Teaching Relief Society & Priesthood

 I have (or will, I'm sure) mention this elsewhere on this blog, but I was absolutely blown away by the amount of times that hope came up in this general conference.  It would be an interesting thing to simply study the topic of hope across all of the talks from this conference to see what one would learn.  In any case, this talk, given with Pres. Ballard's trademark straightforward clear approach, is replete with thoughts that merit our attention.  Also, it should be noted that this talk is about far more than simply those who are not currently married.  The messages here are for all people everywhere-- regardless of marital status or even desire in that regard.   The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk (physically or digitally). Prepare a number of large sheets of paper (posters).  One each one draw two lines down it, dividing the paper into thirds.  At the top of each column write one of these questions: What does it mean to have hope in Christ

 For me this talk combines several of the themes from this conference-- peace, trials, and hope, to name a few.  In this activity, I am trying to accomplish two things.  First, I want class members to dig into the words of Elder Holland closely.  Second, I want to draw a line between what the world often tells us and what the gospel of Christ teaches us.   The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk (digitally or physically). Down the center of the board, write the word 'PEACE' Ask the class members to identify some things that keep peace out of our lives, e.g. social turmoil, rumors, or sin As items for this list are brought up, acknowledge that they are difficult and serious things that can be very powerful forces in our lives/the world. After a few minutes, ask the class members to skim over Elder Holland's talk and identify ways that we can increase peace in our hearts, our homes, and our communities. As these things are brought up, discuss ea

 One of the most prevalent themes of this April's conference was hope.  Several talks directly addressed the idea of hope and others alluded to it.  I always think it is telling when we see a single gospel topic addressed so heavily (and it seems to happen every conference that several themes emerge across the talks).  Especially given the times we are in, hope seems to be a most appropriate and needed gospel principle for us to focus on. The Activity: Draw some simple shapes on the board that look like basic street signs. Talk about how some people want a sign of God's presence/existence (for example, Korihor in Alma 30).  Usually these people want some great miracle like manna from heaven.  Generally, though, God does not work that way.  Still, there are signs for the faithful, if we have eyes to see. Read par. 31-32 "His message was . . . is among us!" and explain that the signs you will talk about all point to this one thing-- that God is among us Read the followi

 We all know 2020 was quite the year (and 2021-- at least for the first quarter-- is similar), but this talk by Pres. Nelson helped to put everything in perspective.   The Activity: Divide the board (or the zoom screen) in half.  Label the left half " Past"  and the right half " Future ." As you discuss each of the four things that President Nelson spoke about, ask the class members how they have seen these things in their own lives during the pandemic.  Record these observations on the left half of the board. For each section, ask the class members some things they could do to strengthen (or continue to appreciate) their experiences in each of these areas.  Record these insights on the right half of the board. Using the Activity: This activity is designed to help the class members do two things, 1) Reflect/Recognize how the prophets words have already been manifest in their lives, and 2) Readjust/Recommit to their efforts to follow the prophets.  This latter part i

 To me, this talk embodied much of what prophets do.  It redirected us to focus on something so simple that many of us probably feel like we have moved on from this.  However, what Pres. Nelson shared pushed our understanding (or at least my understanding) deeper.  I am so grateful for the powerful truths shared in this talk about the most simple of subjects. The Activity: Divide the board into 3 sections and label them as follows:  Warnings/Instructions/Promises Divide the class into a few smaller groups based on the number of class members you have.  Each group should be about 5-7 people (although there is nothing specific about that number for this activity) Assign each group a section of the talk.  For example, you might divide the class into 3 groups and assign each group one of these sections-- Par. 1-15; Par. 16-23; & Par. 24-33. In their groups the class members should read their assigned portion of the talk and try to identify the Warnings, Instructions, and Promises that

 Wow.  This was such a powerful talk.  Having said that, if you are assigned to teach this, good luck (if you live in the United States).  I feel like this is a talk that many people will be easily able to apply to their neighbor but perhaps less so to themselves and it could stir up a range of emotions.  At the same time, I do believe this talk is worthy of diligent study and time.   I would start any lesson involving this talk with the counsel that Pres. Oaks gives in par. 22 ("We also insist . . . our Church meetings.") and make it a ground rule that no parties, candidates, or current issues should be part of the meeting.  But that is my own opinion.  While I think that the ideas need attention from all of us, I also see these issues as being potentially very contentious (or bring up contentious issues) and contention is not a way to have the Spirit in the room.  Without the Spirit, you might as well be talking hockey.   The Activity: Make sure that each class member has a

 This is another talk from this conference that could be seen as simply covering some basic or simple doctrines.  However, all of these talks-- and especially this one-- go beyond the simple and easy to shed new light on these topics.   The Activity: Ahead of time prepare 4 poster boards.  Label each poster board with one of the 4 things that Pres. Oaks covered in his talk that Christ did for us: The Resurrection Forgiveness for our Sins Knowledge of the Plan of Salvation Took on our Sufferings Draw a line down the middle of each sheet of poster board and label one side  With  and the other side  Without. Hand these posters around the room. Share the story that Pres. Oaks begins his talk with (Par. 1:  "In a Saturday . . . done for me?). Explain that you want to spend some time talking and thinking about not just what the Savior did for us but also what it means for us-- individually and collectively. Pass out something to write on the posters with. Point out the posters around th

 I designed this activity as one way to hopefully achieve Pres. Eyring's purpose in this talk (par. 12:  "My purpose today . . . coming for us.").  I hope that this activity will motivate us by helping us to focus on some of the blessing that Pres. Eyring identifies as coming from the temple and temple worship.   The Activity: Divide the class into three groups. Explain that Pres. Eyring mentions at least three blessings we can receive from attending the temple.  Each group will receive a quote from the talk that highlights one of these blessings.  Pass out a slip of paper to each group.  Each slip of paper should have one of the following quotes on it: Par. 5:  "The temple is . . . worthy of it." Par. 19:  "When we are . . . throughout our lives." Par. 25-29:  "I have seen . . . and lift us."  Perhaps you might want to give only par. 29:  "That is what . . . and lift us." Ask the groups to read aloud each passage and then discuss. 

 For me, the quote that begins this activity sums up the talk perfectly.  There are two parts to the counsel this quote gives-- prayer and love.  I chose to focus on the latter for this activity. The Activity: Read par. 10 "I prayed that . . . in His name." Ask the class members to ponder silently what it means to serve so that those we serve will feel Heavenly Father's love for them through our service. After a moment, ask class members to now share some examples when they have witnessed or participated in such acts of service/love. As the class members share, make a list of these incidents on the board. After the list has 4 or 5 items, ask the class members what patterns they see among those acts of service that made them fit the lofty standard of Pres. Eyring's quote. As those characteristics of Christ-like love and service are identified, write them on the board.  Some possible answers might include the following: Required sacrifice of time/energy Were out of the

 One of the most prevalent themes of this April's conference was hope.  Several talks directly addressed the idea of hope and others alluded to it.  I always think it is telling when we see a single gospel topic addressed so heavily (and it seems to happen every conference that several themes emerge across the talks).  Especially given the times we are in, hope seems to be a most appropriate and needed gospel principle for us to focus on. The Activity: Draw some simple shapes on the board that look like basic street signs. Talk about how some people want a sign of God's presence/existence (for example, Korihor in Alma 30).  Usually these people want some great miracle like manna from heaven.  Generally, though, God does not work that way.  Still, there are signs for the faithful, if we have eyes to see. Read par. 31-32 "His message was . . . is among us!" and explain that the signs you will talk about all point to this one thing-- that God is among us Read the followi