As you prepare to teach Doctrine and Covenants 88 in Sunday School this week, you’ll be exploring one of the most profound and expansive revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants—often called the “Olive Leaf.” This section is packed with doctrine about the light of Christ, the resurrection, the Second Coming, and how we can prepare ourselves to meet God. It’s a perfect opportunity to help your class think deeply about their relationship with the Savior and their personal spiritual growth. To support your lesson, we’ve put together a set of engaging questions, simple object lesson ideas, and personal sharing prompts that can help spark discussion and invite the Spirit. These teaching tools are designed to help you create a meaningful, Christ-centered class experience that encourages participation and personal reflection.
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Jesus Christ offers me peace.
Engaging Questions:
- What does the peace of Jesus Christ feel like to you personally?
- When have you felt Christ’s peace in a difficult or uncertain time?
- How is the peace Jesus offers different from the kind of peace the world promises?
- What helps you turn to Christ when your mind or heart feels unsettled?
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:63 invites us to “draw near unto [the Lord].” How does that invitation connect to peace?
- What scriptures, hymns, or prayers help you feel the Savior’s calming presence?
- Have you ever been an instrument in bringing Christ’s peace to someone else? What did you do?
- What gets in the way of feeling the Savior’s peace, and how can we move past those barriers?
- How can you create a personal or family environment where Christ’s peace is easier to feel?
- What’s one small action you can take this week to invite more of the Savior’s peace into your life?
Object Lessons:
1. The Still Water vs. the Shaken Jar
Materials:
- A clear jar with water and glitter or sand
Lesson Overview:
Shake the jar—everything is chaotic. Then let it sit—the water clears and the glitter settles. Compare this to our lives with and without the peace of Christ. When we come unto Him, our hearts and minds can settle.
Discussion Points:
- What does your life feel like when you’re “shaken”?
- How does turning to Christ help settle your heart?
2. The Blanket of Peace
Materials:
- A soft blanket or shawl
Lesson Overview:
Wrap the blanket around someone and describe how it provides comfort and warmth. Christ’s peace is like this—it doesn’t always remove the storm, but it comforts us within it.
Discussion Points:
- When have you felt “wrapped” in the Lord’s peace?
- How can you invite more of that peace into your life?
3. The Quiet Candle
Materials:
- A candle or battery light
- Dim or darken the room slightly
Lesson Overview:
Light the candle and sit quietly for a few moments. Talk about how Christ’s peace is gentle, steady, and quiet—not loud or overwhelming, but still powerful. It dispels darkness.
Discussion Points:
- What does the Savior’s peace feel like to you?
- Why might He offer peace in quiet ways?
4. The Compass and True North
Materials:
- A compass
Lesson Overview:
Explain how a compass always points north—no matter where you are. Jesus Christ is our spiritual true north, and when we align our lives with Him, we find direction and peace, even when the world is confusing.
Discussion Points:
- What does it look like to spiritually “align” with Christ?
- What throws off your internal compass—and how do you reset?
5. The Noise-Canceling Moment
Materials:
- A timer or watch
- Optional: background noise or chatter
Lesson Overview:
Have everyone sit silently for one full minute. Let the noise of the room fall away. Then read D&C 88:63: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you…” Teach that peace often comes when we pause, listen, and draw near to Christ.
Discussion Points:
- How do you make time to feel the Savior’s peace?
- What small change this week could help you feel closer to Him?
6. The Puzzle Piece That Fits
Materials:
- A jigsaw puzzle with one missing piece
- Insert the final piece during the lesson
Lesson Overview:
Explain that sometimes our lives feel incomplete or scattered. Christ’s peace is like the missing piece that brings wholeness and helps everything fit together.
Discussion Points:
- What part of your life needs Christ’s peace right now?
- How does He complete what feels broken or empty?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you felt peace in the middle of a trial because you turned to Jesus Christ. What did He help you feel or understand?
- Think of a time when you prayed during a moment of anxiety or fear, and the Savior calmed your heart. How did you know that peace came from Him?
- Think of a time when you felt the Lord’s peace even though your circumstances didn’t immediately change. What sustained you?
- Think of a time when the Savior helped you forgive someone, and peace replaced pain. How did His influence help you let go?
- Think of a time when you turned to the scriptures and found a verse that brought you peace. What words stood out to you?
- Think of a time when partaking of the sacrament or attending the temple brought a feeling of stillness and calm. What did that teach you about Christ’s presence?
