Teaching Doctrine and Covenants 58–59 in Young Men or Young Women this week offers a great opportunity to help your youth explore what it means to cheerfully do all things the Lord asks—and to understand the blessings that come when we do. These sections talk about patience, agency, keeping the Sabbath day holy, and finding joy in obedience. To make your lesson more interactive and relatable, we’ve put together a helpful mix of engaging questions, hands-on object lesson ideas, and personal sharing prompts that are perfect for youth. Whether your class is talkative or a little more reserved, these teaching tools will help spark meaningful discussions and invite the Spirit as you learn together.
To download our free Doctrine and Covenants 49-50 Lesson Help + Canva Template, click here: https://otherthanamom.myflodesk.com/dc5859
“After much tribulation come the blessings.”
Engaging Questions:
- What does the phrase “after much tribulation come the blessings” mean to you personally?
- Have you ever experienced a trial that later led to unexpected blessings? What did you learn from it?
- Why do you think the Lord allows us to go through hard things before some blessings come?
- How can faith help us keep going when the blessings aren’t immediate or obvious?
- Doctrine and Covenants 58:3 says we “cannot behold with [our] natural eyes” what God has prepared. How can that perspective help during tough times?
- How does enduring tribulation with patience and faith make the blessings more meaningful?
- What are some scriptures or quotes that give you hope during times of hardship?
- How can we support others who are in the “tribulation” part of their story and help them trust that blessings are coming?
- What role does gratitude play in helping us recognize blessings—both during and after trials?
- What is one trial you’ve faced (or are currently facing) that you hope to one day look back on and see the blessings in?
Object Lessons:
1. The Rock and the Polishing Tumbler (Tribulation Refines Us)
Materials:
- A rough rock
- A picture or example of a polished stone
Lesson Overview:
Explain that rocks become smooth and beautiful by tumbling through grit and pressure. The process may seem harsh, but it refines and beautifies. Likewise, the Lord allows tribulation to shape us into something greater.
Discussion Points:
- How have hard experiences shaped you for good?
- Why is growth often uncomfortable before it’s rewarding?
2. The Growing Seed (Growth Comes Slowly After Hard Conditions)
Materials:
- A seed
- A small pot of dirt or picture of a sprouting plant
Lesson Overview:
Talk about how a seed must be buried in darkness, watered, and wait before it grows. Blessings are often delayed, and faith is required during the “underground” phase of life. But growth always follows the pattern.
Discussion Points:
- What “underground” seasons have you experienced?
- What blessings came after the waiting or struggle?
3. The Puzzle with Missing Pieces (It Doesn’t Make Sense Until the End)
Materials:
- A jigsaw puzzle, with some pieces hidden at first
Lesson Overview:
Start the puzzle, then pause and show that it doesn’t look right yet. Slowly add the missing pieces. Explain that when we’re in the middle of trials, the picture isn’t clear—but God sees the whole puzzle and will reveal the blessings in time.
Discussion Points:
- How can we trust God when we don’t see the full picture?
- When have blessings come in unexpected ways after hardship?
4. The Butterfly Struggle (Strength Comes Through Resistance)
Materials:
- A butterfly image or a short video/story about a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis
Lesson Overview:
Tell how a butterfly must struggle to break free from its cocoon, and if someone tries to help too soon, it becomes too weak to fly. The struggle is essential to build the strength it needs. God allows tribulation for a divine purpose.
Discussion Points:
- How have trials made you stronger than you expected?
- Why might God choose not to remove the struggle right away?
5. The Dirty Silver Spoon (Tribulation Purifies)
Materials:
- A tarnished spoon
- A cloth and silver polish (or show a cleaned version)
Lesson Overview:
Polishing silver takes effort and pressure, but reveals its true brightness. Tribulation helps remove “spiritual tarnish” and allows our true character to shine through. The Lord refines those He loves.
Discussion Points:
- What spiritual “polishing” has come through trials?
- How does this change how you view hardship?
6. The Baked Cake (Ingredients Alone Aren’t Enough)
Materials:
- Raw ingredients (egg, flour, sugar, baking soda)
- A picture of a finished cake
Lesson Overview:
Show the individual ingredients and ask who would want to eat any of them raw. Then show the cake. Trials are like the hard parts of life’s recipe—not enjoyable on their own, but when combined with faith and time, they produce something sweet.
