5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 45

This week’s topics are signs of the times, saints who have slept, calamities, the conversion of Jews, and the Millennium.

You can find the full Come, Follow Me lesson 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.

All blue quotes from the Doctrine and Covenants (unless otherwise noted).

Lesson Prep

• 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

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.

• Ensure every class member has a set of 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 (signs)

Possible Intro: Say something like, “Here are some signs of the times Jesus shared. They will happen before the Second Coming.”

Note: Can be divided between two or more readers.

39 And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.

40 And they shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath.

41 And they shall behold blood, and fire, and vapors of smoke.

42 And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven. (Doctrine and Covenants 45:39-42)

—AND—

There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas heaving beyond their bounds; then will appear one grand sign of the Son of Man in heaven. But what will the world do? They will say it is a planet, a comet, etc. But the Son of Man will come as the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, which will be as the light of the morning cometh out of the east.” (Joseph Smith, Jr., Conference Sermon – April 6, 1843)

Possible discussion questions: What are some of the signs of the times that we can expect in the future? Which signs of the times did you not know about before today? Why is it important to understand the signs of the times—why would Jesus want to share them with us? (Accept all reasonable answers – so we will not be afraid, and so we understand what is happening, also to help speed up our repentance and to better prepare ourselves spiritually.)

Quote #2 (slept)

Possible engagement tool: Say something like, “Many people will resurrect as the Second Coming begins, notice who it will be in these next verses.”

Note: Can be divided among several readers.

45 But before the arm of the Lord shall fall, an angel shall sound his trump, and the saints that have slept shall come forth to meet me in the cloud.

46 Wherefore, if ye have slept in peace blessed are you; for as you now behold me and know that I am, even so shall ye come unto me and your souls shall live, and your redemption shall be perfected; and the saints shall come forth from the four quarters of the earth. (Doctrine and Covenants 45:45-46)

—AND—

96 And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.

97 And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven— (Doctrine and Covenants 88:96-97)

Possible discussion questions: Does anyone have family or friends who have died, who might be one of the saints to rise and meet Christ? How will it feel to be reunited with them? How can we be one of the ones caught up to meet the Savior and everyone else who will be there?

Quote #3 (calamity)

Possible Intro: Say something like, “The wicked who are left on earth will have a very different experience – try to imagine what this will be like for those who are left behind.”

47 Then shall the arm of the Lord fall upon the nations.

48 And then shall the Lord set his foot upon this mount, and it shall cleave in twain, and the earth shall tremble, and reel to and fro, and the heavens also shall shake.

49 And the Lord shall utter his voice, and all the ends of the earth shall hear it; and the nations of the earth shall mourn, and they that have laughed shall see their folly.

50 And calamity shall cover the mocker, and the scorner shall be consumed; and they that have watched for iniquity shall be hewn down and cast into the fire.

Possible discussion questions: Have you ever been in a natural disaster? What happened, and how did you feel?

Imagine: Imagine experiencing something 100 times that all at once, while hearing the Lord’s voice and knowing you defied or neglected Him in life?

Quote #4 (jews)

Possible engagement tool: “The Jews have a big awakening coming”!

Note: Can be divided between two or more readers.

51 And then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet?

52 Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

53 And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.

Possible discussion question: How will the Jewish people feel when they finally realize who the Messiah is?

Quote #5 (millennium)

Possible intro: Say something like, “Here, the Lord shares a few details about the Millennium. Try to imagine being there and see what stands out for you from the following verses.”

Note: Should be divided between two or more readers.

55 And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.

56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.

57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

58 And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.

59 For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.

Possible discussion questions: What would happen if Satan were gone entirely? How would you like to live in a world where Christ is also living? Verse 57 tells us how we can be one of the fortunate ones – what does it say to do? (Accept all reasonable answers – make wise choices, embrace the gospel, seek after learning from the Holy Ghost by growing your spirituality.) What would it be like to have happy families everywhere?

Summary

Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about the lesson. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.

Final Comment

As you study and teach, you can help others find more truths in the scriptures. Thank you for bringing powerful Doctrine and Covenant teachings into other people’s lives.

If you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching, try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” Please arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.