Teaching Relief Society & Priesthood

 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

 Tithing can be a difficult doctrine for many, but its importance is clear-- even just based on this conference.  Not only did Elder Andersen speak of it in this talk, but Pres. Nelson recounted his own experience with becoming a conscientious full tithe-paying member.  In President Nelson's words, doing so did not change the Church in any real way, but it did change him.  For me, Elder Andersen's talk centers around a few key questions about tithing that can be foundational to a shift in how we view tithing. The Activity: Make sure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Explain that tithing is often viewed as a very direct, straight-forward gospel law but that, in fact, there is more depth to it than we sometimes think. Write the following questions on the board: How does the Lord see our tithing? How does the Lord reward our tithing? Read aloud par. 16 ("The world speaks . . . cares and interests.") and par. 28 (&quo

 Re-reading this talk I have been struck anew with the love Father has for me-- and my own weakness in doing what I want as opposed to what He wants.  And I am left-- as the hymn says-- "all amazed." The Activity: Make sure every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Read and discuss par. 40-43 "My beloved brothers . . . try to return?" Stress that this is a story for and about us.  As a result, there is much to learn from it. Divide the class into 3 groups.  Assign each group one perspective represented in the story-- the father, the prodigal son, and the faithful son. Invite each group to discuss the lessons we can learn from/about their assigned person.  For this they can refer to the entirety of Elder Uchtdorf's talk and/or the parable in the scriptures (Luke 15:11-32). Give the groups time to discuss. Come back together as a class and share what was talked about in the groups. Using the Activity: I find that often tim

I find this talk wonderfully applicable in our times.  Many are allowing themselves to be led astray because they do not know/do not have testimonies of the truths in this talk.  I know the path is hard, but understanding that fact ahead of time, knowing the doctrines, and remembering the helps we have as we make our way are vital to making it through. The Activity: Ahead of time prepare slips of papers with the following quotes on them.  There should be enough slips for each class member to have their own. Par. 10-13 "In 1829 the . . . of eternal salvation." Par. 15 "For those of . . . countries and individuals." Par. 18-22 "The Lord in . . . Savior and Redeemer." Par. 24-25 "In His atoning . . . of Jesus Christ." Par. 26 "Our Father's plan . . . perspective and understanding." Par. 28-29 "Many do not . . . of never-ending happiness." Par. 30 "We recognize that . . . of the prophets." With the class, read par. 1

 This is an essential talk for all of us.  I believe that a majority of members (and all people, really) try to live in accordance with the principles in this talk.  It is just that the more vocal minority gets more press, so to speak.  However, even with our best efforts we all fall short at times because we are humans.  Hence, this is a talk we need to hear. The Activity: Make sure that each class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Point out that several time sin this talk Elder Soares shares doctrines (eternal truths) with us and then, based on those doctrines, he provides some general principles (or guidelines) for us to use as guides in our lives while leaving the exact operation of these things up to us. Divide the class into 4 groups and assign each group one of the following passages from this talk: Par. 3-4 "The gospel of . . . daughters of God." Par. 9-10 "President Nelson further . . . toward one another." Par. 15-16 &

 We have received excellent counsel over the last few years (longer probably but it feels like there has been a renewed emphasis lately) about the importance of having and heeding the Holy Ghost.  Elder Stevenson's talk is a clear declaration of some important principles about this issue.  There are dozens of ways to approach this talk that could all be powerful.  The activity I suggest here focuses on considering the exact words of Elder Stevenson and how they might apply to the individual lives of our class members.  As such I see this coming at the end of the lesson, although there might be other ways to use it.   The Activity: Make sure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Ask the class members to silently consider for a moment if they would like to feel the Spirit more often and/or more clearly than they currently do. Invite them to take a minute and consider what you have discussed today in class. Invite them to turn and sha

 I imagine that this is not a talk that will be commonly chosen to be taught in most wards; however, the doctrine in it is true, and the message is important.  My own parents served a mission years ago in the St. Louis temple and it was a highlight for them.  This was especially true for my dad who was a convert, being baptized in his 50's.  It is also a goal that my wife and I have.  In fact, when we got married she made me promise that we would serve a mission together since she was not able to because we got married.   The Activity: Make sure that every class member has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Divide the board in half.  Label one side "Bring" and the other side "Take" Explain to the class that when a senior couple goes on a mission they bring many things with them (e.g. wisdom, experience, testimony) into the mission field and then they take from their mission many things (e.g. experiences, friendships, etc.). Ask the clas

