Lesson 12: Obedience: Simply Living the Gospel

Much of the text in this lesson is focused on President Hinckley's descriptions of the blessings we receive from being obedient (see for example Section 1, Paragraph 2; Section 2, Paragraph 2, Section 3, Paragraphs 2-5, etc.).  The activity here attempts to build on this approach by asking class members to reflect on and remember how they have been blessed for their obedience.

The Activity:

1.  Read the last paragraph of section 4 ("I give you my testimony . . .").
2. Divide the class into four groups.
3. Assign each group a promised blessing from this quote (not including the last promise given), i.e. happiness, peace, progress, and prosperity. 
4. Ask each group to discuss how they have seen this type of blessing in their own lives, the lives of those around them, and/or the lives of people from church history and the scriptures.
5. After a few minutes, come back together as a class and ask each group to report on some of the experiences they discussed.

Using the Activity:

Some of the most powerful moments in any class that I have been in are those moments where someone shares an experience where from their own lives that demonstrates a gospel principle.  This is because such sharing is built on a number of gospel principles, e.g. remembering and acknowledging Father's hand, bearing testimony, applying scriptures and teachings to our lives, etc.  This lesson is asking our class members to reflect on how the truths taught in this lesson are visible in their lives.  Some class members will likely not be comfortable sharing and, indeed, not all spiritual experiences should be shared.  For that reason, opening up church history and scripture experiences as viable options for sharing can make this an easier process for some class members.  Also, some class members will struggle to think of experiences for each of the above categories.  That is okay.  Those experiences are there, but they may not have already made the connection.  Often with these types of discussions, I find myself suddenly recognizing blessings in experiences that I had not considered before.  I don't think I'm alone.  So, even if these experiences are not shared with abandon, they may be considered and that type of consideration is accompanied by the witness of the Spirit.  Ultimately, that witness of the truthfulness of the gospel and the teachings, in this case, of President Hinckley should be our ultimate goal.  So, this activity helps us set the stage for such a witness and we leave the rest up to Heavenly Father. 

I particularly loved imagining this lesson in action and how I would participate in such a discussion.  I sincerely hope you and your class members similarly find it beneficial.  Please let me know how it goes.  Thank you.