By Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity.
Learner Readiness
BOARD: Decisions for Eternity and CHANGE
Say: as I was thinking about Elder Nelson's talk on our freedom to make our own decisions, I remembered a quote from Joseph Smith.
READ A
READING A - I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priest-craft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women—all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty. (History of the Church, 5:401.)
READ G
READING G - We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you! He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!
SAY - So first we need to put off the natural man. [in Moroni, this is called denying ourselves all ungodliness] Let's read the second quote:
READ I
READING I - I draw your attention to two specific phrases. First—“putteth off the natural man.” The journey from bad to good is the process of putting off the natural man or the natural woman in each of us. In mortality we all are tempted by the flesh. The very elements out of which our bodies were created are by nature fallen and ever subject to the pull of sin, corruption, and death. But we can increase our capacity to overcome the desires of the flesh and temptations “through the atonement of Christ.” When we make mistakes, as we transgress and sin, we can repent and become clean through the redeeming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
SAY - and the we become saints.
READ J
READING J Second—“becometh a saint.” This phrase describes the continuation and second phase of life’s journey to make “good men better” or, in other words, to become more like a saint. This second part of the journey, this process of going from good to better, is a topic about which we do not study or teach frequently enough nor understand adequately.
Learner Application
Q: Why do you think Elder Bednar says that we do not study or teach this topic frequently enough not understand it adequately? Why don't we teach it? [we don't understand it, it hasn't happened in our lives - becoming a saint].
READ K
READING K - I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. We may mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves, through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities
Q: Why is this approach incorrect?
Q: Have you had experience in changing a bad habit to a good habit? What did it involve?
SAY: Here's an idea: focus on one goal at at time. Ask God for assistance in discerning what that one goal is.
Q: How do we develop an attribute or character trait that we don't currently have?
SAY: Here's a few things that I am working on:
READING A - I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priest-craft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women—all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty. (History of the Church, 5:401.)
Q: How do we become polish shafts it the quiver of the Almighty? [just be thinking about this]
Q: Does this quote about Joseph Smith have anything to do with decisions for eternity?
Q: Does this quote about Joseph Smith have anything to do with decisions for eternity?
I also thought of a talk by Elder Bednar. I felt that it applied to topic, Decisions for Eternity.
READ B
READING B - The grand objective of the Savior’s gospel was summarized succinctly by President David O. McKay (1873–1970): “The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.” Thus, the journey of mortality is to progress from bad to good to better and to experience the mighty change of heart—to have our fallen natures changed (see Mosiah 5:2).
READING B - The grand objective of the Savior’s gospel was summarized succinctly by President David O. McKay (1873–1970): “The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.” Thus, the journey of mortality is to progress from bad to good to better and to experience the mighty change of heart—to have our fallen natures changed (see Mosiah 5:2).
Q: What does this quote have to do with our freedom to make your own decisions for our spiritual growth?
Let's read a quote from Elder Nelson:
READ C
READING C - The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. You are never too young to learn, never too old to change.
READING C - The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. You are never too young to learn, never too old to change.
READ D
READING D -The aging process is also a gift from God, as is death. The eventual death of your mortal body is essential to God’s great plan of happiness. Why? Because death will allow your spirit to return home to Him. From an eternal perspective, death is only premature for those who are not prepared to meet God.
READING D -The aging process is also a gift from God, as is death. The eventual death of your mortal body is essential to God’s great plan of happiness. Why? Because death will allow your spirit to return home to Him. From an eternal perspective, death is only premature for those who are not prepared to meet God.
Some of the decisions that will determine your eternal destiny include:
• How will you choose to care for and use your body?
• What spiritual attributes will you choose to develop?
• How will you choose to care for and use your body?
• What spiritual attributes will you choose to develop?
Learner Involvement
Say, So, we are back to decision and choice.
Q: What spiritual attributes do you still need to develop? [list on the board]
SAY, let's read another quote from Elder Nelson. He lists some spiritual attributes: [add them to the board]
READ E
READING E -Your Heavenly Father has known you for a very long time. You, as His son or daughter, were chosen by Him to come to earth at this precise time, to be a leader in His great work on earth. You were chosen not for your bodily characteristics but for your spiritual attributes, such as bravery, courage, integrity of heart, a thirst for truth, a hunger for wisdom, and a desire to serve others.
