culture based on the plan of salvation, God’s commandments, and the words of livingprophets.  An example of this could be not drinking coffee due to our observance of the Word of Wisdom or not shopping on Sunday due to how we feel about observing the Sabbath day.  The definition of culture is: The shared way of life of a groupof people. It encompasses the collective beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, arts, and knowledge that are learned, shared, and passed down from generation to generation. As the children of Israel enter the promised land, they are going to encounter some different cultures.  The people that already inhabit the land have a very different belief system.  Theirvalues and behaviors are distinct and, at times, contrary to the commandments of God.  The Israelites will need to makea choice. I can hear Joshua’s words echoing in their ears, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”   Will they keeptheir covenant and adhere to the commandments of Jehovah, or will they follow the enticing culture of the world around them and eventually choose to break their covenant with God? This is the same choice each of us must make every day—Willwe follow our Savior, or will we follow the world?