Come, Follow Me LIVING, LEARNING, AND TEACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST For Young Women and Relief Society
Pilot Test for Come, Follow Me: Living, Learning, and Teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for Young Women and Relief Society Thank you for participating in this pilot test of Come, Follow Me: Living, Learning, and Teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This resource is an effort to improve gospel learning and teaching at home and at church. We hope you will have a wonderful experience using these materials. WHAT IS COME, FOLLOW ME? Come, Follow Me is composed of five books: Come, Follow Me for individuals and families at home Come, Follow Me for Sunday School Come, Follow Me for Primary Come, Follow Me for Young Women and Relief Society Come, Follow Me for Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood quorums WHY THIS TEST? Under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Church is exploring ways to (1) better help your family live and learn the gospel at home and (2) help your experiences at church better support your gospel learning at home. Your participation and feedback as a Young Women or Relief Society teacher or leader and as a Church member will be very valuable. WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD I USE FOR THE TEST? As part of this test, you are invited to use the following materials as you prepare to teach on Sundays: 1. Come, Follow Me for individuals and families at home. Each family in your ward or branch has received a copy of this book and has been encouraged to use it for gospel study at home (scripture study, family home evening, and so on). 2. Come, Follow Me for Young Women and Relief Society. This book contains lessons that will support the topical study that class members are doing at home during the month. It will also helps sisters in Young Women and Relief Society fulfill their divine roles in the work of salvation. Together, these two books will help you as you teach. They will also strengthen members in their efforts to learn and live the gospel at home. For the period of the test, these two books will replace your current Young Women and Relief Society Sunday meeting materials, including Come, Follow Me: Learning Resources for Youth and Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter. After the test is over you can return to teaching from the previous materials. HOW DO I SHARE MY FEEDBACK? At least weekly, please share your experiences, comments, and suggestions. You will remain completely anonymous, and you can comment as often as you would like. Thank you for your help. May the Lord bless you in your efforts to learn and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. To share your comments, go to lds.org/test/learn.
Contents Our Meetings Are More Than Classes... ii Using Come, Follow Me for Young Women and Relief Society...iii Outlines for Young Women and Relief Society Meetings................................1 January: Charity Week 1: Relief Society: How Can We Work in Unity to Help Those in Need?...2 Young Women: How Did the Savior Show Love for Others?...4 Week 2: How Can I Develop Charity?...6 Week 3: How Can I Show Christlike Love in My Family?...8 February: Agency Week 1: Relief Society: How Can I Strengthen Individuals and Families through Ordinances and Covenants?...10 Young Women: How Can I Live True to My Divine Identity?...12 Week 2: Why Is Agency an Important Part of God s Plan?...........................14 Week 3: How Will Heavenly Father Guide My Choices?...16 March: The Atonement of Jesus Christ Week 1: Relief Society: How Can I Increase My Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement?...18 Young Women: How Can I Gain a Witness of Jesus Christ s Atonement?...20 Week 2: How Can Jesus Christ Help Me Change?...22 Week 3: How Can Jesus Christ Lighten My Burdens?...............................24 Topics for Fourth-Sunday Meetings...26 Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah 2015 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America PD60000672
Our Meetings Are More Than Classes Young Women and Relief Society meetings help daughters of God fulfill their divine and eternal mission. Here they learn about the great responsibilities He has given them in their homes, in the Church, in their communities, and in the world. They discuss gospel principles in ways that highlight their strengths and unique contributions in the Lord s kingdom. Filled with His Spirit, they serve others, bear one another s burdens, and strengthen one another by sharing experiences and testimonies. This is not a class or club or community organization. This is a vital working meeting of covenant-keeping daughters of God. Regarding the important work that covenant-keeping daughters of God perform, President Russell M. Nelson made this powerful plea: The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!...... We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world. We need women who are devoted to shepherding God s children along the covenant path toward exaltation; women who know how to receive personal revelation, who understand the power and peace of the temple endowment; women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families; women who teach fearlessly ( A Plea to My Sisters, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 96). As daughters of God fulfill this work, they find themselves drawing closer to Christ. Their conversion to His gospel deepens. Their desires, attitudes, and actions align more closely with Heavenly Father s will. They become happy and confident, and they delight to act... and not to be acted upon (2 Nephi 2:26). They strive to obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost, resist temptation, and do many [good] things of their own free will (D&C 58:27). They become saint[s] through the atonement of Christ (Mosiah 3:19). ii
