October 2025 General Conference Lesson Helps for Relief Society: “The Lord Looketh on the Heart” — Elder Ronald M. Barcellos

Introduction

Elder Barcellos teaches a searching truth: the Savior is less concerned with our stature and more with our hearts—our motives, desires, and willingness to yield to Him. He offers practical “spiritual heart tests” and an equally practical “treatment plan”: come to Christ daily, align our will with His, and serve with real intent.

This lesson help will help your sisters examine their hearts with hope, not fear—and leave with simple habits that invite the Lord to give us a new heart.

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Section 1: David & the Heart God Sees

“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth… man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

Discussion Questions

1. Where do outward measures still tempt you (resume, roles, reputation)?
2. What does a “heart God can trust” look like day-to-day?
3. How does David’s courage flow from his heart, not his size?
4. Where have you misjudged someone by appearance—and been humbled?
5. How do we avoid “performing righteousness” instead of loving God?
6. What practices help you notice desires beneath your actions?
7. How can we see each other more like the Lord sees?
8. Where do you want the Lord to strengthen your heart right now?
9. How do covenants re-train our motives?
10. What Goliath are you facing “with the Lord’s help”?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Two jars (clear water vs. glittery outside, murky inside): substance > shine.
2. Heart cutout behind a photo frame: what God focuses on.
3. Small sling vs. armor picture: God uses willing hearts.
4. Magnifying glass: look closer at motives, not image.
5. Scale labeled “Appearance / Desire”: tip toward desire.

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. A time you felt truly “seen” by the Lord.
2. An unseen act that shaped your heart.
3. A motive God corrected gently.
4. Where courage surprised you because your heart was right.
5. Someone whose heart you misread—and what you learned.
6. Your prayer to have a trusted, willing heart.
7. A hidden Goliath you faced with God.
8. How a covenant day changed your desires.
9. A small, private obedience that mattered.
10. Your sentence on what God sees in you today.

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Section 2: Why the Heart Matters—Intent > Mechanics

“It is not just about what we do… but why… ‘I… will judge… according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.’”

Discussion Questions

1. What’s the difference between discipline and discipleship?
2. Where does “mechanical obedience” sneak into your routines?
3. How do you check intent before you serve, post, or speak?
4. What does “real intent” feel like in your spirit?
5. How did Jesus correct the Pharisees’ outwardness—and how might He correct us?
6. What helps you shift from proving yourself to loving Him?
7. How can we talk about motives without shaming one another?
8. What’s one act you’ll renew with fresh intent this week?
9. How does sacrament re-center desires, not just behavior?
10. What prayer line helps you align intent with action?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Two checklists: “Looks Good” vs. “Loves God.”
2. Target with “Heart” bullseye—aim for the center.
3. Sponge: soaked with love → squeezes out love.
4. Name tag “Real Intent” to wear during class activity.
5. Compass: re-set to True North = Jesus.

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. A time God purified your “why.”
2. A habit you transformed by intent.
3. A Pharisee tendency you’re retiring.
4. How sacrament reset your motive this week.
5. A quiet check-in question you ask your heart.
6. When love for God made obedience joyful.
7. A time you served to be seen—and repented.
8. One act you’ll do with real intent today.
9. A phrase you’ll use before you speak or post.
10. Your intent sentence for the month.

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Section 3: Spiritual Heart Tests (Self-Assessment)

“The Savior has… spiritual tests to assess our heart’s condition.”

Discussion Questions

Test 1 – Focus & Priorities:

1. Where does your time naturally flow—toward treasure or toward Christ?
2. What “honors of men” tug at your heart?

Test 2 – Willing Obedience:
3. Where do you wait to be compelled?
4. What softens a “doubtful heart” into a willing one?

Test 3 – Scripture & Revelation:
5. How do you “treasure up” the word in your heart, not just your head?
6. What helps you apply your heart to understanding?

