In this post, we’re gonna deep dive into the engaging questions, object lesson ideas, and personal sharing prompts that can be found throughout the October 2024 General Conference Talk, “The Joy of Our Redemption” by Sister Kristin M. Yee.
In order to more easily digest all the information we could take from this talk, we’ll be separating it by sections, focusing on one point from the talk at a time.
About 10 years ago I felt impressed to paint a portrait of the Savior. Though I am an artist, this felt a bit overwhelming. How was I to paint a portrait of Jesus Christ that captured His Spirit? Where was I to begin? And where would I find the time?
Even with my questions, I decided to move forward and trust that the Lord would help me. But I had to keep moving and leave the possibilities to Him. I prayed, pondered, researched, and sketched and was blessed to find help and resources. And what was a white canvas started to become something more.
The process wasn’t easy. Sometimes it didn’t look as I had hoped. Sometimes there were moments of inspired strokes and ideas. And many times, I just had to try again and again and again.
When I thought the oil painting was finally complete and dry, I began to apply a transparent varnish to protect it from dirt and dust. As I did, I noticed the hair in the painting start to change, smear, and dissolve. I quickly realized that I had applied the varnish too soon, that part of the painting was still wet!
I had literally wiped away a portion of my painting with the varnish. Oh, how my heart sank. I felt as though I had just destroyed what God had helped me to do. I cried and felt sick inside. In despair, I did what anyone would typically do in a situation like this: I called my mother. She wisely and calmly said, “You won’t get back what you had, but do the very best you can with what you’ve got.”
So I prayed and pled for help and painted through the night to repair things. And I remember looking at the painting in the morning—it looked better than it did before. How was that possible? What I thought was a mistake without mend was an opportunity for His merciful hand to be manifest. He was not done with the painting, and He was not done with me. What joy and relief filled my heart. I praised the Lord for His mercy, for this miracle that not only saved the painting but taught me more about His love and power to save each of us from our mistakes, weaknesses, and sins and to help us become something more.
Engaging Questions:
- Sister Yee spoke about feeling overwhelmed by her project to paint the Savior. When have you felt a similar sense of overwhelm? How did you find strength to keep going?
- How does Sister Yee’s experience of “moving forward” despite uncertainty resonate with your own experiences of facing unknowns in life?
- Sister Yee prayed, pondered, researched, and kept moving forward. What steps do you take when you’re facing a difficult task or decision?
- Sister Yee’s painting didn’t turn out as she hoped at times. How do you handle disappointment when something doesn’t go as planned?
- Have you ever experienced a “setback” that led to something unexpectedly positive? What did you learn from it?
- Sister Yee relied on her mother’s wisdom during a tough moment. Who do you turn to when you need support or guidance, and how have they helped you?
- Sister Yee’s mom advised her to do “the very best with what you’ve got.” How can this advice apply to your current challenges?
- When Sister Yee felt devastated by her mistake, she turned to prayer for help. How has prayer helped you overcome a challenge?
- In what ways have you seen God use your mistakes to help you learn and grow, much like Sister Yee’s experience with her painting?
- Sister Yee realized that God wasn’t done with the painting or with her. What might it mean in your life to realize that God “isn’t done” with you?
- How does the process of creating something mirror our journey in life? What parallels do you see?
- Sister Yee described her experience as one of God’s merciful hand being manifest. Can you think of a time when you felt God’s mercy in your life?
- What “mistakes” in your life have turned out to be opportunities for learning or improvement?
- Sister Yee’s painting experience reminds us that we’re works in progress. How can this perspective change the way we view ourselves and our challenges?
- How can we trust God’s timing, especially when things don’t seem to go as planned or progress is slower than we’d like?
Object Lessons:
- Painting Restoration Demonstration
- Materials: A small canvas or paper, paints, and a paper towel or eraser.
- Activity: Paint a simple picture, then intentionally smudge a small part. Show how the “mistake” can be incorporated or even enhanced as part of the painting.
- Lesson: Discuss how the Lord helps us repair and even improve when things go wrong in life, teaching that He often turns what seems ruined into something better than we imagined.
- Cracked Pot Repaired with Gold
- Materials: A clay or ceramic pot, broken pieces glued back together, and gold or metallic paint.
- Activity: Display a broken pot that has been pieced back together with gold paint applied along the cracks. (Inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where pottery is repaired with gold.)
- Lesson: Discuss how, like the pot, our lives may feel “broken” or flawed. But with the Lord’s help, He fills in the cracks, making us whole and even more beautiful. Our mistakes and imperfections are part of our unique journey and testimony.
- Blank Canvas and Small Brush Strokes
- Materials: Blank canvas or paper, paint or markers, and brushes.
- Activity: Each person is given a small brush to make one stroke on a blank canvas. After everyone has contributed, the final image forms something greater than any single stroke.
- Lesson: This activity illustrates how, like Sister Yee, we may begin with a blank canvas of life and feel uncertain. But with the Lord’s guidance, our small efforts combine into something meaningful, even if we don’t see the full picture until later.
- Erasable Markers on Whiteboard
- Materials: Whiteboard and dry erase markers.
- Activity: Have participants write or draw something on the board they feel could be a “mistake” or an area of struggle in life. Then erase it and talk about how Christ’s atonement allows for erasure and a new beginning.
- Lesson: Emphasize that no mistake is permanent with the Lord. He helps us wipe away what we feel has gone wrong and offers us a clean slate.
Activities
- Group Mural Project
- Materials: Large blank canvas, paints, markers, or colored pencils.
- Activity: Invite participants to work together to create a mural where each person adds their own “part” of the picture. As mistakes happen, participants can work together to incorporate or blend them into the larger piece.
- Lesson: This activity emphasizes how, just like the Lord’s patience with Sister Yee’s painting process, He helps us weave each of our experiences—good or challenging—into a greater, beautiful purpose.
- Reflection Journal Entry: “Repairing My Canvas”
- Materials: Notebooks or journals and pens.
- Activity: Ask participants to write about a time when they felt they made a mistake or “smeared” something they cared about. Have them reflect on how they sought to repair it and where they saw God’s hand in the experience.
- Lesson: Encourage them to see how their efforts, partnered with God’s help, can bring growth and transformation even when things seem lost.
- Before and After: Transforming a Mess into Art
- Materials: Pages of messy, abstract shapes and a second page to re-draw the shapes into something beautiful (like turning a random scribble into a flower or bird).
- Activity: Each person receives a “messy” page and has to think creatively about how they can transform it into something beautiful.
- Lesson: Emphasize that we can feel like we’re starting from a mess, but with Christ’s grace, we can make something beautiful out of any starting point.
- Rewrite and Reflect Activity
- Materials: Small slips of paper and pens.
- Activity: Ask participants to write down something they regret or feel is a mistake. Then, invite them to crumple it up, pray silently, and then open a fresh slip of paper to write how they want to move forward with God’s help.
