INTRODUCTION
SAY: I was given two talks from President Monson to teach a lesson from. Both talks are good and worthy of discussion. But, I had to choose. So, I chose the latter: Be an Example and a Light
SAY: But, I wanted to read one excerpt from President Monson's keep the commandments talk.
READ 1
1 - May we realize that our greatest happiness in this life will come as we follow God’s commandments and obey His laws! I love the words found in Isaiah chapter 32, verse 17: “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Such peace, such assurance can come only through righteousness.
Q: What is the assurance that Isaiah is talking about?
Q: What is righteous quietness?
LEARNER READINESS
SAY: Now let's move to President Monson's second talk, Be an Example and a Light.
READ 2
2 - Recently, as I have been reading and pondering the scriptures, two passages in particular have stayed with me. Both are familiar to us. The first is from the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The second scripture is one which came to my mind as I pondered the meaning of the first. It is from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
READ 3
3 - I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.
SAY: President Monson said, The Apostle Paul lists six attributes of a believer, attributes that will allow our lights to shine. Let us look at each one.
LEARNER INVOLVEMENT
READ 4
4 - I mention the first two attributes together—being an example in word and in conversation. The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean. In the world today there is a profusion of profanity with which we seem to be surrounded at nearly every turn. It is difficult to avoid hearing the names of Deity being used casually and thoughtlessly. Coarse comments seem to have become a staple of television, movies, books, and music. Bandied about are slanderous remarks and angry rhetoric.
READ 5
5 - Let us speak to others with love and respect, ever keeping our language clean and avoiding words or comments that would wound or offend. May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry.
SAY: This reminded a something Peter said in 2 Peter chapter 2:7-9:
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Q: Is it vexing to be around so much filthy conversation? Can it vex our righteous souls?
Q: What are some things you have done in your lives to keep your words and conversations free from coarseness, ever keeping our language clean?
WRITE: responses on the board
SAY: Let's move on to the next attribute.
READ 6
6 - The next attribute mentioned by Paul is charity, which has been defined as “the pure love of Christ.”3 I am confident there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged. Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits. The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. He healed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. Throughout His ministry He reached out in charity to any in need. As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own.
Q: President Monson says, that he is confident that there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill and those who feel discourage. Q: What does P. M. mean by spheres of influence? Q: If we are wanting to help, where can we look?
Q: What if we just don't feel like helping others? What do we do then?
READ 7
7 - Next, we are to be an example in spirit. To me that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill. These qualities will provide for us a spirit which will touch the lives of those around us. It has been my opportunity through the years to associate with countless individuals who possess such a spirit. We experience a special feeling when we are with them, a feeling that makes us want to associate with them and to follow their example. They radiate the Light of Christ and help us feel His love for us.
SAY: kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, goodwill.
Q: How do we cultivate these qualities? [Isn't this what it mean to exercise faith in Christ?] I mean, are there not opportunities all the time to exercise these qualities? Can you give me examples? [you have you health, are you grateful?, your feelings are hurt, an opportunity to forgive, you see a need, you are kind.
SAY: P.M. tells a story to illustrate that the light which comes from a pure and loving spirit is recognized by others. Many years ago the Church was getting the permission necessary to build the Jerusalem Center. We agreed that there would be no proselyting. After the agreement had been made one of the Israeli officials remarked, “But,” he said, referring to the students who would attend there, “what are we going to do about the light that is in their eyes?”
Q: Is this light in our eyes reserved only for the youth of our Church?
SAY: Let move on to being an example of faith.
READ 8
8 - To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do.
Q: What are some simple things we can do to grow our faith?
READ 9
9 - I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”
Q: What three simple things can we do to have all things work together for our good?
READ 10
10 - Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.
Q: From what we just read, why is important to have an abiding faith?
READ 11
11 - Finally, we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit. We know that our body is a temple, to be treated with reverence and respect. Our minds should be filled with uplifting and ennobling thoughts and kept free from those things which will pollute. In order to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we must be worthy. Brothers and sisters, purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises. Said He, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Q: What are the promises of letting virtue garnish our thought unceasingly?
LEARNER APPLICATION
As we prove to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity, we will qualify to be lights to the world.
Q: If we are not there yet, how do we get there? [repentance and grace to grace is the only answer]
CONCLUSION
SAY: To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever.
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