Introduction

Some Relief Society lessons stay at the surface—but others invite something deeper: honesty, connection, and real faith in Jesus Christ.

President Emily Belle Freeman’s talk “Best Days and Worst Days” speaks directly to the reality every woman understands: life is a mixture of joy and heartbreak, often within moments of each other. What makes this message powerful is not just the acknowledgment of that reality—but the doctrine that anchors it: because of Jesus Christ, our story is not defined by our worst days.

This lesson help is designed to guide a deeply meaningful discussion by walking through the talk in chronological sections, allowing sisters to explore eternal truths, invitations, and promised blessings in a way that feels personal and relevant.

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Section 1: From Best Day to Worst Day

Teach

President Freeman begins with a personal story that immediately grounds the talk in real-life experience: joy and heartbreak can exist side by side.

Quote

“Several weeks ago we began planning our daughter’s wedding. With great joy, we dreamed and brainstormed as we considered all the options. And then my husband, Greg, received a phone call he couldn’t ignore. It was the oncologist confirming what we hoped wasn’t true. Greg’s cancer had returned.

Isn’t it amazing how you can go from best day to worst day in a matter of minutes?

This is mortality. A proving ground. A place designed for growth. I have learned that God allows mortality to do its work in us—and that includes both best days and worst days.”

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you in this moment of the talk?
2. Why do you think President Freeman calls mortality a “proving ground”?
3. How have you seen life shift quickly between joy and difficulty?
4. Why does God allow both best days and worst days?
5. How does this perspective change how we view trials?
6. What does it mean that mortality is designed for growth?
7. How can we remain grounded during sudden changes?
8. What helps you hold onto faith during hard moments?
9. How does this section help you reframe your current circumstances?
10. What does this teach about God’s plan?

Object Lessons

1. A rollercoaster track representing highs and lows
2. A light switch flipping quickly from on to off
3. A weather chart showing sudden storms
4. A timeline with unexpected turns
5. A heart diagram showing both joy and pain

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time when your life shifted quickly from good to hard
2. Describe how you handled an unexpected trial
3. Share how your faith helped you through a difficult moment
4. Talk about a “worst day” that taught you something important
5. Share how you’ve seen growth through hardship
6. Describe how God helped you during uncertainty
7. Share how your perspective has changed over time
8. Talk about balancing joy and sorrow
9. Share what helped you endure
10. Describe what this section means to you

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Section 2: Strength Comes from Walking with Christ

Teach

After introducing the reality of best and worst days, President Freeman points us to the source of strength: walking with Christ and holding to eternal truths.

Quote

“How do we get through those days? The story of Peter teaches us that strength comes as we walk with Christ and hold fast to His eternal truths.”

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to walk with Christ?
2. How do eternal truths anchor us?
3. Why is it important to hold fast during both good and hard days?
4. What does “walking with Christ” look like daily?
5. How do we recognize His presence?
6. What truths help you most during trials?
7. Why is consistency important in discipleship?
8. How does this apply to your life right now?
9. What strengthens your connection to Christ?
10. How can we help others walk with Him?

Object Lessons

1. Walking side-by-side with someone
2. Holding onto a rope for stability
3. A compass pointing direction
4. A steady anchor
5. A hand being held

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time you felt Christ walking with you
2. Describe how you stay connected to Him
3. Share a truth that anchors you
4. Talk about how you’ve felt guided
5. Share a moment of strength
6. Describe how your faith has grown
7. Share what helps you stay grounded
8. Talk about relying on Christ
9. Share how you’ve seen His help
10. Describe your relationship with Him

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Section 3: Testimony Is Built Over Time

Teach

Peter’s story teaches that testimony is not built in a single moment—it develops through both best and worst days.

Quote

“That day must have felt like a best day… The Spirit confirmed an eternal truth…

But only three verses later, a shift occurred…

Peter’s story went from best day to worst day in a matter of three verses.

From Peter’s story we learn that our understanding of eternal truth is not forged in a single moment—testimony is built over time, day after day, both best days and worst.”

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important that testimony is built over time?
2. What can we learn from Peter’s experience?
3. Why do spiritual highs and lows both matter?
4. How does this help us be patient with ourselves?
5. What strengthens testimony over time?
6. Why do we sometimes expect instant certainty?
7. How does experience deepen faith?
8. What role does repetition play?
9. How can we stay steady through shifts?
10. How does this bring hope?

Object Lessons

1. A plant growing slowly
2. A staircase
3. A puzzle coming together
4. A sunrise gradually appearing
5. A timeline of growth

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share how your testimony has grown over time
2. Describe a spiritual “best day”
3. Share a “worst day” that strengthened your faith
4. Talk about patience in growth
5. Share how your understanding has deepened
6. Describe a meaningful experience
7. Share how you stayed faithful
8. Talk about learning through trials
9. Share how God helped you grow
10. Describe your journey

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Section 4: Invitations Stretch and Strengthen Us

Teach

God invites us to act—and those invitations often stretch us beyond what feels comfortable.

