Forgiveness Teaching Ideas and Resources, CFM D&C 64-66 (Jun 22)

        This blogpost features some resources to help you teach about forgiveness, including a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for June 16-22, which includes D&C 64-66.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 

NOTE:  I am trying to decide whether it's worth the effort to continue doing these CFM posts for the second half of the year, so if you find these posts meaningful, PLEASE let me know.  They're getting challenging to keep up with and I need just a little feedback to know whether they're worth my time.  If you have constructive feedback on how I can improve them, I welcome that as well.  Thank you!   

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SOME RESOURCES TO HELP YOU TEACH ABOUT FORGIVENESS

If I were teaching or speaking about forgiveness this week, I would review the following materials and  pick what important points you feel inspired to focus on.  

OBJECT LESSON IDEA:
Materials Needed: Backpack filled with cans, books, or whatever will make it heavy

Ask for a strong volunteer to carry the backpack.   Have them walk around the room for a minute and ask how they would like to carry that weight around day and night from now on?  

Tell them that's what NOT forgiving someone is like.  We are carrying a burden that we don't need to carry and it's heavy and tiring.  

Now ask for a volunteer to come help the person carry the backpack.  Ask if that feels any better?   Yes, but it's still heavy. 

Now ask if they would like it if someone else were to carry the backpack for them?    

picture source

Because that's what Jesus offers to do for us. He wants to take the hurt and anger and other things that weigh us down, and take that yoke upon himself. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Remind them that us carrying the burden of NOT forgiving does not hurt or punish the other person at all, it only punishes ourselves. The goal of forgiveness is for OUR peace, not the person who caused the pain.  The other person may never repent or even feel sorry for what they've done, but that's not for us to worry about.  That's God's place to judge.  Forgiveness is a gift that we are given to lighten our own load and find peace and lightness.  

QUOTES:

"You can forgive someone and choose to not see them again to save yourself the stress of trauma. You can choose to protect yourself and those you love from any potential harm. Reconciliation may come in time (and we should work towards that whenever possible), but it is not required for forgiveness.
Some things may not be worked out until the next life. Perhaps that is why space is such a big place and eternity is such a long time; the Lord knows some people are going to need serious time and distance away from each other in order to work it out.
Remember these words from Elder Holland…
“Jesus did not say, ‘You are not allowed to feel pain or sorrow from shattering experiences you have had at the hand of another.’
“Nor did He say, ‘In order to forgive fully, you have to re-enter a toxic relationship or return to an abusive, destructive circumstance.’” Hank Smith

“You cannot erase what has been done, but you can forgive. Forgiveness heals terrible, tragic wounds, for it allows the love of God to purge your heart and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord.”  Elder Richard G. Scott

"Forgiveness is not excusing accountability or failing to protect ourselves, our families, and other innocent victims. Forgiveness is not continuing in a relationship with someone who is not trustworthy.  Forgiveness is not condoning injustice.  Forgiveness is not dismissing the hurt or disgust we feel because of the actions of others.  Forgiveness is not forgetting, but remembering in peace.  

Forgiveness is putting more faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  In His time and in His way, His love and sacrifice for us will take away our pain and heal our souls.  As we wait upon His healing, remembering how unjustly the Savior of the world was treated, we move forward in faith, believing that in this world or the next, God will generously and justly bless all  have been treated unjustly."  
Divine Gift of Forgiveness Institute Class 

SCRIPTURES
D&C 64:10 (God will forgive who he will forgive; we must forgive all)
Matthew 18:21-22  (how often shall we forgive?  70x7)
Ephesians 4:31-32 (put away bitterness and wrath; be kind and forgiving)
3 Nephi 12:44 (love your enemies)
Luke 11:4 (we all have need to be forgiven and to forgive others)
Matthew 6:14-15 (if you forgive others, God will forgive you)

TALKS/ARTICLES
Beauty for Ashes:  The Healing Path to Forgiveness by Kristin Yee (Oct 2022)
Forgiveness:  Our Challenge and Our Blessing by Elder Gilliland (Liahona Aug 2004)

ARTICLES FOR CHILDREN
Pebble of Forgiveness by Jane McBride Choate (Friend Magazine, Feb 2003)
Jesus Forgave by Kim Webb Reid (Friend Magazine, Aug 2017)
Forgiving Demi by Breanne Richards (Friend Magazine, Jan 2018)

BUILDING FORGIVENESS ACTIVITY (taken from the Friend Magazine)

Cut out squares of colored paper to look like bricks. Write each tip below on a brick. Take turns talking about each tip, and then glue it to a poster board. When you’re done, you’ll have a strong foundation of forgiveness. Draw a house on top of your foundation as a reminder that forgiveness helps make a happier home.

