In this post, we’re gonna deep dive into the engaging questions, object lesson ideas, and personal sharing prompts that can be found throughout the April 2025 General Conference Talk, “Your Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy” by Sister Tamara W. Runia.

In order to more easily digest all the information we could take from this talk, we’ll be separating it by sections, focusing on one point from the talk at a time.

To download the free Canva Presentation Template for this lesson, click here: https://otherthanamom.myflodesk.com/april2025tamararunia

Several years ago on a trip to Florida, I sat outside reading a book. Its title suggested that we can still make it to heaven, even though we’re not perfect now. A woman walking by asked, “Do you think it’s possible?”

I looked up, confused, and then realized she was talking about the book I was reading. I said something ridiculous like, “Well, I’m not that far into it, but I’ll let you know how it ends.”

Oh, how I wish I could travel back in time! I’d tell her, “Yes, it’s possible! Because heaven isn’t for people who’ve been perfect; it’s for people who’ve been forgiven, who choose Christ again and again.”

Today I want to speak to those of us who sometimes feel, “Repentance and forgiveness seem to be working for everyone but me.” Those who privately wonder, “Since I keep making the same mistakes, maybe this is the way I am.” Those who, like me, have days when the covenant path feels so steep, it’s almost a covenant hike!

Engaging Questions:

1. How do you personally find hope in the idea that heaven is for people who’ve been forgiven—not people who’ve been perfect?
2. Have you ever had a moment where you questioned whether repentance or forgiveness was really working for you? What helped you move forward?
3. Sister Runia talks about the covenant path sometimes feeling like a “covenant hike.” What does that phrase mean to you?
4. How can we support one another when the covenant path feels steep or overwhelming?
5. Why do you think it’s easy to believe that forgiveness works for others but struggle to believe it applies to us?
6. What helps you choose Christ again and again, even when you feel discouraged?
7. How can you remind yourself of God’s love and patience when you find yourself repeating the same mistakes?
8. In what ways can you help someone who feels unworthy of forgiveness see their divine potential?
9. Sister Runia shares a missed opportunity to testify more boldly. Have you ever had a similar experience? What did you learn from it?
10. What are some ways we can strengthen our spiritual stamina when the covenant path feels especially steep?
11. How has your understanding of repentance changed as you’ve grown in your testimony?
12. What scriptures or teachings give you comfort and encouragement when you feel inadequate?
13. How can remembering Christ’s role as our Redeemer help us feel more confident in our journey, even with setbacks?
14. What is one thing you can do this week to better embrace the truth that you are worthy of God’s forgiveness and love?
15. What message would you give to someone who feels like they’ll never be “good enough” to make it to heaven?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Hiking Backpack” (The Covenant Hike)
   • Materials: A backpack filled with heavy items labeled “guilt,” “perfectionism,” “comparison,” etc.
   • Activity: Invite someone to carry the bag, then slowly remove each burden and replace them with lighter items labeled “repentance,” “grace,” “forgiveness.”
   • Lesson: The path may be steep, but we don’t walk it alone. Christ invites us to lay down burdens and keep going.
2. “The Erased Mistake” (Forgiven ≠ Perfect)
   • Materials: Whiteboard or chalkboard.
   • Activity: Write down “mistakes” like “impatience,” “failure,” “bad day.” Erase them. Then write over it “forgiven,” “loved,” “trying again.”
   • Lesson: Repentance works for everyone—even for you. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the journey; it changes the direction.
3. “Dirty vs. Washed Cloth”
   • Materials: Two cloths, one stained and one clean; bowl of water and soap.
   • Activity: Dip and wash the dirty cloth. Show how it becomes clean even though it was deeply stained.
   • Lesson: Christ’s Atonement cleanses completely—not halfway. Heaven is for the washed, not the always-clean.
4. “GPS Reroute” (Choosing Christ Again and Again)
   • Materials: Phone or GPS device.
   • Activity: Plug in a destination, then take a wrong turn. Show how GPS re-routes you without giving up on your destination.
   • Lesson: Mistakes don’t mean failure. Like a GPS, Christ re-routes us toward heaven as long as we keep choosing Him.
5. “The Climbing Rope”
   • Materials: Rope or climbing harness visual.
   • Activity: Explain how climbers use ropes for support. Compare the rope to covenants, and how they don’t make the mountain less steep—but they secure us when we slip.
   • Lesson: The covenant path is a hike, not a stroll—but we’re harnessed to Christ’s grace.

Activities

6. “Choose Again Jar”
   • Materials: Jar with slips of paper that say things like “Try again,” “Ask for help,” “Pray,” “Keep going,” etc.
   • Activity: When someone shares a struggle or mistake, they pull a slip from the jar as a spiritual “re-route.”
   • Lesson: Heaven is for those who keep choosing Christ, not those who never slip.
7. “Covenant Path Trail Map”
   • Materials: Hand-drawn trail map showing milestones: baptism, repentance, temple, trials, forgiveness, etc.
   • Activity: As a class or group, trace the journey. Let each person write what helps them keep going when it gets steep.
   • Lesson: The path isn’t always flat—but it’s worth it. Everyone’s hike looks different.
8. “Footsteps of Grace”
   • Materials: Paper footprints.
   • Activity: Write on each footprint something that brings someone closer to Christ—“sincere prayer,” “talking to bishop,” “trying again.” Line them down a hallway or room.
   • Lesson: Every step forward on the path is a win. Progress matters more than perfection.
9. “Repentance is for Me” Cards
   • Materials: Blank cards or journals.
   • Activity: Write private messages to your future self: “Keep trying,” “This doesn’t define you,” “Christ loves you today.” Seal and return to participants later.
   • Lesson: Forgiveness is personal. You are not the exception. Grace is for you.
10. “Forgiven, Not Forgotten” Music Reflection
    • Materials: Song: “Come Unto Jesus,” “You Say” (Lauren Daigle), or “Who You Are” (Hilary Weeks).
    • Activity: Play the song. Invite participants to journal or draw how they feel when they’re reminded that Christ’s love is constant, even in struggle.
    • Lesson: You don’t need to be perfect to belong on the covenant path—you just need to keep choosing Him

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you felt like you had messed up too many times to be forgiven—but then felt the Savior’s mercy reach you anyway. What helped you believe forgiveness was still possible?
2. Think of a time when repentance felt more like a slow hike than a quick fix. How did you keep choosing Christ through that steep, uphill journey?
3. Think of a time when someone else’s honesty about their struggles helped you feel less alone in your own. How did that shift your understanding of God’s grace?
4. Think of a time when you worried you’d never change—but noticed, over time, that your heart was softening. What role did the Savior play in that transformation?
5. Think of a time when you were tempted to give up on yourself spiritually—but the Spirit whispered to keep going. What did that tender mercy look like?
6. Think of a time when the covenant path felt especially hard or uphill. What (or who) helped you take the next step anyway?
7. Think of a time when you realized that heaven wasn’t just for the flawless—but for those who keep trying with Jesus. How did that truth change your perspective?
8. Think of a time when you offered yourself the same forgiveness you would offer a friend. How did that open your heart to feel the Savior’s love more fully?
9. Think of a time when you came back to Christ after feeling distant. What gave you the courage to return?
10. Think of a time when you felt like your spiritual progress was slow—but looking back, you realize you were growing all along. How has the Savior walked beside you in that process?

A wonderful missionary in Australia, Elder QaQa from Fiji, shared a similar feeling in his departing testimony: “I know that God loves me, but sometimes I wonder, ‘Does God know that I love Him?’ Because I’m not perfect, and I still make mistakes.”

In that one tender, haunting question, Elder QaQa summed up exactly what I’ve often worried about. Maybe you’re wondering too, thinking, “I’m trying so hard, but does God know I’m really trying? When I keep falling short, does God know I still love Him?”

It saddens me to admit this, but I used to measure my relationship with the Savior by how perfectly I was living. I thought an obedient life meant I would never need to repent. And when I made mistakes, which was every single day, I distanced myself from God, thinking, “He must be so disappointed in me.”

That’s just not true.

