President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Oct. 17): "A Yearning for Home"

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The Activity:

1.     Give everyone a sheet of paper and a pen(cil)

2.     Tell them you are going to ask them to make a list but befor ethey begin they are to silently ponder without writing for a period of time—create the list spiritually first, then physically.  Then, they will write for a short period of time (perhaps not enough to record their entire lists—that is okay).

3.     Give them the first topic:  How has Father blessed you because of your decision(s) to follow Him?

4.     Give them 30 seconds to a minute to ponder.

5.     Ask them to write for 90 seconds to three minutes, depending on what you observe.

6.     If you wish, you could have them share some of their list with a partner, small group, or the whole class.

7.     Repeat steps 3 through 6 for the second prompt:  How has Father used you to make someone else’s life better?  (NOTE:  This prompt may be difficult for some—especially those who are not as confident or who are struggling with some forms of depression.  Be sensitive to this and perhaps even express that recognizing these moments can be difficult because you don’t always know that you have blessed someone else or because remembering these moments may make you feel prideful.  In the latter case, you might remind the class of Ammon in Alma 26:11-12 and 2-5—recognizing these moments is not a case of glorying in your own strength but glorying in your God who used you as an instrument; it should be humbling). 

8.     Repeat steps 3-6 for the final prompt:  What is your next step in coming closer to Father so that you can qualify to be of more use to Him?  (NOTE:  Again, this one leads to some rather personal moments.  I doubt that I would have anyone share what was written on this list.  I would remind everyone that even if the prompting seems silly or small to remember Alma 37:6-7)



Using the Activity:

This activity is couched in writing and reflection.  Both of these practices are ones that can bring inspiration and revelation into our lives.  In this sense, the final question here is especially important.  Ultimately, the purpose of our classes should simply be to provide a time and space where the class members can receive personal revelation as to what they need to improve in their own lives.  Also, such revelation, by nature, is intimate and personal.  For that reason, asking class members to share it would be inappropriate. 

Depending on your setting, it may be best to do all three lists one after the other without doing any sharing.  In other situations, you may want to spend relatively longer periods of time sharing between the creation of each list.  Follow the Spirit and you won’t go wrong.

Remember to enjoy your calling.  For some it can be nerve-wracking to be in front of a group of people, charged with teaching them.  You are not the one who is doing the real teaching, though; that is the responsibility of the Spirit.  Prepare yourself to make the Spirit welcome and to help the class members exercise their faith and teaching will happen.  You will be taught as well.  I hope that this strategy is of use to you as you work hard to fulfill your calling.  God bless.

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