President Russell M. Nelson (Oct. '20): "Let God Prevail"

 Explanation:

The ideas in this blog are for larger groups such as Relief Society and Elders Quorum classes.  I have another blog with ideas for smaller groups (families or small classes).  You can find that blog here.

For me, this was one of the most impactful conferences of my life.  I felt like this conference spoke so clearly both to today's world and the world moving forward that it was awe inspiring.  This talk (and Pres. Nelson's talk during the women's meeting) was one of the definite highlights.  

The Activity:

1. Make sure everyone has a sheet of paper and something to write with.
2. Read par. 23 ("The question for . . . up in His?)
3. Discuss what this means
4. Take a moment to silently consider a moment from the past week when you were faced with a choice as to whether you would let God prevail in your life or if you would prioritize something/someone else.
5. Re-read par. 23.
6. Silently, take a few moments to write about what that particular experience answers those questions and how you might remember to do better in the future.
7. Share ideas on how you could be more aware of letting God prevail in your life.

Using the Activity:

This activity makes use of two important elements in an effort to try and get the class members to really liken the words of the prophet to themselves.  First, the idea of silently thinking about an moment in time and how it measures up to the standard we are to have according to our prophet, i.e. pondering, is an important step to receiving revelation as oultined in a number of places in the scriptures.  Second, writing slows us down and makes us clarify our thinking and consider it-- at least a little-- as we are putting it to paper.  Plus, writing has the effect of making something feel more permenant.  We don't use writing very much in our church classes, but it is a potentially powerful tool to aid in discussions, personal revelation, and testimony building.  

I feel it is important when using this activity to remind class members that none of us are perfect.  So, it is doubtful that the moment they are thinking of is celestial kingdom material and that is okay.  God loves us as we are now-- not only after we become some better version of ourselves.  Since we are all growing, we are just reflecting on and learning from our past.  

As always I hope that this activity is helpful to you, and I hope that all of you are gradually getting back to meeting in person (we are doing our classes over Zoom now, but fingers crossed [but no breath being held] that things will improve to the point that we can be back together for all of church soon).  Bless you for your efforts-- especially now.