- Think of a time when you felt the peace of the Savior while grieving a loss or disappointment. How did He comfort you?
- Think of a time when you testified of Christ and felt the Spirit fill you with quiet assurance. How did that increase your own sense of peace?
- Think of a time when Jesus Christ helped you move forward in faith, even when you didn’t have all the answers. How did peace come as you acted?
- Think of a time when you recognized that true peace doesn’t come from the world, but from your relationship with the Savior. What strengthened that testimony?
Light and law come from Jesus Christ.
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ is the source of all light?
- When have you felt spiritual light enter your life through the Savior?
- How do you see the Lord’s “law” as a gift rather than a restriction?
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:13 says Christ is “the light which shineth in darkness.” When have you seen that light in a dark time?
- What does it feel like when you’re living in harmony with the light and law of Christ?
- How can you invite more of Christ’s light into your thoughts, choices, and relationships?
- Why do you think the Lord links light and law together in this revelation?
- What are some daily habits that help you recognize and respond to spiritual light?
- Have you ever had an “aha” moment when truth (light) became clearer to you? What sparked it?
- How can you help others experience the Savior’s light and understand His loving laws?
Object Lessons:
1. The Light Bulb and the Power Source
Materials:
- A lamp or flashlight
- Access to a power outlet or batteries
Lesson Overview:
Turn on the light, then unplug it or remove the batteries. Show how the light disappears without a power source. Just as electricity powers a light, Christ is the source of all spiritual light and truth. Without Him, there is no light—physically or spiritually.
Discussion Points:
- What happens when we disconnect from Christ, the source of light?
- How do we “stay plugged in” to Him daily?
2. The Sun and the Solar Panel
Materials:
- A small solar-powered item (calculator, light, etc.) or a visual
- A flashlight to simulate sunlight if indoors
Lesson Overview:
Explain that just as a solar panel gathers power from the sun, we receive spiritual strength and direction from Christ, the Light of the World. His law gives order, and His light gives power.
Discussion Points:
- What are some ways we “gather” Christ’s light into our lives?
- How does His law help us function more fully?
3. The Mirror and the Light
Materials:
- A mirror and a flashlight
Lesson Overview:
Shine the flashlight onto the mirror, then reflect it onto a wall or surface. Explain that we don’t generate light—we reflect the light of Christ when we live His laws. The more we follow Him, the more brightly we reflect truth and goodness.
Discussion Points:
- What does it mean to reflect Christ’s light in your life?
- How does obedience help us reflect Him more clearly?
4. The Traffic Light and Law
Materials:
- A picture or model of a traffic light
Lesson Overview:
Explain how traffic lights provide law and order on the road—not to restrict drivers, but to protect them. Jesus Christ gives us commandments not to limit us, but to guide and preserve us, bringing peace and spiritual safety.
Discussion Points:
- How does Christ’s law bring more freedom, not less?
- What’s an example of a law or commandment that brought clarity or peace?
5. The Prism and the Light Spectrum
Materials:
- A prism or a photo/video of one
- A flashlight or sunlight
Lesson Overview:
Shine light through the prism and show how it breaks into colors. Christ is the source of all light—and the prism shows that His truth covers every aspect of life. His law organizes and reveals what is already true and beautiful.
Discussion Points:
- How has Christ’s truth helped you see things more clearly?
- Why is it powerful to think of Him as the source of all truth?
6. The Candle and the Match (Passing Light)
Materials:
- Several candles (real or battery-operated)
Lesson Overview:
Light one candle, then use it to light others. The original flame remains—it loses nothing as it shares light. Christ, the Light, gives us truth and law not to control us, but to spread life, light, and love.
Discussion Points:
- How can we share Christ’s light and law with others?
- What does His light feel like in your daily life?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when a gospel principle brought clarity to a confusing situation. How did Christ’s light help you know what to do?
- Think of a time when choosing to obey the Lord’s commandments brought light into your life. What changed as a result of that decision?
- Think of a time when you felt spiritually “in the dark” and the Savior helped you see more clearly. What helped invite His light?
- Think of a time when you noticed that living the gospel helped you feel more confident, peaceful, or focused. How did Jesus Christ’s law bless your daily life?
- Think of a time when the light of Christ helped you discern truth from error. How did that guidance protect or strengthen you?
- Think of a time when you saw how obedience to a divine law brought blessings—either immediately or over time. What did you learn about the Savior’s order?
- Think of a time when someone else’s light—rooted in Christ—helped guide or inspire you. How did their example reflect Him?