- Lesson: Highlight that God doesn’t want us to hold onto regret—He wants us to use these experiences as stepping stones to become something greater.
- A Layered Painting Activity: Adding “Protective Layers”
- Materials: Small canvases, paints, brushes, and transparent varnish.
- Activity: Invite participants to paint something simple, layer by layer, waiting for each to dry. When the base layers are complete, apply the varnish carefully and reflect on the value of patience in crafting a strong foundation.
- Lesson: Emphasize that like Sister Yee, we are works in progress and that with each layer, Christ strengthens and protects us as we become closer to Him.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you started a daunting project or goal that felt beyond your abilities. How did you find the courage to move forward, and what surprised you along the way?
Think of a time when a mistake or setback seemed to undo something important to you. How did you find the strength to keep going, and what did you learn from the process?
Think of a time when you felt the Spirit guide you in an unexpected way. How did that guidance help you complete something meaningful or overcome a challenge?
Think of a time when you trusted the Lord to make up the difference in a task that stretched you. How did His grace help you see new possibilities or solutions?
Think of a time when someone else’s encouragement helped you through a difficult moment. How did their words or support change your perspective or renew your determination?
Think of a time when a setback in your work or project turned out to be a blessing. What did you learn from the experience, and how did it impact the outcome?
Think of a time when you had to be patient with yourself as you developed a skill or talent. How did that patience shape your abilities and your relationship with the Lord?
Think of a time when you felt inspired to start over, even though it was difficult. What did you find through that experience of re-creation or repair?
Think of a time when you experienced a moment of inspiration that changed your approach to a challenge. How did following that inspiration transform your work or relationships?
Think of a time when you felt you had nothing left to give but asked the Lord for help anyway. How did He strengthen you or bring new resources into your life?
Just as the depth of my gratitude for the Savior grew as He mercifully helped me to repair the “unrepairable” painting, so has my personal love and gratitude for my Savior intensified as I’ve sought to work with Him on my weaknesses and to be forgiven of my mistakes. I will forever be grateful to my Savior that I can change and be cleansed. He has my heart, and I hope to do whatever He would have me do and become.
Repenting allows us to feel God’s love and to know and love Him in ways we would never otherwise know. Of the woman who anointed the Savior’s feet, He said, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” She loved Jesus much, for He had forgiven her much.
Engaging Questions:
- Sister Yee describes a deep gratitude that grew from being “helped to repair the unrepairable.” When have you felt profound gratitude for a second chance or unexpected help?
- How has working through personal weaknesses or mistakes brought you closer to the Savior?
- What does it mean to you to “give your heart” to the Savior as Sister Yee described? How might that look in your daily life?
- Sister Yee felt gratitude for the ability to change and be cleansed. How does the gift of repentance impact your feelings toward Christ?
- How has forgiveness—whether receiving or giving it—deepened your love for others or your relationship with God?
- Sister Yee spoke of wanting to do whatever the Savior would have her do. How do you seek to understand what God wants you to do and become?
- In what ways does repentance allow you to feel God’s love more deeply?
- How does the story of the woman who anointed the Savior’s feet show the connection between forgiveness and love?
- When have you felt the Savior “repair” something in your life that seemed unrepairable? How did it change your outlook or deepen your faith?
- How does acknowledging our weaknesses help us better understand God’s grace?
- What small, daily steps help you feel and respond to God’s love, even during times of struggle or mistakes?
- Sister Yee said her love and gratitude for the Savior intensified through her experiences with Him. How can trials or challenges strengthen our love for and reliance on God?
- The Savior taught that those forgiven much love much. How has receiving forgiveness impacted your capacity to love yourself and others?
- How does the process of recognizing and working on weaknesses help us gain spiritual strength?
- How can we cultivate a heart that’s open to the Savior, like Sister Yee’s, so that we’re ready and willing to follow His guidance?
Object Lessons:
- Clay in the Potter’s Hands
- Materials: Modeling clay.
- Activity: Start by having participants mold a shape they are proud of. Then, intentionally press a mark or flaw into it, representing a mistake or weakness. Have participants reshape the clay into something new, acknowledging that the “mistake” can lead to something just as meaningful, if not more so, than the original shape.
- Lesson: Just as a potter reshapes clay, the Savior helps reshape our lives through repentance and forgiveness. Even when we feel flawed, He patiently remolds us, creating something even more refined.
- “Invisible Ink” Message
- Materials: White paper, lemon juice, cotton swabs, and a heat source (hair dryer or light bulb).
- Activity: Have participants write down a mistake or weakness with lemon juice on paper using a cotton swab. After the paper dries, use a heat source to reveal the “invisible ink.” As the heat brings the message to light, discuss how the Savior’s love can bring us to a place of growth, understanding, and change.
- Lesson: Like the hidden message, our mistakes are often hidden or downplayed. But as we turn to the Savior, He illuminates those areas for growth, guiding us to become better than we were before.
- A Broken Vase Restored
- Materials: A vase or pot broken into pieces and reassembled with glue.
- Activity: Begin with a broken pot and explain that, though broken, it can be carefully pieced back together. Use glue to reassemble the pot, symbolizing the healing power of the Savior’s love and repentance.
- Lesson: Although we may feel shattered by mistakes, the Savior helps us pick up the pieces and put ourselves back together. He makes us whole again, often adding strength and beauty through the process.
- Whiteboard Erasing
- Materials: Whiteboard and markers.
- Activity: Invite participants to write down things they feel they need to improve on or repent of. As they share how the Savior’s Atonement helps them, erase each “mistake” from the whiteboard, symbolizing the cleansing power of repentance.
- Lesson: This simple act of erasing the whiteboard symbolizes how, through the Savior’s love, we are given a fresh start every time we turn to Him.
Activities
- “Before and After” Art Challenge
- Materials: Blank paper, pencils, markers, or crayons.
- Activity: Ask participants to draw a quick, simple picture of something meaningful. Then, instruct them to “mess up” part of their drawing and find a creative way to transform it. Allow time for participants to share and discuss how their “mistake” became an opportunity to improve the artwork.
- Lesson: This illustrates that repentance allows us to grow in ways we wouldn’t otherwise experience. The Savior doesn’t just fix us; He makes us stronger, kinder, and more compassionate through the process.
- Forgiveness Reflection Jar
- Materials: Clear jars, small paper strips, and pens.
- Activity: Invite participants to write on paper slips times when they’ve felt forgiven by the Savior or forgiven others. Place the slips in the jar as a reminder of the power of forgiveness. As the jar fills, it becomes a visible representation of grace and healing.
- Lesson: Each paper in the jar shows the Savior’s influence in our lives, reminding us that, like the woman who anointed His feet, our gratitude and love for the Savior grow as we experience His forgiveness.
- “Stained” T-shirt or Cloth Cleaned
- Materials: White T-shirt or cloth, a washable stain (e.g., marker or mud), water, and soap.
- Activity: Stain a T-shirt or cloth, then wash it clean as participants observe. Discuss how the stain represents mistakes, and washing it clean demonstrates the Savior’s ability to remove our sins as we repent.