I’ve learned that if you wait until you’re clean enough or perfect enough to go to the Savior, you’ve missed the whole point!

Engaging Questions:

1. Have you ever wondered, like Elder QaQa, “Does God know that I love Him?” What brought you peace in those moments?
2. What helps you believe that your efforts—even imperfect ones—matter deeply to God?
3. Sister Runia said she used to think obedience meant she wouldn’t need to repent. How has your understanding of repentance changed over time?
4. Why do you think it’s easy to feel like we have to “earn” God’s love or approval?
5. What experiences have helped you learn that God is not disappointed in your efforts, even when you fall short?
6. How does your relationship with the Savior change when you stop measuring it by perfection and start measuring it by connection?
7. What would you say to someone who feels like they need to “get their life in order” before they can come back to Christ?
8. Sister Runia says that waiting until you’re perfect to go to the Savior misses the whole point. How can we help others understand that truth?
9. When you make a mistake or fall short, what helps you come back to the Savior instead of pulling away?
10. What practices help you remember that God’s love isn’t based on performance but on who you are to Him?
11. How can we create a church culture that celebrates honest effort and real repentance instead of outward perfection?
12. When was a time you felt the Savior’s love even in your weakest or most imperfect moment?
13. How do we teach ourselves—and others—that loving God and needing repentance are not opposites?
14. What helps you recognize that your desire to try again is evidence of your love for God?
15. What would change in your life if you believed—every day—that God sees and values your trying?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Muddy Child & the Parent”
   • Materials: Picture or story of a muddy child running to a parent.
   • Lesson: When a child falls in the mud, a loving parent doesn’t reject them—they run to clean them up. Similarly, Christ doesn’t wait until we’re clean to love us. He loves us into becoming clean.
2. “The Heartbeat Monitor”
   • Materials: Paper heart and a zigzag line drawn like a heartbeat.
   • Activity: Show how a heartbeat goes up and down—but it proves you’re alive.
   • Lesson: Our spiritual life has highs and lows. Trying—even imperfectly—is proof that our hearts are still reaching for God.
3. “Smudged Mirror”
   • Materials: Mirror with smudges or fingerprints.
   • Activity: Show how the mirror still reflects—even if smudged. Clean part of it slowly.
   • Lesson: You don’t have to be perfect for God to see your love. He sees through the smudges and helps you clean as you come.
4. “The Broken Crayon”
   • Materials: A broken crayon that still colors beautifully.
   • Lesson: Even when we feel broken or flawed, we are still useful and valuable in God’s hands. We don’t stop being His disciples just because we’ve messed up.
5. “Does God Know I Love Him?” Candle Analogy
   • Materials: Tea light candle, matches.
   • Activity: Light the candle. Say: “This small flame is my effort. It’s not huge, but it’s real.” Then add wind (your breath) to blow it out—but relight it each time.
   • Lesson: Our love may flicker, but it still burns. God sees our flame—even when we have to relight it every day.

Activities:

6. “Love Letter to God”
   • Materials: Paper and pens.
   • Activity: Have everyone write a letter to God answering: “What would I say to show Him I love Him—even if I’m struggling?” Optional: Read aloud or seal in envelopes to revisit later.
   • Lesson: God knows we love Him. But it helps us to remember it—and say it.
7. “I Am Trying” Token
   • Materials: Small rocks, heart cutouts, or buttons.
   • Activity: Give each person a “trying token” to carry—a reminder that God values effort over perfection. Have them write on it: “I’m trying” or “He knows I love Him.”
   • Lesson: When Satan says “you’re not enough,” hold your token and say, “I’m still trying, and God knows it.”
8. “Come As You Are” Journal Prompt
   • Prompt: “When have I felt God’s love even though I wasn’t at my best?”
   • Optional Group Version: Create a “wall of witness” with post-it notes sharing real answers.
   • Lesson: We come unto Christ not because we’re ready, but because we’re in need. And He meets us every time.
9. “The Hand Reach” Partner Exercise
   • Activity: One person plays “us,” the other “Christ.” Have the “us” person try to reach for Christ—but each time, stop mid-reach and say, “I messed up again,” “I’m not good enough,” etc.
   • Have “Christ” reach anyway.
   • Lesson: Christ doesn’t wait for you to feel worthy. He meets your reach with His hand—even before you speak.
10. “Truth vs. Lies Sorting Game”
    • Materials: Strips of paper with thoughts like:
    • Activity: Sort into “Truth” and “Not Truth.” Discuss.
    • Lesson: Learning to recognize lies from the adversary helps us stay grounded in God’s truth: He knows we love Him—and He’s never ashamed of our trying.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you wondered if your efforts were enough for God to know you loved Him. What helped reassure you that He sees your heart?
2. Think of a time when you made a mistake and felt tempted to pull away from God—but chose instead to go to Him. What did you learn from that experience?
3. Think of a time when you realized you were measuring your worth by your performance, not your relationship with Christ. What helped you shift that mindset?
4. Think of a time when you were trying so hard spiritually, but still felt like you were falling short. How did the Spirit remind you that your trying mattered?
5. Think of a time when someone else’s vulnerability about imperfection helped you feel closer to God. How did that moment deepen your understanding of grace?
6. Think of a time when you wanted to show your love to God, even in your weakness. What did you do—and how did He respond?
7. Think of a time when you realized that repentance wasn’t a punishment, but a gift. How did that change your approach to your relationship with the Savior?
8. Think of a time when you finally let go of the need to be “perfect enough” before coming to Christ. What kind of peace followed?
9. Think of a time when you felt God’s love most clearly—not because of your successes, but in the middle of your struggles. What did that teach you?
10. Think of a time when you were trying your best but felt like it didn’t show. How did you come to believe that God really did know your heart?

What if we thought about commandments and obedience in a different way?

I testify that while God cares about our mistakes, He cares more about what happens after we make a mistake. Are we going to turn to Him again and again? Are we going to stay in this covenant relationship?

Maybe you hear the Lord’s words “If [you] love me, keep my commandments” and feel deflated because you haven’t kept all the commandments. Let me remind you that it is also a commandment to repent! In fact, it might be the most repeated commandment in the scriptures.

In Alma’s soliloquy, “O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of [my] heart … and cry repentance,” he wasn’t trying to shame us by pointing out our mistakes. He wanted to cry repentance so that you and I could avoid suffering in the world. One reason Alma hated sin is because it causes us pain.

Engaging Questions:

1. How does it change your perspective to realize that repentance is not just allowed—but actually commanded?
2. Sister Runia said God cares more about what happens after a mistake. How have you seen that truth play out in your life?
3. Have you ever felt deflated when hearing the scripture “If you love me, keep my commandments”? How can we reframe that message with hope?
4. Why do you think repentance is the most repeated commandment in scripture?
5. What helps you turn back to God quickly after you’ve made a mistake?
6. Sister Runia asked, “Are we going to stay in this covenant relationship?” What does that look like for you on a hard day?
7. Alma wanted to cry repentance out of love, not shame. How does that understanding affect how you view correction or change?
8. What can we do to help ourselves and others see commandments as expressions of God’s love rather than a checklist?
9. How do you personally experience the relief and peace that come through sincere repentance?
10. What’s something you’ve learned about God’s mercy that gives you courage to try again after messing up?
11. Why do you think God emphasizes staying in the covenant relationship more than being perfect in it?
12. What helps you feel safe bringing your mistakes to the Savior instead of hiding them?
13. How can we talk about repentance in a way that invites healing rather than shame?
14. How would your view of obedience change if you saw repentance as part of keeping the commandments, not separate from them?
15. What’s one step you can take today to stay connected to God—even if you’re still working through something hard?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Reset Button”
   • Materials: A large easy button or a printable “Reset” button.
   • Activity: Ask, “What happens when you mess up in a video game?” You hit reset and try again. Use this as a metaphor for repentance.
   • Lesson: Repentance is like a spiritual reset—it’s built into the plan, not a backup.
2. “Dirty Towel & Clean Water”
   • Materials: A white towel, mud or chocolate, and a basin of water.
   • Activity: Smear the towel and wash it in the water.
   • Lesson: God sees the stain, yes—but He focuses more on washing it away. His focus is not your past mistake, but your choice to return to Him.
3. “Keep Climbing” (Commandments as Handholds)
   • Materials: Rope with knots or a climbing wall image.
   • Activity: Show how each knot (commandment) helps climbers stay secure.
   • Lesson: Commandments aren’t rules to trap us—they’re handholds that support us on the climb back to God. Repentance is how we grip again when we slip.
4. “The Broken Pencil”
   • Materials: A snapped pencil and some tape.
   • Activity: Break the pencil, then tape it and show how it still writes.
   • Lesson: God doesn’t discard us when we break. He repairs and uses us through repentance. You can still be useful and worthy.
5. “The Hospital Gown”
   • Materials: Picture or story of someone going into surgery.
   • Activity: Explain that people don’t go to hospitals because they’re healthy—they go to be healed.
   • Lesson: Commandments aren’t for perfect people. They’re for those on the covenant path—people willing to keep returning to the Healer.

