Pres. Henry B. Eyring (Apr. '22): "Steady in the Storm"

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 It feels like we are hearing a growing drumbeat in conference about our need to prepare for the coming trials by grounding ourselves in and on the rock of our Savior, Jesus Christ (Hel. 5:12).  This talk is a magnificent example of that.

The Activity:

  1. Draw a stick figure person on each side of the board, directly opposite each other.  These pics represent the natural person on one side and the person born of God on the other.  Between the two figures draw an arrow representing the change in nature we are called upon to have. 
  2. Make sure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. 
  3. Read Mos. 3:19 and point out that is what the drawing on the board represents.
  4. Explain that in this talk, Pres. Eyring gives us several ways to help us transform from the natural person into a person born again and built upon the rock of our Savior.
  5. Ask the class members to silently skim the talk and identify some of the ways Pres. Eyring tells us we build on the Rock.
  6. Give them a couple of minutes to look over the talk.
  7. Ask them to share for a couple of minutes some of the things that they found with a neighbor or two.
  8. After a short time, come back together as a class.  Ask the class members to share a quote from the talk and share how what is identified in the quote can help us change.
  9. Discuss each item with the class as you list it on the board.

Using the Activity:

The impetus of this talk is to push the class members to dig into the exact words that Pres. Eyring shared with us.  We are told to study the word of God and to make it central to our lives.  Usually, we think of that commandment as being directed solely at the scriptures, but I bear witness that it applies just as much to the words of living apostles and prophets.  

This activity is effective for a couple of reasons.  First, by allowing a few moments of silence to look over the talk, you are making room for more people to participate.  I have found that in most wards there are a couple of people who are very familiar with the conference talks and many of the rest of us are not as familiar especially after some time.  At times, this means that class discussion is dominated by these few.  The silent space makes it more possible for all members to find something important to say.  Second, by first making room for class members to talk in partners, it virtually assures that all people will participate.  When we participate we are acting in faith that it will make a difference (as taught be Elder Bednar).  Thus, our hearts are opened to the Spirit to a greater degree.  

As always, I hope that this activity is useful to you.  Please let me know how it goes.  

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