Introduction: A Lesson That Changes How We See Service
Elder Patrick Kearon’s talk offers a deeply personal and doctrinally rich invitation to rethink how we view belonging, sustaining, and serving in the Lord’s Church. Rather than presenting service as a checklist of responsibilities, Elder Patrick Kearon shows that it is part of our spiritual formation—how we become like Jesus Christ.
This lesson help follows Elder Patrick Kearon’s talk in chronological order, breaking it into clear discussion sections based on where he shifts focus. Each section includes:
- long, powerful quotes from Elder Patrick Kearon’s talk
- 10 engaging Relief Society discussion questions
- 5 object lesson ideas
- 10 personal sharing prompts
This format allows you to move beyond summarizing and instead create a discussion-centered, Spirit-led experience where sisters can reflect, share, and apply.
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Section 1 — Feeling Welcomed and Belonging in the Body of Christ
Key Quote
“I was baptized… During the first sacrament meeting following my baptism, I was asked to come to the front… and the congregation was invited to raise their hands as a sign of welcome… I looked into those smiling faces and I felt as if they were cheering me on, genuinely thrilled that I had discovered faith in Jesus Christ… Many of my new friends had recently experienced this same welcome…”
Why This Matters
Elder Patrick Kearon begins with belonging. Before doctrine, structure, or service, he highlights the power of being seen, welcomed, and supported. This moment wasn’t procedural—it was spiritual.
10 Discussion Questions
- Why do you think this moment of welcome stayed with Elder Patrick Kearon?
- What does it mean to feel “cheered on” spiritually?
- How does belonging influence conversion?
- What small things help people feel they matter?
- How can Relief Society better notice individuals?
- What might someone feel walking into church for the first time?
- Why is belonging a doctrine—not just a social need?
- How does Christ help people feel they belong?
- What are subtle ways we unintentionally exclude others?
- How can we create a culture of genuine rejoicing?
5 Object Lessons
- Welcome mat: entering vs. being received
- Family photo frame: everyone has a place
- Raised hands: visible encouragement
- Name tags: being known matters
- Cheer sign: spiritual encouragement
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- A time you felt welcomed at church
- A time you helped someone feel included
- A first Church experience you remember
- Someone who made you feel seen
- A moment you felt supported in your faith
- When belonging strengthened your testimony
- A prompting to reach out to someone new
- A convert experience that touched you
- A time you felt invisible—and then noticed
- What belonging means to you now
Section 2 — Receiving a Calling That Feels “Not Me”
Key Quote
“He extended the calling… assistant ward clerk… The reaction in my mind was… that is not me… Fortunately, a little grace intervened… I did not have a clue… The ward clerk… said, come on… I’ll show you… and over the coming months… he did show me…”
Why This Matters
Elder Patrick Kearon teaches that callings often don’t feel natural at first. Growth begins when we respond with humility and willingness—and when others help us.
10 Discussion Questions
- Why do callings often feel uncomfortable at first?
- What role does grace play in saying yes?
- Why might the Lord call us before we feel ready?
- How did mentoring change Elder Patrick Kearon’s experience?
- How can we better support others in new callings?
- What is the difference between fear and growth?
- Why does the Lord use people to teach us service?
- How do callings reveal our potential?
- What helps us move forward when unsure?
- How does willingness invite revelation?
5 Object Lessons
- Oversized shoes: growing into roles
- Training wheels: support matters
- Instruction manual vs. mentor
- Ruler: initial pressure vs. growth
- Small office: sacred growth in simple places
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- A calling you felt unprepared for
- A mentor who helped you
- Saying yes when unsure
- Growth through discomfort
- A calling that changed you
- Someone who believed in you
- Learning step by step
- Quiet growth moments
- Helping someone else learn
- Seeing God’s hand in your calling
Section 3 — Common Consent Is a Sacred Commitment
Key Quote
“Common consent is not merely a formality, but a beautiful mix of agency, unity and faith. It is a voluntary personal commitment to support, uphold, and help the Lord’s servants…”
Why This Matters
Elder Patrick Kearon reframes sustaining. It is not passive—it is active discipleship.
10 Discussion Questions
- What stood out about agency, unity, and faith?
- How is sustaining more than agreement?
- What does it mean to “help” leaders?
- How do prayers sustain others?
- What happens when sustaining becomes routine?
- Why is sustaining personal?
- How does this change your view of raising your hand?
- What would full sustaining look like?
- How does unity grow through sustaining?
- How do we teach this principle?
5 Object Lessons
- Raised hands = commitment
- Bridge blocks = connection
- Three-strand cord = unity
- Prayer list = action
- Helping hands = participation
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- Feeling sustained by others
- Praying for a leader
- Changing perspective through sustaining
- A leader you supported
- Growth through patience
- Unity experiences
- Teaching children sustaining
- Supporting someone quietly
- A time sustaining mattered
- Your intent when raising your hand
Section 4 — Sustaining Imperfect People
Key Quote
“Will we always agree… perhaps not… but as we pray for them… important bridges are built… It affords us all the opportunity to pursue Christ… with people who may be very different to us… I could see the Lord working through imperfect servants…”
Why This Matters
The Church is not filled with perfect people—it is filled with people becoming like Christ together.
10 Discussion Questions
- Why is disagreement part of growth?
- How does prayer build bridges?
- Why are differences necessary?
- What virtues grow in imperfect settings?