Using Come, Follow Me for Young Women and Relief Society Come, Follow Me is designed to help you create experiences in Young Women and Relief Society Sunday meetings that build upon, support, and encourage meaningful participation in the work of salvation at church and in everyday life. Young Women class presidencies take an active role by leading discussions at the beginning and end of each meeting as the young women share experiences and plan to act. In Relief Society, the Relief Society president or a counselor leads and teaches in the meeting (rather than a formally called teacher). The materials in this book are organized in the following three categories. MEETING OUTLINES FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH First-Sunday Young Women lessons introduce a doctrinal topic that corresponds with the monthly doctrinal focus in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families. First-Sunday Relief Society meetings are dedicated to discussing an aspect of the purpose of Relief Society, counseling together about how to do God s work, and planning ways to carry out this work. Each of the first-sunday outlines includes the following sections. The time spent on each section will vary according to the needs of those you teach. For instance, if the discussion during Share Experiences is especially meaningful, the teacher may spend more time on this section. Share Experiences. Contains sample questions to encourage the young women and Relief Society sisters to share their insights and experiences from learning and living the gospel each week. MEETING OUTLINES FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD SUNDAYS OF EACH MONTH Outlines for the second and third Sundays of each month focus on a doctrinal topic that corresponds with the monthly doctrinal focus in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families. Young Women and Relief Society meetings share the same outline for these weeks, but meet separately. Each of these lesson outlines includes the same three sections described above. TOPICS FOR FOURTH-SUNDAY MEETINGS Fourth Sunday meeting topics are prayerfully chosen by Young Women and Relief Society leaders based on needs and in consultation with the bishopric or branch presidency and ward or branch council. The same pattern used for the first three Sundays ( Share Experiences, Learn Together, and Plan to Act ) could be applied. These discussions may be held in separate meetings or as a group discussion in any of the following combinations: Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society, Relief Society and Young Women, or Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women. Fifth-Sunday meetings are under the direction of the bishopric or branch presidency. Learn Together. Provides doctrinal resources and ideas for planning gospel discussions each week. Plan to Act. Includes suggestions for how to invite the young women or Relief Society sisters to share their impressions and counsel together about what they will do to act on the things that they learned. First-Sunday Young Women meetings follow the pattern described above for second and third Sundays. iii
OUTLINES FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND RELIEF SOCIETY MEETINGS I plead with my sisters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to step forward! Take your rightful and needful place in your home, in your community, and in the kingdom of God more than you ever have before.... I promise you in the name of Jesus Christ that as you do so, the Holy Ghost will magnify your influence in an unprecedented way! (Russell M. Nelson, A Plea to My Sisters, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 97). 1
PURPOSE OF RELIEF SOCIETY January Week 1 Relief Society How Can We Work in Unity to Help Those in Need? The purpose of Relief Society is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them: Increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Strengthen individuals and families through ordinances and covenants. Work in unity to help those in need. Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help the sisters work in unity to help those in need. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or one of her counselors asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: As we have strived to live as disciples of Christ this past week, what have we experienced, learned, or felt? What have we felt and experienced as we have reached out to help those in need? 2
LEARN TOGETHER The Relief Society president or one of her counselors uses one or more of the following activities to help the sisters understand how to work together to help those in need. How did the Savior help those in need? The Savior spent His life loving and serving those in need. Invite the sisters to share stories and meaningful scripture verses from the Savior s ministry that have inspired them. What do we learn about why and how the Savior helped others? When have we felt Christlike love through someone s service? How can we be mindful of the needs of those around us? Elder M. Russell Ballard shared one way we can be mindful of others needs in the quotation on page 35 of Come, Follow Me for individuals and families. What promises did Elder Ballard make? What experiences can we share in which we have followed this pattern and acted on promptings to serve someone? What does it mean to be unified in our efforts? Before the Sunday meeting, ask a few sisters to read Serving in the Church on pages 138 43 of Daughters in My Kingdom (2011) and come prepared to share something that inspired them. What are we doing to create a sense of sisterhood in our Relief Society? How are we working together with Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood quorums? PLAN TO ACT LEADER TRAINING The Relief Society president or one of her counselors concludes the meeting by counseling with the sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: How can we more effectively identify the needs of other people and help them? What help can we give as individuals and what can we give as a unified group? Invite the sisters to write down what they were impressed to do as a result of today s discussion. Plan to follow up on these goals in next week s discussion. President Thomas S. Monson taught, There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted ( Charity Never Faileth, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 124; see also Daughters in My Kingdom [2011], 100). HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 3
