Teaching Relief Society & Priesthood

 As someone who still thinks of themselves as somewhere between 17 and 22 years old, this talk really spoke to me.  It helped me to catch the vision of what is possible with this work-- especially coupled with Bro. Corbett's talk that came immediately before it.   The Activity: At the top of the board, write "Us        +   The Lord           =   Mighty works and miracles" with space between the three elements. Explain that the equation on the board is what this talk is all about. Read par. 8 "When we hear . . . in their time." Discuss what we learn from this passage.  What must we do to fulfill our part of God's plan.  As class members share ideas, discuss them and write them under the word "Us" After a few moments, read par. 20 "When winds blow . . . choice is yours." Discuss what we learn from this passage.  How does the Lord join us in our efforts.  As class members share ideas, discuss them and write them down under the phrase "T

 I really love talks that teach me something beyond the actual message-- talks that take it for granted that I know something that I have actually never thought about.  This is one of those talks.  In retrospect, I guess I knew all of the things about the pre-existence shared, but I had not necessarily thought of them in this way.   The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to the talk either digitally or physically. On the board, create a 2x4 table.  Above the second column, write "What is it?"; above the third column, write "How do we know this?"; and above the fourth column, write "How does this help?" Read par. 1 "I am absolutely . . . power within you." Now, in the first column, fill in the two boxes:  "identity" and "power" Ask the class members to scan through the talk and identify the answers to the questions heading each column for the two characteristics that Bro. Corbitt identifies as reasons he knows the you

 This talk really struck me as a father.  It is easy to get caught up in all of the things that we are supposed to be doing as parents, e.g. family home evening, family councils, interviews with our kids, etc.  For me the idea of having essential gospel conversations with my kids in intentional ways seems to address all of those things, and makes them more manageable-- I can talk to my kids.  And I don't even think it needs to be for long periods of time.  This talk gives me hope. The Activity: Divide the class members into three groups. Point out that Sis. Jones points out an overarching goal for us as parents with our kids (Par. 11-12 "Accidental conversion is . . . be with them.'"). At the same time, she provides three smaller goals that will lead to conversion.  These are as follows: Par. 23 "To do so, . . . Spirit to leave." Par. 30 "As they act . . . of the wicked.'" Par. 39 "May our simple . . . even immortal glory." Assign eac

 About a month before he was sustained as an apostle, Elder Bednar-- then a member of the Seventy-- presided at our stake conference and during a priesthood leadership meeting, he discussed the difference between doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel.  I have referred back to what I learned that day repeatedly in determining my own course of action and to guide my priesthood service and leadership.  As a result, this talk has special meaning for me.  The Activity: Make sure everyone has access to a copy of the talk in either physical or digital form. Before class, write the following questions on the board: What is (not) a gospel principle? Who do gospel principles apply to? When do gospel principles apply? Where do gospel principles come from? How does a gospel principle look in action? Why does Father work through principles? What blessings come from principles? Ask the class members to search Elder Bednar's talk from passages that answer each of these questions.

 I was struck as I read this talk by the fact that we may miss many of the miracles in our lives because we don't have eyes to see.  I was reminded of a couple of previous conference talks that may be useful in considering this principles.  Pres. Eyring spoke about keeping a daily journal to keep track of God's hand in the lives of his family.  More recently, Elder Bednar spoke about the small but significant blessings of paying an honest tithe.  Both of these talks helped me to understand this talk by Elder Rasband more deeply.  Plus, in the mouth of two or three witnesses will truth be established.  So, we should probably pay attention.   The Activity: Make sure everyone has something to write with and on (could be digital device). Read par. 13 "Many of you  . .  . may get gain." Discuss with class members what are some things that may cause us to overlook the miracles in our lives. After a few minutes, read par. 12 "Miracles, signs, and . . . and in mine.&qu

 This talk stuck out to me for a simple reason.  In October's general conference, Pres. Nelson challenged us to study the blessings of Covenant Israel.  This talk felt like a direct result of accepting that challenge and Elder Christofferson is just sharing his learning with us. The Activity: On the board draw the following: A circle in the center with "covenant path" written inside the circle. 5 short lines coming out of that circle Another circle at the other end of each of those lines. Label these circles:  "our obedience," "God's commitment," "divine help," "blessings of gathering," and "our eternal inheritance. Read par. 9 "Some might say . . . the covenant path" Explain that Elder Christofferson identifies 5 ways in which to answer his concluding question from that quote.  These areas are represented in the second layer of circles. Ask the class members to skim the talk and make note of the differences our c