Discussion Points:
- How can bitter experiences lead to sweet outcomes?
- What “ingredients” in your life are still in the oven?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you went through a difficult trial and later saw how the Lord used it to bless your life. What did you learn through that experience?
- Think of a time when you felt like giving up, but chose to keep going in faith. How did blessings eventually come as a result of your perseverance?
- Think of a time when you didn’t understand why you were facing a certain challenge. How did the Lord help you look back later and see His hand?
- Think of a time when a season of spiritual, emotional, or physical hardship led to unexpected growth. How did that growth prepare you for greater blessings?
- Think of a time when you felt the Lord was quiet during your suffering, but His blessings became clear after you endured. How did that experience strengthen your trust in Him?
- Think of a time when you saw someone else pass through tribulation and later receive great blessings. How did their example strengthen your faith?
- Think of a time when a blessing came in a different form—or timing—than you expected. How did that change your understanding of the Lord’s plan for you?
- Think of a time when you learned to be more grateful for the small blessings because of a trial. How did tribulation refine your perspective?
- Think of a time when you were able to help someone else because of something hard you had gone through. How did your past tribulation become a present blessing for someone else?
- Think of a time when the Lord turned sorrow into joy. How did that experience help you believe more fully in His promises?
I can “bring to pass much righteousness” of my “own free will.”
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to you to bring about righteousness “of your own free will”? Why is that empowering?
- Why do you think the Lord wants us to choose to do good on our own, rather than always waiting for instruction?
- Have you ever felt prompted to do something good without being asked? What happened?
- What are some examples of ways youth and adults can bring about righteousness in their daily lives?
- How does taking initiative in doing good help you grow spiritually and become more like the Savior?
- What’s the difference between being obedient out of duty and being anxiously engaged in a good cause out of love for God?
- How can you recognize when a good idea or prompting is coming from the Spirit or from your righteous desires?
- What challenges sometimes stop us from acting on our good intentions? How can we overcome them?
- Who is someone you know that lives this principle well? What do they do that inspires you?
- What is one good thing you feel inspired to do this week of your own free will to bless someone else?
Object Lessons:
1. The Wind-Up Toy vs. the Battery-Powered Toy (Acting vs. Being Acted Upon)
Materials:
- A wind-up toy and a battery-powered toy
- Or use a manual vs. automatic object (e.g., crank flashlight vs. motion sensor light)
Lesson Overview:
Demonstrate how one toy requires someone to wind it up or trigger it, while the other operates on its own power. Point out that God wants us to be anxiously engaged and act of our own free will, rather than waiting for someone to push us.
Discussion Points:
- What are some good things you can do without being asked?
- Why does God trust us to initiate righteousness?
2. The Garden Without a Gardener (Good Only Grows When We Act)
Materials:
- A potted plant, and a second empty pot or neglected plant
Lesson Overview:
Show that a thriving plant requires water, care, and sunlight. A neglected plant or empty pot represents potential without action. We are stewards of our own spiritual garden—and it won’t grow unless we act to cultivate righteousness.
Discussion Points:
- What happens when we wait around instead of doing good?
- What small actions can bring about great spiritual growth?
3. The Unplugged Lamp (Good Intentions Need Action)
Materials:
- A lamp or light that’s unplugged
- Then plug it in and turn it on
Lesson Overview:
Explain that a lamp is designed to give light, but it won’t shine unless it’s connected and activated. Our desires to do good must be followed by real choices and actions. God gave us agency so we can light the world through our own initiative.
Discussion Points:
- How do we sometimes “stay unplugged” spiritually?
- What choices help us shine brighter in doing good?
4. The Tools in the Toolbox (Prepared and Willing to Work)
Materials:
- A toolbox or a few household tools
- A simple job (like fixing or building) that could use initiative
Lesson Overview:
Say, “Tools are only useful if someone chooses to pick them up and use them.” God has given us talents, time, and truth. He doesn’t want us to wait for every assignment—He wants us to go and do good with the tools we’ve been given.
Discussion Points:
- What are your “tools” or spiritual gifts?
