Answer the Call
Lesson 12: Testifying & Rejoicing in Jesus Christ - He is the Way
Set the Course
This week’s podcast is borrowed from excerpts of a podcast interview with Rod Meldrum, James Stoddard, and Hannah Stoddard on the doctrine and principles contained in 2 Nephi 31-33. To watch the entire full length podcast, see the video below!
Don’t forget to subscribe to Book of Mormon Evidence’s YouTube channel for more great content!
We are also including a few inspiring talks about Jesus Christ this week. We hope that you enjoy learning more about His perfect example!
- Think on Christ (Ezra Taft Benson)
- Essentials of Faith (Joseph Fielding Smith)
- The Purifying Power of Gethsemane (Bruce R. McConkie’s last testimony)
- The Atonement (Bruce R. McConkie)
- Meaning of the Atonement (W. Cleon Skousen)
Embark on the Journey
Monthly “I Am a Latter-day Nephite” Theme!
I will cherish and rely on the revelations of God in scripture and the inspired words of Latter-day prophets.
Remember: While you absolutely may do every activity suggested if you would like, it is certainly not needed, nor are you limited by the ideas given here. Choose one or more that will work with your learning style, available time, or the group that you are working with. Even if you are an adult, don’t hesitate to choose an activity originally aimed at children—those can be the most fun!
Feel free to run with any other ideas that come to your mind! Allow the Lord to guide you in choosing the best activities for you. The ultimate goal is to engage with the material and become a “doer of the word.”
- If this is your first week here, welcome! Please review our “Welcome & How to Join the Quest” for some helpful information on how to use this resource. You may also want to check out the Embark on the Journey section of Lesson 1 for some activities that will be helpful in getting you started on this quest. In particular, you’ll want a journal, and perhaps the “I Am a Latter-day Nephite” resolution and a fun Book of Mormon reading chart. Just start where you are in the year—don’t feel like you have to backtrack and do every lesson, but grab these helpful tools and you’ll be good to go from here!
- In D&C 84, the Lord lays out the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood. One of these keys is the ministering of angels. In verse 88, he declares, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” When Joseph Smith organized the women of the Relief Society “under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood,” he said, “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.” 2 Nephi 32:3 says, “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Perhaps there is a moment or two in your life where you can clearly pinpoint heavenly assistance in the form of angels – a significant event – but more likely the ministering of angels has been a quiet, sacred experience.
- Record in your journal some of these sacred experiences that you feel may have been angels speaking to you by the power of the Holy Ghost. If you already have recorded them, go back and reread those moments. Take a moment to reflect on what the ministering of angels has looked like in your life and the lives of your loved ones.
- Nephi counsels us to “feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught that the Holy Ghost “will often preach sermons to us from the pulpit of memory,” and John the Beloved testified that the Holy Ghost can truly “bring all things to [our] remembrance.” How many times have we missed out on opportunities to have angels minister to us because we have allowed ourselves to be distracted by the world and have not put in the spiritual work necessary to store up God’s word in our hearts? Make a commitment, or a re-commitment, to set aside time to read the words of Christ directly from the scriptures. It might be helpful to actually add it as an appointment on your calendar, or put a reminder on your bathroom mirror.
- President Joseph F. Smith declared: “When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred [and] friends . . . In like manner, our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends who have passed away from this earth…may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, of reproof and instruction to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.” Consider for a moment the concept that the angels surrounding you to bear you up, who seek to speak to you with the words of Christ, are your ancestors. Doesn’t this make perfect sense? Who would be rooting for you, anxious for your success, most interested in the path your life takes than our families?
- Learning about our ancestors is a great way to participate in Family History work and helps us to know who the angels are that are ministering to us. You can find a collection of Family History Activities on the FamilySearch website to do individually or as a family.
- Spend some time in your family tree and see if you can find the information for someone who has not yet had their temple work completed. Learn all you can about them and then take them to the temple and do their proxy ordinances. Reflect on the increased power that they now have to minister to you and your family. Consider asking for specific help from your ministering angels (see Covenant Keepers by Wendy Nelson).
- Add a few memories to your family tree. This will help others who want to get to know their ancestors and relatives.
- If you choose to download or purchase a designed cardstock version of the “I’m a Latter-day Nephite” resolution, you may want to post it where you will see it every day—on the fridge or your mirror, for example. Ponder on this month’s statement “I will cherish and rely on the revelations of God in scripture and the inspired words of Latter-day prophets.”
Unless otherwise stated, reference to any products, services, hypertext link to third parties or other information by trade name, trademark, supplier or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement or sponsorship by us. They are for convenience only.
All Hands on Deck
- Pray each morning this week for the Lord to give you an opportunity to share your thoughts on the Book of Mormon and/or what you’ve learned this week with someone.
- Join the For Our Day community on social media for uplifting shareable content, ideas on how to implement For Our Day in your home and classes, and to connect with others on the journey. You can find us here: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Share some pictures or stories of your ancestors on social media. Make sure to tag us #ForOurDay so we can find your posts!
Find the Treasure
Content coming soon!
