5 Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

See also Teaching Helps

Elder Bednar powerfully reminds us of the core truths that anchor our testimonies: the First Vision, the Book of Mormon, the restored Priesthood, the divine role of the Church, and the significance of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. This presents a meaningful opportunity for members to share their testimonies of these eternal principles.

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 from David A. Bednar‘s 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 quote 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 (vision)

Possible engagement tool: In your own words, say something like, “Knowing more about God is one of the greatest blessings of this dispensation.”

Joseph affirmed: “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Through this vision and subsequent supernal experiences, Joseph Smith came to understand that God and Jesus Christ knew him as an individual, cared about his eternal salvation, and had a mission for him to perform. He also learned vital lessons about the attributes, character, and perfections of the Godhead—and that the Father and the Son are separate and distinct Beings. Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God in spirit and in the flesh.

Possible Activity: Ask several people to bring their favorite First Vision art and tell why they enjoy that version. Or bring several versions and have class members point out their favorite ones and what feelings they evoke.

Possible Musical Presentation—Joseph’s First Prayer (pg. 26) is a powerful hymn that is very effective when presented musically: quartet, small choir, solo, or instrumental. —OR— See if you can get your ward/branch to sing it during Sacrament meeting.

Possible discussion questions: What key truths about the nature of God and Jesus Christ did Joseph Smith learn from his First Vision? What is most important to you about the First Vision? What does the First Vision teach us about the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ? Why is understanding the distinct nature of the Father and the Son significant for our faith? How is the First Vision significant to the Restoration?

Quote #2 (book)

Possible Intro: The Book of Mormon stands at the heart of the Restoration.

“Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ. … This sacred text include[s] an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection. [The Book of Mormon] teaches of life’s purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose. As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old.”

Highly recommended activity! Have several people PARAPHRASE one of their favorite Book of Mormon stories or share a favorite verse or two and why it is meaningful to them. For those who share verses, it’s essential not to have them read extended, long excerpts. Stress that you, for the sake of time, only want a significant verse or two.

Possible discussion questions: When was the first time you read the Book of Mormon? How do you feel when you read the Book of Mormon? How has that Book influenced your life?

Quote #3 (priesthood)

Possible engagement tool: Have your class members think about a priesthood blessing that was especially meaningful to them as you read the following quote.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the original Church established by the Savior, with its divine authority, doctrine, and covenants and ordinances, was lost from the earth. As part of the prophesied restoration of all things in the latter days, ancient prophets and apostles personally conferred priesthood authority upon Joseph Smith and committed priesthood keys to him. This was the third in the sequence of miraculous experiences that led to the formal organization of the Savior’s restored Church.

Possible activity: Invite the class to share an experience with a priesthood blessing.

Possible discussion questions: How has the priesthood blessed your life? If you were to describe the priesthood to a friend, what would you tell them about it? Why is the priesthood so important today?

Quote #4 (cornerstone)

Possible Intro: The real reason for EVERYTHING.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints … is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.”

Possible Activity: Have several people share their favorite Jesus Christ Art and tell why they love that version.

Possible discussion question: Why is Jesus Christ important to you personally? What are some of your favorite stories about Jesus Christ? What does Jesus Christ invite us to do? How do you show your devotion to Jesus Christ?

Quote #5 (all things)

In this greatest and last of all gospel dispensations, “a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world … shall be revealed … in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.”

The Prophet Joseph further explained, “All the ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the Priesthood, under the directions and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation, … bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets.”

Possible discussion questions: How do you feel knowing you live in a dispensation where we have all things ever given and new things never before given? How can we best live up to our privileges? What is one of your favorite gospel topics? Why are you grateful for the restored gospel?

Summary

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