- Think of a time when you studied the scriptures and felt a burst of spiritual light or understanding. What truth stood out to you?
- Think of a time when you recognized that Christ governs all creation through eternal law and light. How did that expand your reverence for Him?
- Think of a time when you chose to step away from something dark and felt the Savior’s light return. What did that moment teach you about His mercy and truth?
“Draw near unto me.”
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to you personally to “draw near” to Jesus Christ?
- Have you ever felt closer to the Lord after a specific experience or choice? What was it?
- What helps you feel spiritually close to the Savior during busy or stressful times?
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:63 says, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” Why do you think the Lord makes that promise?
- What are some things that might make us feel distant from God, and how can we overcome them?
- How does prayer help you draw nearer to the Savior? What makes a prayer feel more personal?
- What role do the scriptures play in your relationship with Christ? How do they help you feel closer to Him?
- Have you ever felt the Lord “draw near” to you when you needed comfort or guidance? What did that feel like?
- What’s one thing you can start (or stop) doing this week to draw nearer to Jesus Christ?
- How can drawing near to Christ change the way you treat others around you?
Object Lessons:
1. The String Pull
Materials:
- A long piece of string or yarn
- Two people, one on each end
Lesson Overview:
Have two people hold the ends of the string. When one pulls, the other is drawn closer. Explain: when we take a step toward Christ, He responds and draws near to us. The effort to grow spiritually is never one-sided.
Discussion Points:
- What small step could you take to draw nearer to Christ this week?
- How has He “pulled you closer” in response to your efforts?
2. The Mirror and the Image
Materials:
- A mirror
Lesson Overview:
When you move closer to a mirror, your image also appears closer. Use this to illustrate that when we move closer to Christ, we more clearly see ourselves as He sees us, and He draws nearer to us in return.
Discussion Points:
- How does coming closer to Christ change your self-image?
- What helps you “see yourself” with spiritual clarity?
3. The Magnet and Metal
Materials:
- A magnet and paperclips or metal objects
Lesson Overview:
Show how metal objects are drawn to the magnet when they’re close enough. Emphasize that Christ’s Spirit attracts us when we’re spiritually prepared and willing. The closer we come, the more powerfully we feel His influence.
Discussion Points:
- What draws you spiritually to the Savior?
- What can distance us from Him—and how do we remove those barriers?
4. The Footstep Exercise
Materials:
- Paper footprint cutouts leading to a picture of Jesus
- Optional: scriptures or action words written on each step (e.g., pray, repent, serve)
Lesson Overview:
Lay the footprints on the floor like a path. Invite someone to walk toward the image by following the steps. Teach that drawing near to Jesus happens one faithful step at a time.
Discussion Points:
- What steps have helped you feel closer to the Savior recently?
- How is drawing near to Him a daily, not one-time, effort?
5. The Whisper Test
Materials:
- None (just space)
Lesson Overview:
Have one person whisper a message. Ask someone farther away to listen. Then invite them to come closer. The message becomes clearer. The Spirit speaks quietly, and to hear it, we must draw near through reverence and effort.
Discussion Points:
- What keeps us too “far” to hear the Savior’s voice clearly?
- How can we create quiet moments to hear Him better?
6. The Warmth of the Fire
Materials:
- A candle or image of a campfire
Lesson Overview:
Explain how you feel warmer the closer you are to a fire. The same is true with the Savior: the closer we are to Him, the more we feel His warmth—His love, peace, and guidance.
Discussion Points:
- What spiritual practices help you stay close to His warmth?
- How do you notice when you’ve started to drift away?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you felt far from the Lord and made an effort to draw closer. What did you do, and how did He respond?
- Think of a time when prayer helped you feel near to Jesus Christ. What did you feel, and how did that experience change you?
- Think of a time when a spiritual habit—like scripture study, temple worship, or Sabbath observance—helped you feel closer to the Savior. What made the difference?
- Think of a time when you felt drawn to Christ during a trial or time of need. How did He comfort or guide you?
- Think of a time when you followed a prompting to repent or change, and felt the Savior draw near to you. What did that moment teach you about His grace?
- Think of a time when you taught, served, or ministered and felt unusually close to the Lord. How did serving others help you feel His presence?
- Think of a time when you intentionally made space for the Savior in your day or in your heart. What helped you feel Him near?
- Think of a time when you felt distant from God and weren’t sure how to come back. What helped you take the first step?
- Think of a time when hearing a testimony, talk, or piece of music brought you closer to Christ. What words or feelings stayed with you?
