5 Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

See also Teaching Helps

This is classic, delightful President Eyring. It’s like hearing from your favorite grandfather. I enjoy his simple, yet profound understanding of the Savior and our roles in His kingdom. The main topics are scriptures, better relationship with Christ, service, lighter burdens, and wayward children.

You can find his full talk here. Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Choose the questions that resonate the most with you and make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities. These highlights and questions fit with Lesson Template 1 or Template 2. You can also check out several other General Conference Talks with 5 Highlights.

All blue quotes by Henry B. Eyring, April 2025 General Conference talk (unless otherwise noted).

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 worry about covering all the quotes.
• If you want the discussion to be more meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (pick one of the questions below 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 text or email it.
• Ask various people to read and participate – especially those who aren’t asked as much.

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,” or “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.”
• Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
• If the discussion takes a different turn than your planned lesson, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.

Quote #1 (scriptures)

Possible engagement tool: As you read the following quote, invite your class to think about scriptures and prayer and their contribution to our spiritual success.

Here is His invitation to us: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

There are times we feel close to the Savior Jesus Christ. And yet, sometimes during our mortal trials, we feel some distance from Him and wish for an assurance that He knows what is in our hearts and loves us as individuals.

The Savior’s invitation includes the way to feel that assurance. Draw near Him by always remembering Him. Seek Him diligently through scripture study. Ask through heartfelt prayer to Heavenly Father to feel closer to His Beloved Son.

Possible Activity: Ask 1-2 people ahead of time to share ONE of their favorite scripture references about Jesus and why it is meaningful to them. Suggest 1-2 mins a piece.

Possible discussion questions: President Eyring suggests two ways to get closer to Christ – what are they? How can scriptures help us get closer to Jesus? Do you have a favorite way you study the scriptures? What has been the most effective method for you? What scriptures have helped you feel close to Christ? Do you believe in the power of prayer? Why is prayer an essential part of our connection to Heaven?

For printable copies of this lesson – click here.

Quote #2 (friends)

Loved this! This may be one of the best lessons on how to get closer to the Savior.

There is a simple way to think about it. It is what you would do if you were separated for a time from dear friends. You would find a way to communicate with them, you would cherish any message you received from them, and you would do all you could to help them.

The more that happened, the longer it lasted, the deeper the bond of affection would be strengthened, and you would feel yourself drawing ever nearer. If much time passed without the cherished communication and the opportunity to help one another, the bond would weaken.

Possible discussion questions: What do you think about President Eyring’s analogy about our relationships with friends and Christ? What lesson did you pull from President Erying’s analogy? How can we help Jesus? Why would that bring us closer to Him? What happens if we haven’t tried to be close to the Savior and emulate Him for a long time?

Quote #3 (serve)

Possible engagement tool: Tell the class we’re about to listen to two quotes, one by President Eyring and one by Elder Uchtdorf. Ask them to notice similarities in the messages.

As you bind up the wounds of those in need, the Lord’s power will sustain you. His arms will be outstretched with yours to succor and bless the children of our Heavenly Father.

Every covenant servant of Jesus Christ will receive His direction from the Spirit as they bless and serve others for Him. Then they will feel the Savior’s love and find joy in being drawn closer to Him.

—AND—

“Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us.” (Elder Uchtdorf, Waiting on the Road to Damascus – April 2011)

Possible discussion questions: What message do these two quotes have in common? What is an effective way to bring Spirit and revelation into your life? (Accept all reasonable answers – to serve others.) According to Elder Uchtdorf, what is the most effective way to find answers to your prayers? (Through service) According to President Erying, what is the most effective way to get closer to Christ? (to serve others) How might answers to prayers come after we’ve been on our knees? (Through things people randomly say, scriptures, at Church during a talk or lesson, a sudden burst of light and understanding, eyes opened to new knowledge and connections, etc.)

Quote #4 (lighter burdens)

This quote describes an additional blessing when we serve.

“As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

“Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places … , even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, … that ye may have eternal life.”

As you are faithful to these promises, you will find that the Lord keeps His promise to be one with you in your service, making your burdens light. You will come to know the Savior, and in time you will come to be like Him and “be perfected in him.” By helping others for the Savior, you will find that you are drawing nearer to Him.

Possible Activity: Sing Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief (Especially verses 2-5)

5.

Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side.
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.

Possible discussion question: What blessing is President Eyring pointing out? (Accept all reasonable answers – Service makes our burdens lighter.) Have you ever felt joy and/or buoyancy after serving someone in distress? Do you believe the principles taught in the Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief hymn are actual gospel teachings? Why do you believe them?

Quote #5 (wayward)

Possible engagement tool: Tell your class we’re about to read three quotes, one by President Eyring, one by President one by Joseph F. Smith, and one by Elder Gong.

Note: You can use any of these quotes or all of them.

Many of you have loved ones who are wandering off the path to eternal life. You wonder what more you can do to bring them back. You can depend on the Lord to draw closer to them as you serve Him in faith.

You may remember the Lord’s promise to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon when they were away from their families on His errands: “My friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power.”

—AND—

Extraordinary Revelation to Joseph F. Smith

Doctrine and Covenants 138:32, 58-59

32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.

58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,

59 And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.

—AND—

Elder Gong

God knows and loves us perfectly. “God is not mocked,” nor can He be deceived. With perfect mercy and justice, He encircles in His arms of safety the humble and penitent. Gratefully, we know the living and “the dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God” and Christ’s Atonement. In the spirit world, even those in sin and transgression have opportunity to repent. (Happy and Forever – Oct 2022)

Possible discussion questions: By show of hands, how many have wayward family members or friends who have rejected the gospel? Do these quotes give you hope and comfort? If you had a friend mourning over a child who has left the gospel path, what might you say to them?

Summary

Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about President Eyring’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.