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T H E E N S I G N O F T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H R I S T O F L A T T E R - D A Y S A I N T S • M A Y 2 0 1 7T H E E N S I G N O F T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H R I S T O F L A T T E R - D A Y S A I N T S • M A Y 2 0 1 7
General Conference AddressesFive New Temples AnnouncedSix New Seventies and Relief Society General Presidency Called
Strengthening Our Sunday Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society Meetings
146 STRENGTHENING OUR SUNDAY MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD AND RELIEF SOCIETY MEETINGS 2017
What Will Be Different?For the next several months, the schedule and emphasis for Sunday Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society meetings will change. These changes are described below.
A greater emphasis on our purposePriesthood quorum meetings and
Relief Society meetings are more than classes. Rather, these are working meet-ings in which we discuss and plan to do our part in the work of the Lord. We seek to understand and fulfill our divine roles—in the home, the Church, our communities, and the world. Following the guidance of the Holy Ghost, we counsel about how gospel principles can offer solutions to the needs of our fam-ilies, wards, and communities. Then we organize ourselves to meet those needs.
To review the purposes of Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and Sunday quorum meetings, see Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 7.1, 7.8.1. To review the purposes of the Relief Society and Sunday Relief Society meetings, see Handbook 2, 9.1.1, 9.4.1.
What we do each weekOn the first Sunday of each month, we
counsel together about our responsibili-ties and our challenges and make plans to engage ourselves in the work we are called to do (see page 148 for ideas).
On the second and third Sundays of each month, we study together the teach-ings of living prophets and other Church leaders from the most recent general con-ference. We discuss ways these teachings apply to our efforts in the Lord’s work.
On the fourth Sunday of each month, we learn about a doctrinal topic that
relates to our work. We consider ways this doctrine can bless our lives and the lives of family members and others we serve (see page 152 for ideas).
More direction from leadersBecause Melchizedek Priesthood and
Relief Society leaders have been given authority to act in their callings by those holding Melchizedek Priesthood keys, they will be more involved in directing Sunday meetings. Their participation in the ward council—identifying needs and opportunities with other ward lead-ers while seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost—will prepare them to help organize our work, lead discussions, and select conference messages and topics for Sunday lessons. This may mean that they take more time during meetings to help us bring gospel principles into action by making assignments and following up. In this way, they provide the vital leadership that moves the work of God forward.
Teaching in the Savior’s WayThe principles of Teaching in the
Savior’s Way include loving those we teach, following the guidance of the Holy
Ghost, teaching doctrine, and inviting learners to be engaged in learning and in living the gospel. The following pages contain activity ideas to help leaders and teachers lead discussions in ways consis-tent with the Savior’s way of teaching.
A greater role for all quorum and Relief Society members
The new increased emphasis on general conference messages is an opportunity for all of us—not just those assigned to lead discussions—to draw spiritual strength from the teachings of living prophets and other Church leaders. Everyone should be encour-aged to prepare for Sunday meetings by reading the conference messages chosen by local leaders. As we prepare, we will be better prepared to contrib-ute meaningfully in Sunday discussions, and we will invite personal inspiration to help us fulfill our responsibilities at home and at church.
The Lord has promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, . . . there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you” (D&C 6:32). As we work together in unity and love, the Lord will magnify us and hasten His work.
IDENTIFY NEEDSIn Ward Council and Presidencies
COUNSEL TOGETHERIn Sunday Meetings
DO THE WORK Report Back
DOING GOD’S WORK
Strengthening Our Sunday Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society Meetings
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FIRST-SUNDAY COUNCIL MEETINGS Led by a presidency member or group leader
Sample Meeting OutlineConsider the following suggested outline for Sunday priesthood quorum and Relief Society meetings:
1. Counsel together about our work (led by a presidency member or group leader)
At the beginning of each meeting, the sisters or brethren spend time reviewing, planning, and organizing the work of the quorum or Relief Society. As they plan this part of the meeting, leaders should act on inspiration they receive in presidency meetings, in ward council meetings, and as they minister. The following questions may help:• How will we follow up on our pre-
vious discussions and assignments?• What opportunities do we have to
serve and lift others—both mem-bers and nonmembers?
• What needs and challenges are we aware of?
• What are our leaders emphasizing?• Who in our ward needs the oppor-
tunity to serve?