- How do we see God working through others?
- Why is humility essential here?
- How do we avoid criticism?
- What does it mean to be bonded in Christ?
- How does this change how we see ward life?
- What is God teaching us through others?
5 Object Lessons
- Puzzle pieces = differences
- Sandpaper = refining friction
- Body diagram = unity
- Net = strength together
- Bandage = healing while serving
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- Learning from someone different
- A leader who stretched your patience
- Prayer changing your heart
- Seeing God in imperfect situations
- Growing in forgiveness
- A relationship that refined you
- Supporting someone imperfectly
- Being sustained yourself
- A moment of unity
- Recognizing your own imperfections
Section 5 — When Callings Are Hard, Changing, or Unexpected
Key Quote
“Some callings are highly stretching… others… leave us wondering… When callings change… it can require great faith… Is it sometimes inconvenient… Might we become jaded… I have learned… we always come out ahead.”
Why This Matters
Elder Patrick Kearon acknowledges real feelings—disappointment, inconvenience, and adjustment—while reaffirming trust in the Lord.
10 Discussion Questions
- Why is honesty about callings important?
- How do we handle unexpected changes?
- What does “we come out ahead” mean?
- Why does unseen service matter?
- How do we trust God’s timing?
- What is consecration in this context?
- How do we avoid comparison?
- What helps us stay willing?
- How do leaders show sensitivity?
- What blessings come through sacrifice?
5 Object Lessons
- Spotlight vs candle
- Gift offering
- Two cups (different capacities)
- Calendar interruptions
- Hidden vs visible boxes
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- A hard calling
- A calling change
- Quiet service
- Reluctance turned blessing
- Family impact
- Sacrifice lessons
- Unexpected growth
- Support from leaders
- Letting go of comparison
- Faith through inconvenience
Section 6 — Callings Expand Faith
Key Quote
“Have we also come to see our callings as having a foundational role in the expansion of our faith? Callings… are tailor-made for our growth… It really isn’t where we serve but how…”
Why This Matters
Callings are not separate from discipleship—they are part of how faith grows.
10 Discussion Questions
- Why are callings foundational?
- How does service grow faith differently?
- What does “tailor-made” mean?
- Why is humility key?
- How does serving others change us?
- What happens when we see callings as tasks?
- Why does attitude matter more than role?
- How do callings reveal God?
- What is your current calling teaching you?
- How does service connect us to Christ?
5 Object Lessons
- Measuring tape = tailored growth
- Roots = hidden strength
- Mirror vs window = outward focus
- Apron = holy work
- Toolbox = different purposes
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- A calling that grew your faith
- Service teaching you something new
- Tailored growth experiences
- Learning humility
- Serving others deeply
- Changing perspective
- Current calling insights
- Ordinary work becoming sacred
- Healing through service
- Testimony of service
Section 7 — Sustaining the Prophet in a Solemn Assembly
Key Quote
“We have had the sacred opportunity… to sustain… This is a call he didn’t seek… The weight… is colossal… We have signified our willingness to uphold… with confidence, faith, and prayers… Every individual has stood equal…”
Why This Matters
Elder Patrick Kearon elevates sustaining to a sacred covenant act.
10 Discussion Questions
- What makes sustaining the prophet sacred?
- Why emphasize humility in leadership?
- What is a solemn assembly?
- Why does equality matter?
- How does sustaining affect obedience?
- What role does prayer play?
- How do we teach this to youth?
- What does real sustaining look like?
- Why is this moment communal?
- How do we support leaders spiritually?
5 Object Lessons
- Raised hands circle
- Heavy mantle cloth
- Equal stones
- Prayer cards
- Crown vs mantle
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- A meaningful sustaining moment
- Following prophetic counsel
- Praying for leaders
- Teaching children about prophets
- Feeling the Spirit in conference
- Trust in leadership
- A testimony strengthened
- A moment of unity
- Personal witness of prophets
- Sustaining with faith
Section 8 — Being About the Father’s Business
Key Quote
“Every calling… is his business… We are not merely filling an assignment… but joining the Savior… He needs you and he needs me. Life is better… when we are about his business.”
Why This Matters
This is the culmination: all service is Christ’s work.
10 Discussion Questions
- What changes when we see callings as His work?
- Why connect this to Jesus as a youth?
- How does intention change service?
- What is redeeming work?
- Why is life better this way?
- How do we keep people-centered service?
- What is true discipleship?
- Where is God calling you now?
- How do we serve with heart?
- What does it mean to join Christ?
5 Object Lessons
- Business card
- Tool belt
- Service basket
- Assignment sheet vs redemption
- Hands and heart
10 Personal Sharing Prompts
- Realizing service is sacred
- Seeing Christ in service
- Your “Father’s business”
- Service bringing joy
- A humble turning point
- Small acts with big impact
- Feeling needed by God
- Moving from duty to love
- God using you
- Testimony of Christ’s work
Conclusion: A Better Way to See Service
Elder Patrick Kearon’s talk transforms how we view Church life. It teaches that:
- belonging strengthens faith
- sustaining is active discipleship
- callings are growth, not just responsibility
- imperfect people are part of God’s perfect work
- and all service is ultimately the Savior’s work
Using this format allows your Relief Society lesson to become more than discussion—it becomes an invitation to see ourselves differently.
Not as people filling roles.
But as disciples, together,
about the Father’s business.