CHARITY January Week 1 Young Women How Did the Savior Show Love for Others? Seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost as you prayerfully study charity this month in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families (32 35). Consider questions like the following: What do the young women I teach need to understand about Christlike love? How can I help them feel His love and share it? In a class presidency meeting, help a member of the class presidency prepare to lead the Share Experiences and Plan to Act sections of this month s Sunday meetings. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Young Women class president or one of her counselors asks questions like the following to help young women share experiences: When have we felt the Savior s love through the kindness of someone who served us? What effect did it have? When have we felt the Savior s love as we served someone? 4
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help young women understand how the Savior showed love for others. The Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. What can we learn about charity from the Savior s Atonement? Write this question on the board and invite the young women to share answers they find in John 3:16 17; 15:12 13; 1 Nephi 19:9; and Doctrine and Covenants 138:1 4. Sing several hymns about the Savior s love (such as How Great the Wisdom and the Love, Hymns, no. 195). What do we learn about the depth of His love? How can we love more like He does? What do we learn about love from the Savior s parables? The Savior told parables about people who loved deeply (see Luke 10:25 37; 15:11 32; John 10:1 15; see also biblevideos.lds.org). To help these parables come alive, invite the young women to perform a short dramatization of one or more of them. What do we learn from these parables about the dangers of judging others and only pretending to love them? What can we share that helps us feel the Savior s love? When we feel the Savior s love, we want others to feel His love as well. Ask the young women to come prepared to share scripture stories, pictures, songs, or videos on LDS.org that have helped them feel the Savior s love. They could also find passages or scriptures in True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference (2004), 27 29 that convey the Savior s love for us. PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The class president or one of her counselors concludes the meeting by counseling with the young women about how they can act on what they are learning: As a class, how can we show Christlike love? Is there someone we could reach out to? How is the Holy Ghost prompting us to show Christlike love online, at home, at church, and at school? Plan an activity. Consider planning a Mutual activity that would reinforce what the young women are learning this month about charity. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 5
CHARITY January Week 2 Young Women and Relief Society How Can I Develop Charity? Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help sisters develop charity. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: What impressed us from last Sunday s discussion? What did we do because of those thoughts and feelings? What insights about charity could we share from our personal or family study? 6
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help sisters understand how they can develop charity. In Relief Society, the president or a counselor leads the discussion. In Young Women, the Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. What is charity? Ask the sisters to read Moroni 7:46 48 looking for a definition of charity. What additional things do we learn about charity in 1 Corinthians 13 or President Thomas S. Monson s talk Charity Never Faileth (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 122 25)? As we share what we learn, what inspires us? What can we do to develop greater charity? To help the sisters learn about developing charity, during the week invite sisters to review How Can I Develop Charity? in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families (page 32) and come to class prepared to share their insights. What have we done individually to develop charity? How can charity help us become united as sisters? Ask the sisters to share examples of close sisters in a family and discuss why their bond is strong. How can we be more united as sisters in the gospel? As a group, review counsel from Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson s talk Sisterhood: Oh, How We Need Each Other (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 119 21) or sing and discuss As Sisters in Zion (Hymns, no. 309). PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) concludes the meeting by counseling with sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: Invite the sisters to ponder the following question and write down their goals: What is one thing I can do to increase my love for someone in my family or neighborhood? How can we build sisterhood with all the young women and Relief Society sisters in our ward? Prepare yourself spiritually. Begin preparing to teach in advance by pondering how to bless those you teach. As you do so, impressions will come a little at a time. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 7
