Lesson Plans Put Together by a Prayerful Human

Exceptional General Conference Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions

Lesson topics Elder Bednar covered are: moral agency, the two great commandments, no fear of judgement day and godly fear,

This was a harder lesson plan to put together. I revised it a couple of times to achieve a cohesive flow that’s essential for effective classroom discussions. But Elder Bednar’s talks are ALWAYS worth the trouble. Beautiful concepts taught.

Useful Links

• Fast lesson-planning tools—for printable class handouts and a quick teacher guide for this lesson—click here.
• Tips for delivering a successful lesson are located at the end of the article.
• For other speakers, see General Conference Talks with 5 Highlights

All blue quotes are from David A. Bednar’s October 2025 General Conference talk (unless otherwise noted).

Quote #1 (moral agency)

Possible engagement tool: Write “Moral Agency” and two phrases underneath that Title on the board: Moral Agency / Invited to Act — Invited to Become. Ask your class to contemplate those two “moral agency” phrases as we read the following quote.

God’s creations include both “things to act and things to be acted upon.” And moral agency is the divinely designed “power of independent action” that empowers us as God’s children to become agents to act and not simply objects to be acted upon.

The earth was created as a place whereon Heavenly Father’s children could be proved to see if they would “do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” A primary purpose of the Creation and of our mortal existence is to provide us the opportunity to act and become what the Lord invites us to become.

Possible discussion questions: What does the phrase “Moral Agency” mean to you? (Suggestion: if you want, bring up Elder Bednar’s definition below if needed – but if you get good responses, save your time for other quotes and questions.) We are invited to act—what comes up for you when you hear that phrase? What are we invited to become—what do you hope to become? Is life meant to be a test that includes hardships and difficult choices? How do you know that?

Moral Agency

(I would only use this if your class needs help with the concept)

“This essential principle also is described in the scriptures as agency and the freedom to choose and to act.

“The term “moral agency” is instructive. Synonyms for the word “moral” include “good,” “honest,” and “virtuous.” Synonyms for the word “agency” include “action,” “activity,” and “work.” Hence, “moral agency” can be understood as the ability and privilege to choose and act for ourselves in ways that are good, honest, virtuous, and true.”

For printable class handouts and copies of this lesson – click here.

Quote #2 (two commandments)

Possible engagement tool: Ask, what are “The Two Great Commandments” and who called them that? (A. Love God, Love Neighbor, Jesus Christ.)

“Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;

“And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father.”

The fundamental purposes for the exercise of agency are to love one another and to choose God. And these two purposes align precisely with the first and second great commandments to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Possible discussion questions: What are the two great struggles every day? (Love God with everything we have and love/esteem others as greatly as we love and esteem ourselves.) What influences in the world work against the two commandments? What habits and behaviors in our personal lives might work against these two commandments?

Quote #3 (become)

President Dallin H. Oaks has emphasized that the gospel of Jesus Christ invites us both to know something and to become something through the righteous exercise of moral agency. He said:

“Many Bible and modern scriptures speak of a final judgment at which all persons will be rewarded according to their deeds or works or the desires of their hearts. But other scriptures enlarge upon this by referring to our being judged by the condition we have achieved.

President Oaks continued: “From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become.”

Possible discussion questions: What stands out for you from President Oaks’s quote? What is the difference between doing something and becoming something? How can we help ourselves “become” more of a Saint? (Accept all reasonable answers – work on the condition of our hearts and the inner thoughts, focus on God more than ourselves, etc.)

Quote #4 (godly fear)

This is a wonderful quote! I would do this one before quote #3 if you are running out of time.

Possible engagement tool: Elder Bednar helps us understand how we can be at peace with Judgment Day. Invite your class to notice which concepts Elder Bednar shares that feel especially helpful.

Many of us may expect that our appearance before the bar of the Eternal Judge will be similar to a proceeding in a worldly court of law. A judge will preside. Evidence will be presented. A verdict will be rendered. And we likely will be uncertain and fearful until we learn the eventual outcome. But I believe such a characterization is inaccurate.

…Unlike worldly fear that causes alarm and anxiety, godly fear invites into our lives peace, assurance, and confidence.

Righteous fear encompasses a deep feeling of reverence and awe for the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to His commandments, and anticipation of the Final Judgment and justice at His hand. Godly fear grows out of a correct understanding of the divine nature and mission of the Redeemer, a willingness to submit our will to His will, and a knowledge that every man and woman will be accountable for his or her own mortal desires, thoughts, words, and acts in the Day of Judgment.

Possible activity: Have your class help you pull out the elements of godly fear. The list does not need to be the same words, in the same order or the same number. Just go with what your class comes up with:

• peace
• assurance
• confidence
• deep reverence
• obedience
• correct understandings
• willing to submit
• knowledge that we will be accountable for desires, thoughts, words, and acts

Possible discussion question: Which of the elements that Elder Bednar lists is significant for you today and why? (If someone says, “all of them,” just say yes, and who would like to pick one so we can discuss it.)

Quote #5 (do good)

Makes a great closing if you have time.

“… Deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.”

I joyfully witness that Jesus Christ is our living Savior. Alma’s promise is true and applicable to you and me—today, tomorrow, and for all eternity. I so testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

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.

(You can find the full General Conference talk here.)

How to Teach Successfully and Give a Better Lesson

You have great content; now let’s ensure the lesson goes smoothly.

Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Prayerfully select the questions that resonate the most with you and would make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities.

The above “5 Highlights” quotes and discussion questions fit with Lesson Template 1 —OR— Lesson Template 2.

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 EVER worry about covering all the quotes. Rushed lessons are not as effective.
• If you want the discussion to be more robust and meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (i.e. pick one of the questions from each quote 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 send it via text or email.
• Ask various people to read and participate, especially those who are not often asked to do so.

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.”
• Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
• Never say, “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.” If the discussion takes a different turn than your planned lesson, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.