 For some this talk will make known some things they did not know, while for others it is a beautiful restatement of truths they already held dear.  In either case (or anywhere in between), Elder Christofferson shines a light on this topic in a way that make sit even more clear in significant ways. The Activity: Make sure everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Divide the class into 6 groups. Assign each group one of the following quotes: Par. 6 "The power to . . . of the veil." Par. 8 "In a teaching . . . the great Jehovah.'" Par. 9 "We tend to  . . . and in heaven." Par. 9 "Ultimately, all priesthood . . . holds those keys." Par. 11 "The validity that . . . love of God." Par. 12 "With access to . . . the divine order." Ask each group to read their quote and discuss the following questions: What did the learn form the quote (perhaps more than a single thing)? What are the implications for

There is something simple and beautiful in this talk.  I often think of Elder Bednar as a master teacher of the scriptures and the less conspicuous parts of doctrine, and it might be easy to think of this talk as being substantially different than that.  However, as I have pondered and studied this talk, I believe that is a mistake.  At its core this talk is as "deep" and thoughtful as any other given by Elder Bednar. The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or in print. Invite the class members to review the examples Elder Bednar provides of members who are "in the path of their duty" (par. 21-32). After a moment, read aloud par 33 "I have described . . . around the world." Ask the class members to consider other examples of people "in the path of their duty" that they have witnessed in the last few days to couple of weeks.  Invite them to especially consider the examples of those in the ward or bra

 President Ballard has returned time and again to the lives of the early Church leaders to teach us in recent conferences.  This talk is no different really.  It is unique because in this case, it feels to me that it provides a bit of a glimpse into how this apostle's mind works.  This activity came out of that thought. The Activity: Make sure everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Read par. 9 ("My beloved brethren . . . dispensation of time.") Based on this quote, ask the class members to share some of the things we are blessed to know because of Joseph Smith (you may ask the class members to consult the talk or treat that as a separate step later in the activity). After a few moments of silence, invite the class members to share their answers to that question.  As they do, record their answers on the board. When there is a good list on the board (not exhaustive but good), choose a couple of the items and ask them what else we learn fro

 Having the Spirit with us to direct and guide us is counsel that we are hearing more and more often in recent years with President Nelson's quote about not being able to withstand the last days without the companionship of the Spirit being quoted often (President Eyring quotes it in par. 3).  This talk from President Eyring lovingly shares some keys with us to help us have the Spirit as our constant companion. The Activity: Insure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Point out that in this talk, President Eyring shares some principles and/or practices with us that will help us have the Spirit with us.  These include: Having confidence that we can and will have the Spirit with us at all times (par. 7-14). Remembering the Savior on a regular basis (par. 15-18) Reviewing our lives for opportunities to repent (par. 19-20) Praying with and for the pure love of Christ (par. 21-29) Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group one of those

 This talk had themes that I feel have been showing up in many of President Oaks' talks the last few years-- including an emphasis on the justice, mercy, and love embedded in the Plan of Salvation.  In this, talk, though, I was touched by the direct and forthright way President Oaks spoke about the truths surrounding Father's plan. The Activity: Insure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Read Jarom 1:2 focusing on the centrality of understanding the Plan of Salvation according to this prophet. Point out that President Oaks' talk here is really a master class on what the Plan of Salvation contains and how it witnesses of Father's love for all of His children. Invite the class to review President Oaks' teaching on the Plan of Salvation and make note of a few that stand out to them. Allow the class members a few minutes to skim over the talk. Come back together and invite the class members to share what they found particularly

 I know that we only got to hear from President Nelson once during this conference, but it was worth the wait.  After wards, I felt like I knew the issues that were most pressing on President Nelson's mind.  He underscored all of those issues with the admonition to "think celestial."  This seems to me to echo other counsel he has give such as "hear Him" and "start with the end in mind."  I am grateful both for the newness of this counsel and the familiarity of it.   The Activity: Make sure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically. Divide the board into three sections and label them respectively-- "What?"  "Why?"  and "How?" Point out that in this talk President Nelson outlines a few answer to each of those questions-- "What is thinking celestial?"  "Why should we think celestial?"  and "How can we think celestial?" Divide the class into three groups and ass