Elder Quentin L. Cook (Apr. 19): "Great Love for Our Father's Children"

For me, this talk was a beautiful reminder of my attitude towards other people.  My need to have greater love, which translates into greater patience, understanding, and kindness for all of those around me.  Something that is easy to forget in the moment, but so important.

The Activity:

1. Prior to class, gather several pictures of people from various backgrounds and situtations.  These can be pictures from the internet or magazines.  Choose pictures that may evoke a somewhat negative reaction, e.g. someone begging for food/money, someone stealing some candy, etc.
2. At an appropriate point in the lesson, show one of the pictures.
3. Ask the class to share what the world would see when they see this person.  Discuss this for a moment, including why they would see the person in this way.
4. Now, ask how someone filled with charity would see this same person.  Discuss this for a moment, including why they would see the person in this way.
5. Repeate with another picture as you feel appropriate.
6. After discussing the picture(s). Ask the class how having charity would change how we thought about and interacted with each of these people.  Focus especially on how we would treat someone when we are filled with charity.
7. Ask the class members to think silently about a person(s) in their lives that they could love more.  Ask them to consider specific things that they could do, say, and/or think to increase their love for this person, e.g. serve them, make a list of their positive qualities, etc.
8. Ask them to share what they could do with a partner.  Do NOT ask them to share who they are thinking about.  In fact, I would recommend specifically saying not to do this.
9. Challenge them to make these changes in their behavior.

Using the Activity:

From a learning perspective, the use of pictures can be very effective for many people.  In this case, a picture can be useful in providing a concrete example to think of.  Some people's minds work by connecting images, and the Spirit can speak to them when they encounter images.  So, this activity can be a useful tool for engaging in those discussions.  I would speak a word about the pictures that we choose, be careful in deliberately antagonizing people.  If there are people who hold particularly biased views about groups of people, it may be best to not choose those pictures.  Not because we want to give them a pass; instead, because we want them to change their hearts to be in line with the Savior's.  When we create contention or anger, the Spirit of the Lord cannot be there.  So, if we choose something that makes a person feel singled out or attacked, they will most likely react by feeling (and perhaps expressing) anger.  At those moments, the Spirit will not be with them, and ultimately, the Spirit is the only one who can change a person's heart.  We do not want to create a situation where that would be impossible.  So, I would be careful with the pictures that I chose.  

I also like this activity because while it is focused on helping us apply the principles of this talk into our lives, it starts in a less threatening place.  We can begin by thinking about how people in general-- not our own "natural man"-- thinks of these people and how a person filled with charity thinks and feels before we consider our own actions.  This can create a safe space for people to reflect on their own attitudes and actions before taking ownership.  

I pray that this activity is helpful to you in your teaching.  Please let me know if I can do something different/better.