 As I approached this talk to create a lesson for it, I focused on what lessons the average church member might take from this talk that would apply directly to their life.  And I remembered the Pres. Eyring (I believe it was him) gave a talk a number of years ago in conference where he spoke about how we could each assist the bishop in carrying out his work.  Thus, this activity was born. The Activity: After talking about all of the duties of the Bishop, ask class members why an apostle might have chosen this topic to speak on in general conference-- especially since most of us will never serve as a bishop. Discuss the possible answers.  Direct the discussion to the idea that we can be a help to the Bishop in bearing his burden. Read par. 27 "In order to . . . maintain strict confidentiality" Ask the class members to silently consider how members can fulfill the direction in this passage.  Their thoughts could be specific to a certain situation/person or more generic. After

 In some ways this is a quintessential apostolic talk.  If you know little about the gospel, this talk will teach you in an accessible way the basics of the atonement.  If you are a seasoned gospel scholar, this talk will cover things you know in fresh ways so that your understanding is enhanced.  In both cases, the importance and centrality of the atonement are confirmed through the Spirit. The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk and some way to mark/highlight it. Draw 2 lines down the board dividing it into thirds.   Label the sections created on the board as follows:  resurrection , repentance , and relief . Explain to the class members that Elder Soares identifies three broad ways in which the atonement blesses our lives. Ask the class members to skim the talk and highlight/mark specific blessings associated with each of these three areas that Elder Soares mentions.  For example, in par. 12 Elder Soares says that repentance brings "a fresh attitu

 What an awesome talk this was.  By far, this is my favorite talk that I have heard from Elder Gong.  In terms of a lesson activity, there is a list of things in this talk that could easily be covered in small groups or some similar way.  However, for this activity I am going in a different direction.  I imagine that this activity would take place most likely at the start of class, although you may find it works for you better at another point in the lesson. The Activity: Read par. 13:  "However, with compassion . . . majesty and glory." Ask the class members for words that describe Christ's treatment of or attitude towards us as He ministers to us. As the class members identify a word, write it on the board and discuss how this is manifest. After you have a good list on the board, read par. 14:  "In this Easter . . . each of us." Now, return to your list of words that you wrote on the board in step #3 and discuss how each of those words should also apply to our

 There are certain gospel principles that seem to be very challenging to us as a world.  Kindness and mercy to all  certainly seem to be some of those principles.  It's easy to be kind and even merciful to a lot of people, but to all people?!?  That seems to be another issue.  Especially at this time in our society, this seems to be a crucial talk for us as we strive to become Zion.   The Activity: Make sure everyone has access to a copy of the talk. Explain the challenging nature of the counsel given in this talk and that much of it runs counter to our natural man impulses (and to prevailing ideas in much of society today). Tell them that you will read a few scenarios that could happen in the real world.  Then, the class members will skim the talk and identify a passage from the talk that gives advice on how we-- as disciples of Christ-- should respond. Share 3-5 scenarios such as the ones that follow.  I have also included paragraph hints that give advice on these scenarios.  Mod

 I feel like one of the defining characteristics of Elder Renlund is his compassion.  I suppose that is probably true of each of the apostles (and others), but in his case, Elder Renlund's compassion always seems to be on full display.  This talk is no exception in my book. The Activity: Explain to the class that Elder Renlund gave us at least three things we were to do when faced with "infuriating unfairness" and that in this activity the class members will be exploring these pieces of advice. Divide the class into three groups. Assign each groups one of the following passages: Par. 14 "In unfair situations . . . for our benefit" (trust in God) Par. 15 "We can try . . .  to do so) (develop greater faith) Par. 16 "As we develop . . . sphere of influence" (become like Christ) Ask each group to read their assigned passages, identify exactly what is counseled in that passage (they may word this differently that I did above), and discuss how each acti

 For me, this talk was an excellent example of how an understanding of the Plan of Salvation impacts our understanding of so many fundamental things.  I loved that about this talk.  As you teach this talk, though, please remember to tread carefully.  There may be people who have had abortions for any number of reasons (some of them acceptable to the Church) but may feel some shame for it.  Shame never brings us to Christ and only serves to distance us from Him.  So, as we talk about that aspect of this talk we should do so with compassion and sensitivity.  That does not mean that we condone abortion but it does mean that we approach this sensitive issue from the standpoint that we are all children of God who know right from wrong and are beloved by our Heavenly Parents. The Activity: Read par. 7 "Our eternal perspective . . . now entering mortality." Explain that our eternal perspective changes how we see each part of our eternal journey-- premortal life, mortal life, and ete