Activities:

6. “Repentance Is a Commandment” Sorting Game
   • Materials: Strips of paper with commandments (e.g., “Pray,” “Tithe,” “Repent,” “Be kind,” “Keep the Sabbath”).
   • Activity: Have participants sort these into “Commandments I remember” and “Ones I forget are commandments.”
   • Lesson: Repentance isn’t just allowed—it’s commanded, and it’s evidence of our love for God.
7. “Covenant Commitment Chain”
   • Materials: Paper chain links with phrases like “repent,” “return,” “remember,” “keep trying,” “ask for help.”
   • Activity: Each person adds a link to the chain representing how they choose to stay in the covenant relationship even after mistakes.
   • Lesson: Staying in the covenant path is about persistence, not perfection.
8. “Alma’s Repentance Cry” Reflection
   • Prompt: Have participants rewrite Alma 29:1–2 in their own words with the focus: “What would I say to help someone I love avoid pain from sin?”
   • Lesson: Alma wasn’t obsessed with sin—he was desperate for people to feel joy instead of pain. Repentance is a gift of love, not shame.
9. “The Real Definition of Obedience” Word Map
   • Materials: Whiteboard or paper.
   • Activity: Start with the word obedience in the center. Around it, list synonyms like “trust,” “turning to God,” “trying again,” “repenting.”
   • Lesson: When we change our view of obedience, we stop seeing it as rules and start seeing it as relationship.
10. “Love = Repentance” Roleplay or Discussion
    • Scenario: “You feel like you’ve let God down. What would you say or do if you really believed He just wanted you to come back?”
    • Activity: Roleplay or write about what a prayer might sound like in that moment.
    • Lesson: Repentance is how we say “I love you” after a mistake—not a sign that we’ve failed, but that we want to stay connected.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you made a mistake—but instead of giving up, you chose to turn back to God. What did that moment teach you about His character?
2. Think of a time when the idea of “repentance” shifted from being something scary to something hopeful. What brought about that change?
3. Think of a time when you were hardest on yourself after messing up. How did God show you that He still wanted a relationship with you?
4. Think of a time when you misunderstood a commandment—and later realized it was rooted in love, not restriction. How did that new understanding impact your obedience?
5. Think of a time when you felt discouraged about not keeping a commandment perfectly. How did remembering that repentance is a commandment too bring you peace?
6. Think of a time when you saw someone else turn back to God after a painful choice. How did their story influence your understanding of mercy?
7. Think of a time when sin brought you real pain—and repentance brought real healing. What helped you take that first step back?
8. Think of a time when you expected punishment but received peace from God instead. How did that unexpected kindness affect your desire to follow Him?
9. Think of a time when you saw the commandments not as a checklist, but as an invitation to stay close to God. How did that shift change your relationship with Him?
10. Think of a time when you chose to stay in your covenant relationship even though you felt unworthy. What kept you coming back?

Sometimes I have to remember, like a Post-it note on my forehead, that the commandments are the path away from pain. And repentance is too. Our prophet said, “The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent.”

So when the Lord says, “Repent ye, repent ye,” what if you imagined Him saying, “I love you. I love you.” Picture Him pleading with you to leave behind the behavior causing you pain, inviting you to step out of darkness and turn to His light.

Engaging Questions:

1. How does it change your view of repentance to think of it as an expression of Christ’s love rather than just a correction?
2. Sister Runia said the commandments are a path away from pain. Have you ever experienced this truth in your own life?
3. What are some spiritual or emotional “Post-it notes” that help you remember who God is and how He sees you?
4. When have you felt the Savior’s love most strongly during a moment of repentance?
5. What helps you remember that God is not mad when He calls us to repent—He’s actually inviting us into healing?
6. If you imagined the phrase “Repent ye” as “I love you,” how would that change the way you hear or read the scriptures?
7. What behaviors or patterns in your life have you felt God gently inviting you to leave behind?
8. Why is it sometimes hard to connect the commandments with protection and love instead of pressure or rules?
9. How does turning to the Savior bring light into your life, especially after you’ve struggled or made a mistake?
10. What can you do to help others see repentance as a gift instead of a punishment?
11. Sister Runia used the imagery of light and darkness. What helps you recognize when you’re moving toward Christ’s light?
12. What kind of spiritual healing or freedom have you experienced through repentance?
13. How can we create more space in our homes, classes, or friendships for people to talk honestly about repentance without shame?
14. Why do you think the Savior’s love feels especially powerful when we repent?
15. What is one thing you can do this week to act on an invitation from the Spirit to step closer to the Savior’s light?

Object Lessons:

1. “Post-it Note Reminder”
   • Materials: Post-it notes labeled “I love you” and “Repent = Relief.”
   • Activity: Stick a Post-it to your forehead or clothing and ask, “What if we remembered this every time we heard the word repent?”
   • Lesson: God’s commandments and calls to repent are not rejection—they’re reminders of His love.
2. “Dark Room / Light Switch”
   • Materials: A room you can darken, and a light switch or flashlight.
   • Activity: Start in the dark. Turn on the light when someone says, “Repent.”
   • Lesson: Repentance isn’t about punishment—it’s about stepping into light, warmth, and safety. When God says, “Repent,” He’s saying, “Come into the light.”
3. “The Splinter Analogy”
   • Materials: A fake splinter or small stick, bandage.
   • Activity: Describe a splinter that causes pain but is left alone out of fear. Then show the relief when it’s removed.
   • Lesson: Repentance might sting at first, but it brings relief and healing. God says “repent” because He wants us free from pain.
4. “The Umbrella of Commandments”
   • Materials: An umbrella and water spray bottle.
   • Activity: Stand under the umbrella as “rain” falls. Step out to feel the difference.
   • Lesson: Commandments aren’t restrictions—they’re protection. They shelter us from unnecessary storms.
5. “Broken Toy Fix”
   • Materials: A broken toy or something that can be easily repaired with tape or glue.
   • Activity: Show how ignoring the damage makes things worse—but fixing it restores joy.
   • Lesson: Repentance is God’s fix-it tool, not His punishment. He invites us to repair what hurts us so we can find joy again.