What can you do when you feel sad or angry with someone?

• Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then repeat.

• Try to think about why the other person might have done what he or she did.

• Walk away and come back when you’re not so angry.

• Tell the other person how you feel about what he or she did. Speak calmly, without yelling.

• Say, “I forgive you.”

• Do something kind for the person you’re upset with.

• Remember that there are times when you need to be forgiven.

• Pray for help to forgive when it’s hard.

• Remember that sometimes the person you forgive might not be sorry. But we can forgive anyway.

• If you’re upset with something you did, forgive yourself and try to do better next time.

• What else can you do?

VIDEO:  The Goal:  A Story of Faith, Friendship, and Forgiveness


PRINTABLE COME, FOLLOW ME ACTIVITY SHEET

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.  I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.

Click here for the link to the activity sheet (in case it's not showing below).



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Be sure to bookmark this site and come back every week for more Come, Follow Me material! 

Enjoy learning the gospel together!

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Real Life Tips for Sharing the Gospel as an Introvert and a Printable Activity CFM Activity Sheet to go with D&C 60-63 (Jun 15)

       This blogpost features some down to earth, approachable ways to share the gospel as an introvert, as well as a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for June 9-15, which includes D&C 60-63.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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REAL-LIFE TIPS FOR SHARING THE GOSPEL AS AN INTROVERT

Being someone who leans toward the introverted side of the personality spectrum, means that sometimes sharing the gospel in the traditional way can feel a little extra intimidating. After years of worrying that I'm not doing enough in this department, I'm coming to realize that there are many more ways to share the gospel than just the "extroverted" way of boldly inviting people to come to church or to meet with the missionaries.  Of course, I may feel prompted to extend those bold invitations sometimes, but I'm realizing that, for many people, our quieter, introverted approach is exactly what they need for their seed of faith to be nurtured.   After a lot of thought and study on this topic, here is my plan for sharing the gospel more effectively as an introvert.  

1. Live it every day.
In Preach My Gospel, it says: “The Savior has shown the way. He has set the perfect example, and He commands us to become as He is.”  And in the Bible, we are commanded to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 

Living the gospel consistently  is by far the most effective way to let that light shine and share the gospel with others.  When the way you live on a day-in and day-out basis reflects your love for the Savior, people will notice.   Just as they say, "Actions speak louder than words," I believe that the way you treat people, how you handle difficult situations, and  the integrity with which you live are all testaments that will speak much louder than any spoken testimony can.   Of course, that doesn't mean perfection.   But it does mean doing our best to live in more accordance with how the Savior lives and when we fall short, doing what we can to make it right.  People are drawn to light and when you let the light of Christ shine through you, people will notice. 

2. Pray
Praying for the people we care about to feel  the Spirit is a powerful tool to help us in our quest to share the gospel.   On the surface, it may seem passive, but when those prayers are coupled with action, there is no better foundational premise on which to base our efforts to share the gospel.  

The following scripture is a good reminder that there is no topic for which we can't turn to the Lord.  
 
"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."  Alma 37:37
 
Whether we are praying to recognize an opportunity to share the gospel,  or to give us the courage to speak up, or to simply help someone to feel the Spirit; prayer is always a good idea!  

3. Build relationships
If you were to gather all the teachings of the prophets through the scriptures and through modern times, I think there are two themes that would stand above the rest.  The #1 theme of course being Jesus Christ, but not far behind that would be love.  When someone random tells me something, I may or may not pay attention to what they have to say.  But when someone I love tells me something, I pay far more attention.  

When we view sharing the gospel as a gradual process of nurturing a seed, it just makes sense that getting to know someone and developing a friendly loving relationship with them is a big part of that process.     I believe wholeheartedly that the best way for someone to hear your message (spoken or not), is to be a true friend and let them know you care, whether they ever express any interest in the gospel or not.  Additionally, I feel compelled to mention that sometimes the relationships we need to focus on most are the ones within our own families.  Remember that family is first, especially when it comes to sharing the gospel love!

"Through Christlike love for others, we preach the glorious, life-transforming properties of Christ’s gospel, and we participate significantly in the fulfilling of His great commission." Elder Stevenson

4. Don't view it as a big thing
My brain has a tendency to blow things up into bigger things than they need to be and sharing the gospel often has been one of those things for me.   What I've come to realize over the years is that taking  the "bigness" out of it, makes it seem more approachable.  For me that meant not viewing "sharing the gospel" as only extending a special invitation to come to church with us or to have them meet with the missionaries, but, as I mentioned above, more of a gradual process.    

