Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Oct. 17): "Be Ye Therefore Perfect-- Eventually"

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The Activity:

1.     On the board, draw a vertical line down the middle of the board and a horizontal line across the middle, dividing the chalkboard into four sections or quadrants.

2.     Label one side “Satan’s Ideas of Perfectionism” and the other side “Father’s Ideas of Perfectionism.”

3.     Ask the class members to look over the talk and identify characteristics of each vision of perfection (NOT consequences).  Record these in the top box under the appropriate heading.

4.     When you feel that the discussion has about run its course, ask the class members to identify the consequences of each ideal.  These answers could come from the talk, their own lives, or other sources.  Record these answers in the bottom boxes under the appropriate side.  You might want to add appropriate scriptures and/or ask for quotes from the talk. 

5.     Discuss as a class any issues that emanate from this activity.



Using the Activity:

I am, by nature, kind of a table and chart kind of guy.  So, this has appeal to me in that way.  On a more serious note, though, I am not alone.  Sometimes, we tend to leave everything simply spoken or simply written.  For many people, their brains are wired in such a way that presenting information in tables or charts—some graphic way—helps them to see the information more clearly.  For example, everyone in the Church seems to know the pride cycle in the Book of Mormon and can draw it for you.  Why is it so powerful?  Because we can visually see the relationship between the elements as well as simply hear/speak them.  This strategy works on the same principle (although I am sure with much less fame).  

Of course, if you wanted, you could easily turn this into a small group activity or you could even ask class members to fill out some of the information individually on their own charts before leading a class discussion about it. 

Please let me know how this works for you, and as I have said in other places, please post comments with adaptations/variations/new ideas that you have used for these lessons.  That way we can all benefit from each other’s efforts.

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