Quote

“Have you ever accepted an invitation from the Lord and then felt unequal to the task? We all know what it is to doubt, to experience sinking moments. But notice where Jesus was… He was in the water—with Peter. Within reaching distance.”

Discussion Questions

1. Why do God’s invitations sometimes feel overwhelming?
2. What does Peter’s experience teach us?
3. How does Christ support us in difficult callings?
4. Why is fear a natural response?
5. How can we overcome doubt?
6. What helps us step out of the boat?
7. How do we recognize Christ’s presence?
8. What invitations has God given you?
9. How does faith grow through action?
10. What does this teach about trust?

Object Lessons

1. Stepping out of a safe circle
2. Walking on an unstable surface
3. A hand reaching out
4. A life jacket
5. A bridge step

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time you accepted a difficult invitation
2. Describe when you felt inadequate
3. Share how Christ helped you
4. Talk about overcoming fear
5. Share a moment of growth
6. Describe a time you stepped out in faith
7. Share how you felt supported
8. Talk about trust
9. Share what you learned
10. Describe your experience

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Section 5: Christ Strengthens Us on Our Worst Days

Teach

Even in failure or weakness, Christ is not withdrawing—He is strengthening.

Quote

“I often think about that look…

Perhaps that look was not a look of failure but instead a look of enabling strength meant to carry Peter through the worst moments ahead.”

Discussion Questions

1. What do you imagine in that look from Christ?
2. Why is it important that it wasn’t a look of failure?
3. How does Christ respond to our weakness?
4. What does enabling strength mean?
5. How does this change how we see ourselves?
6. Why is grace so central here?
7. How does Christ prepare us for what’s ahead?
8. What experiences have taught you this?
9. How can we trust Him more?
10. How does this bring comfort?

Object Lessons

1. A supportive hand
2. A coach encouraging
3. A parent comforting
4. A safety net
5. A light in darkness

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time you felt strengthened
2. Describe a moment of weakness
3. Share how Christ helped you
4. Talk about overcoming failure
5. Share how your faith grew
6. Describe a comforting moment
7. Share how you’ve felt grace
8. Talk about trust
9. Share how you’ve been lifted
10. Describe what this means to you

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Section 6: Promised Blessings Through Christ

Teach

God’s promises are real—and they are fulfilled even when it feels unlikely.

Quote

“Sometimes we may wonder if the Lord’s promises will truly be fulfilled in us—especially when all seems lost. Especially on our worst days.

Peter’s story reminds us that they will.”

Discussion Questions

1. Why do we sometimes doubt God’s promises?
2. What helps us trust them?
3. How does Peter’s story build confidence?
4. What promises matter most to you?
5. How have you seen promises fulfilled?
6. Why is patience required?
7. How does faith grow through waiting?
8. What does this teach about God’s timing?
9. How can we hold on during uncertainty?
10. How does this bring hope?

Object Lessons

1. A promise written down
2. A seed waiting to grow
3. A timeline unfolding
4. A contract fulfilled
5. A sunrise after night

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a promise fulfilled in your life
2. Describe trusting God
3. Share how your faith grew
4. Talk about waiting
5. Share how you saw God’s hand
6. Describe a meaningful moment
7. Share how you stayed hopeful
8. Talk about patience
9. Share what helped you
10. Describe your experience

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Section 7: Because of Christ, Our Best Days Are Ahead

Teach

The final message is one of hope: no matter where we are now, Christ ensures a better future.

Quote

“Because Jesus Christ knows all about best days and worst days…

Because of Him, no matter how bad things are right now, your best days are ahead.”

Discussion Questions

1. What does this promise mean to you?
2. Why is hope central to the gospel?
3. How does Christ change our future?
4. What helps you believe this?
5. How does this affect your current struggles?
6. Why is this message powerful?
7. How can we share this with others?
8. What does it mean to look forward?
9. How does this strengthen faith?
10. How can we live with hope?

Object Lessons

1. A sunrise after darkness
2. A path leading forward
3. A growing light
4. A blooming flower
5. A new beginning

Personal Sharing Prompts

1. Share a time you felt hope
2. Describe how Christ helped you
3. Share how your future feels brighter
4. Talk about faith in hard times
5. Share how you’ve seen growth
6. Describe a meaningful moment
7. Share how you’ve been strengthened
8. Talk about trusting Christ
9. Share what gives you hope
10. Describe your testimony

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Conclusion

Relief Society lessons have the potential to become deeply meaningful experiences—but that happens when preparation creates space for connection and the Spirit.

This lesson help gives you a clear, structured way to teach President Freeman’s message with confidence. Instead of wondering what to ask or how to guide discussion, you can focus on listening, connecting, and helping sisters recognize Christ in their own stories.

Her message reminds us that both best days and worst days are part of becoming—and that through Jesus Christ, our story is always moving toward something better.

And as you teach this lesson, you help create a space where sisters don’t just talk about faith—they feel it, share it, and strengthen each other in it.

Posted By: Lia · In: Relief Society