I love what Elder Uchtdorf shared on this topic: 
“Years ago our family lived and worked among people who in almost every case were not of our faith. When they asked us how our weekend was, we tried … to share some religious experiences we had as a family over the weekend—for instance, what a youth speaker had said about the standards from For the Strength of Youth or how we were touched by the words of a young man who was leaving on his mission.”   Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Somehow sharing a small gospel insight that I learned at church that week seems much easier than asking if they want to come to church with me.

5. Be you. 
I am someone who does not speak well on the fly, which is why it's much easier and more effective for me to share my thoughts and feelings on the gospel in writing.  For others, that would be torture.    Additionally, I really like creating these activity sheets to go with the Come, Follow Me reading each week.  It gives me direction in my scripture study  and I feel that they are a way that I can share the gospel with others weekly.   What works for you to share the gospel may look very different than it does for me.   Part of the challenge is finding how YOU can share the gospel in a way that's authentic to you, in a way that you can consistently do it.   That doesn't mean never having to step outside our comfort zones, but when we find a way to do it day-in, day-out, we can find that we can have a far greater impact for good than if we sit silently back waiting until we feel comfortable. 

SOME NON-SCARY IDEAS FOR SHARING THE GOSPEL

1. Read church books in public places, so people can ask questions. 
2. Don't be afraid to chime into  religious discussions.   
3. Send a weekly spiritual thought to your grown children. 
4. Share a spiritual insight on social media occasionally
5. Add a quote from scripture or a General Authority when you post a random picture on social media
6. Work on strengthening your own testimony, so you can speak with greater confidence when the opportunity arises
7. Approach it slowly and with love
8.  Send an uplifting note to someone who is struggling
9.  Seek for opportunities to serve in the community
10.  Pick one uplifting/interesting thing that you experienced each Sunday and be prepared to share it whenever anyone asks, "How was your weekend?"
11. Write encouraging emails/letters to the missionaries serving from your ward
12. Pray to recognize missionary opportunities
13.  Exercise patience and forgiveness when people fall short of your expectations.  See #1 above.  Your actions speak much louder than any spoken words ever could.
14. Love, Share, Invite.  I love this simple admonition from Elder Stevenson that starts with love!  
15. Keep a written record of spiritual experiences and impressions that you've had that you can pass on and share with the next generation

SOME GREAT RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

"Missionary Work:  Sharing What's in Your Heart" by Elder Uchtdorf
"3 Easy (and Unscary) Ways to Share the Gospel with Others" by Daniel A. (church website)
"Love, Share, Invite" by Elder Stevenson

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PRINTABLE CFM ACTIVITY SHEET

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them.


CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ACTIVITY PAGE (in case it's not showing below)


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Be sure to bookmark this site and come back every week for more Come, Follow Me resources!  

Enjoy learning the Gospel together!

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Sacrament Meeting Topics (Updated for 2025)

Ten years ago, as part of a ward council, I was asked to play a greater role in helping to choose what topics we covered in our sacrament meeting talks. I put a lot of thought, prayer, and effort into that request and came up with this blogpost, which has remained one of the most consistently viewed posts on this blog. I recently found myself reviewing that old post and decided it was time for an update with more current talk references, so here's an updated version with the same weekly themes, but with talks only from the last few years. I recommend that the speakers are instructed not to recap the talk, but to use it as a springboard for talking about the specific gospel principle.   Please let me know any talks or topics you would add!  Click here for a printable version.

Set Themes Each Month

Week 1:  Fast and Testimony meeting

Week 2: Developing Christlike Attributes

Week 3:  Doctrine Unique to the Gospel

Week 4: Discipleship/ Developing Relationship with Christ

Week 5: Current Topic of Choice

DEVELOPING CHRISTLIKE ATTRIBUTES
(* indicates topics found in Preach My Gospel:  Chapter 6)

1. *Faith in Jesus Christ
Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior by Elder Renlund (Apr 2025)
Be Still, and Know that I Am God by Elder Bednar (Apr 2024)
Mosiah 3:17; Moroni 7:24-26

1. How do you grow your faith in Christ?
2.What blessings come through having faith in Christ?

2. *Hope 
The Triumph of Hope by Elder Andersen (Oct 2024)
2 Nephi 31:20; Hebrews 9:11; Ether 12:4

1. How can you increase hope in your life?
2. What is the difference between hoping and wishing? What is a righteous hope?

3. *Charity and Love
Charity--A Sign of True Discipleship  by Elder Strong (Apr 2025)
Moroni 7:45-48

1. How has Christlike charity blessed your life?
2. How can you seek to develop Christlike charity?
3. What is true Christlike charity?