- How can you use them more proactively in your family, ward, or community?
5. The Blank Canvas (Agency and Creation)
Materials:
- A blank canvas or sheet of paper
- A few art supplies (markers, pencils, paints)
Lesson Overview:
Show the blank canvas and explain that God doesn’t micromanage our lives—He invites us to create goodness with our agency. He gives us the setting, but we get to paint the picture of our discipleship.
Discussion Points:
- What does it mean to be a “creator of righteousness”?
- How can you use your agency to bless others without waiting for a call?
6. The Domino Effect (One Righteous Choice Leads to More)
Materials:
- A set of dominoes or items that topple in sequence
Lesson Overview:
Set up a line of dominoes and knock over the first one. Explain that when we choose to act in righteousness, we can start a chain reaction that blesses many lives. The Lord trusts us to start those dominoes falling by choosing to act.
Discussion Points:
- When has someone’s good choice inspired you to act?
- What small, personal action could you take this week to start a chain of goodness?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you felt prompted to do something good without being asked. How did acting on your own initiative bless others and bring you joy?
- Think of a time when you chose to serve or lead in a way that stretched you. How did making that decision willingly help you grow spiritually?
- Think of a time when you saw a need and acted to fill it. How did your effort—motivated by love or faith—create a ripple effect of good?
- Think of a time when you organized or led a project that helped others come closer to Christ. What inspired you to act, and what blessings followed?
- Think of a time when you followed a prompting to do something that wasn’t assigned or expected. How did it feel to take initiative and be guided by the Spirit?
- Think of a time when you helped someone or shared your testimony without waiting for a formal opportunity. How did that moment strengthen both of you?
- Think of a time when you used your talents or resources to build the kingdom in your own inspired way. How did it feel to know the Lord trusted you to act?
- Think of a time when you felt empowered to create good in your family, ward, or community. How did the Lord support your righteous desires?
- Think of a time when you realized that waiting for permission wasn’t necessary to do good. How did stepping forward in faith bring about righteousness?
- Think of a time when someone else’s example of initiative in doing good inspired you to act. How did their efforts show you what’s possible through free will and faith?
The Lord forgives me as I repent.
Engaging Questions:
- What does it feel like to truly believe that the Lord will forgive you as you repent?
- Doctrine and Covenants 58:42 says, “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven.” Why is that truth so powerful?
- Have you ever felt the peace that comes after sincerely repenting? What helped you feel it?
- What do you learn about repentance from the promise that God remembers our sins no more?
- Why do you think the Lord asks us not only to confess but also to forsake our sins (D&C 58:43)?
- How can understanding the Savior’s Atonement help you have more confidence in the repentance process?
- What might stop someone from repenting, and how can we encourage each other to trust in God’s mercy?
- How is repentance more about growth and change than punishment or shame?
- How can you use your own experiences with repentance to strengthen or comfort someone else?
- What is one small step you can take this week to come closer to the Savior through repentance?
Object Lessons:
1. The Whiteboard or Chalkboard (Repentance Wipes the Slate Clean)
Materials:
- A whiteboard or chalkboard
- Marker or chalk
- Eraser or cloth
Lesson Overview:
Write down some “sins” or poor choices (e.g., lying, anger, gossip). Then erase them completely. Explain that through sincere repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Lord doesn’t just cover our sins—He removes them.
Discussion Points:
- How does it feel to know God erases, not just overlooks, sins?
- What steps help you feel clean again through repentance?
2. The Dirty Cloth and Soap (Repentance Cleanses Us)
Materials:
- A white cloth with washable dirt/stains
- Soap and water or stain remover
Lesson Overview:
Show the dirty cloth, then wash or scrub it clean. Emphasize that repentance isn’t just about feeling bad—it’s about turning to Christ, who cleanses our hearts and restores our purity.
Discussion Points:
- How is repentance an act of faith, not just guilt?
- What role does Jesus Christ’s power play in our cleansing?
3. The Broken Pencil (Restored and Useful Again)
Materials:
- A broken pencil
- A sharpener and/or tape to fix it
Lesson Overview:
Break a pencil, then sharpen or tape it so it’s usable again. Explain that even when we feel “broken” by our mistakes, the Lord can restore us, and we can still be instruments in His hands.