2. Learn together (led by a presidency mem-ber, group leader, or called teacher)
Leaders or teachers plan ways to engage members in learning about their responsibilities and the work they are called to do—at home and at church. As they determine, with guidance from the Spirit, what will be discussed in meetings, they may consider the following:• What are the needs of members in
the ward, and how can the scriptures and the words of living prophets help address those needs?
• What can members ponder or study before the meeting to be prepared to counsel together?
• How will I engage learners in mean-ingful discussions and help them understand doctrine?
3. Plan to act (led by a presidency mem-ber or group leader)
Sunday meetings must be more than just a lively discussion. They should lead members to action—individually and as a group—to apply what they are learning outside of the meeting. Leaders can help members plan how to act on impres-sions by discussing questions like the following:• What impressions have we had
during our meeting? What will we do to act on our impressions?
• What did we learn this week that will help us participate in the work of salvation?
• Who needs to hear the message we talked about today? How will I share it with him or her?
Leaders invite members to ponder these questions and write down what they will do.
On the first Sunday of each month, our quorum or Relief Society meeting will not include a lesson or a teacher. Instead, we will have a council meeting, led by the presidency or group lead-ership, in which we “instruct and edify each other” (D&C 43:8).
What is a council meeting?The purpose of this meeting is to
counsel together about our responsibil-ities and work together to find solutions to challenges we face. The Lord has promised, “Where two or three are gath-ered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the
midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you” (D&C 6:32).
However, the council meeting must be more than just a lively discussion. Guided by the Spirit, it should lead to action—individual and group plans to do some-thing outside of the meeting to accomplish the Lord’s work. In other words, as we counsel together, we “bind [ourselves] to act in all holiness” (D&C 43:9).
Identify needsWhat issues and challenges are impor-
tant in your quorum or Relief Society? This is what you will counsel about in first-Sun-day council meetings. Here’s a list of ways
quorum and Relief Society leaders might identify these needs:
• Some needs might come up in a ward council meeting or presidency meeting.
• Leaders might notice some as they minister among members.
• In Sunday meetings, members of the quorum or Relief Society could iden-tify issues that are important to them.
• Some might come as impressions from the Holy Ghost.
Possible topics for first-Sunday council meetings• How can we prioritize all of the
responsibilities in our lives?• What is a family council, and how can
we make it effective in our families?
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• How can we increase the spiri-tual power in our lives and in our homes?
• What can we do to improve our efforts to share the gospel with others? (see Alma 17).
• How can we combat pornography? (see D&C 42:22–23).
• What can we do to help mentor and strengthen youth in our ward?
• How can we reach out to less-active members in our ward? (see 3 Nephi 18:32).
• How do we avoid “unrighteous dominion” in our homes and in our lives? (see D&C 121:34–46).
• How can we increase unity in our quorum or Relief Society? (see Mosiah 18:19–22).
• What is the oath and covenant of the priesthood? (see D&C 84:33–44). How does it relate to our quorum or Relief Society?
• How can we be more involved in fam-ily history work and temple worship?
• What can we do to help people who are struggling with doubt?
• How can we become better leaders in our homes?
• What is our responsibility for improving reverence in our sacrament meetings?
• How can we teach our families to work and become more self-reliant? (see D&C 58:26–29).
• What does it mean to minister? (see 1 Peter 4:11).
• What does it mean to magnify our callings?
Note: These topics are suggestions only. Leaders may be aware of other needs that they feel inspired to address instead of these.
Four guidelines for council meetings 1. No one should feel pressured to speak
or participate. 2. Everyone should feel safe sharing
comments and ideas without fear of being criticized.
3. Discussions should focus on meeting real needs and be grounded in true doctrine—from the scriptures and words of latter-day prophets.
4. Discussions should not touch on con-fidential or sensitive issues but should be appropriate for all quorum or Relief Society members.
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POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR SECOND- AND THIRD-SUNDAY MEETINGS Led by a presidency member, group leader, or called teacher
On the second and third Sundays of each month, we study the teachings of living prophets and other Church leaders. Some of them are listed here, along with some suggested learning activities. However, you should follow the Spirit to select messages from the most recent general conference that you feel would meet the needs of your members.
MESSAGES FOR EVERYONE
President Thomas S. Monson, “The Power of the Book of Mormon,” 86–87.