Test 4 – Thoughts & Words:
7. What thought patterns betray a troubled heart?
8. What words are you retiring to reduce contention?
9. Where do you justify mistakes instead of owning them?
10. Which test is the Spirit spotlighting for you today?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Four index cards (Focus, Obedience, Scripture, Words) → personal score 1–5.
2. Treasure box labeled “Time/Attention”: what goes inside?
3. Eraser & pencil: own it, correct it.
4. Sticky-note “catchers” on a board: catch negative thoughts → replace.
5. Scripture ribbon: mark one verse to “treasure up” this week.

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Your “test” with the biggest nudge.
2. A focus shift you’ll make tomorrow.
3. A commandment you’ll keep more willingly.
4. A scripture you’ll carry on a card.
5. A thought you’re replacing with truth.
6. A word you’ll stop using at home.
7. A justification you’ll surrender.
8. A practice that keeps your heart soft.
9. A way you’ll seek the Holy Ghost in study.
10. One metric you’ll watch for 7 days.

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Section 4: When Results Sting—Hopeful Diagnosis

“If you notice negative symptoms… don’t panic. The Savior… promised to give you a new heart.”

Discussion Questions

1. What “symptom” do you see without spiraling into shame?
2. How do you hear correction as love?
3. What would a “new heart” change first in your life?
4. How do you invite the Lord to write His law on your heart?
5. What helps you act today, not just intend?
6. Where do you need a lifestyle change, not a quick fix?
7. How can RS sisters support each other’s treatment plans?
8. What does patient perseverance look like in heart-change?
9. How do ordinances accelerate healing?
10. What will you ask the Lord to renew right now?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Prescription pad (paper): write your spiritual Rx.
2. Before/after heart outline: add Christlike traits you’re seeking.
3. Bandage over a heart cutout: healing is underway.
4. Water bottle labeled “Grace”: sip often.
5. Calendar: schedule tiny “treatments” (pray, study, repent).

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. A diagnosis you received from the Spirit—kind but clear.
2. Your next “treatment” step.
3. A lifestyle shift that blessed your soul.
4. A sister who walked with you.
5. Where you’ve already felt a new heart forming.
6. An ordinance that changed your desires.
7. A way you’ll practice patience with yourself.
8. A lie you’ll retire during healing.
9. A promise you’re holding.
10. Your prayer for a new heart.

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Section 5: Draw Near with All Your Heart—Relationship with Christ

“As we dedicate time daily to come closer to Christ, our hearts are changed… study, prayer, fasting… ‘He did soften my heart.’”

Discussion Questions

1. Which daily practice most reliably softens your heart?
2. How do you make scripture time a relationship, not a ritual?
3. What fasting purpose could invite new softness?
4. Where has prayer shifted your desires—not just outcomes?
5. What keeps you from daily “meaningful time for the Lord”?
6. How do you feel the Spirit sanctifying your heart?
7. What do you do when study feels dry?
8. How can we help each other keep appointments with the Lord?
9. What “seed of faith” are you nourishing this month?
10. Where have you tasted “joy and consolation” through humility?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Phone charger: connection → power, daily.
2. Seed cup: water = scripture/prayer; watch growth.
3. Do Not Disturb door hanger: time for the Lord.
4. Journal card: write one “Jesus, I love Thee because…” line.
5. Small oil vial (image): fasting adds consecrating “oil.”

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. A time He softened your heart in minutes.
2. Your best micro-habit for meaningful prayer.
3. A fasting story that surprised you.
4. How you turned study into conversation.
5. A dryness you endured—and how light returned.
6. A verse that became your lifeline.
7. Your plan to guard Jesus-time this week.
8. A humility practice that brings joy.
9. A seed you’re watering daily.
10. Your sentence of love to the Savior.

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Section 6: Align Your Will With His—Covenants & the Holy Ghost

“If ye love me, keep my commandments… take upon you the name of Christ… then ye shall receive the Holy Ghost.”

Discussion Questions

1. How do covenants align your will with His in practical choices?
2. What commandment you’re ready to keep with more heart?
3. How do you experience the Spirit guiding your will?
4. What does “real intent” look like in repentance?
5. Where are you acting “no hypocrisy… no deception before God”?
6. How does taking His name change self-talk and decisions?
7. What renewals at sacrament you’ll be specific about?
8. How do you discern the Lord’s will vs. your worry?
9. What evidence shows your will is bending toward His?
10. Where will you invite the Spirit to lead in the next 48 hours?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Name tag “His Name”: wear while discussing decisions.
2. Yoke rope: you + Christ—walk together, not alone.
3. Arrow stickers: re-aim plans toward His will.
4. Small key: covenant unlocks companionship.
5. White stone (symbol): clean intent, clear direction.

