Introduction

Some Relief Society lessons are informative. Others are transformational.

Elder Brian J. Holmes’s talk “Jesus Christ Is the Way” is one of those messages that gently but clearly anchors us in eternal truth: there is one path that leads safely home—and that path is Jesus Christ.

What makes this talk especially powerful is how it moves from a relatable real-life experience into deep doctrine. It teaches about guidance, covenants, endurance, prophets, and the reality that discipleship is not always easy—but it is always worth it.

This lesson help is designed to help you teach this talk with clarity and depth. The talk is broken into chronological discussion points (following the speaker’s natural flow), with longer, meaningful quotes included so you can teach directly from the text. Each section also includes discussion questions, object lessons, and personal sharing prompts to help create a lesson where sisters can reflect, connect, and strengthen their testimonies.

Instead of trying to build a lesson from scratch, this gives you a framework so you can focus on what matters most: helping the sisters in your class feel the Savior and recognize His role in their own journey.

All quotes are taken directly from the talk.

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Section 1: The Marathon That Represents Mortality

Teach

Elder Holmes begins with a vivid, physical experience—a difficult mountain marathon. This story becomes a metaphor for life: beautiful at times, but also steep, exhausting, and requiring careful attention.

Direct Quotes from the Talk

“Last year, my wife, Maggie, and I ran the Jungfrau-Marathon in Switzerland. … From start to finish, the course climbs over 6,400 feet … as it winds through beautiful alpine villages and rugged, high-mountain terrain.

“The views carry you through the early miles, but the final stretch turns steep and narrow, forcing runners to hike the rocky path in single file. The last ascent demands careful attention to every step. In this race you are not just crossing a finish line; you are conquering a mountain.”

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you about the description of the marathon?
2. How is life similar to this kind of race?
3. Why do you think the speaker emphasizes both beauty and difficulty?
4. What does it mean that life requires “careful attention to every step”?
5. What are some “steep stretches” in life?
6. Why do some parts of life feel easier than others?
7. How do we prepare for difficult seasons?
8. What helps us keep moving forward?
9. How does perspective affect endurance?
10. What does this metaphor teach about discipleship?

Object Lessons

1. A steep incline board or ramp
2. A pair of running shoes
3. A trail map
4. A backpack representing endurance
5. A finish line image

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a “steep stretch” in your life
2. Describe a time life felt overwhelming
3. Share how you kept going
4. Talk about a season of growth
5. Share what helped you endure
6. Describe a meaningful challenge
7. Share how your faith helped
8. Talk about perseverance
9. Share your journey
10. Describe what this metaphor means to you

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Section 2: We All Need a Guide

Teach

The story becomes more powerful when Elder Holmes introduces the blind runner. This teaches a central truth: no one finishes the race alone.

Direct Quotes from the Talk

“At some point, we are all like the blind runner. We all need a guide.

“Our Father in Heaven, in His perfect love, has provided us with many helps to guide our journey. As President Dallin H. Oaks taught, the strongest help God has given us is a Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Discussion Questions

1. Why is the image of the blind runner so powerful?
2. What does it mean to need a guide?
3. Why is self-reliance not enough spiritually?
4. How does Christ guide us?
5. What happens when we try to navigate life alone?
6. Why does God provide help?
7. What are some ways we receive guidance?
8. How can we become more aware of His direction?
9. What does humility have to do with being guided?
10. How does this apply to your life right now?

Object Lessons

1. Blindfold and guide demonstration
2. A rope connecting two people
3. A compass
4. A GPS or map
5. A guiding hand

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time you needed guidance
2. Describe how Christ has guided you
3. Share how you felt supported
4. Talk about relying on Him
5. Share a meaningful experience
6. Describe a moment of clarity
7. Share how you’ve learned to trust
8. Talk about humility
9. Share your journey
10. Describe what this means

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Section 3: Jesus Christ Is the Only Way

Teach

This is the doctrinal center of the talk: Christ is not just a guide—He is the path itself.

Direct Quotes from the Talk

“Because He lived a perfect life, because He bore every sin and every sorrow, because He broke the bands of death, Jesus Christ alone can stand before the world and declare, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’

“In that simple declaration, the Savior taught that He is not only our guide; He is the path. His way is the only path that leads to eternal life.”

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean that Christ is “the way”?
2. Why is it important that He is the only way?
3. How does this truth bring clarity?
4. What does it change in our priorities?
5. Why do people resist this idea?
6. How does the Atonement connect to this doctrine?
7. What does it mean to walk His path?
8. How does this bring peace?
9. What experiences have strengthened your testimony?
10. How can we live this truth?