Invite members to share statements from President Monson’s message that inspire them to study the Book of Mormon. What experiences have they had in which the promises he makes have been fulfilled in their lives? Are there any verses from the Book of Mormon they could share that have strengthened their testimony of Jesus Christ? What advice can members share that has helped them to maintain their daily study of the Book of Mormon? How can we use the Book of Mormon to help others strengthen their faith and testimony?
Henry B. Eyring, “Gathering the Family of God,” 19–22.
Read the prophecy about Elijah that President Eyring quotes (see Malachi 4:6; 3 Nephi 25:5–6; Joseph Smith—History 1:36–39). Invite members to search President Eyring’s message, looking for examples of how “the hearts of the chil-dren” are being turned “to their fathers.” What blessings have we received as we have done family history and temple work? What experiences have taught us that “this is a spiritual work”?
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear,” 104–7.
When members of your quorum or Relief Society first heard or read President Uchtdorf’s message, what thoughts and feelings did they have? Invite half of the members to review the message together looking for reasons why fear is not the best way to accomplish the Lord’s work. Invite the other half to look in the message for principles that President Uchtdorf calls the “better way.” Give them time to share what they find. How can we apply these principles as we serve and work with others, including children?
Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” 39–42.
Has anyone in your quorum or Relief Society accepted the challenge that President Nelson referred to (to study everything Jesus Christ said and did in the scriptures)? What experiences have they had? To encourage members to accept this challenge, invite them to find scriptures in President Nelson’s message that include something the Savior said or did. What do we learn about the Savior from these scriptures? What important insights does President Nelson give regarding the Atonement of Jesus Christ? What other counsel does President Nelson give to help us receive the Savior’s power in our lives?
Dallin H. Oaks, “The Godhead and the Plan of Salvation,” 100–103.
Write on the board Elder Oaks’s question “How does understanding . . . heavenly revealed doctrine about the Godhead and the plan of salvation help us with our challenges today?” Ask members to list on the board some of
the challenges that people face. Invite members to search the talk looking for truths about the Godhead and the plan of salvation that can help with these chal-lenges. How can we share these truths in a way that will help others who are going through challenging experiences?
M. Russell Ballard, “Return and Receive,” 62–65.
What are some of the goals that mem-bers of your quorum or Relief Society have set for themselves or their families? What principles help us achieve these goals? How can these principles help us achieve the goals that Elder Ballard shares—to “return and receive”? Divide members into two groups, and invite one group to review “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and the other group to review “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” looking for how these documents can help us set Christ-centered goals.
Robert D. Hales, “Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” 46–48.
Elder Hales compares discipleship to a tapestry and to a constellation. How can you use these comparisons in a discussion about discipleship? For example, do you have a tapestry or woven blanket or rug you could bring to the meeting? How is dis-cipleship like a tapestry of Christlike attrib-utes (see 2 Peter 1:5–7)? What statements do members find in Elder Hales’s message that help them evaluate their discipleship?
Jeffrey R. Holland, “Songs Sung and Unsung,” 49–51.
If anyone in your quorum or Relief Society has sung in a choir, perhaps he or she could share insights about what Elder Holland taught regarding the diversity needed in a choir—and in God’s king-dom. According to Elder Holland, how is the Church like a choir (see 1 Corinthians 12:14–22)? How can we make “room” in
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our quorum, Relief Society, or ward for people who may not feel like they fit in? What counsel does Elder Holland give that could help?
Quentin L. Cook, “Foundations of Faith,” 127–31.
There may be members of your quo-rum or Relief Society who need to build their faith but do not know how to do it. You could help them by asking them to find statements in Elder Cook’s message that teach about the process of build-ing faith (see also Romans 10:17). For example, what do we learn about this process from the examples he shares of a baby learning to walk, musicians mastering their skill, and the experience of Parley P. Pratt? How can we share what we learned with people who may be struggling with or not progressing in their faith?
D. Todd Christofferson, “The Voice of Warning,” 108–11.
As members watched or read this message, what did they learn about the role of prophets? What did they learn about our responsibility to warn our “neighbors”? Select several scriptures from the “Notes” section of the message and invite members to read a scripture passage and review the talk to see what Elder Christofferson is teaching with that passage. Give them time to share what they learn. Why must we warn others with love? How have members warned their neighbors with love? Perhaps we could set individual goals to lovingly warn family members and friends.
