Scripture Stories
Lazarus became very sick. Jesus was in another city. Mary and Martha sent Him a message to let Him know His friend was sick. Jesus waited for two days. Then He told His disciples they would go to Bethany. Jesus said that Lazarus had already died, and He was going to bring Him back to life.
John 11:39–40
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Why did Jesus wait so long before going to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead?
Jesus is the resurrection, and the life. He needed to wait so everyone knew without a doubt that Lazarus was dead and they could understand that Christ was the Son of God and had power over death.
"___ _____ _____ ______ ______
In all the world around me.
His Spirit warms my soul
Through ev’rything I see.
He knows I will follow him,
Give all my life to him.
___ _____ _____ ______ ______,
The love he freely gives me."
I Feel My Savior’s Love
Who is the "Strength of Youth"
The Savior
What is an eternal truth? Who is the source of eternal truths?
The Lord has taught us in scripture that “truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24). It “was not created or made” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:29) and has “no end” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:66). Truth is absolute, fixed, and immutable. In other words, truth is eternal.
Truth helps us avoid deception, discern good from evil, receive protection, and find comfort and healing. Truth can also guide our actions, make us free, sanctify us, and lead us to eternal life.
God Is the Source of Eternal Truth
What does the name Nauvoo mean in Hebrew?
Beautiful
Captain Moroni, the leader of the Nephite armies, believed in Jesus. He knew the Nephites were blessed because they kept God’s commandments. He was very angry that Amalickiah was leading people away from God, trying to become king, and trying to hurt people.
Moroni ripped his coat. He wrote on it that people should remember ______, _________, _________. Then he tied it to a pole and called it the title of liberty.
What did Moroni write that people should remember?
(Hint - Alma 45-46)
Their God, their freedom, and their families
_______ _________ how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
Amazing Grace
With these truths as your guide, you can make inspired choices that will bless you now and throughout eternity.
Jesus Christ is the way to eternal joy.
You are a beloved spirit child of God.
Your Father in Heaven trusts you.
Another name for Eternal Truths is what?
We sometimes call these eternal truths - doctrine or gospel principles
Why do you feel the Lord has “always commanded” His people “to build [temples] unto [His] holy name”?
“We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families. … The assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety. Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater”
Only place to be able to make sacred ordinances that allow us to return to heaven.
This Nephite was a leader in Captain Moroni's army who was trying to keep Nephite cities safe from the Lamanites and wicked king Amalickiah. This Nephite leader snuck into the Lamanite camp in the dark of night and killed Amalickiah before he could wake.
Who is this leader? (Alma 51-52)
Teancum
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
I’m trying to be like Jesus
The purpose of For the Strength of Youth is not to give you a “yes” or “no” about every possible choice you might face.
What is it for?
Instead, the Lord is inviting you to live in a higher and holier way—His way. This guide will teach you about His way. It explains truths He has revealed.
Make these truths your guide for making choices—big choices, such as making covenants in the temple and serving a mission, as well as daily choices, such as how to treat people or how to spend your time.
How are Gospel Truths revealed?
Elder John C. Pingree Jr. taught:
“God reveals doctrinal truths through prophets, and the Holy Ghost confirms those truths to us and helps us apply them. We must seek and be prepared to receive these spiritual impressions when they come. We are most receptive to the witness of the Spirit when we are humble, pray sincerely and study God’s words, and keep His commandments.
“Once the Holy Ghost confirms a specific truth to us, our understanding deepens as we put that principle into practice. Over time, as we consistently live the principle, we gain a sure knowledge of that truth.”
What is a patriarchal blessing?
Each patriarchal blessing is sacred, confidential, and personal. It provides inspired direction from the Lord.
Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person’s lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. As a person studies his or her patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection.
One day a leader of the Jews asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. The Savior asked him what the scriptures said. The leader said that a man should love God and also love his neighbor. Jesus said that he was right. Then the leader asked, “Who is my neighbor?”
What parable did Jesus respond with?
(hint - Luke 10)
The Good Samaritan
Christmas bells are ringing.
Hear what they say to you:
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, in Bethlehem.
Christmas Bells
Jesus Christ is your strength. He has done everything necessary for you to have joy in this life and forever. By choosing Him and His gospel, you are choosing eternal joy.
What are two Eternal Truths, Invitations, and Promised Blessings from the section Jesus Christ will help you?
Eternal Truths
Jesus Christ can strengthen you.
Repentance isn’t punishment for sin; it is the way the Savior frees us from sin.
Invitations
Repent & Rejoice in the gift to do better and be better
Promised Blessings
Jesus Christ will forgive and heal you as you repent.
He will change your heart and your life.
What do you feel it means to “take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ”?
Read this counsel by President Nelson: “I plead with you now—to take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Work for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth. Don’t pollute it with false philosophies of unbelieving men and women. As you make the continual strengthening of your testimony of Jesus Christ your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life.”
If you have not received a patriarchal blessing, what can you do to prepare for one?
Pray for becoming ready, ask parents about their experience, read the scriptures.
"I pray that Members who have not yet received their patriarchal blessing will prayerfully seek to know when they are ready. I promise that if you prepare spiritually, your experience, like mine, will be sacred to you."
- Elder Randall K. Bennett
Who was the Lamanite prophet who went to teach the Nephites in Zarahemla about repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and that Jesus, the Son of God, would be born in five years.
(Hint - Helaman 13-16)
Samuel
Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This little light of mine
Your Heavenly Father is a God of truth. He is all-knowing. All truth comes from Him and leads to Him. You show that you value truth as you seek learning, live with integrity, and bravely stand for what you know is right—even if you have to stand alone.
What are the Eternal Truths from the Truth will make you free section?
Heavenly Father wants His daughters and sons to always be learning.
Living with integrity means that you love truth with all your heart.
You have something precious to share.
Some gospel doctrine and principles are clearly stated in the scriptures. Other doctrine and principles may be implied in the storyline and only found by studying an entire book of scripture, a chapter, or a single verse. You can practice the following important steps whenever you are studying the scriptures to help you identify gospel truths.
What are the 5 Steps in Learning to Identify Doctrine & Principles?
Read Slowly & Carefully
Look for clearly stated truths
Look for implied truths
Write in your own words what you found and mark the words in the scriptures
Ponder why the truth is important to you
Living with integrity means what?
Living with integrity means that you love truth with all your heart—more than you love personal comfort, popularity, or convenience. It means doing what is right simply because it is right.