5 Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

See also Teaching Helps

Elder Cook’s analogy of comparing the Atonement of Jesus Christ to the rescue of the handcart pioneers is rich in meaningful imagery and history. This talk was exceptionally well done.

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 Quentin L. Cook (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 (handcart)

Possible engagement tool: Explain that Elder Cook told stories about the handcart pioneers and the difficult, life-threatening task of rescuing them. Several people gave their lives to rescue others. He likened the rescue of the Willie and Martin handcart companies to the rescue by the Savior’s atonement.

The atonement of Jesus Christ provides the ultimate rescue from the trials we face in this life…In His eternity-shaping atonement and resurrection, the Savior broke the bands of death, having gained the victory over death for everyone. For those who have repented of sins, He has taken upon Himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them and satisfied the demands of justice.

…The atonement provides hope and light at a time that for many seems dark and dreary. President Gordon B. Hinckley declared, “When all of history is examined, there is nothing so wonderful, so majestic, so tremendous as this act of grace.”

Possible discussion questions: Elder Cook chose the rescue of the handcart volunteers as an analogy for the Atonement of Christ. In what ways are they similar?

Optional Handcart Story

In late 1856, the Martin and Willie handcart companies, part of a larger migration of Latter-day Saint pioneers traveling to Salt Lake City, were caught in severe early winter storms in Wyoming. The Martin Company, in particular, faced dire circumstances after being stranded near Devil’s Gate. On November 4, 1856, they needed to cross the icy Sweetwater River to reach a sheltered area known as Martin’s Cove. The river, though shallow (about 2 feet deep), was wide (90-120 feet) and filled with floating ice, making the crossing perilous for the weakened emigrants, many of whom were suffering from exhaustion, hunger, and exposure.

A rescue party from Salt Lake City, sent by Brigham Young, arrived to aid the stranded pioneers. Among their efforts, several young men heroically waded into the frigid water to help the emigrants cross, either by carrying them or assisting with handcarts.

(David Patton Kimble, who was just 17 years old, along with his young friends George W. Grant (16 yrs old), Alan Huntington (24 yrs old), Steven Taylor (20 yrs old), and Ira Nebeker (17 yrs old.)

Quote #2 (refiner’s fire)

Every time I experience an especially tough phase in my life, I look back and realize I gained something significant from the experience. Whether it’s perspective and understanding, new skills and know-how, or simply inner strength to withstand future trials better, I find my stature and capacity have increased, and my path has moved to a higher norm.

President James E. Faust provided this marvelous summary: “In the heroic effort of the handcart pioneers, we learn a great truth. All must pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. Yet this is part of the purging to become acquainted with God.”

I finally realized all those refiners’ fires throughout my life were necessary to forge the strength, conviction, and character I write with today. I wish I could say I would have gotten here without them, but that’s obviously not true.

Isn’t it interesting that this world comes ready equipped with many refiner’s fires built in? Life pretty much guarantees we will pass through them – perhaps that was part of the plan?

Possible discussion questions: What stands out to you from this quote? Which saints need to go through the refiner’s fire? (All Saints) How would you explain Elder Cook’s quote about refiner’s fires to a friend? Are those fires worth it if they help us get back to God? Do you think we knew we would pass through hardships in this life before coming here? Why would we agree to it?

Quote #3 (unfair)

This quote brings us back to Elder Cook’s analogy that the atonement is our rescue.

While sin can play a significant role in our trials, our adversities are compounded by mistakes, bad decisions, evil actions by others, and many things outside of our control. Preach My Gospel teaches, “As we rely on Jesus Christ and His atonement, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ.”

Possible discussion question: Was life meant to be fair and free from the mistakes of others? Why? What happens to our mindset when we internally repeat the story that something shouldn’t have happened? (We are miserable when we focus on the guilt of others.) What happens to the strength of our souls and testimonies as we humbly weather storms in our lives and look to the Savior? What are some things we can do when experiencing a rough phase in life?

Quote #4 (atonement)

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 our pains away? 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 #5 (three)

Elder Cook leaves us with three takeaways to help us to both be rescued and be rescuers.

First, do not underestimate the importance of doing what we can to rescue others from physical and especially spiritual challenges.

Second, gratefully accept the Savior’s atonement. We all should strive to exhibit joy and happiness even as we face the challenges of life. Our goal should be to live optimistically on the sunny side of the street. I have observed my precious companion Mary do this her entire life. I have appreciated her sparkling, uplifting approach even as we have faced problems throughout the years.

My third counsel is to set aside consistent time to faithfully contemplate the Savior’s atonement. There are many ways to do this in our personal religious observance; however, attending sacrament meeting and partaking of the sacrament is especially significant. Equally important is regular attendance in a temple where possible. The temple provides a continuing remembrance of the Savior’s atonement and what it overcomes.

Highly recommended activity! Make sure your class has a copy of these three quotes by Elder Cook. Ask them to pull out words or a phrase that is especially meaningful to them today. Let people volunteer which one is it and why?

Summary

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