4. *Virtue

Confidence in the Presence of God by President Nelson  (Apr 2025)
Article of Faith 13; D&C 121:45

1. What does it mean to be virtuous?
2. How does virtue help you gain confidence in the presence of God?

5. *Knowledge

Divine Helps for Mortality  by Elder Oaks (Apr 2025)
D&C 88:118; 2 Nephi 4:13-16

1. How can knowledge help you do the Lord’s work?
2. How can we obtain knowledge?

6. *Integrity
Integrity:  A Christ-like Attribute by Elder Gerard (Apr 2024)
Matthew 22:37; Alma 53:21

1. How did Jesus show integrity even in his most vulnerable moments?
2. How can we show integrity in our daily lives?

7. *Humility
As A Little Child  by President Holland (Apr 2025)
Matthew 18:4; Ether 12:27

1. How Christ lived a life of humility.
2. What does it mean to humble myself as a little child?
3. How can I overcome the natural man and live a life of humility?

8. *Diligence

Nourish the Roots, and The Branches Will Grow by Elder Uchtdorf (Oct 2024)
The video with President Nelson found in An Especially Noble Calling by Joy Jones, when he talks about how the Lord loves effort. (Apr 2020)
Alma 26:16; Mosiah 4:27

1. What does it mean to be diligent?
2. Why does the Lord expect us to be diligent?

9. *Obedience
Following Christ by President Oaks (Oct 2024)
D&C 82:10; Mosiah 2:41

1. What does it mean to be obedient?
2. What can you learn about obedience from stories in the scriptures?
3. How does obedience increase our freedom?

10. Reverence
Reverence for Sacred Things by Elder Soares (Apr 2025)
Exodus 3:4-5

1. What blessings do I receive from showing reverence?
2. How can I show reverence for sacred things in my daily life?

11.  Mercy
The Plan of Mercy by Elder James Rasband  (Apr 2025)
Moroni 10:3

1. Why is it important to recognize God's mercy? What role does that recognition play in the process of God communicating with us?
2. How can we follow Christ's example and be more merciful to those around us--in our families and in our communities?

12. Being a Peacemaker
Peacemakers Needed  by President Nelson (Apr 2023)

Following Christ (section III) by President Oaks (Oct 2024)
Matthew 25:40, Matthew 5:9, 44

1. How Christ is the perfect example of being a peacemaker.
2. How can I find and share peace in a world filled with turmoil?
3. How can we be peacemakers in the contentious society we live in?

DOCTRINE UNIQUE TO THE GOSPEL

1.  Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Times of Restitution of All Things  by Elder Bednar  (Apr 2025)
Alma 41:10-15

1. Why does the restoration matter?
2. What is a restoration?

2.  The Plan of Salvation

God’s Intent is to Bring You Home by Elder Kearon (Apr 2024) 

Mortality Works by Elder Brook Hales (Oct 2024)
Alma 12:30; Alma 42:15

3.  The Doctrine of Jesus Christ

The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ by Elder Renlund (Apr 2024) 

Simple is the Doctrine of Jesus Christ by President Eyring (Oct 2024)
2 Nephi 31

4. Our Divine Nature
Receive His Gift by Elder Kearon (Apr 2025)
Choices for Eternity by President Nelson (May 2022 devotional for YA)
Romans 8:16; 1 Nephi 11:17

5. For the Strength of Youth

O Youth of the Noble Birthright by Elder Wilcox (Oct 2024)
3 Nephi 20:26; 1 Peter 2:9; Abraham 1:2

6. Family History
True to the Faith that Our Parents Have Cherished  by Hans Boom  (Apr 2025)

We Each Have a Story by Elder Gong (Apr 2022)
Mosiah 5:13; Alma 36:28; 1 Peter 4:6;

1. What does family history look like in 2025?
2. Why does family history remain important?

7. Missionary Work

Right Before Our Eyes by Elder Rasband  (Apr 2025) 

Days Never to Be Forgotten by Elder Stevenson (Oct 2024)
D&C 88:73;  Isaiah 52:7; D&C 4:1

1. How can we do missionary work at this busy stage of life?

8. The Book of Mormon
It is Wisdom in the Lord that We Should Have the Book of Mormon by Elder Pace (Apr 2024)

In the Space of Not Many Years by Elder Bednar (Oct 2024)
Mormon 8:34-35; Alma 37:6-7

9. Priesthood Power

Miracles, Angels, and Priesthood Power by Elder Bowen (Apr 2024) 