CHARITY January Week 3 Young Women and Relief Society How Can I Show Christlike Love in My Family? Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help sisters show Christlike love in their families. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: What examples of Christlike love have we seen this week? As covenant daughters of God, we engage in the work of salvation. How are we fulfilling this work? For instance, how are we preparing friends or family members to receive the gospel? 8
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help sisters understand how to show greater love to family members. In Relief Society, the president or a counselor leads the discussion. In Young Women, the Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. Why is the family the most important place to learn and practice charity? Invite the sisters to pair up and look for answers to this question in The Family: A Proclamation to the World (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129) or Family on pages 14 15 of For the Strength of Youth (2011) and share what they find. When have we seen and felt charity expressed in our families? How can we better show our love to family members? To get ideas about how to show love in our families, sing or listen to music about families, such as Love Is Spoken Here (Children s Songbook, 190 91). What ideas came to mind as we sang or listened? As a group, look for other ideas in the video Through Small Things (LDS.org) or in the divine nature value experience 3. What ideas inspire us to show more love in our families? How is motherhood a manifestation of Christ s love? Invite the sisters to review the examples of mothers in Elder Jeffrey R. Holland s talk Behold Thy Mother (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 47 50) and share how these mothers mirrored the Savior s love. What other examples of Christlike love can we share? How can we better show this kind of love in our families and other relationships? PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) concludes the meeting by counseling with sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: As we discussed showing Christlike love, what did the Holy Ghost inspire us to do? Provide time for the sisters to ponder the following question and, as moved upon by the Spirit, share their impressions with the group: In what ways can I show increased love for my family members? Use music. Listening to or singing a hymn or Primary song can set a reverent tone and invite the Spirit. These songs can also teach gospel principles. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 9
PURPOSE OF RELIEF SOCIETY February Week 1 Relief Society How Can I Strengthen Individuals and Families through Ordinances and Covenants? The purpose of Relief Society is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them: Increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Strengthen individuals and families through ordinances and covenants. Work in unity to help those in need. Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help the sisters strengthen individuals and families through ordinances and covenants. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or one of her counselors asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: What have we felt and experienced as we have tried to develop greater charity as a result of last month s discussions? What can we share about how temple ordinances have strengthened us and our families? (Consider asking a sister to come prepared to share an experience.) 10
LEARN TOGETHER The Relief Society president or one of her counselors uses one or more of the following activities to help the sisters understand how to strengthen individuals and families through ordinances and covenants. How can we strengthen our families? The Lord has given us guidance about how to build strong families. Ask the sisters to review the seventh paragraph of The Family: A Proclamation to the World (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129), looking for principles that can help strengthen families. How did Lehi s family apply some of these principles? (see 1 Nephi 16:14 32). How have we applied these principles in our families? What are we doing to prepare ourselves and others for gospel ordinances? As we read the section about keeping covenants in Sister Linda K. Burton s talk The Power, Joy, and Love of Covenant Keeping (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 111 14), what insights do we find about preparing ourselves and others to receive ordinances? What are we doing in our homes to prepare others to receive ordinances? How can we strengthen families through visiting teaching? Invite the sisters to share experiences in which their families were strengthened through the ministering of a visiting teacher. Ask a few sisters to read chapter 7 in Daughters in My Kingdom (2011) before the meeting and come prepared to share stories that inspired them. What are we inspired to do as a result of what we learn? PLAN TO ACT LEADER TRAINING The Relief Society president or one of her counselors concludes the meeting by counseling with the sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: What can we do to help children prepare for baptism and confirmation? Invite the sisters to ponder the following question and write down their impressions: How can I become a more charitable visiting teacher? The Relief Society was divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1999], 184). Relief Society presidencies use delegated priesthood authority and operate under the direction of priesthood leaders (see Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 64). HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 11