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. A time you yielded and felt peace.
2. A commandment you kept with new love.
3. A repentance that realigned your heart.
4. How the Holy Ghost steered you this week.
5. A “His name” moment in your self-talk.
6. A sacrament-specific renewal you made.
7. A worry you’ll surrender to His will.
8. A sign your will is bending His way.
9. A 48-hour invite to the Spirit you’ll make.
10. Your witness of covenant power.

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Section 7: Serve With All Your Heart—Real Intent in Worship & Ministry

“Serve Him with all your heart… each act of service and worship becomes a powerful spiritual experience…”

Discussion Questions

1. What transforms service from task to testimony?
2. Where can you add “real intent” to a routine calling duty?
3. How does temple worship reshape motives?
4. What small, sincere service could soften a strained relationship?
5. How do you keep people from feeling like projects?
6. Where can you “seek a better world” instead of more things?
7. Which act of worship fills your heart with joy most often?
8. How do you measure ministry by hearts, not headcount?
9. What would “all your heart” look like for one person this week?
10. How can RS coordinate to meet quiet needs?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Measuring cup “All In”: pour your heart, not leftovers.
2. Temple photo: circle “His house—His heart.”
3. Blank card: write one name to serve with intent.
4. Hand towel: symbol of willing service.
5. Two baskets: “To-Do” → “To-Love.”

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. A service that changed you.
2. A temple day that purified your motives.
3. One person you’ll love on purpose.
4. A time worship became testimony.
5. How you served without being seen.
6. A strained tie you’ll mend by serving.
7. A way you’ll “seek a better world” this week.
8. A metric of ministry you’re letting go.
9. A small joy from sincere service.
10. Your all-your-heart commitment line.

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Section 8: The Invitation & Promise

“Give your whole heart to the Savior… set aside the world… He will bless you with strength, confidence, peace, and joy… and a place in His celestial kingdom.”

Discussion Questions

1. What does “whole heart” mean in your current season?
2. What distraction you’ll set aside to make space for Him?
3. How do you keep daily time with the Lord “meaningful”?
4. Where do you need strength, confidence, peace, or joy most?
5. What helps you believe His promises are for you?
6. Which phrase from this talk will you carry all week?
7. How does “eyes single to His glory” reorder choices?
8. What is your next brave act of returning with all your heart?
9. How will you track tiny evidences of His promise?
10. What does “encircled in the arms of His love” look like for you?

Object Lesson Ideas

1. Blank heart card: sign and “offer” to the Lord in prayer.
2. Binder clip labeled “World”: release it as a symbol.
3. Joy/Peace/Strength/Confidence cards: choose the one you’ll seek.
4. Small circle (ribbon) around a heart cutout: “encircled in His love.”
5. Single-eye icon on a card: tape to phone as a reminder.

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Your “whole heart” sentence for Jesus today.
2. A distraction you’ll lay down.
3. A meaningful-time-with-the-Lord plan (time/place).
4. Where you already tasted His promised peace.
5. A confidence Christ gave you unexpectedly.
6. A joy you noticed today.
7. An evidence journal idea you’ll try.
8. A glory-centered choice you’ll make.
9. A way you feel encircled by His love.
10. Your closing testimony of giving Him your heart.

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Conclusion

Elder Barcellos invites us to a courageous honesty: to examine our hearts—not to despair, but to be healed. When we seek Christ, align our will, and serve with real intent, the Lord softens and sanctifies us. He truly can “make weak things become strong” and give us a new heart.
Invite your sisters to choose one spiritual test to work on and one treatment step to start today. Then close with the assurance He offers: He knows your thoughts and the desires of your heart—and He will bless you with strength, confidence, peace, and joy as you come unto Him. 💛

Posted By: Lia · In: Relief Society