- Think of a time when you recognized that Jesus had already been drawing near to you—before you even realized it. How did that awareness increase your love for Him?
I can become clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to you to be spiritually “clean”?
- Have you ever felt the peace that comes after sincerely repenting? What helped you get there?
- Why do you think Jesus Christ is the only one who can truly make us clean?
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:86 talks about being “girded with righteousness.” What does that look like in real life?
- What role does the Holy Ghost play in helping us feel clean and forgiven?
- Why is it sometimes hard to forgive ourselves, even after the Lord has?
- What are some daily habits that help keep your heart and mind clean through the Savior’s help?
- How can we support each other in turning to Christ rather than judging ourselves or others harshly?
- What’s the difference between temporary guilt and lasting peace through the Atonement?
- What’s one thing you can do this week to draw closer to Christ and feel more spiritually clean?
Object Lessons:
1. The Dirty Cloth and Bleach (or Stain Remover)
Materials:
- A white cloth stained with dirt or marker
- A bowl of water with a safe cleaning agent or soap
Lesson Overview:
Dip the dirty cloth into the water and clean it while teaching that our sins can stain us—but through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be made clean again. The Lord doesn’t just cover our sins—He removes them.
Discussion Points:
- How have you felt spiritually “washed clean”?
- What does it take on our part to access this cleansing?
2. The White Board Wipe
Materials:
- A whiteboard and dry erase marker
Lesson Overview:
Write words like “anger,” “dishonesty,” or “pride” on the board. Then wipe them clean while explaining that repentance, through Jesus Christ, removes our mistakes completely—they’re not just crossed out; they’re gone.
Discussion Points:
- Why is it comforting that the Lord doesn’t keep score?
- What helps you feel His forgiveness is real?
3. The Black Water and the Clear Cup
Materials:
- Two clear cups: one with clean water, one with dark-colored water (use food coloring)
- A third empty cup and a small filter or cotton
Lesson Overview:
Pour the dark water through the filter into the empty cup. Watch it become cleaner (or talk through the process if the effect is symbolic). Christ’s Atonement purifies what we cannot fix ourselves.
Discussion Points:
- What things in life feel too hard to fix without the Savior?
- How can we consistently seek His cleansing power?
4. The Pencil and the Eraser
Materials:
- A pencil and paper with a mistake written on it
Lesson Overview:
Make a mistake and erase it. Explain that repentance through Christ is like a spiritual eraser—it removes our errors and gives us a clean slate. Only Christ has the power to fully erase sin.
Discussion Points:
- How does repentance help you move forward with hope?
- Why is the Atonement a daily gift, not a one-time fix?
5. The Muddy Hands and Soap
Materials:
- Dirt, soap, and water
Lesson Overview:
Get your hands dirty, then try to wipe it off without water or soap—it doesn’t fully work. Then wash with soap and water. Point out that Christ’s Atonement is the only thing that can fully cleanse sin—our own efforts are not enough without Him.
Discussion Points:
- Why do we sometimes try to “clean ourselves up” without help?
- What helps you turn to the Savior more quickly?
6. The Mirror and the Smudge
Materials:
- A mirror and something to smudge it (lotion or dust)
- A cloth to clean it
Lesson Overview:
Smudge the mirror and then try to see clearly—it’s hard. Then clean it and point out how repentance clears our spiritual vision and helps us see ourselves and God more clearly.
Discussion Points:
- What spiritual “smudges” have clouded your relationship with God?
- How does feeling forgiven help you feel closer to Him?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you sincerely repented and felt the cleansing power of the Atonement. What changed in your heart or life?
- Think of a time when you felt burdened by mistakes, and the Savior gave you peace. How did you feel His mercy and cleansing love?
- Think of a time when you participated in the sacrament and felt spiritually renewed. What helped make that experience meaningful?
- Think of a time when you felt prompted to confess, change, or seek forgiveness—and did. How did the Lord respond?
- Think of a time when you realized that being clean wasn’t about perfection, but about coming to Christ with a sincere heart. What helped you understand that?
- Think of a time when you felt the weight of sin lift after prayer, service, or time in the temple. How did that moment strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ?
- Think of a time when you watched someone else experience the joy of being forgiven. What did their experience teach you about the Savior?
- Think of a time when you feared you had gone too far—but the Savior reached you anyway. How did He help you feel clean and whole again?
- Think of a time when you felt the Spirit testify that your efforts to change were accepted. What did the Lord communicate to you in that quiet moment?
