5 Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

See also Teaching Helps

Elder Gong presents a personable and caring Jesus Christ. He also shares about the Atonement, Resurrection and the Restoration. Easter and other spring holidays are important.

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 Gerrit W. Gong (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 (weep)

Possible engagement tool: Because of His experiences on earth, Jesus is personable and caring.

For me now, that Jesus weeps in sorrow and joy testifies of the miraculous reality: the divine Son of God came into physical mortality and learned according to the flesh how always to be with and bless us.

When we cry out in grief or joy, Jesus Christ understands perfectly. He can be present in the moments when we most need eternity’s great gifts: Jesus Christ’s Atonement, Resurrection, and Restoration.

Possible discussion questions: Knowing that Jesus weeps – how does that affect your understanding of His connection to us? Have you ever felt Jesus Christ’s presence during moments of intense grief in your life? Does anyone want to share? How can we cultivate a closer relationship with Jesus Christ in order to recognize His caring more readily? What makes you feel closer to Christ?

Quote #2 (heal)

Possible Intro: The Atonement of Christ has great power to lift us from the difficulties we face in life.

Easter in Jesus Christ helps us mend, reconcile, make right our relationships, on both sides of the veil. Jesus can heal grief; He can enable forgiveness. He can free us and others from things we or they have said or done that otherwise bind us captive.

Possible discussion questions: Does the world sometimes forget about Jesus Christ during the Easter holiday traditions? Elder Gong repeated the phrase, “Easter in Jesus Christ,” three times throughout his talk**. What do you think he means by that phrase? By what power does Jesus Christ heal our grief***? (Accept all reasonable answers – through His atonement.)

**Easter in Jesus Christ: : Elder Gong uses “Easter in Jesus Christ” to highlight that Easter is not merely a holiday but a testament to Christ’s divine mission. It encompasses His Atonement (His suffering for humanity’s sins), His Resurrection (His victory over death), and the restoration of His gospel, which collectively offer hope, healing, and eternal life. The phrase underscores that these gifts are found in Christ—through a personal relationship with Him and faith in His redemptive work.

Deepen the Understanding – Atonement of Christ

Use this to deepen the understanding if it is helpful for your class.

***How Does the Atonement Help Us Endure Trials, Sicknesses, and Pain?

Have you ever wondered how the Atonement takes away our pains? What do we do to take advantage of that? I’ve never entirely understood the process until now, and I’d like to share that here.

The Atonement

Christ, having suffered all things in Gethsemane, fully understands every individual’s pain—physical, emotional, and spiritual

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:11-12)

This means He can succor or “run to the aid of” those who are struggling.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Individuals can receive divine strength, peace, and even joy amid adversity by relying on Him through prayer, faith, and ordinances like the sacrament. This is often described as Christ “lightening our burdens,” even if the trial itself isn’t immediately removed.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. (Mosiah 24:14-15)

The Atonement of Christ cleanses and renews us when we seek help, repent, and seek forgiveness (even if it’s just our hard feelings, bitterness, or resentment over things others have done or life’s hardships). It also provides heightened access to the Holy Ghost, whom Christ sends as a Comforter. Through the Spirit, individuals can feel peace that “passeth all understanding,” regardless of circumstances.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Joy comes from humbly aligning ourselves with God’s will and feeling His love, which Jesus Christ’s Atonement makes possible.

A Real Life Story shared by my Friend Tom F.

“After my heart valve replacement surgery, I woke up with two tubes down my throat. My hands were tied down so I would not pull them out.  I was choking on the tubes and really was suffering.  I do not remember how long I was in that situation.  More than an hour. I felt so bad I started to cry to Heavenly Father to just let me come home to Him.

“About every 20 minutes or so they would give me drugs that would ease my discomfort for a short time.  And then it would come back.

“I will not share what happened, but I was comforted in such an amazing way that I knew I would survive, and I knew why I would survive.

“Well, I did endure that trial and I am know trying to fulfill the reason I was spared and comforted.

“I can testify that the atonement is real and can help with pain and suffering as well as with repentance.”

Quote #3 (jesus christ)

With Easter joy, we sing, “Death is conquered; man is free. Christ has won the victory.” Christ’s Resurrection frees us from death, from time’s frailties and physicality’s imperfections. Jesus Christ’s Atonement also restores us spiritually. He bled from every pore, weeping blood as it were, to provide us escape from sin and separation. He reunites us, whole and holy, with each other and God. In all good things, Jesus Christ restores abundantly—not only what was but also what can be.

Possible discussion questions: What does the phrase, “Death is conquered; man is free,” mean to you? Elder Gong says that Christ’s Resurrection frees us from “time’s frailties” and physical imperfections – what is he referring to? (Accept all reasonable answers – “time” refers to earth life or stuff that happens during our time here on earth.) Do you look forward to the Resurrection, when you get to be “whole and holy”?

Quote #4 (mortal)

God’s plan of moral and mortal agency allows us to learn by our own experience. Some of our greatest life lessons come from things we would never choose. In love, Jesus Christ descended below and ascended above all things. He rejoices in our divine capacities for creativity and delight, kindness without hope for reward, faith unto repentance and forgiveness. And He weeps in sorrow at the enormity of our human suffering, cruelty, unfairness—often brought by human choice—as do the heavens and the God of heaven with them.

Possible discussion question: Why must we learn by our own experience, even if we make mistakes? Have you ever had a valuable life lesson from a circumstance you didn’t choose for yourself? How can Jesus help us with these kinds of situations? Knowing that Jesus cares this deeply – how does that influence you when you see others suffer? Does service to others sometimes heal us, too?

Quote #5 (easter)

Each Easter spring season testifies that spiritual sequence and convergence are both part of the divine pattern of atonement, resurrection, and restoration through Jesus Christ. This sacred and symbolic convergence comes not by accident or coincidence. Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter celebrate Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection. As today, every April 6 we commemorate the establishment and organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This Restoration is a reason we gather the first Sunday each April in general conference.

Possible discussion questions: What do you do to celebrate Easter? Do any of you do something special for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, or even the Church’s anniversary? Why are holidays and celebrations important? What suggestions and ideas do you have for these holidays in the future? How can we make them more about Christ?

Summary

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