AGENCY February Week 1 Young Women How Can I Live True to My Divine Identity? Seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost as you prayerfully study agency this month in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families (pages 36 39). Consider questions like the following: What choices are the young women facing? How can I inspire them to use their agency wisely? In a class presidency meeting, help a member of the class presidency prepare to lead the Share Experiences and Plan to Act sections of this month s Sunday meetings. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Young Women class president or one of her counselors asks questions like the following to help young women share experiences: What experiences have helped us feel that we are daughters of God? As covenant daughters of God, we engage in the work of salvation. How are we fulfilling this work? For example, what successes have we had doing family history work? 12
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help young women understand how to live true to their divine identity. The Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. What divine qualities might a daughter of God have? There are lists of divine qualities in The Family: A Proclamation to the World (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129); 2 Peter 1; Alma 7:23 24; and Doctrine and Covenants 121:45. To help the young women recognize these divine qualities in themselves, have them write anonymous notes describing the divine qualities they see in each other. They might also review the Attribute Activity on page 126 of Preach My Gospel (2004). How can we live true to our divine nature? Young women often doubt their self-worth. To help each other recognize and live true to their divine nature, ask them to roleplay helping a friend who needs to know that she is a daughter of God. They can read and find ideas in Rosemary M. Wixom s talk Discovering the Divinity Within (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 6 8). What does Sister Wixom suggest we can do to live true to our divine nature? What does her counsel make us want to do differently? How do we feel about the commandments when we understand our divine identity? Share Sister Carole M. Stephens s story in her talk If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 118 19) to illustrate how our relationship with God inspires us to obey Him. Invite the young women to think about commandments they have a hard time keeping and recommit themselves to being obedient. PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The class president or one of her counselors concludes the meeting by counseling with the young women about how they can act on what they are learning: How can we learn more about divine nature during the week? For instance, invite the young women to complete divine nature value experience 1. How can we help each other remember our divine identity? For instance, invite the young women to share something about their divine nature on social media. Follow up. As you begin next week s meeting, give the class president time to ask the young women to share experiences they had as they acted on what they learned during this discussion. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 13
AGENCY February Week 2 Young Women and Relief Society Why Is Agency an Important Part of God s Plan? Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help sisters understand the importance of agency. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: What impressed us from last Sunday s discussion? What did we do because of those thoughts and feelings? What have we learned and taught about agency in our homes? 14
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help sisters understand the importance of agency. In Relief Society, the president or a counselor leads the discussion. In Young Women, the Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. What is agency? Invite each sister to individually read Agency and Accountability on pages 2 3 in For the Strength of Youth (2011) or the scripture passages on page 39 of Come, Follow Me for individuals and families. Ask the sisters to share what impresses them. How have our choices shaped our lives? What experiences have strengthened our understanding of agency? Why is agency important to God? What do we learn about the importance of agency in the plan of salvation from Moses 7:28 33? How do we feel about Heavenly Father as we read these verses? As a group, read 2 Nephi 2:11 13, 26 29 or watch the video Free Forever, to Act for Themselves (LDS.org) and share insights. How can we safeguard our own freedom and the freedom of others? Moroni fought to defend the freedom of his people, including their religious freedom (see Alma 46:11 20, 34 37; 48:7 20). What effect did Moroni s actions have? Ask a few sisters during the week to complete the religious freedom banner activity on page 38 of Come, Follow Me for individuals and families. They could also display their banners and share how religious freedom blesses us. PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) concludes the meeting by counseling with sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: What can we do to protect and defend religious freedom, including for people not of our faith? What impressions have we had during the meeting? What will we do to act on our impressions? Invite others to testify. One way to invite the Spirit into your teaching is to encourage others to share their personal witness of the truth you are sharing. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 15
AGENCY February Week 3 Young Women and Relief Society How Will Heavenly Father Guide My Choices? Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help sisters seek God s guidance. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: What has helped us make righteous choices? How have we encouraged others to make righteous choices? What worked? As covenant daughters of God, we engage in the work of salvation. How are we fulfilling this work? For example, what blessings have come to us as we have fellowshipped a new member? 16