Divine Authority, Sublime Young Men by Elder Lund (Apr 2025)
D&C 107:1-4; Moroni 7:27, 29; D&C 121:41

10. The Temple

Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth by Elder Andersen (Apr 2024) 

All Will be Well Because of Temple Covenants by President Eyring (Apr 2024)
John 14:27; D&C 109:22;

1. How does / can my experience in the temple improve my access to the atonement?

11. Ordinances and Covenants

Live Up to Your Privileges by Sister Freeman (Oct 2024)

Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ by Sister Dennis (Apr 2024)
D&C 107:1-3; D&C 84:20;

12.  Grace
Compensating Blessings by Elder Caussé   (Apr 2025)
Worthiness is not Flawlessness by Elder Wilcox (Oct 2021)
Moroni 10:32; Alma 7:11-12; 2 Nephi 25:23

1. How can grace transform us?
2. What does the admonition to, "be ye therefore perfect" mean, recognizing that no one can reach that goal in this life? How does Christ play a role in that quest?
3. How does grace imbue us with power?

DISCIPLESHIP / DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST: 

1. Personal Revelation

Pillars and Rays by Elder Dushku (Apr 2024)

Patterns of Light video series by Elder Bednar
Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Nelson (Apr 2018)
Mosiah 16:9; D&C 84:46; D&C 6:23

1. What can we do when we feel like we are not receiving the answers we seek?
2. How can we teach the youth of the church to better recognize the voice of the Lord when seeking personal revelation?

2. Let God Prevail
Let God Prevail by President Nelson (Oct 2020) 

Aligning Our Will with His by Elder Soares (Oct 2024)
Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 54:7; Mosiah 15:7

1. How can we learn to trust in the Lord in good times and in bad?

3. Discipleship

Thou Art the Christ  by Sister Wright (Apr 2025)
Joy Through Covenant Discipleship by Elder McCune (Apr 2025)
2 Nephi 31:19; John 14:6; John 6:68-69

4. Finding Healing through Jesus Christ

Spiritually Whole In Him by Sister Johnson (Apr 2025)

Return Unto Me…That I May Heal You by Elder Mark Palmer (Apr 2025)
Luke 17:11-19;  Alma 40:23; Luke 15:11-32;

5. Christ’s Atonement
The Atonement of Jesus Christ Provides  the Ultimate Rescue  by Elder Cook (Apr 2025)

And We Talk of Christ by Elder Stevenson (Apr 2025)
2 Nephi 25:26; Matthew 21:9, 11; John 15:13

6. Developing a Personal Relationship with Christ

Draw Near Unto Me by Elder Eyring (Apr 2025)

D&C 88:63; Luke 24:36

7. Overcoming Weaknesses / Repentance  

Your Repentance Doesn't Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy by Sister Runia (Apr 2025) 

The Joy of Our Redemption by Sister Yee (Oct 2024)
D&C 18:13; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Nephi 31:20

1. How is the opportunity to repent daily an expression of God’s love in our lives?
2. How can we shift our perspective from repentance being negative to that of it being a gift from a loving God?

8. Worship
Worship  by Elder Christofferson (Apr 2025)

Motions of a Hidden Fire by President Holland (Apr 2024)
D&C 88:78; Mark 12:28-30

1. What is the difference between merely attending church and true worship?

9.  Finding Unity in the Church

By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples by Elder Uchtdorf (Apr 2025)

Welcome to the Church of Joy by Elder Kearon (Oct 2024)

The Doctrine of Belonging by Elder Christofferson (Oct 2022)
D&C 46:5-6; D&C 38:27; Luke 14:21

1. How can we better reach the people who feel like they’re on the fringes?
2. How can we do better to create a sense of camaraderie and belonging at church?

10. The Worth of a Soul

God’s Favourite by Elder Hirst  (Oct 2024)
D&C 18:10; Luke 15:1-10; John 3:16–17

1. How should we treat people who have made choices we disagree with?
2. How can we separate the world’s views on worth from true worth in the sight of God?

11.  Magnifying Your Calling/Serving in the Church
Participate to Prepare for Christ’s Return by Elder Shumway (Apr 2025)
“In the Path of Their Duty” by Elder Bednar (Oct 2023)
Mark 12:30

1. How does the Lord help us when we receive callings that are outside our comfort zone?

12. Feasting on the Words of Christ

Sacred Scriptures-The Foundations of Faith by Elder Cook (Oct 2024)
2 Nephi 32:3; 2 Nephi 31:20

1. What does it mean to feast upon the words of Christ?
2. How can feasting upon the words of Christ strengthen our relationship with God?