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 April 2025 General Conference Talk, “Confidence in the Presence of God” by President Russell M. Nelson.

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.

To download the free Canva Presentation Template for this General Conference Talk, click here: https://otherthanamom.myflodesk.com/confidenceinthepresenceofgod

Recently I met a new great-granddaughter. When I contemplate the challenges she will experience in her life, I feel a great desire to help her build faith in Jesus Christ. Living His gospel is essential for her future happiness.

She, like each of us, will face challenges. We all will experience illness, disappointment, temptation, and loss. These challenges can knock our self-confidence. However, disciples of Jesus Christ have access to a different kind of confidence.

When we make and keep covenants with God, we can have confidence that is born of the Spirit. The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith that our confidence can “wax strong in the presence of God.” Imagine the comfort of having confidence in the presence of God!

Engaging Questions:

1. When you think about the rising generation, like President Nelson’s great-granddaughter, what do you feel inspired to do to help them build faith in Jesus Christ?
2. What challenges in your life have tested your self-confidence, and how has your faith in Jesus Christ helped you face them?
3. President Nelson speaks of a “different kind of confidence” that comes through covenants. What does that kind of spiritual confidence feel like to you?
4. Can you think of a time when keeping a covenant helped you feel peace, direction, or strength in the midst of a challenge?
5. How do our covenants with God empower us in ways that self-reliance alone cannot?
6. What does it mean to you to have your “confidence wax strong in the presence of God”? How can we work toward that kind of relationship with Him?
7. Why do you think President Nelson emphasized covenants as essential to our future happiness and confidence?
8. How can we nurture the kind of confidence that is born of the Spirit in our homes and families?
9. What role does the Holy Ghost play in helping you feel confident and secure as a disciple of Jesus Christ?
10. How can we better prepare ourselves spiritually to face life’s inevitable trials with covenant confidence?
11. In what ways can remembering our covenants help us resist temptation and overcome discouragement?
12. How has your view of confidence changed as you’ve deepened your relationship with the Savior?
13. President Nelson expresses hope for his great-granddaughter’s happiness through the gospel. What gospel principles have brought lasting happiness into your life?
14. How can we help others recognize the strength and assurance that comes from making and keeping sacred covenants?
15. What are small, everyday things we can do to strengthen our covenant relationship with God and grow in spiritual confidence?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Anchor of Confidence”
   • Materials: A small anchor or a drawing of one, and a balloon.
   • Activity: Let the balloon float freely (or tie it lightly) to show how we drift without something to ground us. Then attach the balloon securely to the anchor, symbolizing how covenants give us spiritual security and confidence, even when life gets stormy.
   • Lesson: Covenants anchor us to Christ, giving us confidence and peace through life’s trials.
2. “The Light Within”
   • Materials: A candle or lantern and a cover (like a box).
   • Activity: Light the candle (representing confidence born of the Spirit). Cover it with the box to represent fear, doubt, or temptation. Remove the box to show how the Spirit and keeping covenants keep our light shining.
   • Lesson: Even in dark moments, confidence from the Spirit can shine through when we keep our covenants.
3. “The Covenant Shield”
   • Materials: A cardboard or foam shield labeled with words like “Faith,” “Obedience,” “Sacrifice,” and “Holy Ghost.”
   • Activity: Use soft balls or paper wads to represent trials like “temptation” or “disappointment.” Let participants hold the shield to “defend” themselves, emphasizing how covenants give spiritual strength.
   • Lesson: God’s covenants are not just promises for the future—they’re spiritual protection for now.
4. “Waxing Confidence”
   • Materials: A candle and a heat source (or just the visual image of wax melting and strengthening).
   • Activity: Show how wax melts and bonds when exposed to consistent heat—likening this to how our confidence can “wax strong” as we consistently keep covenants and invite the Spirit into our lives.
   • Lesson: Spiritual strength and confidence grow (wax) over time with daily covenant keeping.
5. “Mirror of Confidence”
   • Materials: A mirror, dry-erase markers.
   • Activity: Have participants write negative feelings (e.g., fear, shame, doubt) on the mirror, clouding the reflection. Then discuss how faith in Jesus Christ and covenant keeping can erase those and bring clarity and confidence in our identity.
   • Lesson: When we live the gospel, we begin to see ourselves as God sees us—with divine potential and purpose.