- Lesson: This simple visual reminds us that, like the cloth, we can be washed clean through the Savior’s love. His mercy not only erases our mistakes but also allows us to move forward renewed and whole.
- “My Canvas” Reflection
- Materials: Small canvas or paper, and watercolor or paint.
- Activity: Ask each person to create a small painting, representing their lives or journey. Include a challenge (such as using only certain colors or including an intentional “mistake”) to represent obstacles or past mistakes. Allow them to find ways to work the challenge into their artwork.
- Lesson: Just as Sister Yee’s painting wasn’t perfect from the start, neither are we. But with the Lord’s guidance, we can create something beautiful, no matter the obstacles. Repentance and forgiveness allow us to progress and refine our “canvas” alongside Him.
- “Debt Paid” Activity
- Materials: Play money or paper slips, pens, and envelopes.
- Activity: Give each participant a slip representing a debt or mistake. Have someone represent the Savior, who collects and “pays” each slip, allowing participants to move forward without their burdens.
- Lesson: This demonstrates the Savior’s role in paying our spiritual debts, allowing us to feel relief, gratitude, and love. Through His Atonement, our debts are “paid in full,” allowing us to start fresh.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you experienced a sense of forgiveness for a mistake or weakness that felt especially burdensome. How did the Savior’s mercy help you see yourself and others in a new light?
Think of a time when working on a weakness helped you feel closer to the Savior. How did that journey of growth shape your relationship with Him?
Think of a time when you felt something in your life was beyond repair, but the Savior helped you heal. How did that experience deepen your gratitude for Him?
Think of a time when you came to love the Savior more as you felt His love for you in your imperfections. How has that love changed how you approach challenges?
Think of a time when you experienced joy or peace in the process of repentance. What did you learn about the Savior’s love and patience with you during that time?
Think of a time when you found strength to move forward after a mistake. How did the Savior’s guidance and mercy bring you new hope and confidence?
Think of a time when you felt especially grateful for the Savior’s love because He helped you overcome a personal struggle. How did that gratitude influence your faith in other areas of your life?
Think of a time when you wanted to “do whatever He would have you do” because of how He had blessed you. How did that commitment affect your actions or decisions?
Think of a time when you felt loved even with your imperfections. How has experiencing that love inspired you to trust the Savior more deeply?
Think of a time when you realized the Savior understood your pain or struggles perfectly. How did that understanding help you feel connected to Him in a personal way?
There is such relief and hope in knowing that we can try again—that, as Elder David A. Bednar taught, we can receive an ongoing remission of our sins through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as we truly and sincerely repent.
The redeeming power of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest promised blessings of our covenants. Ponder this as you participate in sacred ordinances. Without it, we could not return home to the presence of our Father in Heaven and those we love.
I know that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is mighty to save. As the Son of God, who atoned for the sins of the world and laid down His own life and took it up again, He holds the power of redemption and resurrection. He has made possible immortality for all and eternal life for those who choose Him. I know that through His atoning sacrifice, we can repent and truly be cleansed and redeemed. It is a miracle He loves you and me in this way.
He has said, “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?” He can heal the “waste places” of your soul—the places made dry, harsh, and desolate by sin and sorrow—and “make [your] wilderness like Eden.”
Just as we cannot comprehend the agony and depth of Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross, so we “cannot measure the bounds nor fathom the depths of [His] divine forgiveness,” mercy, and love.
Engaging Questions:
- Sister Yee describes the relief and hope that comes from being able to try again. How does knowing we can always return to Christ impact the way you view repentance?
- Elder Bednar spoke of an “ongoing remission of sins.” What daily or regular practices help you feel this continuous cleansing and sanctification in your life?
- When have you felt a particular sense of renewal or cleansing through the power of the Holy Ghost?
- How does participating in sacred ordinances strengthen your understanding of Christ’s redeeming power?
- What does it mean to you personally that Jesus Christ is “mighty to save”?
- Sister Yee reminds us that Christ can heal the “waste places” in our souls. How have you experienced His healing power in areas of your life where you felt broken or burdened?
- What does it mean to make the “wilderness” of your life “like Eden,” as mentioned in the scriptures?
- How does reflecting on the Savior’s Atonement during the sacrament deepen your understanding of His power to redeem?
- How can we increase our trust in Christ’s power to redeem us, even when we feel overwhelmed by our mistakes?
- What are some ways you invite the Holy Ghost to sanctify your life regularly?
- Sister Yee reminds us that Christ offers divine forgiveness, mercy, and love. How do these gifts impact your perspective on yourself and others?
- In what ways does repentance help you feel closer to your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
- How does Christ’s invitation to “return unto me” help you overcome feelings of doubt or inadequacy?
- How does remembering Christ’s role as the Redeemer give you strength to face challenges or past regrets?
- Sister Yee encourages us to ponder the blessings of the Savior’s redemption. How has contemplating His sacrifice helped you to feel His love more personally?
Object Lessons:
- “Dry Soil to Garden” Transformation
- Materials: Small pots, dried soil, fresh soil, seeds, and water.
- Activity: Show participants a pot with dry, cracked soil. Discuss how the soil symbolizes parts of our lives that feel desolate or “dry” due to sin or sorrow. Add fresh soil and plant seeds, then water them to illustrate how Christ’s Atonement rejuvenates our spirits, turning our “wilderness into Eden.”
- Lesson: Just as water renews the soil, the Savior’s love and forgiveness nourish our spirits. Through repentance, we are transformed, becoming fruitful and whole.
- Stained Cloth Cleansed
- Materials: White cloth or handkerchief, washable marker or paint, and soap/water or a stain remover.
- Activity: Mark the cloth with “stains,” symbolizing mistakes and sins. Then wash the cloth with soap or a stain remover, showing how the Savior’s atoning power cleanses us when we sincerely repent.
- Lesson: Though stained by sins and mistakes, we can be made clean through Christ’s Atonement. Each time we repent, we experience a fresh start, much like the cloth becoming white again.
- Broken Glass Mosaic
- Materials: Broken glass or ceramic pieces (or colored paper for safety), glue, and a backing board.
- Activity: Provide broken pieces and guide participants in arranging them to create a mosaic. Emphasize how broken pieces can make something beautiful when handled with care.
- Lesson: Our lives may feel broken by mistakes or sorrow, but as we turn to Christ, He helps us piece together a beautiful, meaningful life. This mirrors how He takes the broken pieces of our hearts and redeems them into something whole and inspiring.
- Band-Aid Reminder of Healing
- Materials: Band-Aids, markers.
- Activity: Have participants write a word that symbolizes a mistake or sorrow on their hands, then place a Band-Aid over it to represent how Christ heals our wounds when we turn to Him.
- Lesson: Just as a Band-Aid covers a wound while it heals, the Savior offers relief and protection. Repentance is our way of accessing His healing power, allowing Him to cover and cleanse us from our sins and mistakes.