Discussion Points:
- How has God helped you feel whole again after messing up?
- Why is it important to forgive ourselves as He forgives us?
4. The Paper Tear and Tape (Healed but Changed)
Materials:
- A sheet of paper
- Tear it, then tape or glue it back together
Lesson Overview:
Explain that while repentance may not erase the consequences, the Lord binds our brokenness and brings healing. The “scar” can become a reminder of growth and Christ’s mercy—not shame.
Discussion Points:
- How does repentance help us grow in humility and gratitude?
- How does the Savior turn our mistakes into strength?
5. The Reset Button (Starting Fresh)
Materials:
- A phone, calculator, or game with a reset or clear function
Lesson Overview:
Show how pressing reset clears the screen or restarts the game. Repentance is like a spiritual reset. Through Christ, we can start fresh, with new focus and purpose.
Discussion Points:
- What does it feel like to get a spiritual “reset”?
- How can you build habits of daily repentance?
6. The GPS “Recalculating” (Repentance Redirects Our Path)
Materials:
- A phone with a map app, or show a GPS screenshot
Lesson Overview:
Show how a GPS reroutes you when you go the wrong way. Christ’s Atonement and the gift of repentance allow us to get back on the right path—no matter how far we’ve gone off course.
Discussion Points:
- How has the Lord “recalculated” your spiritual direction before?
- What gives you confidence to keep going after a mistake?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you sincerely repented and felt the burden of guilt lifted. How did the Lord help you feel peace and forgiveness?
- Think of a time when you struggled to forgive yourself, but felt the Savior’s love reassure you that you were clean. What helped you accept His mercy?
- Think of a time when you took a step toward repentance—like praying, confessing, or making restitution—and felt the Spirit return more fully. How did that confirm the Lord’s willingness to forgive?
- Think of a time when you feared you had gone too far or made too many mistakes, but the Lord showed you otherwise. How did He help you come back?
- Think of a time when repentance brought more than just relief—it brought joy. How did that experience change your relationship with Jesus Christ?
- Think of a time when you felt prompted to repent of something small, and were surprised by the light and peace it brought. How did that teach you about the Lord’s attentiveness and mercy?
- Think of a time when you saw someone else go through the process of repentance and be transformed. How did their journey strengthen your belief in Christ’s power to forgive?
- Think of a time when you repented and later found yourself in a position to help someone else through the same challenge. How did the Lord use your experience for good?
- Think of a time when taking the sacrament felt especially meaningful after a week of sincere repentance. How did that sacred moment remind you of Christ’s love and cleansing power?
- Think of a time when you were reminded that repentance isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. How did that realization bring you hope and help you keep trying?
Commandments are a blessing.
Engaging Questions:
- Have you ever followed a commandment and later realized it protected or blessed you in a way you didn’t expect? What happened?
- Doctrine and Covenants 59:23 says, “He who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive peace.” How have you felt peace by keeping commandments?
- Why do you think some people see commandments as restrictions instead of blessings? How can we change that perspective?
- How does keeping the commandments help us become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
- Which commandment has had the greatest impact on your personal happiness or growth? Why?
- What role do commandments play in helping us stay spiritually safe and guided in a confusing world?
- Have you ever had to choose to follow a commandment even when it was hard? What helped you stay strong?
- How can obeying the commandments bring blessings not just to you, but to your family, friends, or community?
- What does it mean to “keep [God’s] commandments with thanksgiving” (D&C 59:5)? How can gratitude change the way we view obedience?
- What is one commandment you want to understand or live more fully this week, and why?
Object Lessons:
1. The Guardrail on a Cliff (Commandments Keep Us Safe)
Materials:
- A picture of a road near a cliff or draw one on a board
- A visual or toy guardrail (optional)
Lesson Overview:
Explain that guardrails don’t take away freedom—they allow you to drive safely without falling off the edge. Commandments are like guardrails that protect us from spiritual danger, even when we don’t fully see the risks ahead.
Discussion Points:
- Have you seen a time when a commandment protected you or someone else?
- Why might someone see commandments as limiting when they’re really liberating?