Activities:

1. “Spiritual Confidence Tree”
   • Materials: A tree poster with leaves or fruit cutouts.
   • Activity: On each leaf/fruit, participants write ways they can gain confidence through the gospel (e.g., prayer, temple worship, service). Add leaves to the tree as they share.
   • Lesson: Our confidence grows as we consistently nourish our covenant relationship with Christ.
2. “Covenant Path Puzzle”
   • Materials: Puzzle pieces labeled with key gospel steps (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, Temple, etc.)
   • Activity: Work as a group to assemble the puzzle and discuss how each piece leads to spiritual power and confidence.
   • Lesson: Confidence before God is built step by step as we progress along the covenant path.
3. “Faith Bracelet”
   • Materials: Beads and string.
   • Activity: Assign each bead color a meaning (e.g., red = Christ’s love, blue = baptism, white = purity, green = growth). As each person makes a bracelet, they reflect on how those gospel principles help build their spiritual confidence.
   • Lesson: Living the gospel binds us to Christ, and that bond empowers us to face anything.
4. “Build-a-Bridge Challenge”
   • Materials: Popsicle sticks, glue, tape.
   • Activity: Create a physical bridge to symbolize crossing from fear to confidence. On one side of the bridge write “Challenges,” and on the other write “Confidence in Christ.” Each stick represents a principle or ordinance (e.g., prayer, repentance, scripture study).
   • Lesson: We can cross over trials and fear by building a foundation of faith and covenants.
5. “Power Words Walk”
   • Materials: Paper footprints with gospel principles written on them.
   • Activity: Lay footprints on the floor leading to a heart or throne labeled “Confidence in the Presence of God.” As participants walk the path, discuss each word (e.g., obedience, trust, revelation).
   • Lesson: Confidence comes not from perfection, but from steadily walking the path of discipleship.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you faced a challenge that shook your confidence. How did your faith in Jesus Christ help you move forward?
2. Think of a time when you felt a quiet spiritual confidence during a moment of uncertainty. What role did your covenants play in giving you that peace?
3. Think of a time when someone you loved was struggling, and you wished to strengthen their faith. How did you try to help them build confidence through Christ?
4. Think of a time when keeping a covenant—no matter how small—brought you unexpected strength or reassurance. What did that moment teach you?
5. Think of a time when you felt confidence “wax strong” as you stood for truth or righteousness. How did the Spirit support you in that moment?
6. Think of a time when you looked ahead to the challenges someone younger than you might face. What did that reflection teach you about the importance of preparing the next generation through the gospel?
7. Think of a time when you were reminded that your worth and strength come from God, not the world. How did that shift in perspective help you navigate your trial?
8. Think of a time when the temple or sacrament helped you regain your footing spiritually. How did renewing your covenants strengthen your confidence?
9. Think of a time when you felt nervous or afraid to do something you knew was right. How did remembering your identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ give you courage?
10. Think of a time when your confidence in God grew stronger because of the hardship you were facing. What spiritual truths helped you hold on?

When I speak of having confidence before God, I am referring to having confidence in approaching God right now! I am referring to praying with confidence that Heavenly Father hears us, that He understands our needs better than we do. I am referring to having confidence that He loves us more than we can comprehend, that He sends angels to be with us and with those we love. I am referring to having confidence that He yearns to help each of us reach our highest potential.

Engaging Questions:

1. What helps you feel confident when you approach God in prayer?
2. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt certain that Heavenly Father heard your prayer? What gave you that assurance?
3. How does it change your prayers when you believe that God understands your needs even better than you do?
4. What does it mean to you to have confidence that God loves you more than you can comprehend?
5. Can you think of a time when you or someone you love felt the presence or help of angels? How did that strengthen your faith?
6. What does it look like in everyday life to have confidence that God is helping you reach your highest potential?
7. Why is it sometimes hard to believe that God truly yearns to help us—and how can we strengthen that trust?
8. How does your relationship with Heavenly Father change when you focus on His love rather than your limitations?
9. What practices help you feel more spiritually prepared to approach God with faith and confidence?
10. How can we help others—especially children and youth—develop confidence in their relationship with Heavenly Father?
11. President Nelson said this confidence is for “right now.” What is something you’re facing where you need that confidence today?
12. How does knowing God sends angels bring comfort in times of trial or uncertainty?
13. What scriptures or teachings remind you of God’s love and desire to help you grow?
14. How can we support one another in building spiritual confidence during hard times?
15. If you could tell someone struggling to feel God’s love one thing to help them pray with more confidence, what would it be?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Invisible Hand”
   • Materials: Blindfold and a trusted helper.
   • Activity: Blindfold someone and gently guide them through a simple obstacle course or around the room. Talk about how the person had to trust their helper without seeing them—just as we trust that God hears and helps us even when we can’t see Him.
   • Lesson: Like the guiding hand, God is always near. We can have confidence that He knows exactly where we need to go and how to get us there.
2. “The Message in the Envelope”
   • Materials: Envelopes with pre-written notes inside (e.g., “I love you,” “I’m proud of you,” “You are never alone”)—have one for each person.
   • Activity: Let everyone choose an envelope and open it. Discuss how even when we don’t see or hear an answer immediately, we can be confident God has already written truth and love into our lives.
   • Lesson: God understands our needs even before we express them. He is always prepared to comfort and guide.
3. “The Magnifying Glass of Prayer”
   • Materials: Magnifying glass and a small item (like a seed or tiny writing).
   • Activity: Use the magnifying glass to make the small object clear. Explain that prayer magnifies our ability to see what God is already doing for us. Confidence in prayer brings clarity and focus.
   • Lesson: When we pray with confidence, we gain clearer spiritual perspective—even in the small things.
4. “Feathers and a Fan – Angels Unseen”
   • Materials: Light feathers or tissue paper and a fan.
   • Activity: Place the feather on your hand and gently wave the fan. Though you can’t see the air, you feel the effect. Compare this to angelic help—unseen but real.
   • Lesson: Angels are real and sent by a loving Father. Even when we don’t recognize them, they are present and active in our lives.
5. “The Ladder of Potential”
   • Materials: A small ladder (real or drawn) with words like “Pray,” “Trust,” “Obey,” “Repent,” “Try Again,” “Serve,” etc.
   • Activity: Climb the steps (or move upward visually) as you talk about each one being a way God helps us grow into our divine potential.
   • Lesson: Heavenly Father yearns for our success and provides every help along the way. We can have confidence that we are rising as we rely on Him.