Activities
- Clean Slate Reflection Board
- Materials: Whiteboard or chalkboard, dry-erase markers or chalk, and erasers.
- Activity: Invite participants to write down words representing burdens, regrets, or weaknesses. After discussing the power of repentance, erase the board together to show how repentance provides a “clean slate.”
- Lesson: This symbolizes that, through repentance and the Atonement, we can start fresh. The Savior’s forgiveness erases what’s weighing us down, offering a new beginning.
- “Garden of Eden” Activity
- Materials: A large poster with a wilderness on one side and a garden on the other, cutouts of flowers and greenery.
- Activity: Participants write on “flower” cutouts things they feel grateful for because of the Savior’s redeeming power (e.g., “forgiveness,” “peace,” “hope”) and place them on the garden side.
- Lesson: As we accept Christ’s invitation to repent and change, He transforms our “wilderness” into an “Eden,” bringing beauty, hope, and peace into our lives.
- The Power of “Undo”
- Materials: Digital device or computer with a document editor (Word, Google Docs).
- Activity: Type a short message, then make intentional “mistakes.” Show how using the “Undo” feature allows you to correct these mistakes. Discuss how the Savior’s Atonement offers a similar chance to “undo” sins and start fresh.
- Lesson: Christ’s redeeming power is like a divine “Undo” button that helps us repent and correct our course, giving us the freedom to move forward without being held back by past mistakes.
- Seed Planting for Growth
- Materials: Seeds, small pots, soil, and water.
- Activity: Each participant plants a seed, representing the small, consistent actions of repentance that help us grow spiritually. Over time, they can see the seed grow as a reminder of spiritual growth.
- Lesson: Just as seeds need time, water, and care to grow, our spiritual growth requires consistent nurturing through repentance and the Atonement. This growth leads us closer to Christ, allowing His grace to transform us.
- Chain of Forgiveness and Healing
- Materials: Paper strips, pens, stapler or tape.
- Activity: Participants write down how Christ’s Atonement has blessed them on strips of paper and connect the strips to form a “chain of redemption.”
- Lesson: Each link represents an aspect of His love and mercy, showing how forgiveness, healing, and redemption are connected. This chain symbolizes that through the Savior’s Atonement, we are bound to Him and strengthened as we rely on His redeeming power.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt the relief of being able to “try again” after a mistake. How did the Savior’s mercy help you start fresh, and how did that impact your view of Him?
Think of a time when you felt the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost as you sincerely repented. How did that experience deepen your understanding of God’s love for you?
Think of a time when a sacred ordinance reminded you of the power of Jesus Christ’s atonement. How did that reminder strengthen your hope and desire to return to Him?
Think of a time when you experienced a sense of cleansing through the Savior’s redeeming power. How did that experience help you feel worthy of His love and presence?
Think of a time when you felt that a “waste place” in your life was healed and transformed by Christ. What did that transformation teach you about His power to make you whole?
Think of a time when the love and forgiveness of the Savior surprised or overwhelmed you. How has that sense of His endless love influenced your faith and choices?
Think of a time when you felt the Savior inviting you to “return unto Him” with all your heart. How did following that invitation change the way you saw yourself and others?
Think of a time when you came to better understand the miracle of Christ’s forgiveness and mercy. How did that understanding influence your desire to become closer to Him?
Think of a time when you saw the Lord heal a difficult part of your soul. How did experiencing His power to heal bring peace to other areas of your life?
Think of a time when you felt Christ’s love “in the wilderness”—a time when you felt lost or desolate. How did His guidance or comfort bring light to that season of your life?
You may feel at times that it’s not possible to be redeemed, that perhaps you are an exception to God’s love and the Savior’s atoning power because of what you are struggling with or because of what you’ve done. But I testify that you are not beneath the Master’s reach. The Savior “descended below all things” and is in a divine position to lift you and claim you from the darkest abyss and bring you into “his marvellous light.” Through His sufferings, He has made a way for each of us to overcome our personal weaknesses and sins. “He has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.”
Just as it required work and pleading for heaven’s help to repair the painting, it takes work, sincerity of heart, and humility to bring “forth fruit meet for repentance.” These fruits include exercising our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, offering to God a broken heart and a contrite spirit, confessing and forsaking sin, restoring that which has been damaged to the best of our ability, and striving to live righteously.
Engaging Questions:
- Sister Yee reassures us that no one is “beneath the Master’s reach.” How does knowing that Christ descended below all things to reach us impact your perspective on His love and atoning power?
- Have you ever felt like an “exception” to God’s love, and how has the Savior helped you overcome that feeling?
- What does it mean to you personally to be brought into the Savior’s “marvelous light” after experiencing darkness or struggles?
- Sister Yee speaks of the “work” and sincerity required for true repentance. What steps help you maintain a “broken heart and contrite spirit” as you work toward repentance?
- How does the idea of “bringing forth fruit meet for repentance” deepen your understanding of what true repentance requires?
- In what ways has exercising faith and trust in Jesus Christ helped you to let go of shame or regret?
- What role does confession and forsaking sin play in your own process of change and growth?
- How have you experienced healing when you’ve strived to “restore that which has been damaged” in your life or relationships?
- Sister Yee describes repentance as a way to offer a “broken heart” to God. What does this mean to you, and how do you feel He receives it?
- How has feeling the Savior’s power and love helped you better forgive yourself or others?
- What steps can we take to keep our hearts soft and willing to repent, even when it’s difficult?
- How does seeing repentance as a process of returning to God affect the way you approach it?
- In what ways does being honest with God about your struggles help you feel His mercy more fully?
- Sister Yee reminds us of the importance of sincere, humble repentance. What helps you keep your heart sincere in your journey with God?
- How can reflecting on Christ’s descent “below all things” help you trust that He understands and can help you in your unique struggles?
Object Lessons:
- “Depths of the Abyss”
- Materials: A deep container (like a bucket) and various objects (like small stones, balls, or toys).
- Activity: Fill the container with water and drop in the objects, explaining that the water represents the depths of despair or sin. Discuss how these objects can represent feelings of hopelessness, regret, or isolation. Then, use a stick or your hand to bring them to the surface, symbolizing how the Savior lifts us from our depths.
- Lesson: Just as the Savior can lift us from the depths of our struggles, He has the power to redeem us and help us rise above our sins.
- “Repairing the Broken”
- Materials: A piece of broken pottery or clay, glue, and gold paint (or gold leaf).
- Activity: Show the broken piece and explain that it represents our lives and the fractures caused by sin. As you glue the pieces back together, highlight how the gold symbolizes the Savior’s grace that fills our gaps, making us more beautiful than we were before.
- Lesson: Our brokenness can be transformed into beauty through the Atonement. Each piece restored represents our effort to repent and allow Christ’s love to heal us.
- “Fruit of Repentance”
- Materials: A basket of various fruits (real or plastic).