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help sisters understand how God guides us. In Relief Society, the president or a counselor leads the discussion. In Young Women, the Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. How can we seek direction as we make decisions? Invite the sisters to share their favorite scripture passages that have inspired them to trust God and seek His direction. They could also study Go Forward with Faith on pages 42 43 of For the Strength of Youth (2011) and share insights about how to seek God s direction. How does God answer prayers? Think of a creative way to review Elder Richard G. Scott s counsel about the ways God answers prayers (see page 37 of Come, Follow Me for individuals and families). For example, invite the sisters to review his counsel in pairs and share a time when God answered a prayer. How might his counsel change the way we seek and receive personal revelation? Why is it important not to be commanded in all things? What do the sisters learn about doing good without being asked from Doctrine and Covenants 58:26 27 and the statement by President Ezra Taft Benson on page 39 of Come, Follow Me for individuals and families? Ask a sister to come prepared to share the story on pages 11 12 of Daughters in My Kingdom (2011) about women who actively worked to meet a need, which resulted in the organization of the Relief Society. PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) concludes the meeting by counseling with sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: What decisions in our lives do we need God s help to make? How will we seek His help? Invite the sisters to ponder the following question and, as prompted, share their impressions: What did I learn today that I could share with my family? Seek inspiration. President Thomas S. Monson taught, When we seek the inspiration of the Almighty in the performance of our responsibilities, we can achieve the miraculous ( You Make a Difference, Ensign, May 1988, 43; see also Daughters in My Kingdom [2011], 91). HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 17
PURPOSE OF RELIEF SOCIETY March Week 1 Relief Society How Can I Increase My Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement? The purpose of Relief Society is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them: Increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Strengthen individuals and families through ordinances and covenants. Work in unity to help those in need. Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help the sisters increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or one of her counselors asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: How have we seen God s hand in our lives? What are we doing to seek His guidance? What experiences have strengthened our testimonies of Jesus Christ? How are we building our faith in the Savior and His Atonement? 18
LEARN TOGETHER The Relief Society president or one of her counselors uses one or more of the following activities to help the sisters understand how to increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. How has prayer and scripture study increased our faith in Jesus Christ? Invite sisters to find answers to this question in Prayer in the Bible Dictionary and in Elder Neil L. Andersen s article The Book of Mormon: Strengthening Our Faith in Jesus Christ (Ensign, Oct. 2011, 38 45). How can we make our prayers and scripture study more meaningful? Why do we need the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Ask the sisters to share scriptures and experiences that have helped them understand and teach others about the need for the Savior s Atonement. Or invite sisters to review pages 40 43 of Come, Follow Me for individuals and families and discuss how the Savior helped us overcome sin and death. What experiences can we share in which the Savior strengthened us in our weaknesses and challenges? How can we help others increase their faith in Christ? Elder Richard G. Scott shared how his Grandmother Whittle and his wife, Jeanene Watkins, strengthened his faith in I Have Given You an Example (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 32 35). Show clips of him telling these stories in his talk, or encourage the sisters to share experiences in which others have strengthened their faith. What do we learn that would help us strengthen others faith? PLAN TO ACT LEADER TRAINING The Relief Society president or one of her counselors concludes the meeting by counseling with the sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: How can the Savior s Atonement help us strengthen and support each other? Invite the sisters to ponder the following questions and write down their impressions: What can I do to build my faith in Jesus Christ? Who else can I help? Joseph Smith taught that Relief Society is not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 453; see also Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 64). HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 19
THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST March Week 1 Young Women How Can I Gain a Witness of Jesus Christ s Atonement? Seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost as you prayerfully study Jesus Christ s Atonement this month in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families (pages 40 43). Consider questions like the following: How will the young women be blessed as they better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ? How can you help them access His power? In a class presidency meeting, help a member of the class presidency prepare to lead the Share Experiences and Plan to Act sections of this month s Sunday meetings. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Young Women class president or one of her counselors asks questions like the following to help young women share experiences: How did we act on impressions we received during last Sunday s class? As covenant daughters of God, we engage in the work of salvation. How are we fulfilling this work? For instance, who would like to share an experience with teaching the gospel at home, school, or church? 20
