Lesson Plans Put Together by a Prayerful Human

Exceptional General Conference Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

Lesson topics that Sister Dennis beautifully covered include: ward and branch dynamics, how we treat each other, emulating the Savior, charity, patience with oneself, a sense of belonging, and the process of becoming.

Useful Links

• Fast lesson-planning tools—for printable class handouts plus a quick teacher guide for this lesson—click here.
• Tips for delivering a successful lesson are located at the end of the article.
• For other speakers, see General Conference Talks with 5 Highlights

All blue quotes are from J. Anette Dennis’s October 2025 General Conference talk (unless otherwise noted).

Quote #1 (love and care)

Important Note for All Quotes: This lesson sometimes takes a candid look at our ward and branch culture. It is essential to set ground rules with the class right from the start and to invite people to avoid the temptation to turn their thoughts outward by analyzing everyone else’s guilt. This lesson is meant to be introspective. These ground rules are best delivered with humor or a smile, rather than as a chastisement!

Possible engagement tool: Sister Dennis tackles a sometimes-challenging topic—ward and branch dynamics. See what stands out to you as we read the following quote.

Our experience at church is meant to provide vital connections with the Lord and with each other that are so needed for our spiritual and emotional well-being. Inherent in the covenants we make with God, beginning with baptism, is our responsibility to love and care for each other as members of the family of God, members of the body of Christ, and not just to check off a box on a list of things we’re expected to do.

Christlike love and care are higher and holier. The pure love of Christ is charity. As President Nelson taught, “Charity propels us ‘to bear one another’s burdens’ [Mosiah 18:8] rather than heap burdens upon each other.”

Possible discussion questions: What elements of the Church and the Gospel aid you in fostering a deeper connection with the Lord? How does the Church and the Gospel help you connect to others in the ward (or branch)? What programs, teachings or callings help us to love and care for others? (Ministering!) How do you like to do that? When have you felt the most meaningful connections with others? What does the phrase “higher and holier” suggest to you? What happens to us as a people when there is a lot of charity practiced, in place of complaints, tension, and fault-finding?

For printable class handouts and copies of this lesson – click here.

Quote #2 (belonging)

Excellent discussion quote.

(Sister Dennis’s footnotes were candid and down-to-earth. I’ve pulled a couple of them out to go along with quotes #2 and #3.)

One of the priorities of our presidency has been for our sisters to feel a sense of belonging at church and especially in Relief Society. I’ve had occasions to read letters and hear experiences that have saddened me. (Footnote #2)

The Savior said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” And President Nelson added: “Charity is the principal characteristic of a true follower of Jesus Christ.” “The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire. … How we speak to and about others … really matters.”

Possible activity: Have your class help you pull out what actions President Nelson advised us to do:

Note: the list does not need to be complete; use the exact words or keep the same order. Just go with what your class finds.

• Have charity
• build
• lift
• encourage
• persuade
• inspire
• voice tone and word choices matter

Possible discussion questions: Sister Dennis candidly recognizes a greater need for belonging at Church. How does President Nelson advise us to solve that? What word or words especially stand out for you from the quote today? Play on the answers! For example, if someone picks “building others,” say, “What does that mean to you?” —OR— “Who can give me an example of building others. What does that look like”? Can be done for anything from the list. Do it about three times, but if a lot of hands go up, keep going.

Quote #3 (becoming)

This quote is a banger. It gets right to the root of most of our problems.

Judgmental thoughts about others can drive the Spirit away as well. When we look down on others with critical thoughts, that is evidence of pride, and President Henry B. Eyring has said that “pride is the great enemy of unity” Footnote #6

The Savior’s life was an example of loving, gathering, and lifting even those who society had judged as outcasts and unclean. His is an example we are commanded to follow. We are here to develop Christlike attributes and eventually become like our Savior. His is not a gospel of checklists; it is a gospel of becoming—becoming as He is and loving as He does. He wants us to become a Zion people.

Possible discussion questions: Do thoughts count? Why do you think that is? How can transforming our thoughts to be charitable or at least not negative – help our efforts to become more like the Savior? How can we overcome critical and negative thoughts when we are surrounded by a sometimes hostile and critical culture? Does negativity settle into families and marriages? What is our responsibility there?

Quote #4 (self-care)

Wonderful reminder!

Note: Please divide between two readers.

Only the Lord fully knows the actual level of difficulty with which each of us is running our race of life—the burdens, the challenges, and the obstacles we face that often cannot be seen by others. Only He fully understands the life-changing wounds and trauma some of us may have experienced in the past that are still affecting us in the present.

To each one of you who may feel you have lagged far behind in this race of life, this journey of mortality, please keep going. Only the Savior can fully judge where you should be at this point, and He is compassionate and just. He is the Great Judge of the race of life and the only one who fully understands the level of difficulty with which you are running or walking or shuffling.

Possible discussion question: Why is it important to be patient with ourselves as well as others? Do we sometimes need to forgive ourselves? What helps you hit the reset button and keep going and keep trying?

Quote #5 (closing)

This makes a wonderful closing statement if you have time.

Keep your eye on the Savior. He is your iron rod. Don’t let go of Him. I testify that He lives and that you can trust Him. I also testify that He is cheering you on.

May we all follow the Savior’s example and cheer each other on is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Summary

Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about Sister Dennis’s talk. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.

Final Comment

Please teach the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.

Teach with confidence, and if you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching – try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” May the Spirit bless and guide your efforts.

(You can find the full General Conference talk here.)

How to Teach Successfully and Give a Better Lesson

You have great content; now let’s ensure the lesson goes smoothly.

Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Prayerfully select the questions that resonate the most with you and would make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities.

The above “5 Highlights” quotes and discussion questions fit with Lesson Template 1 —OR— Lesson Template 2.

Lesson Prep

• You can arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I suggest starting with the most important ones and working your way down. Don’t EVER worry about covering all the quotes. Rushed lessons are not as effective.
• If you want the discussion to be more robust and meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (i.e. pick one of the questions from each quote and give it to them, along with the assigned quote). The sooner you do this, the better, but if possible, at least show it to them before the Sacrament meeting. You can also send it via text or email.
• Ask various people to read and participate, especially those who are not often asked to do so.

Lesson Delivery

• Ensure every class member has the conference talk and scriptures in front of them or on their phone. Always invite the class to read along—hearing and seeing the words together increases comprehension and engagement.
• Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.
• If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the next quote or question.
• Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already, and letting others read allows more people to participate.
• Encourage discussion by accepting all reasonable answers. Validate people for participating, and be thankful they spoke up. Engage with the answer in a conversational way whenever it feels natural. Never say, “That’s not the right answer.”
• Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
• Never say, “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.” If the discussion takes a different turn than your planned lesson, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.