- Activity: Discuss how fruits grow as a result of nurturing and care. Each fruit can represent a different aspect of repentance (faith, humility, confession, etc.). As you pick each fruit, explain how these qualities help us in our journey of repentance and healing.
- Lesson: Just as fruits require care and patience to grow, so do the qualities of repentance. With faith and trust in the Savior, we can produce good fruit in our lives.
- “Light vs. Darkness”
- Materials: A small flashlight and a dark box or room.
- Activity: Begin in darkness and shine the flashlight to illustrate how light represents Christ and His love. Discuss how the darkness symbolizes sin and despair. As you hold the light, explain that we can choose to step into His light, no matter how deep our darkness may feel.
- Lesson: The Savior’s light can penetrate even the darkest places in our lives, bringing hope and healing.
- “The Healing Balm”
- Materials: Aloe vera or any soothing lotion, a band-aid, and a bowl.
- Activity: Apply the lotion to a participant’s hand, explaining that it represents the healing power of the Atonement. Band-aids symbolize protection and the need for care as we heal from wounds, representing sins or mistakes.
- Lesson: Just as the lotion soothes and heals physical wounds, the Savior’s grace heals our spiritual wounds when we repent.
Activities
- “Paths of Repentance” Art
- Materials: Large paper, colored markers, and stickers.
- Activity: Have participants draw a path on the paper, leading from a dark area (representing sin) to a bright area (representing redemption). Along the path, they can draw or add stickers that represent the fruits of repentance (like prayer, faith, forgiveness, etc.).
- Lesson: This activity emphasizes that the journey of repentance requires effort and is filled with milestones of growth, leading us toward the Savior’s light.
- “The Healing Journey” Journals
- Materials: Small notebooks or journals, pens.
- Activity: Encourage participants to create a journal where they can reflect on their struggles and document their journey of repentance. Include sections for daily gratitude, insights from scripture, and personal prayers.
- Lesson: Writing can be a powerful tool for reflection and healing. It helps individuals track their progress and recognize the blessings of Christ’s Atonement in their lives.
- “Trust Fall” Exercise
- Materials: A safe space and a group of participants.
- Activity: In pairs, have one person fall back while the other catches them. Discuss the importance of trust in relationships and how we must trust the Savior to catch us when we fall.
- Lesson: Trusting in Christ is essential to the repentance process. He is always there to catch us, no matter how far we think we have fallen.
- “Personal Inventory” Reflection
- Materials: Paper and pens.
- Activity: Lead participants in a quiet reflection time to write down areas in their lives where they feel they need to repent or seek healing. Afterward, provide a time for sharing experiences or insights.
- Lesson: Reflecting on personal weaknesses allows individuals to recognize their need for the Savior’s Atonement and embrace the process of repentance.
- “Fruitful Service” Service Project
- Materials: Supplies for a service project (like making cards, care packages, or cleaning up a local area).
- Activity: Plan a service project as a group, emphasizing how serving others is an important fruit of repentance. Discuss how helping others can be a way of expressing gratitude for Christ’s love and forgiveness.
- Lesson: Service is an essential part of living a Christlike life. As we serve others, we become agents of healing and love in the world.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you felt unworthy of redemption. How did you come to understand that you are not beneath the Savior’s reach, and what role did that realization play in your journey of faith?
Think of a time when you experienced the Savior lifting you from a personal struggle or sin. What did that process look like for you, and how did it change your perspective on His love and grace?
Think of a time when you had to exercise faith and trust in Jesus Christ during a difficult moment. How did that faith help you see your challenges in a new light?
Think of a time when you offered a broken heart and a contrite spirit in prayer. How did that act of humility open the door for healing and growth in your life?
Think of a time when you sought to restore something that was damaged in your life—whether a relationship, a situation, or even your own self-worth. What steps did you take, and what did you learn from that experience?
Think of a time when you felt you had made significant mistakes but learned about the power of the Atonement to help you move forward. How did this experience deepen your appreciation for the Savior’s sacrifice?
Think of a time when you actively sought the help of heaven to overcome a weakness or sin. How did that process of pleading for help shape your relationship with God?
Think of a time when you felt the fruits of repentance in your life. What changes did you notice in yourself or your circumstances as a result of striving to live righteously?
Think of a time when you witnessed someone else experience redemption or healing through their faith in Christ. How did that inspire you or change the way you view God’s mercy?
Think of a time when you were tempted to believe that you were an exception to God’s love. What brought you back to the truth of His infinite reach and mercy?
To truly repent and change, we must first be “convinced of our sins.” A person does not see the need to take medicine unless they understand that they are ill. There may be times we may not be willing to look inside ourselves and see that which really needs healing and repair.
In C. S. Lewis’s writings, Aslan poses these words to a man who has entangled himself in his own devices: “Oh [humankind], how cleverly you defend yourselves [from] all that might do you good!”
Where might you and I be defending ourselves from those things that might do us good?
Let us not defend ourselves from the good that God desires to bless us with. From the love and mercy that He desires us to feel. From the light and knowledge He desires to bestow upon us. From the healing that He knows we so readily need. From the deeper covenant relationship He intends for all His sons and daughters.
I pray we may lay aside any “weapons of war” that we’ve consciously or even unconsciously taken up to defend ourselves from the blessings of God’s love. Weapons of pride, selfishness, fear, hate, offense, complacency, unrighteous judgment, jealousies—anything that would keep us from loving God with all our hearts and keeping all our covenants with Him.
As we live our covenants, the Lord can give us the help and power we need to both recognize and overcome our weaknesses, including the spiritual parasite of pride. Our prophet has said:
“Repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power.”
“And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead.”
Engaging Questions:
- Sister Yee emphasizes the importance of being “convinced of our sins.” What does this mean to you, and how can recognizing our shortcomings lead to genuine repentance?
- C. S. Lewis mentions how we cleverly defend ourselves from things that might help us. In what ways might you be unintentionally defending yourself from God’s healing and blessings?
- Reflect on the “weapons of war” that Sister Yee mentions. Which of these—such as pride, fear, or complacency—do you struggle with the most, and how might they be hindering your spiritual growth?
- How can laying aside these “weapons” help you to feel God’s love and mercy more fully in your life?
- Sister Yee calls for a deeper covenant relationship with God. What does that look like for you, and how can you foster it in your daily life?
- In what ways have you experienced the power of God when you’ve chosen to repent and keep your covenants?
- How can recognizing our weaknesses lead to the “power” that comes from living a more pure life?
- How does understanding that repentance is a pathway to purity influence your approach to making and keeping covenants with God?
- Sister Yee mentions the importance of being willing to look inside ourselves. What practices do you find helpful for self-reflection and recognizing areas in need of healing?
- What role does humility play in your ability to repent and accept God’s help in overcoming weaknesses?
- How can sharing your struggles with others create a more supportive environment for acknowledging and overcoming weaknesses?
- What blessings have you experienced when you’ve chosen to be vulnerable and honest with God about your needs for healing?
- How can focusing on God’s desire to bless you help to shift your perspective from self-defense to openness?