Activities:

6. “Commandments = Care” Mapping Activity
   • Materials: List of commandments on cards.
   • Activity: For each commandment (e.g., “Keep the Sabbath,” “Be honest”), ask: “What pain does this help us avoid?” or “How is this an act of love from God?”
   • Lesson: Commandments are acts of love, not control. They’re personalized to protect and bless.
7. “I Love You = Repent Ye” Visual Prompt
   • Materials: Create a flip card: one side says “Repent ye,” the other says “I love you.”
   • Activity: Hold it up when reading scriptures about repentance. Let participants flip it as a reminder of the real tone behind the call.
   • Lesson: God’s voice calling us to repent is gentle, hopeful, and motivated by love.
8. “The God Who Runs to You” Scripture Station
   • Materials: Luke 15: The Prodigal Son.
   • Activity: Act out or draw the father running to meet his son.
   • Lesson: Repentance isn’t us crawling back in shame—it’s about a Father running toward us with open arms.
9. “Pain vs. Peace Pathways” Game
   • Materials: Two paths (drawn on the floor or visualized). One path leads to “pain,” the other to “peace.” Place decisions or commandments on each.
   • Activity: Walk through scenarios. Which path does each lead to?
   • Lesson: God’s commandments don’t control us—they guide us away from pain and toward joy.
10. “Rewrite the Words” Reflection
    • Activity: Have participants take a verse with “repent” in it and rewrite it using “I love you” or “Come home.”
    • Example: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” → “I love you. Come back. I’m right here waiting for you.”
    • Lesson: When we hear “repent,” we should hear invitation, not condemnation.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you realized a commandment wasn’t about restriction, but about protecting you from pain. How did that realization shift your view of God?
2. Think of a time when you heard “repent” in your heart—but instead of feeling guilt, you felt love. What helped you experience that difference?
3. Think of a time when the Savior’s invitation to repent felt more like an embrace than a rebuke. What did that moment teach you about His character?
4. Think of a time when following a commandment helped you avoid a situation that would have brought heartache. How did that strengthen your trust in God’s guidance?
5. Think of a time when repentance brought relief—not because you were “perfect” after, but because you were finally at peace. What changed?
6. Think of a time when you felt stuck in darkness, but chose to turn back to the Lord anyway. How did He meet you in that moment?
7. Think of a time when you connected pain in your life to a choice that led you away from God. What did it look like to turn around and walk back toward Him?
8. Think of a time when you imagined God being disappointed in you—but later felt His love inviting you to start again. What helped you make that shift?
9. Think of a time when you recognized the Savior pleading with you—not in anger, but in mercy. How did that change the way you responded?
10. Think of a time when a small act of repentance—just a little step—led to a big increase in light. What helped you take that step?

In my daughter Carly’s ward, a new priest knelt to bless the sacrament, and instead of saying, “That they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son,” he inadvertently said, “That they may do it in remembrance of the love of thy Son.” Tears filled Carly’s eyes as the truth of those words sank in.

Our Savior was willing to suffer the pain of His Atonement because He loves you. In fact, you are “the joy that was set before him” while He suffered.

The invitation to repent is an expression of God’s love.

Saying yes to that invitation is an expression of ours.

Picture your favorite image of Christ. Now imagine Him smiling brightly with joy each time you use His gift, because He is the “perfect brightness of hope.”

Yes, your repentance doesn’t burden Jesus Christ; it brightens His joy!

Let’s teach that!

Because repentance is our best news!

We don’t stay on the covenant path by never making a mistake. We stay on the path by repenting every day.

And when we’re repenting, God forgives without shaming us, comparing us to anyone else, or scolding us because this is the same thing we were repenting of last week.

He’s excited every time He sees us on our knees. He delights to forgive us because to Him we are delightful!

Engaging Questions:

Here are questions to promote engagement and participation inspired by Sister Tamara W. Runia’s message about repentance as an expression of love and hope:

1. How does it change your perspective to hear that your repentance brings joy—not burden—to the Savior?
2. Sister Runia said we are “the joy that was set before Him.” What does that truth mean to you personally?
3. What is your favorite image of Christ? How does imagining Him smiling at your efforts to repent change how you feel about repentance?
4. Why do you think it’s so important to teach that “repentance is our best news”?
5. Have you ever felt hesitant to repent because you thought God might be disappointed in you? What helped you move forward?
6. Sister Runia said that when we’re repenting, “God forgives without shaming us.” How can that truth shape how we treat ourselves and others?
7. In what ways can we help others—especially youth or children—feel that God delights in forgiving them?
8. What do you think it looks like to “repent every day” in a healthy, hope-filled way?
9. How does understanding the Savior’s love help us respond better when we make the same mistake more than once?
10. What role does daily repentance play in helping you stay on the covenant path?
11. How can the sacrament become a more meaningful reminder of Christ’s love and His invitation to repent?
12. Why is it powerful to think of repentance not as a setback, but as an act of love—both from us and from God?
13. What might change in your spiritual life if you truly believed God delights in you every time you come to Him?
14. Sister Runia said, “Let’s teach that!” How can we share this joyful perspective on repentance in our homes and church classes?
15. What do you feel inspired to do differently this week to more fully accept the Savior’s invitation to repent with joy?

Object Lessons:

1. “Love Instead of Blood” Cup
   • Materials: Two sacrament cups—one labeled “Blood”, one labeled “Love”.
   • Activity: Share the story from Carly’s ward. Invite participants to reflect on what it means that Christ’s Atonement was driven by love.
   • Lesson: Every time we take the sacrament, we remember His love, not just His suffering. Repentance is our response of love back to Him.
2. “Light Up His Joy”
   • Materials: Picture of Christ and a small battery-operated light.
   • Activity: Turn on the light every time someone says something that shows repentance, growth, or trying again.
   • Lesson: Repentance doesn’t dim Christ’s joy—it brightens it. He rejoices every time we turn to Him.
3. “The Joy Set Before Him” Mirror
   • Materials: A mirror with “You are the joy that was set before Him” written across it.
   • Activity: Have each person look into the mirror and say, “He loves me. I bring Him joy.”
   • Lesson: Christ saw you during His Atonement. You were worth it. Repenting doesn’t make Him disappointed—it fulfills His purpose.
4. “Daily Steps, Not One Leap”
   • Materials: Tape footprints on the floor.
   • Activity: Walk along the footprints—some may be labeled “prayer,” “scripture,” “repent,” “try again.”
   • Lesson: We don’t stay on the path by avoiding mistakes. We stay by taking steps, especially the step of repentance, over and over.
5. “Happy Knees” Visual
   • Materials: Picture of praying hands or a kneeling figure with a smiley face next to it.
   • Activity: Share the idea that God doesn’t groan when we pray—He rejoices.
   • Lesson: God is never annoyed by your repentance. He’s excited you’re talking to Him again!

Activities:

6. “Smile When You Say Repentance” Challenge
   • Activity: Go around a circle and say the word “repentance”—but with a huge smile. Then have each person share a short sentence of what that word really means to them now.
   • Lesson: Let’s change the tone around repentance. It’s not a word of shame—it’s a word of hope.
7. “Dear Jesus, Thank You for…” Letter
   • Materials: Paper and pens.
   • Activity: Have participants write a letter to Christ thanking Him for the gift of repentance, and describe what it’s helped them feel, avoid, or understand.
   • Lesson: Gratitude grows joy. Repentance is something we can thank Him for—not feel ashamed of.
8. “Which Voice Is True?” Sorting Game
   • Materials: Strips of paper with phrases like:
     • “He’s tired of you messing up.” ❌
     • “He delights to forgive you.” ✅
     • “You’ll never change.” ❌
     • “Repentance is how you grow.” ✅
   • Activity: Sort into “Christ’s Voice” and “Not His Voice.”
   • Lesson: The adversary shames. The Savior loves, welcomes, and cheers us on.
9. “Image of Christ Reflection”
   • Materials: Print out a variety of Christ images. Ask each person to choose one that feels like “how Christ sees you when you repent.”
   • Optional: Pair it with the quote “He delights to forgive us because to Him we are delightful.”
   • Lesson: When we picture Christ, we should see joy, not judgment. He’s happy when we come back.
10. “Brighten His Joy” Wall
    • Materials: A bulletin board or poster.
    • Activity: Title it “I Brighten His Joy When I…” and invite everyone to add sticky notes with real ways they’ve returned, repented, or kept trying.
    • Lesson: We all contribute to the Savior’s joy. Our small steps forward matter deeply to Him.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when someone’s mistake turned into a spiritual insight that touched your heart. What did it teach you about the love of the Savior?
2. Think of a time when you realized that Jesus Christ wanted you to repent—not because you were bad, but because you are beloved. How did that change how you felt about repentance?
3. Think of a time when you felt joy after repenting—not guilt, not fear, just joy. What led to that experience?
4. Think of a time when you imagined the Savior’s face while praying. What expression did you see? How did it impact the way you talked to Him?
5. Think of a time when you used the gift of the Atonement again—even though it was for something you had repented of before. How did it feel to know He still welcomed you?
6. Think of a time when you were worried God would be disappointed—but instead you felt His delight. What helped you recognize that?
7. Think of a time when teaching someone else about repentance softened your own heart. What truth came alive for you in the process?
8. Think of a time when you repented quietly and personally—and felt deeply known and deeply loved. What reassurance came in that moment?
9. Think of a time when you thought of Jesus not just as your Redeemer, but as someone who smiles when you turn back to Him. How did that image lift you?
10. Think of a time when the concept of “daily repentance” felt like a relief, not a burden. What did that habit change in your life?

