Teaching Relief Society & Priesthood

Pres. Eyring says that he wishes "to encourage [us] in the troubles [we] face."  To that end, he teaches us a pattern for facing these troubles and overcoming them.  The activity I describe here is really designed for the end of class, when people have felt and are feeling the Spirit. The Activity: At the beginning of class, pass out an index card to each class member and make sure that they all have something to write with. Explain that this card is for them to write down any promptings they may have during the lesson and will also be used near the end of the lesson today. Teach the lesson as you have prepared to do so. After discussing the talk, read aloud para. 36 "Brothers and sisters . . . will be strengthened." Ask the class members to silently pray and ponder for just a moment about whom the Lord would have them reach out to-- with whom they are to share God's love.  Point out that some people may already have had a name or names come to mind.  O

This activity is not the kind I usually share, but it is what I feel inspired to share.  I found this talk to have several powerful quotes. The Activity: Prior to the lesson, read and identify some of the quotes concerning nurturing that you feel are most germane to the sisters in your class.  For example, some of the quotes that stood out to me are: Para. 13, "As daughters of  . . . courage upon them." Para. 16, "Your practical challenge . . . receiving his guidance." Para. 19, "So you will . . . in your family." Para. 26, "From the time . . . never stop loving." Para. 29, "You will bring . . . with greater faith." Prayerfully, consider which sisters in your ward could share an experience or provide special insight into each of the passages you have identified.  Be careful to consider ALL sisters-- even those you may not immediately think of. Call and invite these sisters to take just a moment or two in class to share the

For this lesson as well, I imagine that it will be taught mostly to Relief Societies.  So, I focused the activity on the part of the talk directed to the women of the Church.  As I do so, I am operating under the definition of motherhood most closely aligned to womanhood and having less to do with having biological children at home. The Activity: Acknowledge that all women are mothers regardless of current situations and that mothers perform their duties in a variety of ways that are best suited to the needs of the woman and her family.  No judging allowed here.   Review the quote Pres. Oaks shares from Pres. Nelson, Sect. II Para. 6,  "Today we need . . . who teach fearlessly." Identify the things women in the Church are charged with doing in this quote.  Break it up into the following items (or your own breakdown): "know how to  . . . by their faith" "courageous defenders . . . in a sin-sick world" "know how to receive personal revelation

This talk was full of many things that are foundational to our Church.  That section of the talk, which is the largest section, covers so many topics that I chose instead to focus this activity on the beginning and ending of the talk-- namely, that part that focused on how to gain knowledge about the gospel.  Also, there are kind of two different activities here.  The second part of the activity deals with the last part of the talk.  This is the part where Pres. Oaks discusses dealing with questions that are troubling to members.  During this section, remember to be sensitive and to stress that for many people finding these answers can take time, energy, and patience.  And that we need to simply support them in their search for answers and not judge them as they seek. The Activity: Prior to class, identify a subject that you are interested in and are knowledgeable about.  Gather some tools that one might use to learn about the subject.  For example, if you want to talk about garde

This talk reminded me somewhat of Pres. Ezra Taft Benson's talks to the men and the women of Israel in the sense that the gathering of Israel is already emerging as a theme of Pres. Nelson's time as prophet and he is taking that particular message and personalizing it to various groups of members.  I anticipate that primarily this talk will be used in Relief Societies, even though the information is valuable for anyone.  For that reason I have created an activity with sisters in mind and will write it that way.  I do believe that it would be easily transferable to men as well.  This activity makes use of something else that I have noticed about Pres. Nelson's talks since becoming prophet.  Each time he issues a challenge or an invitation there is a blessing tied very directly and closely to it. The Activity: Make sure that every class member has a piece of paper and something to write with. Review the four invitations that Pres. Nelson makes to the sisters 10 day

I was struck by this talk not because of the message itself.  It happens every decade or so that someone in general conference speaks on this topic.  Still, I recall noone prior speaking so forcefully on this topic nor tying our use of the name of the Church so directly with our honoring the Savior.  I am sure that this talk will garner attention as we move through the year.  The activity that I am sharing below is really just that, an activity-- really two activities that work together.  The two parts may be split up and used differently or only one may be used.  The Activity: Draw a T chart on the board.  Label one side "Consequences of Current Practice" and the other side "Consequences of Changing Practice."   For the first side, read the following quotes one at a time: Paragrah 10 "The most important thing . . . even His atonment." Paragraph 16 "When we omit . . . of our lives." After reading each quote, discuss what it means.  A

I understand that this talk is not a likely choice for a lesson because it comes at the end and it doesn't set forth a lot of new things.  However, it strikes me much like the last few verses in most sections of the Doctrine and Covenants-- it may not seem to say much, but it really does say a lot.  So, I think this talk is worthy of at least a consideration for a lesson, and I see it as a tool to strengthen our testimonies of Pres. Nelson, his role as the Lord's chosen prophet, and the counsel he has given. The Activity: Prior to the lesson, create sheets of paper with the following labels:  Home-centered, Church-supported curriculum; Honoring the Lord through the correct use of the name of the Church; Greater temple attendance. Post these sheets around the room. Review with the class in broad terms some of the direction given and invitations extended to us by Pres. Nelson since he has become the President of the Church. Point out that in this talk, Pres. Nelson reiter