5 Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

See also Teaching Helps

A wonderful lesson for Sunday! The topics are: wayward family, effective doctrines, simplicity, prayer and not giving up.

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 President Henry B. Eyring (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

• Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.
• 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 a lesson takes a different turn than you planned, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.
• If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the following quote or question.

Quote #1 (intro)

This makes a great opening quote to set the tone for this lesson.

All of us have family members we love who are being tempted and tried by the seemingly constant forces of Satan, the destroyer, who would make all God’s children miserable. For many of us, there have been sleepless nights. We have tried to surround the people who are at risk with every force for good. We have pled in prayer for them. We have loved them. We have set the best example we could.

Possible discussion question: How many of us can relate to this somehow?

Quote #2 (strategy)

This deeply touched me—it’s a whole different strategy than the one I’ve sometimes used with difficult people. I’ve found that Elder Eyring’s advice works even if they don’t accept the doctrine—I feel much better about what was said. And there’s a chance they’ll think about it sometime in the future.

Alma knew that for God to help, repentance was required by those he led, as well as his adversaries. Thus, he opted for a different approach to battle.

The Book of Mormon describes it this way: “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had … more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”

The word of God is the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ and by His prophets. Alma knew that the words of doctrine had great power.

I’ve used this with detractors of our faith on X (a social media platform), and it works great. Even if they aren’t receptive, it keeps the peace, and others read the answer, including words of light.

Possible discussion questions: Could we find more opportunities to include Christ’s doctrine when talking to your family? Is there room for gospel sharing on social media? How can citing scriptures and/or sharing your joy – in place of being defensive – be a good idea when speaking to detractors of our faith?

Lesson Organization Notes

This next section is divided into five topics. You can choose between traditional whole-group discussions, like you did for Quotes #1 and #2, or small-group discussions.

A third option is to assign five people ahead of time to each of the topics.

Note: 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 (doctrine)

Explain Elder Eyring referenced a list of quotes from Doctrine and Covenants 18 in his talk and said:

In [these] few passages, the Savior gives us the perfect example of how we should teach His doctrine. This doctrine is that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end blesses all of God’s children.

Possible activity: Using the topical guide, the scriptures, and D&C 18 – Pick one of the five topics and share how you would explain that topic to a friend. (Have them find a verse or two to quote and then put the gospel concept into their own words.) This can be done individually or preferably in small groups (see instructions below).

Also Optional: Write these five topics on the board (or post word strips): Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghose, and Endure to the End.

Whole-group

Follow the activity outline above. Give people 1-2 minutes to pick a topic and look up some verses. Let them pick their own topic, and don’t worry if multiple people choose the same one. Instruct them to raise their hand as soon as they have a comment. Wait until you have around three people with their hands up, and then start.

Small-group

Do not read the scriptures together as a class. Let the individual groups handle that part. Have people split into smaller groups (3-5). Assign each group ONE of the five topics. Instruct them to skim the topical guide, scriptures, etc., independently. Then, share their favorite verses with each other and discuss them as a group (for that topic).

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

Essential preparation for introvert-friendly small groups: Ensure each person can access a topical guide. You can opt to print the topical guide page for each topic and hand it to the respective groups. 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 (simplicity)

Because we need the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we must avoid speculation or personal interpretation that goes beyond teaching true doctrine.

That can be hard to do when you love the person you are trying to influence. He or she may have ignored the doctrine that has been taught. It is tempting to try something new or sensational. But the Holy Ghost will reveal the spirit of truth only as we are cautious and careful not to go beyond teaching true doctrine. One of the surest ways to avoid even getting near false doctrine is to choose to be simple in our teaching. Safety is gained by that simplicity, and little is lost.

I know from experience that the Spirit is grieved by speculative and false doctrine. It often creates more confusion and detracts us from greater understanding. Mastering the most simple and basic gospel doctrine saves us and qualifies us for the Spirit, and what we need most.

Possible Questions: What are your favorite “simple” true doctrines? What do you love most about the gospel of Christ? If simple gospel concepts fail with someone, what is the likelihood that more complex gospel topics will help?

Quote #5 (don’t give up)

We all have family and friends who struggle or outright reject the gospel. Elder Eyring has terrific advice!

As we do our best to teach those we love about the doctrine of Jesus Christ, some may still not respond. Doubts may creep into your mind. You might question whether you know the Savior’s doctrine well enough to teach it effectively. And if you’ve already made attempts to teach it, you may wonder why the positive effects aren’t more visible. Don’t give in to those doubts. Turn to God for help.

…If you pray, if you talk to God, and if you plead for His help for your loved one, and if you thank Him not only for help but for the patience and gentleness that come from not receiving all you desire right away or perhaps ever, then I promise you that you will draw closer to Him. You will become diligent and long-suffering. And then you can know that you have done all that you can to help those you love and those you pray for navigate through Satan’s attempt to derail them.

Possible discussion questions: How can we build relationships with loved ones who reject the gospel? How has prayer helped you in difficult situations or with difficult people? Why is it important to develop patience and long-suffering? (Accept all reasonable answers – it draws us closer to the Savior.)

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.