Satan, the great accuser and deceiver, uses shame to keep us from God. Shame is a darkness so heavy it feels that if you took it out of your body, it would have an actual weight or heft to it.

Shame is the voice that beats you up, saying, “What were you thinking?” “Do you ever get anything right?”

Shame doesn’t tell us we made a mistake; it tells us we are our mistakes. You may even hear, “Hide.” The adversary does everything in his power to keep the heaviness inside, telling us the cost is too high, that it will be easier if this stays in darkness, removing all hope.

Satan is the thief of hope.

And you need to hear this, so I’ll say these words out loud: You are not the voice in your head or the mistakes you have made. You may need to say that out loud too. Tell Satan, “Not today.” Put him behind you.

Feel that pull, the godly sorrow that turns you toward your Savior, and watch His grace enter into your life and the lives of those you love. I promise that the minute we bring a broken heart courageously toward Him, He is immediately there.

If you saw someone drowning, wouldn’t you reach your hand out and rescue them? Can you imagine your Savior rejecting your outstretched hand? I imagine Him diving into the water, descending below all things to lift us up so we can take a fresh breath! No one can sink lower than the light of Christ shines.

Engaging Questions:

1. Sister Runia said, “Shame tells us we are our mistakes.” Have you ever felt that way? What helped you see the truth?
2. What’s the difference between godly sorrow and shame? How can we recognize and respond to each?
3. Why do you think the adversary works so hard to make us hide our pain and mistakes?
4. Have you experienced a moment when Christ “dove into the water” for you—lifting you when you felt completely submerged?
5. What helps you replace the voice of shame with the voice of the Savior?
6. Sister Runia said, “You are not the voice in your head or the mistakes you have made.” What would you say to a friend who needed to hear that?
7. Why is it so important to bring our broken hearts to Christ courageously?
8. How can we tell when the voice we’re listening to is Satan’s accusation versus the Spirit’s invitation to repent?
9. How do you personally “tell Satan, ‘Not today’” when shame starts to creep in?
10. What role does the light of Christ play when you feel overwhelmed by darkness or failure?
11. What can we do to help others who are drowning in shame feel safe enough to reach for help?
12. How has your understanding of the Savior’s willingness to rescue changed over time?
13. Sister Runia called Satan “the thief of hope.” What are some ways you hold on to hope when you’re struggling?
14. What would change in your life if you believed, every day, that “no one can sink lower than the light of Christ shines”?
15. What practical things can we do to make our families and church classes places where people feel safe from shame and close to the Savior?

Object Lessons:

1. “Backpack of Shame”
   • Materials: Backpack filled with heavy objects (rocks, books), each labeled with shaming thoughts like “You’re a failure,” “Hide,” or “You’ll never change.”
   • Activity: Let someone try to carry the backpack, then invite them to remove each weight as they name a truth like, “I am not my mistakes,” “Jesus Christ gives me hope.”
   • Lesson: Shame weighs us down. Christ lifts it off—not by ignoring our pain but by replacing it with truth and love.
2. “The Voice That Isn’t Yours”
   • Materials: Two cue cards. One says “Shame” (with phrases like “What were you thinking?”), the other “Grace” (with phrases like “You are not alone,” “Try again”).
   • Activity: Read aloud both sets and ask: “Which voice sounds like Satan, the accuser? Which sounds like Christ, the Advocate?”
   • Lesson: Shame pushes you away from God. Grace calls you toward Him.
3. “Light Penetrates”
   • Materials: A black box or covered jar and a flashlight.
   • Activity: Turn on the flashlight and shine it into the dark container.
   • Lesson: No one can sink lower than Christ’s light can reach. Even the smallest invitation to Him lets light in.
4. “The Rescue Rope”
   • Materials: A rope labeled “GRACE” and a paper figure or small toy at the bottom of a bowl or pit.
   • Activity: Drop the rope into the “pit” and “rescue” the figure.
   • Lesson: Christ doesn’t wait at the top. He descends into our darkest places to pull us out.
5. “Mirror Lies” vs. Truth
   • Materials: A mirror and sticky notes with lies (“You are your worst mistake”) and truths (“You are worth rescuing”).
   • Activity: Stick the lies on the mirror, then peel them off one by one as you replace them with truth.
   • Lesson: Shame distorts reflection. Christ restores true identity.

---

Activities:

6. “Tell Satan: Not Today”
   • Materials: Small cards or sticky notes.
   • Activity: Write down false messages you’ve heard in your head (“You’ll never change”)—then cross them out boldly with “NOT TODAY” or “That’s not from Christ.”
   • Lesson: Naming the adversary’s voice is the first step in taking back hope.
7. “What He Would Say” Exercise
   • Prompt: “If Christ were here right now and you told Him what you’re struggling with, what would He say?”
   • Activity: Invite everyone to write or speak His possible response.
   • Lesson: Jesus does not reject broken hearts—He runs to them.
8. “Drowning Rescue Roleplay”
   • Activity: Act out a short scene or read aloud: Someone is drowning. The Savior dives in rather than staying dry on the shore.
   • Lesson: Jesus doesn’t shame you in your struggle—He joins you in it. His rescue is immediate and complete.
9. “Voice Sorting Game”
   • Materials: Strips of paper with common thoughts.
     • “You’re hopeless.” → ❌
     • “Try again.” → ✅
     • “Stay hidden.” → ❌
     • “I still love you.” → ✅
   • Activity: Sort into “Voice of the Adversary” and “Voice of the Savior.”
   • Lesson: We must learn to recognize spiritual voices and choose to listen to truth.
10. “Fresh Breath Reflection”
    • Activity: Have everyone close their eyes and take a deep breath. Say: “Imagine Christ pulling you from the water of shame and giving you this breath.”
    • Follow-Up Prompt: “What does that breath mean for you?”
    • Lesson: Repentance isn’t gasping for survival—it’s breathing in hope.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you felt weighed down by shame—but then felt that weight begin to lift as you turned to the Savior. What helped you reach for Him?
2. Think of a time when you believed the lie that you were your mistakes. What truth helped you silence that voice?
3. Think of a time when you said, “Not today, Satan”—and meant it. What gave you the courage to fight back against discouragement?
4. Think of a time when you felt the difference between shame and godly sorrow. How did godly sorrow help you move forward with hope?
5. Think of a time when someone else was drowning in shame, and you felt inspired to reach out with compassion. What did you learn about Christ’s love through that experience?
6. Think of a time when you kept something in the dark too long—and finally let the light in. What changed the moment you did?
7. Think of a time when you felt like the cost of repentance was too high—but discovered instead that grace was already waiting. What did it feel like to be met with mercy?
8. Think of a time when you felt unworthy to pray or approach God—but did it anyway. What happened next?
9. Think of a time when you imagined Jesus meeting you at your lowest point—not scolding or turning away, but embracing you. What image or truth stayed with you?
10. Think of a time when you took a fresh breath spiritually—after a season of struggle, hiding, or heaviness. What helped you feel renewed?

The Savior is forever brighter than the darkness of shame. He would never attack your worth. So watch closely.

• Imagine that this hand represents worth.
• This hand represents obedience. Maybe you woke up this morning, said a meaningful prayer, and searched the scriptures to hear God’s voice. You’ve made good decisions and are treating the people around you with Christlikeness. You’re listening to general conference! Your obedience is here!
• Or maybe things haven’t gone so well. You’ve struggled lately to do those small, simple things to connect to heaven. You’ve made some decisions you aren’t proud of.
• Where is your worth? Has this hand moved at all?

Your worth isn’t tied to obedience. Your worth is constant; it never changes. It was given to you by God, and there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to change it. Obedience brings blessings; that is true. But worth isn’t one of them. Your worth is always “great in the sight of God,” no matter where your decisions have taken you.