- Think of a time when you taught or testified about the cleansing power of Christ—and felt it witness to your own soul. What truth stood out to you?
“Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to you to learn “by study and also by faith”? Why do we need both?
- Can you share a time when faith helped you understand something that didn’t make sense at first?
- How do you balance spiritual learning (like scripture study) with academic or practical learning?
- Why do you think the Lord values education and learning so highly?
- How can asking questions—both spiritual and intellectual—strengthen your faith instead of weakening it?
- What’s one topic you’ve studied that helped you feel closer to God?
- What habits help you invite the Spirit into your personal learning—whether you’re studying the gospel or something else?
- Have you ever had a moment when learning something in school or life helped you understand the gospel better—or vice versa?
- What advice would you give someone who is struggling to connect what they’re learning in church with what they experience in daily life?
- What’s one area of gospel learning you feel inspired to explore more deeply this week—through both study and faith?
Object Lessons:
1. The Two Lenses: Study and Faith
Materials:
- A pair of binoculars or two magnifying glasses
Lesson Overview:
Look through only one side—things are blurry or incomplete. Then look through both lenses: the image becomes clear. Study and faith are like two lenses; we need both to see gospel truths clearly.
Discussion Points:
- When have you relied more on study than faith—or vice versa?
- How do the two work together in your scripture study or life decisions?
2. The Flashlight and the Map
Materials:
- A map and a flashlight (or a dim/dark room)
Lesson Overview:
A map alone doesn’t help much in the dark. A flashlight alone won’t guide you unless you know where you’re going. But together, they help you make progress. The map = study. The light = faith. You need both to navigate life spiritually.
Discussion Points:
- What’s an example of a time when faith helped you act on something you studied?
- How can you better combine gospel study with personal revelation?
3. The Seed and the Soil
Materials:
- A seed, soil, and water
Lesson Overview:
The seed is like study—it’s truth. The faith is like water and light—it’s what helps the seed grow. You can plant all you want, but without nurturing it, nothing grows. Learning thrives when truth is nourished by spiritual effort.
Discussion Points:
- How do you water and nurture your spiritual learning?
- What helps you turn study into real understanding?
4. The Locked Box and the Key
Materials:
- A small box with a lock and a key
- A paper inside with a truth or scripture written on it
Lesson Overview:
The box represents gospel truth. Study gives you the clues, but faith unlocks understanding. You need the key of faith to open up deeper spiritual meaning.
Discussion Points:
- When have you had to exercise faith to understand something hard?
- Why doesn’t God give us all understanding through study alone?
5. The Puzzle with the Missing Piece
Materials:
- A puzzle, missing one key piece
- The last piece labeled “faith”
Lesson Overview:
Put together the puzzle but leave one piece out. Without it, the picture is incomplete. Explain that study brings us most of the way, but faith is often what completes the picture.
Discussion Points:
- What gospel truths have become clearer through spiritual effort?
- How can faith help when answers don’t come quickly?
6. The Ladder with Two Rungs
Materials:
- A small ladder or a visual of one with two rungs labeled “Study” and “Faith”
Lesson Overview:
Try climbing a ladder with only one rung—it’s impossible. But when both rungs are there, you can rise higher. The Lord asks us to climb spiritually by using both mind and heart.
Discussion Points:
- Which “rung” do you lean on more?
- How can you build both habits of study and acts of faith into your week?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you studied the gospel and the Spirit helped you understand something in a new, deeper way. What did you learn, and how did it affect you?
- Think of a time when a spiritual truth came to you not just through study, but through personal experience and faith. How did that combination strengthen your testimony?
- Think of a time when you were learning something difficult—spiritually or academically—and the Lord helped you through it. What did you come to understand?
- Think of a time when you received an answer to a question after both studying and praying. How did faith open the door to greater understanding?
- Think of a time when you felt the Holy Ghost teach you while reading the scriptures, attending class, or listening to a talk. What insight did the Spirit help you receive?
- Think of a time when you studied with the intent to help someone else—and the Spirit taught you something unexpected. What did you learn?
- Think of a time when you felt prompted to seek knowledge in an area of your life, and it brought you closer to God. How did that learning bless you?
- Think of a time when you saw the difference between learning “by the Spirit” and learning only with your intellect. What helped you recognize the difference?
- Think of a time when you asked a question in faith and didn’t get an immediate answer—but kept studying anyway. How did the Lord eventually respond?
- Think of a time when you helped someone else grow in faith through shared learning. What did that experience teach you about seeking truth together?
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