- In your experience, how does the power of repentance help you feel more equipped to face future challenges?
- How can you actively work to remove the barriers—like judgment or jealousy—that prevent you from fully loving God and keeping His commandments?
Object Lessons:
- “The Medicine for Our Souls”
- Materials: A small bottle of water and a few medicine bottles (can be empty or filled with candies).
- Activity: Present the water bottle as the “medicine” (representing the Savior’s grace) and the other bottles as different types of sin or weaknesses. Discuss how we often resist taking the “medicine” (repentance) because we don’t see our need for it. You might shake the medicine bottles to create noise, symbolizing the distractions or defenses we create to avoid facing our weaknesses.
- Lesson: Just as we must acknowledge illness to take medicine, we must recognize our sins to seek healing through Christ.
- “The Mirror of Reflection”
- Materials: A hand mirror and a cloth.
- Activity: Hold up the mirror and explain that it symbolizes self-reflection. Use the cloth to illustrate how dust can accumulate on the mirror, representing the defenses we build against recognizing our weaknesses. Wipe the mirror clean, revealing a clear reflection, and discuss how repentance allows us to see ourselves clearly.
- Lesson: The act of repentance cleanses our spiritual vision, enabling us to recognize areas needing healing.
- “Weapons of Defense”
- Materials: Various props representing the “weapons” mentioned (like a toy sword for pride, a mask for fear, etc.) and a box to collect them.
- Activity: Have each participant share a defense mechanism they may have (from pride to complacency) and explain how it can prevent them from receiving God’s blessings. As they share, they can place their “weapons” into the box.
- Lesson: By identifying and setting aside these defenses, we open ourselves to healing and growth.
- “Spiritual Parasite”
- Materials: A piece of fruit (like an apple) and a small toy or plastic bug.
- Activity: Show the fruit as healthy and good. Place the bug next to it, discussing how sin or weakness can be like a parasite, feeding off our spirit and damaging our potential. Explain how we must recognize these “parasites” to take action (repentance) to restore our spiritual health.
- Lesson: Acknowledging our weaknesses allows us to remove the spiritual parasites and receive healing from the Savior.
- “The Weight of Sin”
- Materials: A backpack or heavy bag and various items to fill it with (representing burdens).
- Activity: Fill the backpack with items that represent different sins (like pride, anger, etc.). Allow participants to lift it and feel the weight. Discuss how carrying these burdens makes our journey more difficult. Then, illustrate how repentance lightens our load by removing these items from the bag.
- Lesson: Through repentance, we can lay down our burdens and feel the relief of Christ’s Atonement.
Activities
- “Defenses Inventory”
- Materials: Paper and pens.
- Activity: Provide participants with time to write down their defenses against recognizing their weaknesses (like pride, fear, etc.). Afterward, encourage a discussion on how these defenses hinder their relationship with God.
- Lesson: This exercise promotes self-reflection and awareness of areas needing repentance and healing.
- “The Healing Circle”
- Materials: A soft ball or small object to pass around.
- Activity: In a circle, have participants take turns sharing one thing they are grateful for in their spiritual journey and one thing they want to work on. The object is passed around as they speak.
- Lesson: This activity fosters an environment of support and accountability, helping participants feel connected in their journeys of repentance.
- “Covenant Commitments”
- Materials: Sticky notes and markers.
- Activity: Ask participants to write down one covenant commitment they want to strengthen on a sticky note. Then have them place it on a wall or board. Encourage them to revisit this commitment throughout the week.
- Lesson: Focusing on specific commitments can help participants recognize their strengths and areas for growth.
- “Group Service Project”
- Materials: Supplies for a service project (like cleaning supplies for a local park or items for care packages).
- Activity: Organize a service project as a group, discussing how service helps us overcome selfishness and pride.
- Lesson: Serving others is a powerful way to shift our focus away from ourselves and embrace the love of God.
- “Heartfelt Prayers”
- Materials: Journals or prayer cards.
- Activity: Lead a session where participants write down a prayer expressing their need for help in recognizing and overcoming their weaknesses. Encourage them to revisit this prayer in their personal prayers throughout the week.
- Lesson: Honest communication with God invites His healing power into our lives.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you struggled to recognize a weakness or sin in your life. What helped you come to that realization, and how did it impact your journey of repentance?
Think of a time when you defended yourself from something that could have brought you healing or growth. What caused you to put up those defenses, and what did you learn about the importance of being open to change?
Think of a time when you felt the need for healing but were hesitant to confront what was causing your pain. How did you ultimately find the courage to face that issue, and what was the outcome?
Think of a time when you experienced a moment of clarity about your spiritual health. What led you to this moment, and how did it influence your relationship with God?
Think of a time when you let go of pride or self-justification in order to embrace God’s love and mercy. What was the situation, and how did it change your perspective?
Think of a time when you chose to put aside your “weapons of war”—like pride or fear—to receive blessings from God. How did that choice impact your life or your relationships?
Think of a time when you relied on your covenants to help you through a difficult situation. How did this reliance provide strength or clarity during that time?
Think of a time when you witnessed someone else overcoming their defenses to experience God’s blessings. How did their journey inspire you or change your understanding of repentance?
Think of a time when you learned the importance of being humble and open to feedback from others. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it shape your personal growth?
Think of a time when you felt the power of repentance in your life. What changes did you notice in yourself, and how did it affect your relationships with others and with God?
Like my painting, the Lord is not done with us when we make a mistake, nor does He flee when we falter. Our need for healing and help is not a burden to Him, but the very reason He came. The Savior Himself said:
“Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.”
“Mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.”
So come—come ye that are weary, worn, and sad; come and leave your labors and find rest in Him who loves you most. Take His yoke upon you, for He is gentle and lowly in heart.
Our Heavenly Father and Savior see you. They know your heart. They care about what you care about, including those you love.
The Savior can redeem that which was lost, including broken and fractured relationships. He has made a way for all that is fallen to be redeemed—to breathe life into that which feels dead and hopeless.
If you are struggling with a situation you think you should have overcome by now, don’t give up. Be patient with yourself, keep your covenants, repent often, seek the help of your leaders if needed, and go to the house of the Lord as regularly as you can. Listen for and heed the promptings He sends you. He will not abandon His covenant relationship with you.
Engaging Questions:
- Sister Yee mentions that our mistakes are not the end but part of our journey. How can this perspective help you to approach your own shortcomings with more hope and resilience?
- Reflecting on the Savior’s invitation to come to Him when we are weary, what does that mean for you personally? How do you feel when you think about approaching Him in times of struggle?
- Sister Yee describes the Savior as gentle and lowly in heart. How does this portrayal affect your understanding of His character and His willingness to help you in your trials?
- How can you actively seek to “take His yoke upon you” in your daily life? What practices or habits can you adopt to feel His support more fully?
- What are some specific ways you can find rest in the Savior during challenging times?