Engaging Questions:

1. How does it feel to hear that your worth doesn’t move—even when your obedience does?
2. Have you ever tied your sense of worth to your behavior or performance? What helped you shift that perspective?
3. What are some examples in your life when you felt far from God, yet later realized your worth never changed?
4. Sister Runia used a hand symbol to illustrate worth and obedience. How could this visual help someone struggling with self-worth?
5. Why do you think it’s so easy to believe our worth decreases when we mess up?
6. What’s the difference between being worthy of blessings and being worthy of love?
7. How can we teach others—especially youth—that their value doesn’t come from perfection or performance?
8. In what ways can understanding your constant worth strengthen your desire to obey God?
9. How can we better reflect this truth in our language at church, home, or in leadership—so others feel seen and safe?
10. What do you think it means that our worth is “great in the sight of God” no matter what?
11. When you’re having a rough day spiritually, what reminds you that you’re still beloved of God?
12. How does knowing your worth is fixed help you recover more quickly from spiritual setbacks?
13. What would change in our relationships if we truly saw and treated others as unconditionally valuable?
14. How can this truth—about unchanging worth—help those dealing with perfectionism, anxiety, or shame?
15. What is one thing you feel inspired to do differently now that you’ve been reminded your worth is already secure?

Object Lessons:

1. “The Two Hands” Visual
   • Materials: Just your hands.
   • Activity: Hold up one hand and say, “This is your worth.” Hold up the other and say, “This is your obedience.” Move the obedience hand up and down—but keep the worth hand still.
   • Lesson: Obedience changes. Worth doesn’t. God’s love and your divine identity are non-negotiable.
2. “The $20 Bill”
   • Materials: A real $20 bill (or any amount).
   • Activity: Show the bill. Crumple it. Step on it. Ask, “Who still wants this?” Everyone will say yes.
   • Lesson: It doesn’t matter what it’s been through—it still has unchanged value. So do you.
3. “Name Tag of Truth”
   • Materials: Blank name tags.
   • Activity: Everyone writes something true about their divine worth (e.g., “Child of God,” “Infinitely Loved”). Wear it during the lesson.
   • Lesson: These truths don’t change with behavior. They’re stamped on your soul by God.
4. “Mirror with a Message”
   • Materials: A mirror and a dry erase marker.
   • Activity: Have participants write the words “WORTH = CONSTANT” on the mirror. Let them look at themselves while reading it.
   • Lesson: No matter how you feel today, your worth never changes in God’s eyes.
5. “Scoreboard vs. Soul”
   • Materials: Whiteboard with two columns: “Obedience Score” and “Eternal Worth.”
   • Activity: List fluctuating “scores” under obedience. Keep “Eternal Worth” at 100% the whole time.
   • Lesson: Obedience can affect progress, but never worth. You’re always worthy of love, grace, and a Savior.

Activities:

6. “Worth Doesn’t Move” Art Prompt
   • Materials: Paper and pens.
   • Activity: Draw two lines: one constant, labeled “Worth,” and one fluctuating, labeled “Obedience.”
   • Prompt: Reflect or journal: When have I confused the two? How does this truth bring me peace?
   • Lesson: When we internalize the constancy of worth, we stop measuring ourselves by performance.
7. “God’s Words vs. The World’s” Sorting Game
   • Materials: Paper strips with phrases like:
     • “You messed up—God must be disappointed.” ❌
     • “You are still His.” ✅
     • “You’ll never be enough.” ❌
     • “You are great in the sight of God.” ✅
   • Activity: Sort into “Truth” and “Lies.”
   • Lesson: The adversary attacks your worth. Christ reminds you of it.
8. “What Never Changes” Circle Craft
   • Materials: Paper circles labeled “Worth,” “Identity,” “Value.”
   • Activity: Decorate with permanent markers. Discuss why these never change, even when behavior does.
   • Lesson: These aren’t earned. They’re eternal.
9. “Constancy Jar”
   • Materials: Clear jar with a stone labeled “Worth,” and sand labeled “Performance.”
   • Activity: Shake the jar. The sand moves—but the stone stays still.
   • Lesson: In the swirl of life, your divine worth is the unmovable center.
10. “Gift Receipt Analogy”

• Materials: A wrapped gift and a “receipt” that says “Already Paid—Can’t Be Returned.”
• Activity: Give someone the gift and explain that it represents their divine worth—a gift from God that can’t be lost or revoked.
• Lesson: God didn’t give you worth because you earned it. He gave it because He loves you. It’s yours forever.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you felt like your worth had decreased because of poor choices—but later realized God’s love for you hadn’t changed at all. How did that realization impact you?
2. Think of a time when you or someone you know confused obedience with worth. What helped you separate the two?
3. Think of a time when you felt spiritually strong and “on track.” Did that change how you viewed others who might have been struggling?
4. Think of a time when you were not doing everything “right,” but still felt God’s love or guidance. What did that teach you about divine worth?
5. Think of a time when you saw someone else struggling and were able to reassure them that their worth hadn’t changed. What did you say? How did they respond?
6. Think of a time when you were tempted to believe the lie that you had to earn God’s love. What truth helped you push back on that belief?
7. Think of a time when you compared your spiritual progress to someone else’s—and it discouraged you. How did remembering your unchanging worth help realign your perspective?
8. Think of a time when you taught or showed someone—maybe a child or a friend—that their worth is unshakable, no matter what. How did the Spirit confirm that truth to you?
9. Think of a time when a visual or object lesson (like Sister Runia’s hands) helped you understand something deeper about God’s nature. What truth “clicked” for you in that moment?
10. Think of a time when you felt closest to God—not because you were being perfectly obedient, but because you let Him love you in your imperfection. What did that feel like?

I grew up taking diving lessons and learned that when judges score a dive, they watch the execution. Was the entry perfectly vertical, with toes pointed and a small splash? Then they do something extraordinary. They factor in the degree of difficulty.

Everyone is diving with their own degree of difficulty. And your Savior is the only one who truly knows the difficulty you are diving with. I want a relationship with the one person who gets me, who knows my heart and how hard I’m trying!

He knows the mists of darkness are descending on all of us travelers and that our journey passes by the river of filth—so even when we’re holding to the iron rod, we’re going to get splashed.

Coming unto Christ is saying, “Will you help me?” with hope, a revealed assurance that His arms are extended to you always. I believe this fresh view of repentance means that even though we don’t have perfect obedience yet, we try affectionate obedience now, choosing to stay, again and again, because we love Him.

Engaging Questions:

1. How does the idea that “everyone is diving with their own degree of difficulty” change how you view yourself—or others?
2. What does it mean to you that the Savior is the only one who truly knows how hard your dive is?
3. Sister Runia says, “I want a relationship with the one person who gets me.” When have you felt that Jesus truly got you?
4. How can we become more compassionate as we remember that everyone is facing unique challenges we may not see?
5. What does “affectionate obedience” mean to you? How is it different from trying to be perfectly obedient?
6. Have you ever felt like you were still getting splashed by the river of filth even while holding to the iron rod? What helped you keep going?
7. What does it look like to “stay, again and again, because we love Him” even when it’s hard?
8. Why is it powerful to approach Christ by saying, “Will you help me?” rather than, “I’ll do better on my own”?
9. How can understanding your “degree of difficulty” lead you to be more patient with your own progress?
10. How does this view of repentance—based on love and relationship—shift the way you see your daily spiritual efforts?
11. When have you experienced the Savior’s arms extended toward you, even when you didn’t feel you “deserved” it?
12. How can we create spaces—at church, at home, or with friends—where people feel safe to say, “I’m trying” instead of feeling pressure to be perfect?
13. Sister Runia suggests that God factors in the splash, the strain, and the strain it took just to jump. How does this give you hope?
14. What would change if you focused more on trying with love rather than trying to impress God or others?
15. What is one “affectionate act of obedience” you can offer this week—simply because you love the Savior?

