Elder Peter M. Johnson (Oct. '19): "Power to Overcome the Adversary"

-
This was one of my favorite talks from this conference.  I think many of us heard, in the wake of his talk, that Elder Johnson was the first African-American to speak in General Conference.  For many that might be a simply piece of historical trivia, but for others this is a big event.  Let's celebrate this talk for what it might mean to all of our brothers and sisters throughout the world. 

The Activity:

  1. Make sure that everyone has a copy of the talk and a way to mark it.
  2. Across the top of the board, write these three letters spaced out equally:  C A P
  3. Explain that this activity is to put a CAP on the talk.
  4. Ask the class members to read the talk and as they do to mark all of the Cautions, Advice, and Promises.
  5. Allow everyone a few minutes to do this.
  6. Ask some class members to share some of what they found.
  7. As class members share, write what they found under the appropriate letter on the board and discuss these items as a class.
Using the Activity:

This approach is one that could be used (maybe with slight modification) with any conference talk.  It is important I think to make note of the counsel, instructions, and promises made to us in the talks.  These are even more significant when we can find them in multiple talks within the same conference (as I think we would find with many of these in this talk).  Remember, in the mouth of two or three witnesses God establishes all of his truths.  

Logistically, this activity could be easily changed according to the needs of your class.  For example, you could divide the class into three groups and ask each group to look for a different element (cautions, advice, or promises).  You could divide the talk itself up into smaller parts and assign class members different sections of the talk to examine.  You could have them look for these things in groups.  And other options.  Do what feels best for your class.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I pray that the ideas here are useful to you.  God bless.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 Dale G. Renlund (Oct. '23): "Jesus Christ is the Treasure"

-
 What a great talk reminding us of the simplicity of the gospel-- Jesus  Christ.  The treasure is always Jesus Christ.  Remembering that is not easy in our modern world, though.  To help us remember, the Lord has given us many things.  Elder Renlund in this talk reviews four of these and this is what the activity below focuses on. The Activity: Make sure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Explain that in this talk, Elder Renlund reviews four actions we can do to avoid looking beyond the mark. Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group one action along with the corresponding part of the talk.  These are: Repentance-- par. 10-11 "The Savior has . . . of our sins." The sacrament-- par. 12-13 "Just like the . . . prospered, and preserved." Temple Worship-- par. 14-15 "When we have . . . it is distant." Listening to the Prophet-- par. 16-17  "After Carter and . . . look no further." Have
Read more

Pres. Russell M. Nelson (Apr. '24): "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys"

-
 This is a relatively short talk, but it is full of both invitations and promises from our prophet.  The blessings enumerated and promised are especially inspiring (par. 25-31).  However, for this activity I chose to focus on the invitations that Pres. Nelson extends to us as members. The Activity: Insure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Insure that every class member has something to write with and on (a device would work fine). Write on the board (or post printed statements) of the 3 (or 5 depending on how you choose to break up the last one) invitations that Pres. Nelson gives us. Par. 8-9 "Jesus Christ then . . . for you personally." Par. 16 "Consider how your . . . to the earth." Par. 19-22 "I invite you . . . home to Him."  (the three statements here could be listed separately). Ask the class members to read these statements and spend a moment silently considering one of the invitations. (Option
Read more