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help young women understand how to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. The Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. Why do we need the Atonement of Jesus Christ? To help the young women answer this question, invite them to read together Why Do I Need the Atonement of Jesus Christ? in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families (pages 40 41). Ask them to explain what they learned by writing a letter to someone (real or imagined) who doesn t believe that we need a Savior. What experiences could they share in which they felt close to Him? What can we do to nourish our testimonies of Jesus Christ? Invite class members to discuss how gaining a testimony of Jesus Christ is like caring for a small plant. As the young women read Alma 32:27 37, invite them to draw and share pictures about what they learn about nourishing faith. What do these verses inspire us to do? How can we know if we are becoming converted to Jesus Christ? To help the young women recognize the process of conversion, show the video A Mighty Change: Conversion (LDS.org). How did the young woman know she was becoming converted to Christ? What signs of conversion do we see in ourselves? (See also Bonnie L. Oscarson, Be Ye Converted, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 76 78). PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The class president or one of her counselors concludes the meeting by counseling with the young women about how they can act on what they are learning: As a class, what can we do to build our faith in Jesus Christ? (For ideas, see the faith value experiences and projects in Personal Progress.) Among our family members and friends, who needs encouragement? How can we help them this week? Invite young women to record experiences. When young women write what they feel and experience, they bear testimony to themselves and see how their testimonies are growing. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 21
THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST March Week 2 Young Women and Relief Society How Can Jesus Christ Help Me Change? Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help sisters understand how Jesus Christ helps them change. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: How have we changed as a result of studying Jesus Christ s Atonement? What have we learned about the Savior s sacrifice in our personal or family study this month? 22
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help sisters understand how Jesus Christ helps us change. In Relief Society, the president or a counselor leads the discussion. In Young Women, the Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. What does it mean to be born again? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost all play a role in the process of being born again. What do the sisters learn about these roles as they read John 3:1 13; Enos 1:1 19, 26 27; Mosiah 5:1 5; 27:23 37; Alma 23:6 7; Helaman 3:35? (See also Yielding Our Hearts to God, Neill F. Marriott, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 30 32.) How can daily repentance help us change? Invite sisters to look for answers to this question in Elder Neil L. Andersen s talk Repent... That I May Heal You (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 40 43). They can also look for answers in the Repentance section on pages 28 29 of For the Strength of Youth (2011) and in True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference (2004), 132 35. Why will we need patience as we make changes? To illustrate that valuable things require patience, bring something to the meeting that took a long time to accomplish or obtain (such as a diploma). What can this example teach us about growing spiritually? What else can we learn about this process from Luke 21:19; Doctrine and Covenants 67:13; or the hymn With Humble Heart? (Hymns, no. 171). PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) concludes the meeting by counseling with sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: How can we draw on the power of Jesus Christ s Atonement to make changes? As a group, have we received any counsel or assignments from the ward council or bishopric youth committee? How can we act on this counsel? Express your love. Expressing love could mean giving sincere compliments, listening carefully, giving service, or greeting the sisters warmly. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 23
THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST March Week 3 Young Women and Relief Society How Can Jesus Christ Lighten My Burdens? Prepare to teach by prayerfully studying, seeking inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and recording impressions about how to help sisters understand how Jesus Christ lightens burdens. SHARE EXPERIENCES The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) asks questions like the following to help sisters share experiences: What scriptures have strengthened our faith in Jesus Christ? How have we felt Jesus Christ lift, bless, and help us recently? 24