- Sister Yee speaks of redemption and healing in relationships. How have you experienced the Savior’s redemptive power in your personal relationships?
- What advice would you give to someone who feels that they are struggling with a situation they should have already overcome?
- How do you interpret the idea that the Savior can “breathe life into that which feels dead and hopeless” in your own life or the lives of others?
- How does being patient with yourself relate to the process of healing and repentance? What practices help you cultivate patience?
- Sister Yee emphasizes the importance of regular temple attendance. How has visiting the house of the Lord impacted your spiritual journey?
- In moments of struggle, how do you recognize and respond to the promptings you receive from the Holy Spirit?
- How can the assurance that God will not abandon His covenant relationship with you influence your decision-making and resilience in challenging times?
- Sister Yee encourages us to seek help from leaders. How can you foster relationships with your leaders to ensure you have the support you need?
- How does knowing that you are seen and cared for by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ change your perspective on personal struggles?
- What steps can you take to better align your heart with the Savior’s and open yourself to His redemptive power in your life?
Object Lessons:
“The Broken Vessel”
Materials: A clay pot (or a simple ceramic pot) that has been intentionally cracked or broken, and some glue or tape.
Activity: Display the broken pot and discuss how we all have flaws and face challenges. Demonstrate how the pot can be repaired with glue or tape, symbolizing how the Savior can mend our brokenness. As you do this, share how the pot can still hold flowers or water, just like we can still be of use to God despite our imperfections.
Lesson: Even when we feel broken, God sees potential in us and can restore us to our intended purpose.
“The Extending Hand”
Materials: A long piece of rope or string, and two chairs.
Activity: Set up the chairs a distance apart, with the rope representing the Savior’s extended arm of mercy. Invite participants to step forward and grasp the rope as a visual representation of reaching out to Christ for help and healing. Discuss how His hand is always extended towards us, even when we feel unworthy or burdened.
Lesson: The Savior is always there, reaching out for us; it is up to us to accept His help.
“The Weary Traveler”
Materials: A backpack filled with heavy objects (representing burdens) and a lighter bag with comforting items (like snacks, water, or a comforting book).
Activity: Invite a participant to wear the heavy backpack and describe how it feels to carry burdens alone. Then offer them the lighter bag, symbolizing what it feels like to turn to Christ for relief and comfort. Discuss how Christ invites us to lay down our burdens and take upon ourselves His yoke.
Lesson: The Savior wants to share our burdens and help us find rest.
“The Seed of Potential”
Materials: A seed (like a sunflower or a small plant), soil, and a small pot.
Activity: Plant the seed in the soil while discussing how just like a seed needs time, water, and care to grow, we too need nurturing and patience as we grow spiritually. Talk about how the Savior nurtures us through our struggles, helping us to become what we are meant to be.
Lesson: Growth takes time and effort, and the Savior is there to help us through every step.
“The Picture of Grace”
Materials: An unfinished or blurred painting or artwork (you can use a printout of a well-known painting).
Activity: Show the artwork and discuss how it looks incomplete or unclear. Share how this is similar to our lives; we may feel incomplete or flawed, but the Lord is working on us, just as the artist continues to work on their piece. Discuss how mistakes and imperfections are part of the creative process.
Lesson: We are all a work in progress, and the Lord is actively working to create something beautiful from our lives.
Activities
Lesson: Taking time to listen helps us become more aware of the Lord’s guidance in our lives.
“Come to Christ Reflection”
Materials: Paper and pens.
Activity: Have participants write down a burden or struggle they are facing. Then, encourage them to write a prayer inviting the Savior into that situation, asking for help and healing. Afterward, have them share (if comfortable) their experience and how they feel after expressing their burdens.
Lesson: Bringing our struggles to the Savior helps us feel His presence and love.
“Healing Relationships”
Materials: A piece of string or yarn and scissors.
Activity: Have participants think of a relationship that needs healing. Have them cut a piece of string for each person involved in the situation. As they cut, discuss the importance of forgiveness and seeking to mend relationships, reminding them that the Savior can help them do so.
Lesson: The Savior can help us mend broken relationships if we turn to Him.
“Covenant Reminders”
Materials: Index cards and markers.
Activity: Ask participants to write down one covenant or commitment they want to strengthen and how they plan to do that. Encourage them to keep this card in a visible place to remind them of their commitment to God and to seek His help in fulfilling it.
Lesson: Regularly remembering and recommitting to our covenants helps us stay focused on our relationship with the Savior.
“Acts of Service”
Materials: Supplies for a simple service project (like making care packages for those in need).
Activity: Organize a service project where participants can serve others. Discuss how serving others can help us feel the Savior’s love and grace, as He desires to heal us while we help heal others.
Lesson: Serving others reflects Christ’s love and helps us feel His presence in our lives.
“Listening for His Promptings”
Materials: A quiet space and optional journals.
Activity: Set aside time for quiet reflection. Encourage participants to listen for promptings from the Holy Spirit regarding areas in their lives where they may need healing or where they can reach out for help. They can write down any impressions they receive during this time.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by a mistake or failure. How did you come to realize that your need for help was not a burden but an opportunity for growth and healing?
- Think of a time when you reached out for support during a difficult period in your life. What motivated you to seek help, and how did that decision impact your healing process?
- Think of a time when you felt like a relationship was beyond repair. How did you experience the Savior’s redeeming love in that situation, and what steps did you take to find hope and healing?
- Think of a time when you struggled to forgive yourself or someone else. How did you eventually find peace, and what role did your faith play in that journey?
- Think of a time when you felt weary and burdened. What actions did you take to come unto the Savior, and what was the outcome of that choice?
- Think of a time when you felt the Savior’s arm of mercy extended toward you. How did that experience change your perspective on your own worth and potential?
- Think of a time when you had to practice patience with yourself while trying to overcome a personal challenge. How did you maintain hope, and what did you learn about the process of healing?
- Think of a time when you were prompted to serve someone in need. How did responding to that prompting affect your own healing or understanding of God’s love?
- Think of a time when you experienced the power of repentance in your life. How did that experience deepen your relationship with the Savior and your commitment to keep your covenants?
- Think of a time when you witnessed a friend or loved one struggling and needed help. How did you support them, and what did you learn from that experience about the importance of community and love in the healing process?
There have been difficult and complex relationships in my life that I have struggled with and sincerely sought to improve. At times I felt like I was failing more often than not. I wondered, “Did I not fix things the last time? Did I not truly overcome my weakness?” I’ve learned over time that I am not necessarily defective; rather, there is often more to work on and more healing that is needed.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “Surely the Lord smiles upon one who desires to come to judgment worthily, who resolutely labors day by day to replace weakness with strength. Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving. Divine forgiveness and healing flow quite naturally to such a soul.”
Each day is a new day filled with hope and possibilities because of Jesus Christ. Each day you and I can come to know, as Mother Eve proclaimed, “the joy of our redemption,” the joy of being made whole, the joy of feeling God’s unfailing love for you.
