09 Lesson Feb 24 – March 2 D&C 18 – The Worth of Souls is Great
Welcome,
Business, Introductions of Guests
Opening
Prayer
Celebrating
Easter ??? What is
the most important Christian holiday?
Sharing
Time and Question Time (Explain)
Build
Up My Church
READ D&C 18: 1-5
“1
Now, behold, because of the thing which you, my servant Oliver Cowdery, have
desired to know of me, I give unto you these words: 2 Behold, I have manifested
unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the things which you have
written are true; wherefore you know that they are true. 3 And if you know that
they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the
things which are written; 4 For in them are all things written concerning the
foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock. 5 Wherefore, if you shall
build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of
hell shall not prevail against you.”
??? What do you see in verse 1 that
can be helpful to you today? [God recognizes my desires.]
??? Verses 2-3, What written things
can we rely on? [Scriptures, words of the prophet spoken in General Conference,
etc.]
??? verses 4-5, What or who is “my
rock?” [Jesus Christ, His revelations.]
??? What does “the foundation of my
gospel refer to” in your mind? [Love God and all others, recognize God’s plan,
apply the atonement of Jesus Christ in my life, receive the essential
ordinances that will be a help to me and my family, strive to live the gospel.]
“The Worth
of Souls Is Great in The Sight of God.”
Audio – Sister Joy D. Jones, then
General Primary Pres., GC Oct. 2017 – 4:05 to 7:43
President Monson said, “The worth of
a soul is its capacity to become as God.”
READ D&C 18:10-13
“10
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; 11 For, behold, the
Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain
of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. 12 And he hath risen
again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of
repentance. 13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!”
??? What do you learn about you in
verse 10?
??? Do you believe
in other’s worth but doubt your own worth?
??? Why did Jesus Christ suffer the
pain of all, die, and then rose from the dead?
??? How does Jesus Christ feel when
we repent?
Supporting scriptures:
READ Luke 15: 4-5
and 10 “4
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not
leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost,
until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders,
rejoicing. … 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
READ John 3:
16-17 “16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent
not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.”
READ 2 Nephi
26:24 “24
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth
the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto
him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his
salvation.”
READ Moses 1:39 “39
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man.”
Elder Theodore M Burton, then an
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said something life this, that
which is repeated in the scriptures is especially important to the Lord and
should be especially important to us. (About 1962-1964)
??? Is our soul of worth to God only
when we are being good?
??? How can you remember your own
worth when trials assail you?
The
Lord Rejoices When I Repent.
READ D&C 18: 12-15
“13
And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! 14 Wherefore, you are
called to cry repentance unto this people. 15 And if it so be that you should
labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it
be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my
Father!”
??? What is sin? [Anything that
distances us from God and the Spirit.]
??? Are their gradations of sin?
Give examples.
??? What is repentance? [Change for
the better, turning to God, forsaking sin, acknowledging our sin before God and
when needed with the bishop or stake president, godly sorrow, efforts to make
amends, etc.]
??? What does it mean to “repent
daily?”
??? What if I’m not repenting daily,
does the Lord love me less?
???
Do we need to review all our past sins daily? Why not?
???
Why is God overjoyed when we repent?
??? What is the purpose of
confessing serious sins to the bishop or stake president? [help]
Elder Dale
G. Renlund says the “repentance is a joyful choice”
??? Can repentance bring joy?
Joy
Comes from Helping Others Come unto Christ.
READ Alma 26:11–13
“11
But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own
wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will
rejoice in my God. 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am
weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in
his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have
wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. 13 Behold, how
many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they
are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word
which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?”
??? Why is Ammon so
happy?
??? What experiences
have you had in bringing someone closer to Christ that brought you Joy? [Hear
several stories] (For me: Elizabeth, Doris, & Detlef Suchan; Sisters Rose
and Bärbel Schill)
??? What about your
efforts with your own children. How do you feel when you see their testimony
and conversion growing?
I Can
Hear the Lord’s Voice in The Scriptures.
READ D&C 18:34-36
“34
These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify
they are of me and not of man; 35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto
you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read
them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them; 36
Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.”
??? What has it been
like when you have heard or felt the voice of the Lord?
[The
Spirit manifests Himself in many ways. I believe our own personalities play a
role in the way we perceive revelation and inspiration.]
Testimony
Closing
Prayer