Elder Ronald A. Rasband (Apr. '22): "To Heal the World"

-

 Over the past decade or so protecting religious freedom has been a repeated message in conference coming from a number of our leaders.  So, it must be important.  Elder Rasband's talk specifically focuses on the positives of religious freedom.

The Activity:

  1. Divide the class into four groups. 
  2. Assign each group one of the four ways Elder Rasband outlines that freedom of religion blesses the world.
    1. Par. 22-27
    2. Par. 28-31
    3. Par. 32-38
    4. Par. 39-42
  3. In their groups ask the class members to discuss how a belief in God (as opposed to strictly a belief in our religion) 1)brings about the benefits Elder Rasband talks about and 2)how we can work to bring those blessings to pass.
  4. After a few minutes, bring the class back together again and ask each group to briefly report back to the rest of the class what they talked about.
  5. As the groups share, discuss common points that are found between the groups discussions.

Using the Activity:

I designed this activity to very specifically focus on how a belief in God brings about these blessings as opposed to simply a belief in the Church because it seems like a large part of the discourse we are hearing from our leaders is about the common ground to be found with other denominations and groups.  This talk was no exception and so it feels like this is an important distinction to make in this activity.  Having said that, this activity can obviously be tweaked to focus on the blessing deriving from membership in and a testimony of the Church.  Another way to think about this is to follow up with a discussion about how the Church itself is helping to bring to pass these specific  blessings throughout the world (especially in ways not mentioned in this talk). If you go this route, you may want to refer to either Sis. Eubank's talk from last conference (found here) or Bishop Budge's talk from the same conference (found here).  

I hope you find this activity useful in your teaching efforts.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Elder Ronald A. Rasband (Apr. '23): "Hosanna to the Most High God"

-
 Like Elder Stevenson's talk, a quick reading of this talk might appear as if the talk were really about a holiday (Palm Sunday in this case).  However, it is really about so much more.  This is a powerful talk on coming to Christ and being prepared for His coming. The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Read par. 24-25 "We, like the . . . Father in Heaven." Discuss this passage briefly as a class. Point out that Elder Rasband mentions four ways to fill our lamps with oil. Divide the class into four groups and assign each group one of the doctrines that Elder Rasband discusses: Prophecy (par. 13-15:  "First, prophecy.  For . . . shall rise again.'") The Gift of the Holy Ghost (par. 16:  "Second, the companionship . . . of all things'") Discipleship (par. 17: "Third, discipleship.  True . . . cried, 'Crucify Him'") The Atonement (par. 18-19:  "Fourth, the Atone
Read more

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell (Oct. '23): "More Than a Hero"

-
 This talk is custom made for today.  All around us we can see people who choose worldly heroes to focus on and follow with little, if any, thought given to Christ and Father.  The results are perilous to us and to society.  This talk in some aspects reminds me of some of Pres. Kimball's teachings ( here , for example).   The Activity: Draw a line down the middle of the board. Read par. 23 "For us on . . . Savior and Redeemer." Ask the class members to consider what would characterize too much trust placed in "the politician, the musician, the athlete, or the vlogger" or anyone. Invite them to share their ideas.  As they do, list them on one side of the board. Invite the class members to look over the list they have created and consider how they can either safeguard against these things or walk back from perilous positions. Allow a moment to think and then discuss. Point out that if this is too much attention placed on people, in what ways could we do the same t
Read more

Elder David A. Bednar (Apr. '23): "Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore, Walk with Me"

-
 I have mentioned in other places in this blog that I am a newly called Elders Quorum president.  As such, this talk really struck home.  I feel woefully inadequate in fulfilling my calling.  This talk gave me comfort and confidence in moving forward.   The Activity: Explain Enoch's reaction to his calling and share your own experience with receiving a calling that overwhelmed you at first and/or invite some class members to share their experiences like this. Invite the class members to read paragraph 5 ("And the Lord . . . give thee utterance'") silently and ask them to identify 1) what God asks of Enoch and 2) what God promises Enoch.   Allow class members a moment to read the passage. Come back and discuss as a class what they found. Ask them to think about how these same commands and promises could apply to various callings (including those they currently have and/or those talked about at the beginning). Invite the class members to share experiences/testimonies
Read more