I know that our Father in Heaven and Savior love you. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. He lives. Through His atoning sacrifice, the bands of sin and death were forever broken so that we might be free to choose healing, redemption, and eternal life with those we love. And I testify of these things in His name, Jesus Christ, amen.
Engaging Questions:
- Sister Yee talks about struggling with difficult relationships and feeling like she was failing. Have you experienced similar feelings in your relationships? How did you cope with those feelings?
- Reflecting on Elder Christofferson’s words, how does the idea of “resolutely laboring day by day” resonate with your approach to personal growth and improvement?
- What are some practical steps you can take to replace a weakness with strength in your relationships?
- Sister Yee mentions the joy of redemption. Can you share a personal experience where you felt this joy after overcoming a challenge or difficulty?
- How can understanding that you are not defective, but rather on a journey of healing, change your mindset about personal struggles?
- What role does daily prayer and seeking divine help play in your process of healing and improvement?
- How can you foster a sense of hope and possibility in your life when faced with ongoing challenges in relationships?
- In what ways can you remind yourself that every day is an opportunity for new beginnings, particularly in the context of difficult relationships?
- How do you personally define “real repentance”? What does it look like in your daily life?
- How can you cultivate an attitude of patience and understanding toward yourself as you strive for healing and improvement?
- Sister Yee emphasizes the importance of knowing God’s unfailing love. How can you actively remind yourself of this love during difficult times?
- How can your understanding of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice motivate you to strive for healing and redemption in your life?
- In your opinion, what does it mean to “come to judgment worthily”? How can that concept influence your behavior and relationships?
- How can you apply the idea of “repeated attempts” to your personal goals or relationships? What does this look like in practice?
- Sister Yee speaks of the joy of being made whole. How do you seek out or recognize moments of wholeness in your life amidst challenges?
Object Lessons:
- “The Layered Cake”
- Materials: A simple cake or layered dessert (preferably one with layers that represent growth, such as sponge cake with different fillings).
- Activity: Present the cake and discuss how each layer represents different aspects of our lives and relationships. Sometimes, we only see the outer layer, but deeper healing and understanding are needed. Slice the cake to reveal the layers inside, symbolizing that real healing takes time and layers of effort.
- Lesson: Just like a cake, our healing and relationships take time, effort, and often multiple layers of work to become whole.
- “The Healing Balm”
- Materials: A small bowl of honey and a piece of cloth.
- Activity: Dip the cloth into the honey and explain how honey is often used in healing. Discuss how our relationships can be like wounds that need care and that the Savior’s love acts as a healing balm for those wounds. As we apply His love and forgiveness, we can work towards mending relationships.
- Lesson: The Savior’s love and forgiveness can heal our wounds, and we can be agents of that healing in our relationships with others.
- “The Broken Mirror”
- Materials: A small mirror or a picture of a mirror that has been intentionally broken.
- Activity: Show the broken mirror and discuss how we often feel shattered or imperfect in our relationships. Despite its brokenness, a mirror can still reflect light. Discuss how we can still reflect Christ’s love and grace, even when we feel broken.
- Lesson: Even when we feel flawed, we can still reflect the light of Christ in our lives and relationships.
- “The Climbing Wall”
- Materials: A picture of a climbing wall or an actual small climbing wall (if possible).
- Activity: Show a picture of a climbing wall and discuss how climbing requires effort, perseverance, and sometimes falling. Each attempt to climb higher represents our efforts to improve relationships. Discuss how it’s normal to stumble but to keep trying and rely on Christ for help.
- Lesson: Improvement and healing in relationships require effort and persistence, and Christ is there to help us every step of the way.
- “The Seed of Potential”
- Materials: Seeds (like sunflower or bean seeds) and small pots or cups with soil.
- Activity: Plant the seeds together while discussing how seeds need nurturing and time to grow. Relate this to the idea that relationships, too, require care and time to flourish. As we work on ourselves and seek God’s help, we can cultivate healthy relationships.
- Lesson: Just as seeds need nurturing, our relationships require continuous effort, and growth takes time.
Activities
- “Hope for Healing” Journals
- Materials: Notebooks and pens.
- Activity: Have participants create a “Hope for Healing” journal where they can write down their thoughts, feelings, and prayers regarding difficult relationships or personal weaknesses. Encourage them to express their hopes for healing and redemption in those areas.
- Lesson: Writing down our feelings helps us process them and allows us to reflect on our growth and progress.
- “Circle of Support”
- Materials: A ball or soft object.
- Activity: Have participants sit in a circle and pass the ball around. Each person can share one thing they struggle with in relationships and one way they can seek healing or support. This encourages openness and vulnerability.
- Lesson: We are not alone in our struggles; sharing can help us find support and encouragement from one another.
- “Acts of Kindness Challenge”
- Materials: Index cards and pens.
- Activity: Ask participants to write down simple acts of kindness they can do for someone they have struggled with. Over a week, challenge them to perform these acts and share their experiences in the next meeting.
- Lesson: Kindness can break down barriers and foster healing in relationships.
- “The Atonement Discussion”
- Materials: Scripture references on the atonement of Christ.
- Activity: Divide participants into small groups and assign each group a different scripture related to Christ’s atonement and its healing power. Have them discuss how the atonement applies to their lives and relationships, then share insights with the larger group.
- Lesson: Understanding the power of the Atonement can inspire hope and healing in our lives.
- “Daily Affirmations”
- Materials: Paper and markers.
- Activity: Have participants create affirmations that reinforce their value and potential for healing and growth (e.g., “I am worthy of love and healing,” “I can improve my relationships”). Encourage them to display these affirmations in their homes.
- Lesson: Positive affirmations help combat negative thoughts and encourage a mindset of growth and healing.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
Think of a time when you faced a difficult relationship and felt like you were failing. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it shape your understanding of healing and forgiveness?
Think of a time when you tried to improve a relationship after feeling like you hadn’t succeeded before. What steps did you take, and how did those efforts help you grow?
Think of a time when you realized that healing takes more than one attempt. How did this understanding influence your approach to personal challenges and relationships moving forward?
Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by your weaknesses in a relationship. How did you find strength in Christ’s atonement to help you navigate those feelings?
Think of a time when you experienced a breakthrough in a challenging relationship. What contributed to that moment, and how did it impact your connection with the other person?
Think of a time when you received divine help while working to improve a relationship. How did you recognize that help, and what difference did it make in your efforts?
Think of a time when you learned to embrace the process of striving for change. What did that journey teach you about patience and the nature of real repentance?
Think of a time when you found joy in the redemption process. How did that experience deepen your faith in the Savior and your understanding of His love?
Think of a time when you felt the weight of sin or regret in your life. How did the Savior’s teachings guide you toward healing and renewal?
Think of a time when you had to rely on hope to continue striving in a challenging situation. What role did your faith play in maintaining that hope, and how did it help you move forward?
References
“The Joy of Our Redemption.” Churchofjesuschrist.org, 2024, www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/32yee?lang=eng.
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