Neil L. Andersen, “Overcoming the World,” 58–62.
On the board, write “Overcoming the world is . . .” and “Overcoming the world results in . . .” Ask mem-bers to find various ways to complete
these sentences from Elder Andersen’s message and discuss what they find. Invite each member to set a goal based on what they found. How can we help our families overcome the world? Invite members to share their testimonies of the blessings they’ve received as they’ve worked to overcome the world.
Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” 93–96.
On the board, write each of the four ways Elder Rasband teaches we can “have [the Lord’s] Spirit to be with [us].” As you review this message together, invite members to summarize in their own words what Elder Rasband teaches about each of these statements. How have we seen these principles work in our own lives or in our service in the Lord’s work? It might be good to have a discussion about ways we can be “spiritual first responders” as a quorum or Relief Society.
Gary E. Stevenson, “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” 117–20.
To remind members of your quorum or Relief Society of the ways the Holy Ghost helps them, you could invite each member to review one of the sections in Elder Stevenson’s message. One way to do this is to assign each member to review one of the sections under “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” Invite them to share what they learned from that section, what impressions they had when they read it, and any similar exam-ples they have from their own lives. What can we do to teach our families about the blessings we all have because of the Holy Ghost?
Dale G. Renlund, “Our Good Shepherd,” 29–32.
How can Elder Renlund’s message about the Good Shepherd inspire
members to have compassion for those who need spiritual healing? Perhaps you could invite someone to share an experience of recovering from an illness or injury. How is the process he or she went through like the process of spiritual healing? What teachings do they find in Elder Renlund’s message that give them hope to seek healing from the Good Shepherd? What inspires them to show this same kind of compassion to those around them?
MESSAGES FROM THE GENERAL PRIESTHOOD SESSION
Thomas S. Monson, “Kindness, Charity, and Love,” 66–67.
Write the words charity and priest-hood at the top of the board, and invite two members to come to the board and list the attributes of charity and priest-hood service, as described by President Monson. Invite class members to share examples they have seen of these attributes. How can we reflect these attributes in our efforts to do the Lord’s work—individually and as a quorum or Relief Society?
David A. Bednar, “Called to the Work,” 67–70.
Are any members of your quorum or Relief Society preparing sons, daugh-ters, or grandchildren for priesthood ordinations, temple ordinances, and missions? Invite members to underline or highlight principles in Elder Bednar’s message that could help them prepare these young people. How does Elder Bednar’s message affect the way we might view how we prepare the youth? What additional advice would members share? You could also invite those you teach to discuss ways these principles might apply to other Church callings, including their own.
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Gérald Caussé, “Prepare the Way,” 75–78.Invite members to search Bishop
Caussé’s message for statements that change the way they think about the roles of the Aaronic Priesthood holders. Look at a list of the Aaronic Priesthood holders in your ward or branch. What can we do to help these young men fulfill their Aaronic Priesthood responsibilities?
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Greatest among You,” 78–81.
Ask members to imagine that a good friend has just joined the Church and is about to receive his or her first calling. Based on what they find in President Uchtdorf’s message, what advice would they give about how to approach service in a calling? Why is it important to be humble as we serve? Who do you know that exemplifies the type of service President Uchtdorf describes? Invite members to share lessons they have learned as they have served in their callings.
Henry B. Eyring, “Walk with Me,” 82–85.Consider inviting members to read
some of the scriptures President Eyring shares. How do these verses “deepen our sense of awe regarding the holy priesthood”? What do these scriptures suggest about the way we should approach performing or receiving priesthood ordinances? President Eyring also shares three experiences in which he felt that the Lord was with him in his priesthood service. After reviewing these stories together, perhaps members could share their own experiences participat-ing in the Lord’s work. When have they noticed the Lord “walking with them”?
MESSAGES FROM THE GENERAL WOMEN’S SESSION
Bonnie H. Cordon, “Trust in the Lord and Lean Not,” 6–9.
Read together the first six paragraphs of Sister Cordon’s message, and ask mem-bers to think of ways they could illustrate the dangers of leaning to our own under-standing. Then they could each select one of Sister Cordon’s three suggestions to increase our trust in the Savior, read about it, and share with the rest of the group what they learned. What experiences can we share that relate to these suggestions? How can we inspire our families and loved ones to trust in the Lord?
