President Dallin H. Oaks (Oct. '23): "Kingdoms of Glory"

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 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:

  1. Insure that everyone has access to a copy of the talk either digitally or physically.
  2. Read Jarom 1:2 focusing on the centrality of understanding the Plan of Salvation according to this prophet.
  3. 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.
  4. Invite the class to review President Oaks' teaching on the Plan of Salvation and make note of a few that stand out to them.
  5. Allow the class members a few minutes to skim over the talk.
  6. Come back together and invite the class members to share what they found particularly significant.
  7. As class members share their thoughts, write them on the board.by 
  8. When the list of items on the board feels substantial, ask the class members to consider how each item on the list demonstrates Father's love for us.
  9. After a moment, ask the class members to turn to a neighbor and share their thoughts.
  10. After a moment for talking, come back together as a class and discuss some of the insights the class members shared with each other.

About the Activity:

This activity is designed to do two things primarily, 1) to focus on what the students notice from the talk and 2) to invite participation from all of the class members.  

We want to center as much as possible the ideas of the class members because this is a way to create a home-centered, church-supported gospel environment.  By keeping the class members ideas at the forefront of class discussion it reinforces the idea that they can and should be studying and learning these things themselves.  Also, people will notice those things that are foremost in their minds.  So, when we center their ideas, we are making it possible for them to receive the answers, comfort, or direction that they need about the questions they have because those are the issues that will come up.

We want to invite participation from everyone so that everyone has a chance to exercise their faith and receive the witness of the Holy Ghost.  I am reminded of the quote by Elder Marion G. Romney (member of the First Presidency with President Kimball) that says something to the effect that whenever I speak by the Spirit, I learn something.  Similarly, President Packer (former President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) taught that testimonies are gained more often on our feet bearing them than on our knees asking for them.  In either case, in order to feel the Spirit in these ways we must be speaking.  So, this activity creates a relatively low stakes opportunity for people to share their thinking.  

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I appreciate your time and hope that you found something of use here.  God bless.  

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