Object Lessons:

1. “Diving Scorecards”
   • Materials: Paper “scorecards” with two columns: Execution and Degree of Difficulty.
   • Activity: Read sample “dives” (e.g., “Someone prays every day but struggles with anxiety,” “Someone keeps trying to come to church after a long absence”). Let participants fill in both columns.
   • Lesson: God sees both how we perform and how hard it is for us. He’s the only judge who knows the full picture.
2. “Weighted Backpack Challenge”
   • Materials: Two backpacks—one empty, one filled with weights.
   • Activity: Have two people do the same task—like walking across the room—but one wears the heavier pack.
   • Lesson: We often judge others (or ourselves) by execution only, but Christ sees the hidden weight.
3. “Iron Rod and Splash”
   • Materials: A stick/rod and a spray bottle.
   • Activity: As someone holds onto the “iron rod,” gently mist them with water.
   • Lesson: Even when we’re holding on, life splashes us. Christ doesn’t expect spotless obedience—He sees the faithful grip.
4. “Personalized Dive Score”
   • Materials: Print a diving score card labeled “Degree of Difficulty Known by Christ.”
   • Activity: Have participants reflect silently or write about a struggle or challenge that makes their journey hard.
   • Lesson: What might look like a “messy splash” on the outside may be a perfect 10 in heaven’s eyes.
5. “The Splash Doesn’t Define You”
   • Materials: Drop a pebble into water to create a splash.
   • Activity: Watch the splash fade and the water settle.
   • Lesson: Just like in diving, the splash fades. God focuses on your intent and effort, not your mess.

Activities:

6. “Try Again Relay”
   • Materials: Simple obstacle course or mini challenges.
   • Activity: After each try, participants are encouraged to say out loud, “I try because I love Him.”
   • Lesson: Our obedience doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters is affectionate, ongoing effort.
7. “Affectionate Obedience Word Cloud”
   • Materials: Large paper or whiteboard.
   • Activity: Write words that describe what trying out of love looks like (e.g., prayer, scripture, staying, repenting, coming back).
   • Lesson: Obedience isn’t cold or forced. When rooted in love, it becomes a relationship.
8. “Come Unto Christ” Hands Visual
   • Materials: A picture of Christ and sticky notes.
   • Activity: Invite participants to write on sticky notes what “Will you help me?” looks like in their own lives, and place the notes near His extended hands.
   • Lesson: Asking for help is not weakness—it’s what He came for.
9. “Spotlight on the Savior” Game
   • Activity: Share several life scenarios. Ask, “Where is Christ in this story?” or “How is He showing understanding of degree of difficulty here?”
   • Lesson: Christ is always nearby, arms extended—not grading us harshly but welcoming our reach.
10. “The Try Again Bracelet”

• Materials: Beads and string.
• Activity: Each bead represents a new attempt: prayer, scripture, showing up, repenting. As they build a bracelet, invite participants to say, “I stay because I love Him.”
• Lesson: Obedience isn’t about flawlessness—it’s about love and returning.

Personal Sharing Prompt:

1. Think of a time when you felt like your effort wasn’t perfect—but you knew it was your personal best. How did the Lord help you feel seen or understood in that moment?
2. Think of a time when you realized someone else was “diving with a different degree of difficulty.” How did that shift your perspective or soften your heart toward them?
3. Think of a time when you were trying your hardest in quiet ways no one else could see. How did you feel God acknowledge your efforts?
4. Think of a time when you were holding to the iron rod but still got “splashed” by life’s messiness. How did you keep holding on?
5. Think of a time when you chose to stay close to Christ—not out of fear, but because you genuinely loved Him. What did that love feel like?
6. Think of a time when your prayer sounded more like, “Will you help me?” than a polished offering. How did He respond?
7. Think of a time when someone offered you grace instead of judgment—factoring in your “degree of difficulty.” How did that change your day or your heart?
8. Think of a time when you realized that obedience doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. How did choosing “affectionate obedience” bring peace?
9. Think of a time when you felt like giving up—but remembered that Christ truly “gets” you. What helped you keep going?
10. Think of a time when your view of repentance shifted from guilt to hope. How did that fresh perspective change your relationship with Jesus Christ?

Remember King Benjamin’s people, who had no more disposition to do evil but only to do good continually? Do you think they packed up their tents, went home, and never made another mistake? Of course not! The difference is they no longer wanted to sin. They had affectionate obedience! Their hearts were turned and tuned to God while they struggled!

Engaging Questions:

1. What does it mean to you to have “no more disposition to do evil”? How is that different from never making a mistake?
2. Sister Runia says the people’s hearts were “turned and tuned to God while they struggled.” What does that look like in real life?
3. Have you ever experienced a shift where your desires started to change—even if your actions still weren’t perfect?
4. How does it feel to know that the people who heard King Benjamin still made mistakes after their spiritual experience?
5. What helps you keep your heart turned toward God even when your behavior doesn’t always match your intentions?
6. Why do you think the Lord values our desires and efforts, not just our outcomes?
7. What does affectionate obedience look like in your daily life?
8. How can we support each other in choosing to want righteousness—even when we sometimes fall short of it?
9. Have you ever been afraid to try again after messing up? How does this message about King Benjamin’s people encourage you?
10. Sister Runia highlights the difference between perfect obedience and wanting to obey. Why is that difference important?
11. What helps you realign your desires when they start to drift from the Lord?
12. How can we make space for others who are “struggling while striving” to stay on the path?
13. What are some ways you can turn your heart more fully toward God this week—even in small things?
14. When you think about God tuning your heart to Him, what does that feel or look like?
15. What is one truth from this message that you want to carry with you and apply in your own spiritual journey?

Object Lessons:

1. “Compass Heart”
   • Materials: A compass (real or paper), labeled “Desire to Obey.”
   • Activity: Spin the compass, then show that even if you move, it always points North.
   • Lesson: Our hearts can be oriented toward God, even when we wander. Desire matters.
2. “Tug of War Between the Flesh and the Spirit”
   • Materials: A short rope or string, two people, and labels (“Natural Man” and “Affectionate Obedience”).
   • Activity: Let them gently tug, showing the struggle.
   • Lesson: Even King Benjamin’s people didn’t stop struggling—they just wanted to win for the right side.
3. “The Tilted Heart”
   • Materials: Draw or print a heart on a small cardboard base. Tilt it slightly toward a picture of Christ.
   • Activity: No matter where you move the base, the heart still tilts toward Him.
   • Lesson: Their hearts were turned and tuned to God—even when life wasn’t perfect.
4. “Tuning Fork of Obedience”
   • Materials: Tuning fork or tuning app, plus a song.
   • Activity: Strike the fork or tune the note, then try to sing in harmony.
   • Lesson: When we are “tuned” to God, we may still sing off-key now and then—but the intent is harmony.
5. “Mud on the Road”
   • Materials: Toy car, cardboard “road,” brown marker or paint for splashes.
   • Activity: Push the car along the road—it gets “muddy” along the way.
   • Lesson: Even when traveling home to God, we still get splashed. What matters is that we keep moving forward.

Activities:

6. “Heart Check Reflection”
   • Prompt: “What do you want when it comes to your relationship with God?”
   • Activity: Write down on heart-shaped paper what your desire is—not your actions. Post the hearts around a picture of Christ.
   • Lesson: Affectionate obedience starts in the heart. That’s what God treasures most.
7. “Good Desires Jar”
   • Materials: Jar + strips of paper.
   • Activity: Each person writes a good desire they have (e.g., “I want to try harder to pray”). Collect in the jar.
   • Lesson: Our efforts may not be perfect, but God sees and honors our desires.
8. “Before and After the Tent” Discussion
   • Activity: Read Mosiah 5:2 (King Benjamin’s people) and ask:
     • What changed for them?
     • What didn’t?
     • How does wanting to do good impact your actual actions?
   • Lesson: The goal isn’t “no mistakes.” The goal is a new heart.
9. “Desire > Deeds” Equation Poster
   • Activity: Create a poster that says:
   • Discussion Prompt: When have you felt like God still accepted you even while you were still growing?
   • Lesson: What matters most to God is which way we’re facing.
10. “Tune In” Guided Meditation
    • Lesson: Tuning in spiritually doesn’t erase struggle, but it aligns us with grace.
    • Activity: Quiet moment with calm music. Ask participants to “tune their heart” to God by thinking:
    • What would I say to Him right now?
    • What do I most want?

