Pres. Dallin H. Oaks (Apr. 18): "Small & Simple Things"

This activity is based on a cause-and-effect type of structure.

The Activity:

1. Create a handout for class members that contains a series of boxes connected by arrows that show a progression from the first box to the last box (I lack the technical skills to incorporate one here, but I will work on it).  There should be 2 or 3 such series on each handout.  Make enough copies for each class member to have their own sheet.
2. Discuss the talk, with an emphasis on the great benefits that come from the small and simple things we are asked to do in the gospel. 
3. On the board draw a diagram like the one you created for the handouts.  In the first box, write "reading the Book of Mormon daily" (a small thing) and in the last box, write "Receiving Eternal Life" (a big thing).
4. Now, ask the class members to help you connect the dots.  For example, if you read the Book of Mormon daily, then you will have a stronger testimony of the Savior.  If you have a stronger testimony of the Savior, you will feel a greater desire to serve His children.  If you feel a greater desire to serve His children, you will become an instrument in His hands.  If you become an instrument in His hands, you will bring others to Christ.  If you bring others to Christ, you will receive eternal life. 
5. Now, create on the board a list of other small and simple things that we are asked to do in the gospel and in the church, e.g. attend the temple, fast once a month, have consistent family home evening, have prayer morning and night, partake of the sacrament worthily, etc.
6. Now, pass out the handouts and ask each class member to choose 2 of the items off of the list (or their own choice) and see how that small and simple thing can lead them to receive eternal life. 
7. After giving them some time to complete their charts, have the class members share one of their lists with 3 or 4 other people (either in small groups or by walking around).
8. Discuss as a class what was shared and any insights or promptings they felt.
9. Contrast what happens when one of these small and simple things is neglected or left undone.
10. If you feel so inspired, ask class members to identify one small and simple thing they will focus on doing in the upcoming days and to notice as they do this the changes in their lives.

Using the activity:

This is a more involved activity than I normally suggest here, but I really felt like this was a powerful way to see (imagine) this message in action.  Hopefully, I can figure out how to upload/attach a visual of what I have in mind.  In any case, this is a strong strategy for this talk because it is asking the class members to imagine these things as if they already were. 

I hope that this strategy is useful to you and your efforts.  Please remember to let me know how these things work or any other ideas/questions/comments you have.  God bless you in your efforts.