LEARN TOGETHER The teacher uses one of the activities below or a related idea from Come, Follow Me for individuals and families to help sisters understand how the Savior can lighten burdens. In Relief Society, the president or a counselor leads the discussion. In Young Women, the Young Women president, a counselor, an adviser, or occasionally a young woman leads. How can Jesus Christ ease our burdens? One example of God easing burdens is found in Mosiah 24:8 17. Help the sisters learn from this example by inviting them to read these verses with a partner and share an experience in which the Savior strengthened them during a trial. How can we draw on the Savior s power during trials? Sister Linda S. Reeves shared how she received strength to face her husband s illness and her daughter s death in The Lord Has Not Forgotten You (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 118 20). Show or read the part of her talk where she related her experience, or invite the sisters to share their own experiences of drawing on the Savior s power. What else can we learn from Where Can I Turn for Peace? (Hymns, no. 129) and John 14:27; 16:33; and Hebrews 4:14 16? How can we help others receive strength from the Savior s Atonement? Show the video God Will Lift Us Up (LDS.org) or review examples of women lifting others from Sister Carol F. McConkie s talk Here to Serve a Righteous Cause (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 12 14). What do these examples teach us about helping others receive strength through Christ s Atonement? PLAN TO ACT IMPROVING OUR TEACHING The Relief Society president or Young Women class president (or one of their counselors) concludes the meeting by counseling with sisters about how they can act on what they are learning: How will we draw on the power of Jesus Christ to help us in our trials? Invite the sisters to ponder the following questions and write down a goal: What will I do to strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ? Encourage sharing. Your teaching will be more meaningful when you give all sisters the chance to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. HOW DO I FEEL PROMPTED TO TEACH THIS TOPIC? 25
Topics for Fourth-Sunday Meetings FOR PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, YOUNG WOMEN CLASSES, AND RELIEF SOCIETY MEETINGS Prayerfully select a topic for fourth-sunday discussions based on the needs of ward members. Under the direction of the bishopric or branch presidency, these discussions may be held in separate quorums, classes, or meetings or as a group discussion in any of the following combined meetings: Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society, Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women, Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood, or Relief Society and Young Women. Sabbath-Day Worship Exodus 20:8 11; Isaiah 58:13 14; Doctrine and Covenants 59:9 16. Russell M. Nelson, The Sabbath Is a Delight, Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129 32. Observing the Sabbath: That Your Joy May Be Full, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (2011), 230 39. Eternal Marriage Genesis 2:24; Moses 5:1 12; Doctrine and Covenants 42:22. Richard G. Scott, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage, Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 94 97. Marriage An Eternal Partnership, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter (2015), 207 18. Making Our Homes a Refuge 2 Nephi 14:5 6; 3 Nephi 22:13. Richard G. Scott, For Peace at Home, Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 29 31. Strengthening Families through Family History Doctrine and Covenants 2; 128:16 18. Quentin L. Cook, Roots and Branches, Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 44 48. Uniting Families through Temple and Family History Work, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant (2002), 51 61. Helping Our Youth Prepare to Make Covenants Psalm 24:3 5; Mosiah 18:8 10; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37. Linda K. Burton, Prepared in a Manner That Never Had Been Known, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 111 14. Improving Personal and Family Gospel Study 1 Nephi 15:24 25; Helaman 3:29 30; Doctrine and Covenants 84:43 44. Boyd K. Packer, The Key to Spiritual Protection, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 26 28. The Power of the Word, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 115 25. Working Together to Build the Lord s Kingdom 1 Corinthians 12; Doctrine and Covenants 38:27. Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, Rescue in Unity, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 14 16. How Good and How Pleasant It Is... to Dwell Together in Unity, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 271 80. Ministering through Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching Luke 22:32; Doctrine and Covenants 20:51 59; 81:5. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, You Are My Hands, Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 68 75. Preparing to Serve a Mission Doctrine and Covenants 4:1 7; 18:10 16. Robert D. Hales, Couple Missionaries: Blessings from Sacrifice and Service, Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 39 42. Strengthening New and Less-Active Members Luke 15; Alma 31:34 35; Moroni 6:4 5. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Come, Join with Us, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 21 24. Come Back and Feast at the Table of the Lord, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter, 169 76. Unity in Our Ward John 17:11 23; Mosiah 18:21 22; Moses 7:18. Henry B. Eyring, Our Hearts Knit as One, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 68 71. Gospel Principles that Sustain Us During Economic Difficulties Genesis 41:14 57; 2 Nephi 5:17; Doctrine and Covenants 29:8 11. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Providing in the Lord s Way, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 53 56. Provident Living: Applying Principles of Self-Reliance and Preparedness, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 114 23. 26