If you’re teaching Young Men or Young Women this week, Doctrine and Covenants 98–101 is full of powerful and timely lessons about faith, forgiveness, patience, and trusting in the Lord through trials. These sections were given during a time of intense persecution for the early Saints, and they teach how to respond to adversity with courage, peace, and obedience. Your youth will relate to the messages of standing firm in righteousness, defending truth, and waiting on the Lord’s promises. To help you bring these teachings to life, we’ve put together engaging questions, hands-on object lesson ideas, and personal sharing prompts designed to spark discussion, invite the Spirit, and help your class apply these principles in their own lives.
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My Trials Can Work Together for My Good (D&C 98:1–3, 11–14, 22; 101:1–16, 22–31, 36)
Engaging Questions
- What do you think it means when God promises “all things shall work together for your good”?
- Have you ever prayed for something that didn’t happen, only to see later that it turned out for the best?
- Why do you think God allows trials even for faithful people?
- How can trials strengthen our faith instead of weaken it?
- In what ways do you see trials preparing you for the future?
- Which scripture in these chapters feels most comforting when you’re struggling?
- What’s the difference between enduring a trial with faith versus without faith?
- How can friends or family help us see God’s hand in our trials?
- What do you learn about Heavenly Father’s love through these verses?
- How does Jesus Christ give you strength in hard times?
Object Lesson Ideas
- Polished Rock: Show a rough stone and a polished gemstone. Explain how refinement makes it more beautiful—just like trials refine us.
- Puzzle Piece: Bring one puzzle piece. Alone it looks random, but when placed in the full puzzle it makes sense. Our trials are puzzle pieces in God’s bigger plan.
- Weight Training: Use a small dumbbell or backpack with books. Show how resistance builds strength—trials do the same spiritually.
- Seed Growth: Compare planting a seed in dark soil to going through a dark time before something beautiful grows.
- Broken Crayon: A broken crayon still colors. Even when we feel “broken,” God can still use us for His purposes.
Personal Sharing Prompts
- Think of a time when you felt God’s comfort during a hard day.
- Share about a trial that felt impossible at first but taught you something valuable.
- Recall a scripture that strengthened you during a hard time.
- Think of a time when someone else’s kindness helped you through your trial.
- Share about a mistake you made that turned into a learning experience.
- Remember a time when you prayed for help and felt peace even if the trial didn’t end.
- Think of a person you admire who faced trials with faith.
- Share a small way you’ve seen God turn something bad into something good in your life.
- Recall a time when you were surprised at your own strength in a hard situation.
- Think about how you would encourage someone going through something similar to what you faced.
The Lord Wants Me to Seek Peace in His Way (D&C 98:23–48)
Engaging Questions
- Why is choosing peace harder than fighting back?
- What is the difference between peace and pretending nothing’s wrong?
- How does Jesus Christ model peace in the scriptures?
- What does it mean to be a peacemaker at school or on social media?
- When have you seen someone choose peace instead of revenge?
- How can forgiving someone bring you more peace?
- What’s the hardest part about forgiving?
- How does ending conflict show strength instead of weakness?
- What’s one small conflict you could let go of this week?
- How does seeking peace invite the Spirit?
Object Lesson Ideas
- Magnets: Show two magnets pushing apart (conflict) and then flipping to come together (peace through Christ).
- Clear Water: Drop food coloring in a cup of water (anger spreading). Then add bleach or a filter (Christ cleansing through forgiveness).
- Tug of War: Have two people pull on a rope. When one lets go, the conflict ends. Connect this to choosing peace.
- Noise vs. Silence: Play loud music (chaos/conflict) and then turn it off. Ask how it feels when peace enters.
- Bandage: Show how a bandage covers a wound—it doesn’t erase what happened but it protects healing, just like forgiveness.
Personal Sharing Prompts
- Think of a time you forgave someone who hurt you.
- Recall when you felt peace after prayer during conflict.
- Share about a time you were angry and what helped calm you down.
- Think of a friendship that was restored through forgiveness.
- Remember a time when choosing kindness ended an argument.
- Share an experience where peace felt better than being “right.”
- Think of a person you look up to as a peacemaker.
- Share how it feels when you hold onto anger for too long.
- Think of a hymn, scripture, or prayer that helped you feel peace.
- Recall when you realized Christ helped you forgive.
The Lord Takes Care of People Who Serve Him (D&C 99–100)
Engaging Questions
- Why do you think the Lord promised to take care of missionaries’ families?
- How does trusting God make service easier?
- Have you seen blessings come from serving, even when it was hard?
- How can service strengthen families?
- Why might the Lord ask us to sacrifice to serve Him?
- What message do these revelations give about putting God first?
- How can youth serve God today in their own lives?
- What fears might someone have about serving the Lord?
- How do we know God is aware of our individual needs?
- What’s the difference between serving with obligation versus love?
Object Lesson Ideas
- Backpack Load: Fill a backpack with heavy items. Explain how God helps lighten the load when we serve Him.
- Umbrella: Show how an umbrella protects in the rain—God protects our families as we serve Him.
- Plant Watering: Neglected plants wilt, but when watered (service and trust), they thrive.
- Two Cups: Pour water from one cup into another, but notice both still have water (service doesn’t empty us—it fills us too).
- Teamwork: Show how two people lifting something heavy together is easier—God helps us “lift” when we serve.
Personal Sharing Prompts
- Share a time when serving someone brought you unexpected joy.
- Think of a time when you worried about something but saw God provide.
- Recall when you or your family sacrificed for service and were blessed.
- Think about a Church calling that grew your faith.
- Share when you felt closer to God while serving.
- Remember when someone served you and how it strengthened your testimony.
- Share how you’ve seen God bless your family when they serve.
- Recall a small service that had a big impact.
- Think of how serving others has made you feel less focused on yourself.
- Share how serving God helps you feel His love.
Following God’s Counsel Helps Keep Me Safe (D&C 101:43–65)
Engaging Questions
- What do you think the vineyard parable teaches us today?
- Why is it sometimes hard to follow God’s counsel?
- What are examples of modern “watchtowers” God gives us?
- How does following prophets keep us safe?
- What happens when we ignore counsel we’ve been given?
- Why do you think God gives repeated reminders about obedience?
- What blessings have you seen from following counsel?
- How can youth strengthen their “walls” of protection today?
- What can happen when we put off doing what the Lord asks?
- How do small daily decisions build or break our spiritual safety?
Object Lesson Ideas
- Jenga Tower: Build a tower, then remove pieces (ignoring counsel). Show how it collapses.
- Seatbelt: Talk about how seatbelts don’t prevent accidents but protect us in them—just like commandments.
- Brick Wall: Use toy blocks. Show how small bricks build protection, like daily prayer/scripture.
- Map and Compass: Without direction we get lost; following God’s counsel keeps us on track.
- Flashlight in Dark: In darkness, only light shows the path—God’s counsel is the light.
Personal Sharing Prompts
- Think of a time you followed a prophet’s counsel and were blessed.
- Share when you ignored advice and wished you hadn’t.
- Recall a time you felt protected after making a righteous choice.
- Think of an example of “spiritual safety” in your life.
- Share how daily habits (prayer, scripture) keep you strong.
- Remember when you got direction from the Spirit and followed it.
- Think about a rule from parents that later made sense to you.
- Share about a time when obedience brought unexpected blessings.
- Recall a time when you felt warned by the Spirit.
- Think of a prophet’s recent counsel that has guided your family.
