Name of the Church
If someone asks you, "are you Mormon?" or "are you LDS?" How would you respond?
Have you had any chances to do this in the last few years? How did it go?
If you are asking if I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, then yes! I am!
Yes, I am! I believe in Jesus Christ and am a member of His restored church.
In D&C 117 who did the Lord ask to settle their affairs and come to Missouri?
William Marks and Newell K Whitney
Newel K Whitney & William Marks had to make sacrifices to go to Missouri. What sacrifices do you make to God?
As a follow up, what blessings have you seen from making these sacrifices and what is the hardest thing for you to sacrifice to God?
Read section 119 and answer the question: How can paying tithing help make you more sanctified, more prepared for Zion?
Elder Bednar said, "The honest payment of tithing is much more than a duty; it is an important step in the process of personal sanctification." It is about turning and tuning our hearts to Him & those around us. Tithing is one way we can live the first two great commandments to love God & love our neighbor.
Ready D&C 115:6-8
What spiritual storms do you notice around you?
Commotion, confusion, trouble discerning in a world of so much information what is true and what is not, anger, hatred, negativity.
Why is the name of the church a matter of great importance?
Jesus Christ directed us to call the Church by His name because it is His Church, filled with His power.
- President Nelson
Is there anything from general conference that you felt impressed to start or stop? Have you started trying already?
Be committed every day, every hour to Christ. I want to do better at always remembering Him. As I do that, his attributes will come more naturally to me and make me a better wife, mother, friend, and better at serving others in His name.
Read D&C 118:3 and answer the question: When have you made sacrifices to fulfill your calling and seen effectual doors open for you?
The Lord has asked all members to make sacrifices to help build Zion by serving in the church (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:6), and those who have received their temple endowment have covenanted to do so.
In what ways does paying tithing strengthen your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Reminds me of His purposes. Tithing is really all about building Zion! Helping the poor and needy & helping the church grow through all the earth.
How do you find refuge through gathering?
Gathering with our families, our wards, and as a whole church at general conference, gathering our families on the other side of the veil through family history.
Read aloud D&C 115:1-4 and then answer the question: What does the name of the church have to do with its work & mission?
Quote from President Nelson:
When we omit His name from His Church, we are inadvertently removing Him as the central focus of our lives.
My dear brothers and sisters, I promise you that if we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church, He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen. We will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.
Can you think of any other examples that inspire you from the scriptures where someone was quick to obey?
Share story from BYU devotional about every good thought book.
What "significant but subtle" blessings have you seen in your life because you have lived the law of tithing?
Share some of my blessings.
Read D&C 115:5 What can you do or do better to arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for… those in our ward making our ward more like Zion?
How do I treat visitors? Do I seek to create unity? Do I do my part to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost? Am I faithful in my callings & ministering? Am I committed to attend church meetings & temple? Do I support the poor & needy? Although we are imperfect, WE CAN make a difference in every one of these efforts.
Share some ideas from the article & Elder Christofferson quote.