Activities:

1. “Confidence Rocks”
   • Materials: Smooth stones, markers or paint pens.
   • Activity: Write faith-affirming words on each rock (e.g., “He hears me,” “I am loved,” “I can grow”). Place them in a jar labeled “My Confidence in God.”
   • Lesson: These serve as daily reminders that we can approach God with faith and assurance.
2. “Prayer Pairs Testimony Share”
   • Materials: None or optional printed questions (e.g., “When has a prayer been answered for you?” “When have you felt God’s love recently?”)
   • Activity: Pair up and take turns sharing short testimony stories about when they felt heard by God.
   • Lesson: Sharing builds faith. Hearing how God is working in others’ lives helps us approach Him with more confidence.
3. “Angel Tag”
   • Materials: Angel name tags or stickers.
   • Activity: Play a short tag-style game where “angels” help others find something or get through a challenge. Or do a service challenge—each person performs a small act of kindness and leaves behind an “angel” sticker.
   • Lesson: Angels—seen or unseen—are sent by God to help us. We can also be angels for others.
4. “Heavenly Letters”
   • Materials: Paper, pens, envelopes.
   • Activity: Have everyone write a letter to Heavenly Father about their hopes, fears, or questions. Seal them and keep in a safe place or offer to “deliver” them in a symbolic prayer circle.
   • Lesson: Writing helps us express trust. God understands our needs even better than we do, and we can come to Him confidently and honestly.
5. “You Were Born for This” Vision Board
   • Materials: Magazines, scissors, glue, and poster board.
   • Activity: Create vision boards about divine potential—future roles in the family, community, Church, and heaven. Include scriptures, pictures, and words like “Covenant Keeper,” “He Hears Me,” or “Future Temple Worker.”
   • Lesson: God sees in us a future greater than we can imagine. We can approach Him with confidence that He’s helping us become who we were born to be.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you approached God in prayer with confidence and trust. How did He answer you or bring peace to your heart?
2. Think of a time when you weren’t sure what to pray for, but you felt that Heavenly Father understood your need better than you did. How did that experience shape your relationship with Him?
3. Think of a time when you felt completely known and loved by God, even during a moment of weakness or struggle. What helped you feel that divine love?
4. Think of a time when you felt angels—seen or unseen—were with you or someone you love. How did that realization give you confidence and comfort?
5. Think of a time when you had to trust that God was guiding someone you love. How did you find peace in knowing that He knows and loves them perfectly?
6. Think of a time when you doubted your potential, but God helped you see more in yourself than you could see. How did that change your direction or sense of purpose?
7. Think of a time when you were afraid to pray honestly, but felt God receive your prayer with tenderness. What did that teach you about His character?
8. Think of a time when you recognized a personal miracle or quiet reassurance in answer to prayer. How did it increase your confidence in God’s awareness of you?
9. Think of a time when you felt you were being prepared for something greater, even if it felt hard. How did confidence in God’s plan help you move forward?
10. Think of a time when you felt the Lord calling you to a higher path, and you responded with faith. How did trusting in His love and guidance help you grow?

Now, how do we gain such confidence? The Lord answers this question with these words: “Let thy bowels … be full of charity towards all men, … and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”

There’s the key! In the Lord’s own words, charity and virtue open the way to having confidence before God! Brothers and sisters, we can do this! Our confidence can truly wax strong in the presence of God, right now!

Engaging Questions:

1. What does it mean to you to have your “confidence wax strong in the presence of God”?
2. How does showing charity toward others help you feel closer to God?
3. What are simple ways we can show more charity in our everyday lives?
4. Why do you think the Lord connects confidence before Him with having virtuous thoughts?
5. What helps you keep your thoughts centered on virtue in a world full of distractions?
6. Have you ever noticed a difference in your prayers or spiritual confidence when you’re living more charitably and virtuously?
7. How can we encourage and support one another in becoming more charitable and virtuous?
8. What are some examples of people in the scriptures or in your life whose confidence before God inspires you?
9. How does acting with charity and virtue affect how we view ourselves and others?
10. President Nelson says “we can do this!” What gives you hope that it’s possible to build this kind of confidence with God?
11. How might our relationships improve if we actively worked on increasing our charity and guarding our thoughts?
12. When has someone shown you Christlike charity, and how did that experience help you feel God’s love?
13. What are some challenges that make it hard to live with charity and virtue—and how can we overcome them?
14. How can we teach children or youth to understand that charity and virtue lead to spiritual confidence?
15. What does it look like in your life when you feel confident before God—and how does that influence your actions and decisions?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Clean Window” (Virtue)
   • Materials: Two glass jars or picture frames—one clean and one smudged or dirty.
   • Activity: Look through each window. The dirty one clouds your view; the clean one is clear. Compare this to our thoughts—when our thoughts are virtuous, we can see more clearly and approach God with confidence.
   • Lesson: Virtue “garnishing” our thoughts gives us spiritual clarity and confidence before God.
2. “The Overflowing Cup” (Charity)
   • Materials: Clear glass, water, and a tray.
   • Activity: Slowly fill a glass with water labeled “charity.” As it overflows, it spills onto others. Compare this to how hearts full of charity bless others and strengthen our connection to God.
   • Lesson: When we are full of charity, love flows outward and upward—we can stand confidently before God.
3. “The Balanced Scale”
   • Materials: A simple scale or visual image; tokens labeled “charity,” “virtue,” “faith,” “pride,” “anger,” etc.
   • Activity: Add “charity” and “virtue” tokens on one side and observe balance as other negative tokens are removed.
   • Lesson: A life balanced by charity and virtue leads to inner peace and confidence before God.
4. “The Spiritual Mirror”
   • Materials: A mirror, dry-erase marker.
   • Activity: Write words like “lust,” “selfishness,” “anger” on the mirror—then erase them and write “virtue,” “kindness,” “love.” Look at your reflection again.
   • Lesson: As we purify our thoughts and fill our hearts with love, we see ourselves more as God sees us—and approach Him with confidence.
5. “The Confidence Candle”
   • Materials: A candle and match.
   • Activity: The flame represents spiritual confidence. As you feed it with charity and virtue (say the words aloud), it stays strong. Without them, the flame is snuffed out.
   • Lesson: Charity and virtue are fuel for spiritual light and confidence before God.

Activities

6. “Charity Challenge Cards”
   • Materials: Cards with simple acts of love (e.g., “Write a note to someone,” “Let someone go first,” “Say something kind today”).
   • Activity: Each person draws a card and commits to act. At the next gathering, share how it felt.
   • Lesson: Practicing charity builds connection, humility, and joy—which builds spiritual confidence.
7. “Virtue Thought Tracker”
   • Materials: Small notebooks or printed trackers.
   • Activity: For one day, participants track when they have virtuous vs. negative thoughts and reflect. Offer journaling prompts like: “What helps you keep your thoughts clean?” or “How do you feel when you focus on good?”
   • Lesson: Guarding our thoughts takes effort, but it leads to peace and strength before God.
8. “Fruit of Charity Tree”
   • Materials: Tree poster with blank fruit shapes.
   • Activity: Participants write Christlike acts they’ve done or observed on fruit and attach them to the tree.
   • Lesson: Charity is active. As we nourish others, we grow spiritually and bear fruit that blesses us and others.
9. “Build-a-Heart Activity”
   • Materials: Cutout hearts in pieces like a puzzle. Each piece is labeled with words like “Patience,” “Service,” “Forgiveness,” etc.
   • Activity: Reassemble the hearts while discussing how each Christlike trait adds to true charity.
   • Lesson: Charity is the pure love of Christ—and it’s made up of many small, consistent actions that lead to spiritual confidence.
10. “Virtue Vision Board”
    • Materials: Magazines, scissors, glue, and paper.
    • Activity: Invite participants to create a collage of things that inspire virtuous thoughts: nature, scriptures, art, good media. Encourage them to place it where they’ll see it daily.
    • Lesson: Choosing what we surround ourselves with shapes our thoughts—and clean thoughts create confidence before God.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you felt confident and peaceful in God’s presence. How did living with charity and virtue prepare you for that moment?
2. Think of a time when you consciously chose to think virtuous thoughts in a tempting or difficult situation. How did that decision affect your spiritual confidence?
3. Think of a time when you extended sincere charity to someone, even when it was inconvenient or difficult. How did that act of love draw you closer to God?
4. Think of a time when your private thoughts and intentions aligned with your gospel goals. How did that consistency increase your spiritual strength?
5. Think of a time when showing compassion to someone softened your own heart and helped you feel more of God’s love. How did that experience help you feel more confident in prayer or worship?
6. Think of a time when you felt a prompting to lift someone and followed through. How did living with charity open your heart to more personal revelation?
7. Think of a time when you were striving to be clean in thought and deed and noticed an increase in peace or spiritual clarity. What did that teach you about the connection between virtue and confidence?
8. Think of a time when you had to forgive someone or see them through God’s eyes. How did cultivating charity increase your ability to feel close to Him?
9. Think of a time when you felt unworthy or discouraged, but you recommitted to living with more purity and love. How did that shift affect your connection with Heavenly Father?
10. Think of a time when you felt the Spirit more strongly because of your thoughts and intentions—not just your actions. How did that help your confidence “wax strong in the presence of God”?

