5 Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

See also Teaching Helps

Elder Soares gave a delightful talk! He focuses on the true meaning of reverence,—drawing from Moses’ sacred encounter at the burning bush on Mount Horeb, where he learned to stand on holy ground and connect with the divine. This talk explores how cultivating reverence in our lives—through worship, covenants, and mindful use of technology like AI—can deepen our discipleship.

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 Ulisses Soares, 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 (daily)

Possible engagement tool: Elder Soares helps us understand that true reverence is an everyday experience. Because of primary songs, our oral traditions teach that reverence means ‘be quiet,’ but proper reverence can be joyful, loving, active, and vocal. (No dictionary describes reverence as being quiet.)

reverence: admiration, adoration, awe, devotion, esteem, loyalty, respect, honor, love, praise, worship

Note: can be divided among multiple readers.

The word reverence can be traced to the Latin verb revereri, which means to “stand in awe of.” In the gospel sense, this definition mingles with a feeling or attitude of profound respect, love, and gratitude. Such expression for the sacred by those who have a contrite heart and deep devotion to God and Jesus Christ fosters increased joy in their souls.

…As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are invited to cultivate the gift of reverence in our lives in order to open ourselves to a deeper communion with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, simultaneously strengthening our spiritual character.

We must remember that showing reverence for sacred things gives meaning to much of what we do every day and strengthens our feeling of gratitude—inspiring awe, respect, and love for higher and holier things.

Reverence is a collection of deeply sophisticated, heartfelt concepts, awareness of God, and love of those around us.

Possible discussion questions: How would you describe reverence to a friend? What part of true reverence especially appeals to you?

Deepen the Understanding – Elder Kearon

Isn’t it interesting that neither Elder Soares, Elder Gong (2022), nor Elder Kearon ever describes reverence as being quiet in the chapel? (It’s a superficial, misleading tradition associating reverence with being silent.)

“However, for many, reverence only means this: folding our arms tightly around our chests, bowing our heads, closing our eyes, and holding still—indefinitely! This might be a helpful way to teach energetic young children, but as we grow and learn, let us see that reverence is so much more than this. Is that how we would be if the Saviour were with us? No, for “in [His] presence is fulness of joy”! (Elder Kearon, Welcome to the Church of Joy – Oct 2024)

For more quotes and insights on reverence, see “Reverence Has Almost Nothing to Do With Being Quiet.”

Quote #2 (respect)

Possible Intro: We have a new technology known as AI (Artificial Intelligence) and new guidance for that technology.

Who wants to explain what artificial intelligence is? (Artificial intelligence is like a super-smart computer that can learn, think, and make decisions to help solve problems.)

As a church we strive to hold the Father and the Son in the utmost sacredness and respect in every aspect, including how we depict Their images. The guidance of the Holy Ghost is a crucial component in determining how these images should reflect the sacred nature, character, and godly attributes of the Father and of the Son. We are very careful to avoid portraying elements that could distract from our primary focus on our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and Their teachings, including how we apply advanced tools offered by technology, such as using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate content and images.

Possible discussion questions: Have you seen any images that might not be respectful? (I’ve seen parodies and prophets being used in jokes.) Why is it important to treat the Godhead as sacred? What does it mean to hold something sacred?

Quote #3 (tech addiction)

Electronic and technology addictions have been with us for a while.

My dear brothers and sisters, as sophisticated as modern technology has become, it simply cannot simulate the wonder, awe, and amazement found in the kind of reverence born from the influence of the Holy Ghost. As followers of Christ, we need to be careful not to weaken our connection with God and His Son by using AI-generated content and images inappropriately. We should remember that relying on a modern technological “arm of flesh” is an inadequate and disrespectful substitute for the inspiration, edification, and witness that can be received only through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Possible discussion questions: Why is relying on the Spirit rather than AI for answers important? (Accept all reasonable answers – AI is populated by the knowledge and understanding of men, and can get the answer wrong. Who needs the experience of reading the scriptures and studying questions out? (We do) What other kinds of electronic or tech addictions do people fall into? How do additions harm us?

Quote #4 (scriptures)

Possible Intro: We have two tools that add power and blessings to our spiritual experiences.

Note: Can be divided between two readers.

Brothers and sisters, we do not need to climb to the top of a mountain, like Moses did, to discover reverence for sacred things and convert our discipleship into a deeper level of spirituality and devotion. We can find it, for example, as we strive to protect our home environment from worldly influences. This can be accomplished by sincerely and fervently praying before our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ and seeking to better know our Savior through our diligent study of the word of God found in the scriptures and in the teachings of our prophets.

—AND—

16 And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things.

17 Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom— (Doctrine and Covenants 33:16-17)

Possible discussion question: What two ways does Elder Soares suggest we deepen our level of spirituality and devotion? (Prayer and scriptures) What two ways does the Lord highlight to be “ready for the Bridegroom”? (Prayer and scriptures) How important is prayer to our lives? Does prayer change things? How vital are scriptures to our lives? How do they help you?

Quote #5 (sacrament)

Possible Intro: Intentionally singing hymns and focusing on the Sacrament can transform the Sabbath into a higher spiritual experience.

We can also experience such spiritual transformation as we faithfully participate in the Church’s worship service, including tuning our hearts to the Lord through our sincere singing of sacred hymns. Turning aside—like Moses—from worldly distractions, especially our cell phones or anything not in harmony with this sacred moment, enables us to turn our full attention to partaking of the sacrament, with our minds and hearts focused on the Savior and His atoning sacrifice along with our own covenants. Such sacramental focus will foster a reverently renewing moment of our communion with the Savior and will make the Sabbath a delight and transform our life.

Possible activity: 1) Select a popular hymn that has a faster tempo and have everyone sing it together. 2) Afterwards, ask people to volunteer which parts or phrases from the hymn stood out to them.

Suggestions: “Israel, Israel God is Calling” Page 7, “Sweet Is the Work” Page 147, “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” Page 66, “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” Page 141.

Possible discussion questions: Can we be casual towards the Sacrament or singing hymns in Church? What are we missing out on when we don’t sing hymns? (see verse below) What do you enjoy about singing in Sacrament meeting? Why is the Sacrament ordinance so important? (Accept all reasonable answers – it pulls down the power of Christ’s atonement into our lives regularly.) What do you do during the Sacrament prayer?

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. (Doctrine and Covenants 25:12)

Summary

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