2. The Instruction Manual (God Knows Best)
Materials:
- An instruction manual or a toy/item that’s difficult to assemble without one
Lesson Overview:
Try to “assemble” something wrong without the instructions, then show how much smoother it goes when following them. God’s commandments are His instructions for a joyful, meaningful life—not arbitrary rules.
Discussion Points:
- How does following the “manual” bring greater peace and clarity?
- What commandments have blessed you in unexpected ways?
3. The Umbrella in the Rain (Protection from Consequences)
Materials:
- An umbrella
- A spray bottle to simulate rain
Lesson Overview:
Hold the umbrella as “rain” falls and explain that commandments are not about avoiding fun but avoiding pain. Just as an umbrella doesn’t stop the rain, it protects you from its effects—commandments shield us from spiritual consequences.
Discussion Points:
- What spiritual “rain” do commandments help us avoid?
- How have you experienced the sheltering power of obedience?
4. The Garden and Boundaries (Commandments Help Us Thrive)
Materials:
- A picture or small model of a fenced garden
Lesson Overview:
Explain that a fence around a garden isn’t to keep the plants in—it’s to keep the weeds and pests out. God’s commandments create space for us to grow and thrive without being overrun by harmful influences.
Discussion Points:
- How do commandments help us create a protected spiritual environment?
- What “weeds” have you been able to avoid because of God’s laws?
5. The Recipe (Right Ingredients = Sweet Results)
Materials:
- A recipe card and real or fake ingredients
Lesson Overview:
Show how using the wrong ingredients or skipping steps can ruin a dish. Similarly, following commandments is like using the right ingredients for a happy life. Skipping them might seem easier, but it changes the outcome.
Discussion Points:
- What happens when we try to substitute or skip commandments?
- Can you think of a time when obedience “sweetened” your life?
6. The Map or GPS (Commandments Give Direction)
Materials:
- A map or GPS app with a destination
Lesson Overview:
Show how a GPS keeps us on the best route. God’s commandments are like a spiritual GPS—they don’t control the car, but they guide us to our eternal destination, helping us avoid detours and dead ends.
Discussion Points:
- How have commandments helped you stay on the right path?
- Why is it important to follow divine direction even when you don’t fully understand it?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when keeping a commandment brought unexpected peace, joy, or direction. How did that experience help you see the commandment as a gift rather than a burden?
- Think of a time when you chose to follow a commandment even when it was hard. What blessings came—spiritually or practically—as a result?
- Think of a time when you felt protected because you followed a gospel standard. How did that protection strengthen your trust in God’s laws?
- Think of a time when you saw the blessings of obedience unfold gradually over time. How did consistent efforts to live the commandments bless your life or your family?
- Think of a time when following a commandment helped you avoid regret or heartache. How did that experience change the way you view obedience?
- Think of a time when you struggled with a commandment, but came to understand its purpose. What helped you see it as an expression of God’s love?
- Think of a time when you taught someone else about a commandment and saw their life improve. How did their experience confirm your testimony of the blessings of obedience?
- Think of a time when the commandments helped you feel more connected to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How did that relationship deepen as you kept their commandments?
- Think of a time when you were grateful for the clarity that commandments provided in a confusing situation. How did they help you know what to do?
- Think of a time when obeying the commandments brought you lasting happiness, not just temporary satisfaction. How did that contrast help you value God’s way even more?
The Sabbath is the Lord’s day.
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to you that the Sabbath is the Lord’s day and not just a “day off”?
- How can keeping the Sabbath day holy strengthen your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
- Doctrine and Covenants 59:9 says we are to offer our “devotions” to God on the Sabbath. What do you think that looks like in real life?
- What are some activities that help you feel closer to the Lord on Sundays?
- What blessings have you experienced from honoring the Sabbath day?
- How do you balance rest, worship, and family time on the Sabbath? What works well for you?
- Why do you think the Lord promises “the fulness of the earth” (D&C 59:16) to those who keep the Sabbath day holy?
- What are some things that can distract us from keeping the Sabbath focused on the Lord, and how can we avoid them?
- How can we help others—especially family or friends—appreciate the Sabbath without being judgmental?
- What is one small change you could make to better honor the Sabbath as a day set apart for the Lord?