First, charity. Two years ago, I called upon us, as covenant followers of Jesus Christ, to be peacemakers. I repeat what I said then: “Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.”

True charity towards all men is the hallmark of peacemakers! It is imperative that we have charity in our discourse, both public and private. I thank those of you who took my previous counsel to heart. But we can still do better.

The present hostility in public dialogue and on social media is alarming. Hateful words are deadly weapons. Contention prevents the Holy Ghost from being our constant companion.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we should lead the way as peacemakers. As charity becomes part of our nature, we will lose the impulse to demean others. We will stop judging others. We will have charity for those from all walks of life. Charity towards all men is essential to our progress. Charity is the foundation of a godly character.

Let us plead with our Heavenly Father to fill our hearts with greater charity—especially for those who are difficult to love—for charity is a gift from our Heavenly Father for true followers of Jesus Christ. The Savior is the Prince of Peace. We are to be His instruments for peace.

Engaging Questions:

1. When have you felt the influence of the Holy Ghost increase in your life because you chose peace over contention?
2. What does it look like to be a peacemaker in your home, at work, or online?
3. Why do you think true charity is the foundation of godly character?
4. How do you respond when you encounter hostility or judgment, especially on social media? How can charity shape your response?
5. Have you ever had an experience where showing charity helped resolve a conflict or change someone’s heart—including your own?
6. What are some practical ways we can lead the way as peacemakers in our communities?
7. President Nelson said, “Charity is a gift from our Heavenly Father.” How can we more intentionally seek this gift?
8. How does contention prevent the Holy Ghost from being our constant companion? What can we do to invite Him back?
9. Why is it especially important to show charity to those who are difficult to love?
10. How can we change our natural impulses to judge or criticize into impulses to uplift and understand?
11. When have you witnessed someone be a true instrument of peace? What did you learn from their example?
12. What does it mean to have charity in both public and private discourse? How can we be more mindful of this?
13. How does becoming more charitable help us become more Christlike?
14. What can we do as families, wards, or friends to encourage a culture of charity and peace?
15. President Nelson emphasized that we can still do better. What’s one way you personally want to improve in showing charity or becoming a better peacemaker?

Object Lessons:

1. “Feathers in the Wind”
   • Materials: Feather, fan or hairdryer.
   • Activity: Blow a feather across the room and try to gather it back. Compare it to how unkind or angry words scatter and are hard to take back.
   • Lesson: Words matter. Charity in speech is a reflection of Christlike character—and prevents lasting damage.
2. “The Clear Water vs. The Muddy Jar”
   • Materials: Two jars—one with clean water, one with muddy water.
   • Activity: The clear water represents a heart filled with charity. The muddy one represents a heart stirred by contention. Add a few drops of dye to show how even small amounts of negativity affect our spirit.
   • Lesson: Charity brings clarity and peace; contention clouds everything—even our ability to feel the Holy Ghost.
3. “The Pillow Test”
   • Materials: A pillow and a hand weight.
   • Activity: Hold the pillow and press the weight into it. Then release the weight. The pillow slowly returns to its original form.
   • Lesson: A charitable heart absorbs pressure and doesn’t lash out. It returns to peace—even after being pressed by others’ words or actions.
4. “The Flame and the Fan”
   • Materials: Candle or tea light and a hand-held fan.
   • Activity: Show how a steady flame (charity) can be blown out or flicker with too much wind (contention, anger, harsh speech).
   • Lesson: The Holy Ghost, like a flame, is sensitive. Charity keeps our spiritual light steady, while contention puts it at risk.
5. “The Mirror of Judgment”
   • Materials: Mirror and dry-erase marker.
   • Activity: Write judgmental words (“lazy,” “weird,” “wrong”) on the mirror. Try to see your reflection. Then erase and write “kind,” “patient,” “loved.”
   • Lesson: When we see others through the lens of charity, we see clearly and treat them as Christ would.

Activities:

6. “Digital Discipleship Pledge”
   • Materials: Printable pledge cards or posters.
   • Activity: As a group, discuss what it means to be a peacemaker online. Write or sign a pledge to post, comment, and message with charity and respect—even when disagreeing.
   • Lesson: Charity in our online voice is just as important as in face-to-face conversations.
7. “Contagious Kindness Chain”
   • Materials: Strips of paper.
   • Activity: Write or draw acts of charity (especially toward difficult people). Form a kindness chain and see how long it can grow over time.
   • Lesson: One act of charity leads to another. True charity can ripple through families, wards, and communities.
8. “How Would Christ Comment?”
   • Materials: Printed social media “posts” with rude or controversial comments (fictional or anonymous).
   • Activity: Read each one aloud and ask: What would a charitable response look like? Practice rewriting or role-playing.
   • Lesson: Charity doesn’t mean silence—it means responding in a Christlike way, with peace as our purpose.
9. “Hearts Like His” Craft
   • Materials: Paper hearts, markers.
   • Activity: Write or draw what charity looks like in action. Invite participants to hang the hearts on a wall or bulletin board under a banner that says “Hearts Like His.”
   • Lesson: Charity is a visible expression of a Christ-filled life. As we act with His love, we become His instruments.
10. “Difficult to Love List” (Private Reflection)
    • Materials: Paper and pens.
    • Activity: Quietly write the name (or type of person) who is hardest for you to love. Then invite everyone to pray silently for charity toward that person.
    • Follow-up Challenge: Do one kind thing this week for or about that person.
    • Lesson: Charity is not just for those who are easy to love. It is a divine gift, often shown best in hard places.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when someone treated you with unexpected kindness during a moment of tension or disagreement. How did that change the way you saw them—or yourself?
2. Think of a time when you chose to respond with charity instead of anger or judgment. What happened as a result of that decision?
3. Think of a time when a social media post or public conversation stirred frustration or conflict in your heart. How did you find peace or choose to respond differently?
4. Think of a time when you prayed to feel charity for someone you found difficult to love. How did the Lord soften your heart?
5. Think of a time when someone else’s peacemaking efforts helped heal a tense or divided situation. What did you learn from their example?
6. Think of a time when you were tempted to speak harshly but instead chose words of compassion or restraint. How did that help the Spirit stay with you?
7. Think of a time when you saw charity transform a relationship or bring healing in your family, ward, or community. What role did the Savior play in that experience?
8. Think of a time when judging someone too quickly led to misunderstanding. How did developing charity help you see them more as God sees them?
9. Think of a time when you actively worked to be a peacemaker in a conversation, disagreement, or group setting. What difference did your Christlike effort make?
10. Think of a time when you personally felt the Savior’s charity—His pure love for you—when you least deserved it. How did that motivate you to show more charity to others?

Now, let us speak of virtue. The Lord tells us to garnish our thoughts unceasingly with virtue. Imagine the boost you will receive to any positive thought when you enhance it with virtue. Virtue makes everything better and happier! On the other hand, imagine what will happen when you add virtue to an impure thought, a cruel thought, or a depressing thought. Virtue will drive away those thoughts. Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.

Brothers and sisters, as the world grows more wicked, we need to grow increasingly pure. Our thoughts, words, and actions need to be unfailingly virtuous and filled with the pure love of Jesus Christ towards all men. The great opportunity before us is to become the people God needs us to be.

Engaging Questions:

1. What comes to mind when you think of the word virtue? How would you define it in your daily life?
2. How have you seen virtue positively influence your thoughts, feelings, or decisions?
3. President Nelson said virtue can “free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.” How do you think that works in practice?
4. What are some ways we can “garnish our thoughts unceasingly with virtue” in a world full of distractions?
5. How does striving for virtue affect your relationships with others?
6. Can you think of a time when replacing a negative or impure thought with something virtuous changed the direction of your day or attitude?
7. How can we help children and youth understand the value of virtuous thoughts and actions?
8. President Nelson said “virtue makes everything better and happier.” How have you seen that to be true?
9. What role does the Savior’s example play in helping us cultivate greater purity in thought, word, and action?
10. What does it mean to you to become the kind of person God needs you to be? How does virtue play into that goal?
11. In what ways do our private thoughts shape our public behavior—and how can virtue help align the two?
12. What are some practical habits or routines that help you refocus your mind on virtuous things when distractions or temptations arise?
13. How do we balance being aware of the world around us without letting it cloud our personal pursuit of purity and virtue?
14. President Nelson said our thoughts, words, and actions should be “unfailingly virtuous.” What helps you stay consistent in that effort?
15. What is one change you feel prompted to make after reflecting on the power of virtue in your life?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Water Filter” (Purifying Thoughts)
   • Materials: Dirty water, clean water, and a simple water filter or strainer.
   • Activity: Show the dirty water, then pour it through the filter. Explain that when we pass our thoughts through the “filter” of virtue—truth, light, love—only what uplifts should remain.
   • Lesson: Virtue clears our minds like a filter clears water. It protects our spiritual health.
2. “The Bright Balloon” (Virtue Lifts)
   • Materials: Balloons labeled with virtuous thoughts (“kindness,” “truth,” “self-control”) and weights labeled with impure thoughts.
   • Activity: Show how the balloons rise when free of weights but sag when attached. Discuss how pure thoughts lift us, while negative ones drag us down.
   • Lesson: Virtue lifts our mood, our mind, and our confidence before God.
3. “Darkness and Light” (Thought Replacement)
   • Materials: A dark room and a flashlight or lamp.
   • Activity: Turn off the lights (representing troubling thoughts). Turn on a flashlight (virtue), showing how darkness is instantly displaced.
   • Lesson: Virtue doesn’t fight darkness—it replaces it. You don’t just resist impure thoughts—you replace them with better ones.
4. “The Clean Mirror”
   • Materials: Mirror, dry-erase markers, and cloth.
   • Activity: Write words like “envy,” “judgment,” and “lust” on a mirror. Try to see your reflection. Then wipe them off and write “gratitude,” “patience,” and “faith.”
   • Lesson: When our thoughts are virtuous, we see ourselves and others more clearly—more like God sees.
5. “Virtue is a Shield”
   • Materials: Cardboard shield with “Virtue” written on it and paper arrows labeled “anxiety,” “temptation,” “comparison.”
   • Activity: Let one person hold the shield while others try to “attack” with the arrows. Show how virtue protects our mind and spirit.
   • Lesson: A virtuous mind is a defended mind. Virtue helps deflect the mental darts of the adversary.

