Lesson Plans Put Together by a Prayerful Human

Exceptional General Conference Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

Elder Uchtdorf covered:

Useful Links

• Tips for delivering a successful lesson are located at the end of the article.
• For other speakers, see General Conference Talks with 5 Highlights
• For printable copies of this lesson – click here.

All blue quotes are from Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s October 2025 General Conference talk (unless otherwise noted).

Quote #1 (self-discipline)

Possible engagement tool: Elder Uchtdorf notes we can move in two opposite directions. See which one feels like the direction you are moving in.

Quote A

Simply put, discipleship takes self-discipline.

Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift, but receiving it is a conscious choice that requires a commitment of all our “might, mind and strength.” It is a practice of every day. Every hour. It takes constant learning and determined commitment. Our faith, which is our loyalty to the Savior, becomes stronger as it is tested against the opposition we face here in mortality. It endures because we keep nourishing it, we keep actively applying it, and we never give up.

Quote B – The Opposite

On the other hand, if we fail to use faith and its convincing power by acting upon it, we become less sure of things we once held sacred—less confident of things we once knew were true.

Temptations that would never have enticed us begin to look less appalling and more appealing.

The fire of yesterday’s testimony can warm us for only so long. It needs constant nourishment to keep burning brightly.

Possible discussion questions: Has anyone ever fallen away from the Church and come back? How would you advise someone else to keep that testimony strong? What does it look like to you when you practice your faith “every hour”? Why do you feel loyal to Jesus Christ? What habits and practices strengthen your faith the most—what works for you?

For printable copies of this lesson – click here.

Quote #2 (you)

Possible engagement tool: Elder Uchtdorf has an endearing message for each of us. See how it makes you feel as we listen to the next quote.

Oh, how I wish I could embrace you and help you understand this great truth: You are a blessed being of light, the spirit child of an infinite God! And you bear within you a potential beyond your own capacity to imagine.

As poets have noted, you come to earth “trailing clouds of glory”!

Your origin story is divine, and so is your destiny. You left heaven to come here, but heaven has never left you!

You are anything but ordinary.

You are gifted!

Possible discussion questions: What important message stood out to you from Elder Uchtdorf’s message? Who needs to hear this message?

Lesson Organization Notes

This next section has a long list with accompanying quotes. You can choose between traditional whole-group discussions, like you did for Quotes #1 and #2, or small-group discussions.

It would be hard to cover all the points in one class. Nonetheless, we can quietly teach most of them effectively by breaking up into smaller groups —OR— if your group is already small (less than 12), by using a list approach.

Well-structured small-group discussions are an excellent way to effectively cover a lot of material in a short amount of time. If you have 12 or more people, please consider them. Even introverts enjoy small-group experiences when well-structured (more tips at the end of quote #3).

Quote #3 (gifts)

Instructions: If using small groups, divide the class into several groups of 3-5 people now. Let each group direct its own discussion.

Note: These instructions are printed at the end of their handout.

1. Tell them to read just the first quote together and then individually skim the list and pick an item from Elder Uchtdorf’s gift list. Please read the last quote at the end of the list to yourself as well. (Quote #3 Printable PDF here.).
2. Taking turns, volunteer a gift you chose and share why you chose it. Anyone else can also make comments. Feel free to share experiences.
3. Repeat step 2 as often as needed. They will have about 5-10 mins.
4. Select a spokesperson to quickly summarize what the group came up with during whole class discussion.

Don’t worry about list items they choose – what your class needs to talk about most will rise to the top. (More detailed instructions at the end of quote #3)

Note: No matter which discussion style you choose, ensure everyone has a copy of the quotes and the list.

If doing a whole-group discussion, follow these instructions:

1. Pass out the handout with Uchtdorf’s list – PDF Quote #3 available here.
2. Read the first quote together and ask your class to skim the list.
3. Ask someone to volunteer which gift from the list especially stands out for them today. (If someone says “all of them” say, “I agree! Who would like to pick one so we can discuss it?”
4. When someone volunteers a list item, ask, “Can you share why you picked that one?” Does anyone else have experiences with that gift or know someone who has it?
5. Rinse and repeat steps 3-4.
6. Read the last quote at the end of the list together.
7. Spend around 10-15 minutes on this activity.

It may be true that our spiritual gifts are not always flashy, but that does not mean they are less important. May I share with you some spiritual gifts that I have noticed in so many members across the world? Contemplate whether you have been blessed with one or more gifts like:

Showing compassion.

Noticing people who are overlooked.

Finding reasons to be joyful.

Being a peacemaker.

Noticing small miracles.

Giving sincere compliments.

Forgiving.

Repenting.

Enduring.

Explaining things simply.

Connecting with children.

Sustaining Church leaders.

Helping others know that they belong.

You might not see these gifts displayed at the ward talent show. But I hope you can see how precious they are to the Lord’s work and how you might have touched, blessed, or even saved one of God’s children by your gifts. Remember: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

So let us each do our little part.

More Small-group tips**

It takes about 5-10 minutes. You will likely have to stop the conversations, and that’s okay!

Essential preparation for introvert-friendly small groups: Give each person their own copy of the quotes and list to look at. Also, walk around and listen to each group for a bit without directing their conversation. Validate and nod. Only jump in if they are highly challenged and no one is talking.

At the close of the discussion time, have each group elect a spokesperson to summarize their group’s ideas. Allow others to add comments as you go along. Expect about 10-15 minutes total for Quote #3.

Quote #4 (stewardship)

Possible Intro: Remind the class that someday we will all stand in front of Heavenly Father.

The day will come when we stand before our compassionate Father in Heaven to give an account of our stewardship. He will want to know what we did with the gifts He gave us—in particular, how we used them to bless His children. God knows who we truly are, who we are designed to become, and so His expectations for us are high.

But He doesn’t expect us to take some grand, heroic, or superhuman leap to get there. In the world He created, growth happens gradually and patiently—but also consistently and unrelentingly.

Possible discussion question: Do small steps of improvement count? What stands out to you from this quote? How would you explain Elder Uchtdorf’s message to a friend in your own words? Why do we want to keep upgrading ourselves, keep learning, and sharing our gifts with others?

Quote #5 (jesus)

Possible engagement tool: Ask the class to think about how they can progress in the days to come as we read the following quote.

We know that our efforts alone cannot make us celestial. But they can make us loyal and committed to Jesus the Christ, and He can make us celestial.

Because of our beloved Savior, there is no such thing as a no-win scenario. If we place our hope and faith in Him, our victory is assured. He promises us access to His strength, His power, His abundant grace. Step by step, little by little, we will grow ever closer to that great and perfect day when we will live with Him and our loved ones in eternal glory.

Possible discussion questions: What is one of the most important relationships we can develop? (Accept all reasonable answers – with Jesus Christ and God the Father) Is it sometimes hard to have patience with ourselves? Why is it essential to partner with God and ask for help? If we have a bad day, should we give up? What is something positive you’ve improved in over the years – what are you better at now than you used to be? What is persistence, and how can it help us?

Summary

Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about Elder Uchtdorf’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.