Object Lessons:
1. The Charged vs. Dead Phone (The Sabbath Recharges Us)
Materials:
- A phone or battery-powered item
- A charger
Lesson Overview:
Show a phone with low or dead battery. Plug it in and explain that the Sabbath is like a spiritual charging station—if we skip it or use it for distractions, we start to “run low.” Keeping the Sabbath holy recharges our souls.
Discussion Points:
- What Sabbath activities help you feel spiritually recharged?
- How do you feel during the week when you honor the Sabbath vs. when you don’t?
2. The Gift with a Tag (A Day Set Apart)
Materials:
- A wrapped present with a tag labeled “For the Lord”
Lesson Overview:
Hold up the gift and explain that the Sabbath is a gift we return to God—a chance to give Him our time, worship, and attention. It’s not just a “day off,” but a sacred offering.
Discussion Points:
- How can we “give” the Lord a meaningful Sabbath?
- What are ways to make Sunday feel special and different?
3. The Highlighted Page (One Day Stands Out)
Materials:
- A printed calendar or planner page
- Highlight or color the Sabbath day
Lesson Overview:
Point out how the highlighted day stands out from the others. The Lord asks us to treat the Sabbath as holy—set apart, not routine. When we treat it differently, it becomes a blessing, not a checklist.
Discussion Points:
- What helps you make Sunday feel different than any other day?
- What blessings have you noticed from honoring the Sabbath?
4. The “Do Not Disturb” Sign (Protecting Sacred Time)
Materials:
- A “Do Not Disturb” door sign or something symbolic
Lesson Overview:
Explain that just like we use a sign to avoid interruptions, we can protect the Sabbath from distractions. By setting boundaries, we make space for stillness, worship, family, and personal connection with God.
Discussion Points:
- What boundaries could help you better protect your Sundays?
- How does removing distractions help you feel the Spirit more?
5. The Weekly Reset Button (A Fresh Start with the Lord)
Materials:
- A button or object labeled “Reset”
- Optional: phone, timer, or computer reset demonstration
Lesson Overview:
Explain how the Sabbath is a weekly spiritual reset—a time to repent, refocus, and reconnect with the Savior. Just like restarting a device helps it run better, Sabbath worship realigns our hearts and priorities.
Discussion Points:
- How do you “reset” spiritually each Sunday?
- What helps make the Sabbath feel renewing instead of routine?
6. The Feast vs. the Fast Food (Quality Time with God)
Materials:
- Picture of a beautiful, prepared meal vs. a fast food bag
Lesson Overview:
Explain that the Sabbath is meant to be a feast of the Spirit—not a hurried spiritual snack. When we prepare and dedicate time to the Lord, He fills us in ways no worldly activity can.
Discussion Points:
- What kind of “spiritual meals” do you want to enjoy on the Sabbath?
- How can we better prepare for and savor the day?
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when keeping the Sabbath day holy brought you unexpected peace or clarity. How did honoring the Lord’s day change the way you felt or thought?
- Think of a time when you chose to set aside worldly distractions on Sunday to focus on the Savior. How did that decision bless your week or strengthen your spirit?
- Think of a time when attending church on the Sabbath brought you a much-needed answer, comfort, or testimony. How did that experience deepen your love for the Sabbath?
- Think of a time when a simple Sunday tradition—like family prayer, singing hymns, or studying the scriptures—helped you feel the Spirit. How did that tradition turn the day into a delight?
- Think of a time when you helped someone else experience the blessings of the Sabbath. How did that strengthen both of your testimonies of its sacred purpose?
- Think of a time when you noticed a difference in your home or heart when you treated the Sabbath as a holy day, not just a day off. What blessings came as a result?
- Think of a time when partaking of the sacrament felt especially meaningful. How did that sacred ordinance help you draw closer to the Lord on His day?
- Think of a time when keeping the Sabbath day holy helped you reset spiritually for the week ahead. How did that preparation help you feel more focused and faithful?
- Think of a time when you learned something powerful during a Sabbath lesson or discussion. How did that truth stay with you beyond Sunday?
- Think of a time when you were tempted to treat Sunday like any other day—but chose to honor the Lord instead. How did that act of devotion bring strength or joy?
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