Activities:

6. “Virtue Vision Board”
   • Materials: Magazines, scissors, glue, poster board.
   • Activity: Create a collage of things that represent virtue—clean media, good friends, uplifting music, Christlike examples. Add personal goals or favorite scriptures.
   • Lesson: Surrounding ourselves with virtuous influences shapes our thoughts and actions.
7. “Think Again Jar”
   • Materials: Jar with slips of paper containing negative or unvirtuous thoughts (realistic ones teens or adults may face).
   • Activity: One by one, participants pull a slip and read the negative thought. As a group, come up with a virtuous replacement.
   • Example: “I’m not good enough” → “I am a child of God with divine potential.”
   • Lesson: You can’t always control which thoughts pop in, but you can choose which ones stay.
8. “Virtue Chains Reaction”
   • Materials: Paper chains.
   • Activity: Every time a group member does or says something virtuous (compliment, scripture, kind deed), they add a link. See how long it grows.
   • Lesson: Small virtuous actions build strength over time—and influence others.
9. “Power Songs Playlist”
   • Materials: A speaker and song list.
   • Activity: Play a mix of uplifting, clean, and Christ-centered music. Invite participants to reflect on how the lyrics or melodies affect their thoughts and feelings.
   • Lesson: What we listen to matters. Music can be a powerful way to “garnish our thoughts unceasingly.”
10. “Virtue is Contagious” Domino Game
    • Materials: Dominoes.
    • Activity: Set up a domino train. Label the first one “Virtuous Thought” and show how one action leads to a ripple of good.
    • Lesson: One virtuous thought leads to virtuous words, then actions, and eventually a virtuous life.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when choosing virtuous thoughts helped you feel more peace or clarity during a stressful moment. What changed when you invited the Spirit through purity?
2. Think of a time when an unkind or anxious thought came into your mind—but you intentionally replaced it with something virtuous. How did that affect your feelings and actions?
3. Think of a time when you noticed your thoughts becoming more Christlike. What habits or choices helped you develop that mindset?
4. Think of a time when you felt burdened by impure, negative, or discouraging thoughts. How did turning to virtue bring relief or help you regain your confidence?
5. Think of a time when the media or entertainment you consumed influenced your thoughts—for better or worse. How did that realization affect your desire to seek virtue?
6. Think of a time when your effort to live with purity—mentally, spiritually, emotionally—brought you closer to the Savior. How did that change how you saw yourself or others?
7. Think of a time when your thoughts or words were a source of light to someone else. What helped you prepare your heart and mind for that kind of influence?
8. Think of a time when you felt prompted to clean up not just your environment, but your inner life—your thoughts, intentions, or motives. What blessings followed?
9. Think of a time when someone’s virtuous example quietly inspired you to want to be better. How did their influence shape your thoughts or choices?
10. Think of a time when you felt like the person God needed you to be. How did virtue—especially in your thoughts and intentions—help you grow into that role?

Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not know the day or the hour of His coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready for that “great and dreadful day.”

As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord. Then, as we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy, and your faith in Jesus Christ will increase. We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes.

Engaging Questions:

1. How has time in the temple helped you feel more virtuous or charitable in your everyday life?
2. In what ways does regular temple worship increase your confidence in approaching God?
3. What intentional steps can you take this week to prepare more fully for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
4. President Nelson said the Lord is prompting him to urge us to get ready. What does that invitation mean personally to you?
5. How can we make temple worship a greater priority even when life is busy or the temple is far away?
6. What blessings have you noticed in your life when you’ve made temple attendance more consistent?
7. How does time in the temple increase your faith in Jesus Christ?
8. Can you describe a time when you felt increased spiritual power as a result of making temple worship a focus?
9. What are some simple, everyday ways to prepare spiritually for the Savior’s return?
10. President Nelson promised that greater confidence before the Lord brings greater joy. What helps you experience that kind of joy?
11. What might be holding you back from growing in confidence before God—and what can you do to overcome it?
12. How does the temple help you see your divine potential more clearly?
13. What can we do as families or friends to support each other in attending the temple more regularly?
14. What does “spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes” look like in your life or in the lives of people you admire?
15. After hearing President Nelson’s invitation, what is one action you feel prompted to take today?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Power Outlet” (Spiritual Power from the Temple)
   • Materials: Power strip or outlet visual and a lamp or phone charger.
   • Activity: Show how power only flows when you’re plugged in. Compare the temple to a spiritual outlet—when we “plug in” regularly through temple worship, we are filled with light and strength.
   • Lesson: Regular temple worship increases our capacity for virtue and charity—it spiritually energizes us.
2. “Foggy Mirror, Clear Image” (Confidence Before the Lord)
   • Materials: Mirror, hot steam (from a kettle or spray bottle).
   • Activity: Fog up the mirror and try to see your reflection. Then wipe it clean. The fog represents sin, anxiety, distraction. The temple helps us see clearly who we are and where we’re going.
   • Lesson: As we worship in holiness and live in charity and virtue, we gain spiritual clarity—and confidence.
3. “The Compass and the Destination”
   • Materials: A compass or GPS app.
   • Activity: Show how a compass always points north and helps navigate to your destination. Compare temple covenants and righteous living to a spiritual compass helping us prepare for Christ’s return.
   • Lesson: The temple orients our lives around the Savior. It helps us stay on course as we prepare to meet Him.
4. “The Flour and Yeast” (Growth Over Time)
   • Materials: Bread dough or pictures of rising bread.
   • Activity: Talk about how a small amount of yeast, over time, causes dough to rise. Similarly, small consistent efforts—temple attendance, charity, and virtue—cause spiritual growth.
   • Lesson: Readiness for the Second Coming is built gradually. The temple is the leaven that lifts us spiritually.
5. “Oil in the Lamp” (Parable of the Ten Virgins)
   • Materials: Small lamp or jar and oil drops labeled “charity,” “virtue,” “temple worship,” “repentance,” etc.
   • Activity: Slowly fill the lamp with labeled oil drops. Discuss how each act of faith fills our lamps for the Lord’s return.
   • Lesson: The Lord is coming. Daily acts of discipleship—especially temple worship—help us be spiritually ready and confident.

Activities:

6. “Temple Path Visual Walk”
   • Materials: Large poster or floor path labeled with steps: “Faith,” “Repentance,” “Baptism,” “Holy Ghost,” “Endowment,” “Sealing,” “Daily Temple Worship,” etc.
   • Activity: Walk the path and pause at each step to discuss how it builds confidence before God.
   • Lesson: The covenant path is preparation for standing with joy before Jesus Christ.
7. “Temple Confidence Jar”
   • Materials: Jar and slips of paper.
   • Activity: Write on each slip something that increases your confidence before the Lord (e.g., “attending the temple,” “repenting,” “choosing to be kind”). Add to the jar weekly as a visual reminder.
   • Lesson: These intentional steps bring us joy and spiritual confidence in Christ.
8. “Charity + Virtue = Power” Puzzle
   • Materials: Puzzle pieces with labels (e.g., “Patience,” “Clean Thoughts,” “Forgiveness,” “Temple Worship”).
   • Activity: Build the puzzle together. At the center is the word “Confidence Before God.”
   • Lesson: Confidence is built by assembling a life full of charity, virtue, and temple worship.
9. “Second Coming Readiness Board”
   • Materials: Poster or board divided into sections: Spiritual Habits, Temple Worship, Virtue in Thought, Charity in Action.
   • Activity: Let participants write goals or record progress. Create a 40-day challenge to “build confidence before the Lord.”
   • Lesson: Being ready for the Lord’s return is about daily, joyful discipleship.
10. “Joy Journal” – Confidence in Practice
    • Materials: Journals or papers.
    • Activity: Invite everyone to reflect on a time they felt confident before God—during a prayer, in the temple, after repenting. Ask: What helped you feel that way?
    • Lesson: Confidence before God is real. Recognizing and recording these moments increases faith and joy.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when spending time in the temple gave you clarity or strength to face something hard. How did that spiritual power exceed your expectations?
2. Think of a time when your temple worship helped you feel closer to the Savior. How did that experience increase your confidence in approaching God?
3. Think of a time when you were prompted to prepare more intentionally for the Savior’s return. What changed in your life as a result?
4. Think of a time when you felt “spiritual power that exceeded your greatest hopes.” What were you doing—or where were you—that helped open heaven to you?
5. Think of a time when you noticed your capacity for charity and virtue grow because of your temple experiences. How did that change the way you interacted with others?
6. Think of a time when the temple felt like a sanctuary from the world. How did that sacred space prepare you to be more confident in your everyday life?
7. Think of a time when your faith in Jesus Christ increased as you kept temple covenants. What spiritual blessings followed?
8. Think of a time when you took intentional steps to be more temple-ready—spiritually, emotionally, or behaviorally. How did that effort bring you peace?
9. Think of a time when you prayed in the temple and felt your confidence before the Lord deepen. How did you recognize His love and personal awareness of you?
10. Think of a time when preparing for or participating in temple worship filled you with joy. What helped you hold onto that joy in the days that followed?

Posted By: Lia · In: Featured, Relief Society