READING E -Your Heavenly Father has known you for a very long time. You, as His son or daughter, were chosen by Him to come to earth at this precise time, to be a leader in His great work on earth. You were chosen not for your bodily characteristics but for your spiritual attributes, such as bravery, courage, integrity of heart, a thirst for truth, a hunger for wisdom, and a desire to serve others.
Q: It is easy to talk about all the good attributes that we need to develop in this live. It's another thing to actually develop them. How do we make the changes in ourselves?
READ F
READING F -A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery—the strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations. Fasting helps your spirit to develop dominance over your physical appetites.
READING F -A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery—the strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines your moral responses in difficult, tempting, and trying situations. Fasting helps your spirit to develop dominance over your physical appetites.
Q: Why does self mastery build a strong conscience?
Q: Why is it important to have strong self conscience?
READ G
READING G - We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you! He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!
Q: Why does true change require the power of the atonement?
SAY - I would like to read a few quote from Elder Bednar's talk to help us with this;
READ H
READING H -The Book of Mormon is our handbook of instructions as we travel the pathway from bad to good to better and strive to have our hearts changed. King Benjamin teaches about the journey of mortality and the role of the Atonement in navigating successfully that journey: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord” (Mosiah 3:19; emphasis added).
SAY - I would like to read a few quote from Elder Bednar's talk to help us with this;
READ H
READING H -The Book of Mormon is our handbook of instructions as we travel the pathway from bad to good to better and strive to have our hearts changed. King Benjamin teaches about the journey of mortality and the role of the Atonement in navigating successfully that journey: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord” (Mosiah 3:19; emphasis added).
SAY - So first we need to put off the natural man. [in Moroni, this is called denying ourselves all ungodliness] Let's read the second quote:
READ I
READING I - I draw your attention to two specific phrases. First—“putteth off the natural man.” The journey from bad to good is the process of putting off the natural man or the natural woman in each of us. In mortality we all are tempted by the flesh. The very elements out of which our bodies were created are by nature fallen and ever subject to the pull of sin, corruption, and death. But we can increase our capacity to overcome the desires of the flesh and temptations “through the atonement of Christ.” When we make mistakes, as we transgress and sin, we can repent and become clean through the redeeming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
SAY - and the we become saints.
READ J
READING J Second—“becometh a saint.” This phrase describes the continuation and second phase of life’s journey to make “good men better” or, in other words, to become more like a saint. This second part of the journey, this process of going from good to better, is a topic about which we do not study or teach frequently enough nor understand adequately.
Learner Application
Q: Why do you think Elder Bednar says that we do not study or teach this topic frequently enough not understand it adequately? Why don't we teach it? [we don't understand it, it hasn't happened in our lives - becoming a saint].
READ K
READING K - I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. We may mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves, through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities
Q: Why is this approach incorrect?
Q: Have you had experience in changing a bad habit to a good habit? What did it involve?
SAY: Here's an idea: focus on one goal at at time. Ask God for assistance in discerning what that one goal is.
Q: How do we develop an attribute or character trait that we don't currently have?
SAY: Here's a few things that I am working on:
Self mastery over judging others
Self mastery over contending
Self mastery over reviling
Self mastery over pride
Conclusion
READ L
READING L -You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands.No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power.
Q: Do you believe God Knows who you are? Do you believe that God cares about you personally? If not, what would allow you to believe that?
READ M
READING M -Why the need for self-mastery? God implanted strong appetites within us for nourishment and love, vital for the human family to be perpetuated. When we master our appetites within the bounds of God’s laws, we can enjoy longer life, greater love, and consummate joy.
Self mastery over contending
Self mastery over reviling
Self mastery over pride
Conclusion
READ L
READING L -You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands.No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power.
Q: Do you believe God Knows who you are? Do you believe that God cares about you personally? If not, what would allow you to believe that?
READ M
READING M -Why the need for self-mastery? God implanted strong appetites within us for nourishment and love, vital for the human family to be perpetuated. When we master our appetites within the bounds of God’s laws, we can enjoy longer life, greater love, and consummate joy.
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