Elder Mark S. Palmer (Apr. '21): "Our Sorrow Shall Be Turned into Joy"

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 This talk by Elder Palmer includes a touching story about his own family's conversion to the gospel.  This story forms the body of this activity.  Having said that I think there are many gospel principles illustrated in this experience that could be focused on in lessons that would be valuable.

The Activity:

  1. Explain that Elder Palmer gives us a pattern for finding joy in this life and in the herafter.  
  2. Read par. 21 "I invite all . . . world to come."
  3. Identify and, if you wish, discuss the elements of this pattern-- desire, act, and follow.
  4. Recount the story of how Elder Palmer's parents came to join the Church-- making sure to highlight the elements of the pattern from above.
  5. Discuss with the class this pattern's applicability to our lives:
    1. When else might this pattern be useful?
    2. How might acting in faith look in these moments?
    3. How might we come to joy?

Using the Activity:

This activity does at least two things that I feel like embody Christ-like teaching.  First, it describes a pattern and gives an example (isn't that what much of the scriptures do?).  Second, it asks us to apply that pattern and the principles in it to our own lives.  As we strive to imagine how these things can be applied in our lives, the Spirit then can give us specific revelation (insights) into how we should apply these things to become more like Christ.

I hope that this activity is of use to you.  Please let me know how I can make this blog more serviceable to you.  Thank you.

Comments

  1. TeamsmithadventuresAugust 4, 2021 at 8:40 PM

    Thank you so much for this!! I have to teach this talk on Sunday and was feeling really stumped but now I feel much better about it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tom SmithAugust 22, 2021 at 5:02 PM

    Awesome. That makes me so happy.

    ReplyDelete

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