Object Lessons

1. A single path vs multiple paths
2. A bridge crossing a gap
3. A doorway
4. A roadmap
5. A straight line path

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share how Christ has been the way in your life
2. Describe a time you relied on Him
3. Share your testimony
4. Talk about your journey
5. Share how your faith has grown
6. Describe a meaningful experience
7. Share how He has guided you
8. Talk about trust
9. Share what you’ve learned
10. Describe what this means

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Section 4: The Covenant Path Binds Us to Christ

Teach

Covenants connect us to Christ and allow His power to flow into our lives.

Direct Quotes from the Talk

“Just as the band tethered the blind runner to his guide, covenants bind us to our guide—Jesus Christ.

“Once we bind ourselves to our Savior through covenant, only we can sever the tie. Jesus never will.”

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to be bound to Christ?
2. Why are covenants essential?
3. What does this teach about commitment?
4. Why will Christ never break the connection?
5. How do we maintain that connection?
6. What happens when we turn away?
7. How do covenants bring power?
8. What does faithfulness look like?
9. How can we strengthen our covenant relationship?
10. What stands out to you?

Object Lessons

1. Rope or tether
2. A knot being tied
3. A contract
4. A bracelet symbolizing commitment
5. A chain

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share what covenants mean to you
2. Describe a time you felt their power
3. Share how you stay connected
4. Talk about commitment
5. Share a meaningful experience
6. Describe growth
7. Share how your faith deepened
8. Talk about trust
9. Share your journey
10. Describe what this means

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Section 5: Stay with Christ When It Gets Hard

Teach

The talk teaches that difficult moments are when we must stay, not leave.

Direct Quotes from the Talk

“When we have doubts, when discipleship feels demanding… that is the moment to stay bound to Christ just as Peter did. There is nowhere else to go; only Christ has the words of eternal life.”

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it hardest to stay when things are difficult?
2. What does Peter’s response teach us?
3. What does “nowhere else to go” mean?
4. How can we stay anchored?
5. What helps us during doubt?
6. How can we support others?
7. Why is commitment important?
8. What strengthens faith?
9. How can we endure?
10. What stands out to you?

Object Lessons

1. Anchor
2. Storm vs shelter
3. A rooted tree
4. A tied rope
5. A steady foundation

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time you stayed
2. Describe overcoming doubt
3. Share how Christ helped
4. Talk about faith
5. Share growth
6. Describe a meaningful moment
7. Share your journey
8. Talk about trust
9. Share what helped
10. Describe what this means

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Section 6: Following Christ Means Following His Prophet

Teach

The Savior leads through prophets.

Direct Quotes from the Talk

“To walk with Jesus is to follow His prophet… To knowingly reject His prophets is, by His own definition, to reject Him.”

Discussion Questions

1. Why are prophets essential?
2. How does this strengthen faith?
3. Why do people struggle with this?
4. What does it mean to follow?
5. How do prophets guide us?
6. What blessings come from obedience?
7. How can we build trust?
8. What experiences have helped you?
9. How can we apply this?
10. What stands out?

Object Lessons

1. A guide leading
2. A voice directing
3. A map
4. A lighthouse
5. A shepherd

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time prophetic counsel helped you
2. Describe trust in prophets
3. Share your testimony
4. Talk about guidance
5. Share experiences
6. Describe growth
7. Share how you’ve learned
8. Talk about obedience
9. Share what helped
10. Describe what this means

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Section 7: The Path Leads Us Safely Home

Teach

The final promise: Christ leads us home.

Direct Quotes from the Talk

“As we bind ourselves to Him through covenant and follow His living prophet, we walk the one path that leads us safely home.”

Discussion Questions

1. What does “safely home” mean?
2. Why is this promise powerful?
3. How does Christ lead us?
4. What gives you hope?
5. How can we trust Him more?
6. What stands out to you?
7. How does this affect your life?
8. What does this mean daily?
9. How can we stay on the path?
10. What do you feel?

Object Lessons

1. A path home
2. A house image
3. A guiding light
4. A road
5. A destination

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share your hope
2. Describe your journey
3. Share how Christ leads you
4. Talk about trust
5. Share growth
6. Describe a meaningful moment
7. Share your testimony
8. Talk about faith
9. Share what helps
10. Describe what this means

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Conclusion

Preparing a Relief Society lesson can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.

With a clear structure, meaningful quotes, and intentional discussion prompts, this lesson help allows you to teach with confidence and depth. Instead of focusing on what to say next, you can focus on helping sisters connect with the Savior and strengthen their testimonies.

Elder Holmes’s message is simple but powerful: Jesus Christ is the way. As we follow Him, stay bound to Him, and trust His guidance, we are not wandering—we are progressing. And that path, no matter how steep at times, leads safely home.

And as you teach this lesson, you help create a space where sisters don’t just learn that truth—they begin to feel it, believe it, and live it.

Posted By: Lia · In: Relief Society