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when your heart changed, even if your habits took longer to catch up. How did that internal shift affect your spiritual journey?
2. Think of a time when you genuinely didn’t want to sin anymore, even though you still sometimes stumbled. What helped you keep turning toward God?
3. Think of a time when your desire to follow the Savior deepened, even though you were still figuring things out. What did that affection for Him look like in real life?
4. Think of a time when you messed up but knew your heart was still in the right place. How did God help you feel His love in that moment?
5. Think of a time when you kept struggling with something, but your prayers changed from obligation to connection. What did that change do for your relationship with God?
6. Think of a time when you felt joy—not because you were perfect, but because you knew your heart was in the fight. How did that feel?
7. Think of a time when you knew someone who had “no more disposition to do evil,” even though their life wasn’t mistake-free. What did you learn from their example?
8. Think of a time when you showed up spiritually even while still struggling. What did that “affectionate obedience” look like for you?
9. Think of a time when you felt your desires shifting toward Christ. What sparked that change?
10. Think of a time when you stopped measuring your worth by perfection and started measuring it by love for God. What kind of freedom came from that?

As mission leaders in Australia, during our last visit with each missionary, we talked about 3 Nephi 17, where the people were close to the Savior and could hear Him praying for them. We asked, “If you could hear the Savior praying for you, what do you think He would say?”

To hear their answers was one of the most Spirit-filled experiences of my life. Every one of those missionaries would pause, and tears would fill their eyes as we reminded them, “Your Savior knows the degree of difficulty you’re experiencing. He’s felt it!”

This is what those missionaries quietly and tenderly shared: One sister said, “Jesus would tell the Father, ‘She’s doing her very best. I know how hard she is trying.’” An elder said, “With everything that’s happened in his life, I’m so proud of him.”

Let’s try this. Tonight, before you pray, imagine Jesus Christ close by. He is your Advocate with the Father. Ask yourself, “What would my Savior say to the Father about me?”

And then become silent.

Listen for that voice that says good things about you—the voice of the Savior, your finest friend, and your Father in Heaven, who is really there. Remember, Their love and your worth are always great, no matter what!

I stand here to witness that Jesus Christ gives light to those who sit in darkness. So, on those days when you feel that voice telling you to hide, that you should hide in a dark room all by yourself, I invite you to be brave and believe Christ! Walk over and turn on the Light—our Perfect Brightness of Hope.

Bathed in His light, you’ll see people all around you who have felt alone too, but now, with the light on, you and they will wonder, “Why were we so afraid in the dark? And why did we stay there so long?”

“May the Lord of Lights wrap you in His arms and console and love you continually.” May we love Him continually and choose Him, again and again. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Engaging Questions:

1. If you could hear Jesus Christ praying for you, what do you imagine He would say to the Father about you?
2. How does it feel to think of the Savior as your Advocate—speaking up for you with perfect love and understanding?
3. What do you think changes in us when we listen for the Savior’s kind voice instead of the harsh voice of self-criticism?
4. Sister Runia said, “Your Savior knows the degree of difficulty you’re experiencing.” How does that knowledge bring comfort or courage to you right now?
5. Why is it so powerful to pause and imagine Christ being near when we pray?
6. When have you felt like hiding in the dark? What helped you find the courage to “turn on the Light”?
7. What does it mean to you that Christ is “our Perfect Brightness of Hope”?
8. How can you recognize the difference between the Savior’s voice and the adversary’s voice in your thoughts?
9. Sister Runia invited us to “believe Christ.” What does that mean to you? How is it different from simply believing in Christ?
10. What helps you remember that your worth is always great in the sight of God—no matter what?
11. How can you help someone else feel the Savior’s light when they’re surrounded by darkness?
12. What does “choosing Him again and again” look like in your life right now?
13. How can we create homes, classes, or communities where people feel safe enough to come out of the dark and into Christ’s light?
14. If you were to write a line of what you hope the Savior would say about you, what would it be?
15. What small act can you do this week to turn toward the Savior’s light and away from shame or fear?

Object Lessons:

1. “What Would Jesus Say About You?” Mirror
   • Materials: Hand mirror or small framed mirrors, dry erase markers.
   • Activity: Participants write one kind phrase on the mirror they think Jesus would say about them.
   • Lesson: When you see yourself through His eyes, it reflects truth, compassion, and light—not shame.
2. Light in the Dark Room
   • Materials: Flashlight, dark room or box, picture of Christ inside.
   • Activity: Turn off the lights and ask how it feels. Then switch on the light to reveal the Savior’s image.
   • Lesson: Christ is always there, even when we can’t see Him at first. The light was always within reach.
3. “Degree of Difficulty” Backpack
   • Materials: A backpack with rocks or weights.
   • Activity: Let someone walk a short path carrying it while others walk the same path without it.
   • Lesson: Jesus sees your burdens and says to the Father, “They’re doing their best—and I know how heavy it is.”
4. Tuning in to Heaven’s Words
   • Materials: Old radio or pretend dial, or just use a whiteboard with “Heavenly static” vs. “Christ’s voice.”
   • Activity: Discuss how hard it is to hear someone whisper if we’re tuned to noise.
   • Lesson: We have to quiet the world to hear what Christ is saying—and He always speaks hope.
5. Light Bulb Labels
   • Materials: Mini string lights or paper cutouts of lightbulbs.
   • Activity: Each person writes one truth or phrase they imagine Christ would say about them on a bulb.
   • Lesson: As we listen to the Savior’s words about us, we become bearers of His light.

Activities:

6. “Dear Father…” Journal Activity
   • Prompt: “If Jesus were praying to Heavenly Father about you, what would He say?”
   • Activity: Write a journal entry as if you overheard Jesus praying your name to God.
   • Lesson: This opens hearts to the deeply personal, loving way Christ advocates for each of us.
7. Silent Listening + Music
   • Activity: Play soft instrumental music and give 2 minutes of quiet time to imagine the Savior kneeling beside them in prayer.
   • Prompt: “What is He saying to the Father about you?”
   • Lesson: Spiritual stillness invites sacred revelation and reassurance.
8. Walk Toward the Light
   • Materials: Dim room with a lamp or candle at the end.
   • Activity: Participants walk toward the light as someone reads: “Walk over and turn on the Light—our Perfect Brightness of Hope.”
   • Lesson: Moving toward Christ, even slowly or shakily, changes everything.
9. “You Are Not Alone” Wall
   • Materials: Large paper or wall space, sticky notes.
   • Prompt: “Write something Christ would say about someone who is struggling.”
   • Lesson: We hear Christ’s words through each other too. Sharing builds belonging.
10. Voice Swap Drama
    • Activity: Roleplay two inner voices: “The voice of shame” vs. “The voice of Christ.”
    • Example Lines:
      • Shame: “You messed up again.”
      • Christ: “I know how hard you’re trying.”
    • Lesson: Help participants recognize and choose the right voice—the one that lifts, not accuses.

Personal Sharing Prompts:

1. Think of a time when you imagined what the Savior would say about you to Heavenly Father.
2. Think of a time when someone reminded you that God sees how hard you’re trying—and it changed how you saw yourself.
3. Think of a time when you felt completely understood by the Savior—like He knew your heart, your struggle, and your desire.
4. Think of a time when you sat in silence after a prayer and felt peace come to your mind or heart.
5. Think of a time when you were in a dark place and a small act of faith—like prayer or scripture study—helped you turn on the light again.
6. Think of a time when your efforts felt invisible to the world but deeply known by God.
7. Think of a time when someone said something kind or affirming to you that felt like it came straight from heaven.
8. Think of a time when you felt your worth independent of your performance or perfection.
9. Think of a time when you sensed the Savior’s advocacy on your behalf—even when you didn’t feel you deserved it.
10. Think of a time when remembering “the degree of difficulty” you were facing helped you be more gentle with yourself or someone else.

Posted By: Lia · In: Featured, Relief Society