Carol F. McConkie, “The Beauty of Holiness,” 9–12.
Sister McConkie’s talk can inspire us to live in holiness. But what does it mean to be holy? To find out, class members could search the talk looking for every sentence where the words holy or holiness are used. What do we learn about holiness from these sentences? For example, what do we learn about holiness from the service of Evangeline, the Beehive class president? How can
we follow her example as we participate in the Lord’s work?
Linda K. Burton, “Certain Women,” 12–15.
Sister Burton shares examples of women who were certain (having firm, confident testimonies) from three time periods: the New Testament, the 1800s, and our day. What characteristics are shared by these “certain women”? Invite members to share examples of other “certain women” they know. What does Sister Burton invite us to do to become more like these women? How can we help women we know see these qualities in themselves?
Henry B. Eyring, “My Peace I Leave with You,” 15–18.
Invite each person to search President Eyring’s message and make a list of ways the Holy Ghost blesses our lives. Invite each person to compare his or her list with someone else’s and share what they learned. What experiences can we share when we have received some of these blessings? How would these blessings help us be more effec-tive in the Lord’s work?
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TOPIC FOR FOURTH-SUNDAY MEETINGS: “REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY” (EXODUS 20:8) Led by a presidency member, group leader, or called teacher
Between now and the next general conference, we will focus on teachings about the Sabbath day during fourth- Sunday meetings. Choose from the fol-lowing ideas, combine several of them, or create your own according to the needs of your members.
Remembering the meaning of the Sabbath dayAnciently, the Sabbath was associated
with the mighty works of God (see Bible Dictionary, “Sabbath”). Invite members to identify some of these mighty works in the following verses: Genesis 2:1–3; Deuteronomy 5:15; and John 20:19–23. How does this change the way we think about the Sabbath? What are some of the mighty works that God has done for us? How can we remember these things on the Sabbath day?
Focusing our Sabbath on the SaviorThe Sabbath is also called the Lord’s
day (see Revelation 1:10). What are members doing to make this day the Lord’s day? Review together a few verses that can help inspire members to think of ways to center the Sabbath day on Christ (for example, see Helaman 5:12; Ether 12:41; Moroni 10:32; and Doctrine and Covenants 6:36). What other verses can members share that could help them make the Sabbath more Christ-centered? What goals can we set to help us have more Christ-centered Sabbaths?
Learning from Jesus Christ about the Sabbath day
During His mortal ministry, the Savior took opportunities to teach about the Sabbath day. Ask members to read about these accounts in Mark 2:23–28; Luke
6:1–11; 13:11–17; and John 5:1–18; 9:1–16 and make a list of things Jesus did on the Sabbath and the principles He taught. What other principles about the Sabbath do we learn from the following verses: Exodus 20:8–11; 31:12–18; Isaiah 58:13–14; and Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–24? Invite members to share what it means to them to keep the Sabbath day holy.
See also Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129–132.
Worshipping on the SabbathWrite the word worship on the board
and ask class members to write other words that are related next to it. Then make three columns, with the words before, during, and after at the top of each column. As you read together Mosiah 18:17–29 and Moroni 6, discuss what we can do before, during, and after church to worship the Lord on His holy day. What can we do to help improve the worship experience of our families and ward members are having during church?
Partaking of the sacramentWrite the following question on the
board: How is the sacrament affecting your life? To answer this question, invite members to work in pairs and discuss one phrase they select from the sacra-ment prayers in Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79. Give each pair time to find scriptures that help them better under-stand their phrase and how they would answer the question on the board. You might also invite class members to choose favorite sacrament hymns and sing them together.
See also Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 17–20.
Ministering to othersThe Sabbath is a day to serve others.
What can we learn about serving others from the way the Savior ministered in people’s homes? Encourage home teach-ing and visiting teaching companionships to review Matthew 8:14–15; 9:10–13; Luke 10:38–42; 19:1–9, considering the needs of the individuals and families they minister to. What do the companionships feel impressed to do? What are other ways we can minister to and serve others on the Sabbath? (For example, working on our family history, visiting the sick, or sharing the gospel.)
Find these resources on the Gospel Library app and at mprs.lds.org.
