Teaching Relief Society & Priesthood

A NOTE: Maintaining this blog at this time might be one of the most optimistic things I have done in recent memory :), although I am sure we will eventually be meeting together again for church.  I just have no idea when that will be.  Still, I want to continue this blog even in these times as an expression of hope.  In the meantime, I have begun a separate blog that focuses on sharing ideas to explore the messages of general conference in our homes.  That blog can be found  here .  In this talk, Elder Gong bears a strong witness of Jesus and I wanted this activity to help the class members tap into and feel the Spirit strongly in regards to these truths. The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk that they can mark (digitally or physically). Divide the class into groups and assign each group a part of the talk. Ask the groups to read through their assigned parts together and to mark phrases about the Savior that stand out to them. Have the groups take a mom

A NOTE: Maintaining this blog at this time might be one of the most optimistic things I have done in recent memory :), although I am sure we will eventually be meeting together again for church.  I just have no idea when that will be.  Still, I want to continue this blog even in these times as an expression of hope.  In the meantime, I have begun a separate blog that focuses on sharing ideas to explore the messages of general conference in our homes.  That blog can be found  here .  I have thoroughly enjoyed Elder Rasband's contributions since becoming an apostle.  I always find his talks so heartening and this one is no different.  I am always intrigued by what scriptures the general authorities (and especially the prophets/apostles) are studying and drawing from for their talks.  Often, I find great strength in studying these scripture passages on my own in conjunction with the talk.  This activity is designed to build on that idea. The Activity: Divide the class into six small g

A NOTE: Maintaining this blog at this time might be one of the most optimistic things I have done in recent memory :), although I am sure we will eventually be meeting together again for church.  I just have no idea when that will be.  Still, I want to continue this blog even in these times as an expression of hope.  In the meantime, I have begun a separate blog that focuses on sharing ideas to explore the messages of general conference in our homes.  That blog can be found  here .  I think we all love to hear Elder Holland speak.  He combines the intensity and animation of a high school football coach with the meekness and humility of a saint to bear strong testimony of the Lord in no uncertain terms.  This talk certainly fits that mold.  Additionally, it seems to a talk that has special importance at this time in history. Update:  I hope that we are all praying for Elder Holland's speedy recovery. The Activity: On the board, draw a horizontal line across the top and about 2/3 of

A NOTE: Maintaining this blog at this time might be one of the most optimistic things I have done in recent memory :), although I am sure we will eventually be meeting together again for church.  I just have no idea when that will be.  Still, I want to continue this blog even in these times as an expression of hope.  In the meantime, I have begun a separate blog that focuses on sharing ideas to explore the messages of general conference in our homes.  That blog can be found  here .  Elder Bednar's talks always seem to demand a little bit more from me.  I find that I am compelled to examing them more closely in order to really glean what he is saying, but I am never disappointed.  My efforts are always richly rewarded, and this talk is no different.  The activity below is based on a more thorough, careful reading of Elder Bednar's talk. The Activity: Divide the class into three groups. Point out that Elder Bednar makes three statements that begin with common conceptions of the t

A NOTE: Maintaining this blog at this time might be one of the most optimistic things I have done in recent memory :), although I am sure we will eventually be meeting together again for church.  I just have no idea when that will be.  Still, I want to continue this blog even in these times as an expression of hope.  In the meantime, I have begun a separate blog that focuses on sharing ideas to explore the messages of general conference in our homes.  That blog can be found  here .  For me Elder Cook's talk took on much greater meaning as I have returned to it and studied it more closely.  I feel like this is a talk that bears repeated study.  At the same time, I feel like much of what I learned as I read it had to do with what I was taught through the Spirit as I re-read it (which is probably true for all of the talks-- it just stood out to me much more here).  For that reason, this activity provides quite a bit of room for insights from those in the class. The Activity: In

A NOTE: Maintaining this blog at this time might be one of the most optimistic things I have done in recent memory :), although I am sure we will eventually be meeting together again for church.  I just have no idea when that will be.  Still, I want to continue this blog even in these times as an expression of hope.  In the meantime, I have begun a separate blog that focuses on sharing ideas to explore the messages of general conference in our homes.  That blog can be found  here .  Elder Uchtdorf is always so positive and encouraging and this talk is no different.  The Activity: Discuss why the Lord has an organized church on Earth. Read par. 4-10 ("However, being a . . . life to come"). Discuss things that struck the class from this passage. On the board, write questions made up of the sentences in paragraph 9.  Do this by changing each sentence into a question that starts with something like "How does participating in the Church . . .?"  For example, &q

A NOTE: Maintaining this blog at this time might be one of the most optimistic things I have done in recent memory :), although I am sure we will eventually be meeting together again for church.  I just have no idea when that will be.  Still, I want to continue this blog even in these times as an expression of hope.  In the meantime, I have begun a separate blog that focuses on sharing ideas to explore the messages of general conference in our homes.  That blog can be found  here .  Lessons on missionary work can be difficult. Often they end up feeling like a guilt trip or some sort of step-by-step process we are to follow to magically bring all of our neighbors to the waters of Baptism.  In my experience, those lessons were only marginally helpful and they often imply messages that are rather un-Christ-like.  This activity is designed to focus on the need to simply love those around us as Christ would, i.e. for their own sakes and not simply in the hopes that they will be baptized.