Why Should I Be Obedient to God’s Commandments?

YOUTH CLASSES

July 25, 2021

Come, Follow Me

July TOPIC 2 (below)

TOPIC 1 GO NEXT to July 11 How Does Knowing about the Plan of Salvation Affect My Life? – Doctrine and Covenants 76 ⇒

We may feel at times that God’s commandments restrict our freedom and limit our agency.
DOWNLOAD 2 Nephi 2:27 scripture poster/card set (HERE or below)

The truth is that commandments enhance our freedom. In Doctrine and Covenants 82:8–10 we learn that commandments help us understand God’s will, and when we obey them, our actions will “turn to [us] for [our] salvation.” In fact, when we obey God, He is “bound” to give us all of the blessings He has promised (verses 9–10). How has Heavenly Father blessed you as you have obeyed His commandments? To prepare to teach, you could read Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “Abound with Blessings” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 70–73) SEE VIDEO BELOW or ponder some of the resources in the Gospel Topics article “Obedience” (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

OBEYING HEAVENLY FATHER’S COMMANDMENTS BRINGS BLESSINGS

Members of your quorum or class may be struggling to obey some of the commandments. Helping them understand why obedience is important could inspire them. Write the title of this outline on the board, and invite quorum or class members to share answers. You could ask them to look for additional insights in Doctrine and Covenants 82:8–10, which they may have studied this week. Then select one or more of the activities below to help them better understand why it is always important to obey God, even when doing so is hard.

• It can be easier to obey the commandments when we understand the reasons behind them. To learn why God gives us commandments, quorum or class members could review the scripture references in “Supporting Resources” (or others you think of). How can these scriptures help us when we find it hard to obey a commandment? As part of this discussion, you could read together the section titled “Fourth, forget not the ‘why’ of the gospel” in President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Forget Me Not” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 122). SEE VIDEO BELOW

HOW CAN WE STAY TRUE TO THE LORD’S STANDARDS?

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

• 1 Nephi 17:3; Mosiah 2:41; Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21 (We are blessed by obedience to the commandments)

• Deuteronomy 10:12–13; John 14:15; 1 John 5:1–3 (We obey the commandments because we love God)

• Doctrine and Covenants 93:20 (Obedience allows us to receive of God’s fulness)

• “Obedience,” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (2019), 75

• Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “Some see only sacrifice and limitations in obedience to the commandments of the new and everlasting covenant, but those who live the experience—who give themselves freely and unreservedly to the covenant life—find greater liberty and fulfillment. When we truly understand, we seek more commandments, not fewer. Each new law or commandment we learn and live is like one more rung or step on a ladder that enables us to climb higher and higher. Truly, the gospel life is the good life” (“The Power of Covenants,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 23).

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OBEDIENT TO GOD’S COMMANDMENTS
Fun-tastic! Activities
For Class or Group Gatherings
Produced by Youth Leaders

STAYING TRUE TO THE LORD’S STANDARDS

CLICK HERE to listen to the Radio Commentary: The Iron Rod – Episode 23 – Description: The vision of the tree of life is one of the most well-known visions recorded in the Book of Mormon. There have been commentaries, talks, and artistic renditions on the vision of the tree of life. One of the most important symbols in that vision is the iron rod and the straight and narrow path. But what does it mean to hold to the rod? How do we know if we are on the straight and narrow path? Listen to this episode of Q&A and hear the teachings of prophets and apostles in our time and times past for the answers.

Matching Activity DOWNLOAD Hold Fast to the Lord’s Standards word-find (HERE or above)

DATING

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE! QUICKSAND TRAPS: Set up a jungle scene with brown wrapping paper in the center to represent quicksand. Place a nice lounge chair with an umbrella with an intriguing drink on top of the quicksand. Take youth through the jungle scene and end up focusing on the lounge chair scene. Tell them that below the chair is quicksand. They would naturally stay away from quicksand if they knew it was there. But Satan’s traps are often disguised by trees in the jungle or in our lives by attractive objects or words that entice. Talk about Satan’s quicksand traps to pull you under into necking, petting, intimacy, and sex. If we put our toe in the quicksand, we are tempted to go further until our feet and legs are stuck, and soon we are sitting in the quicksand. Before we realize it, we are up to our necks in Satan’s trap.

Have youth sit down and write questions on slips of paper and place them in a box. Talk about the questions and how to avoid quicksand traps.

Plan what to say in situations where it may be difficult to say no (e.g., at a party if alcohol is offered and we drink, we can then easily lose control – see video LEAVE THE PARTY below).

Heavenly Father reads or knows our thoughts but Satan does not have that power. Satan can only read our actions. If we give in a little, he tempts us further. Don’t give him control by letting go of your values.

CHASTITY TALK AND CHASTITY CHOICES: Bishops are very good at talking on this subject; so are their wives. Seminary teachers are also good resources. After a guest speaker, help young women project themselves into the future to look at choices they will make. Compare dating a boy who is good (chaste), and to dating a boy who is unchaste. Talk about group dates as opposed to single dating. Talk about the daily spiritual nourishment needed to help you make chaste choices.

VIDEO: Spiritual Crocodiles – (2 Nephi 28) President Boyd K. Packer used this analogy in his April 1976 general conference address. SEE VIDEO BELOW. Just as well-camouflaged crocodiles prey on unwary victims, Satan preys on unwary youth by using tactics that camouflage the deadly nature of sin. 

Matching Activity: CAUTION! It’s a Jungle Out There! quicksand word-find puzzle (HERE or above)

Matching Activity: ColorQuote on Chastity (HERE or above) “Unchastity is the great demon of the day. Like an octopus, it fastens its tentacles upon one.” – President Spencer W. Kimball, “The Law of Chastity”

#Chastity #It’saJungleOutThere #SpiritualCrocodiles #Quicksand #LDSStandards #Commandments #Virtue

GUEST DATERS DATING PANEL DISCUSSION: Invite youth at dating age from another ward or stake to come and talk about dating. Ask them to talk about moral dating choices and how to avoid intimate situations. Youth can prepare questions. Sample Questions:  

~ How can someone show interest in you or discourage your interest before, during a date and after a date? See 1-3 as follows.
       1. Before a Date: ~ If you were attracted to two different individuals, which would you choose to date and why? ~ What do you look for in someone you would like to date? ~ How can you spend less money on a date so you can afford to go out more often? ~ What ways should a girl or guy ask you for a date? ~ How do you like someone to flirt with you? ~ How can one flirt with you without appearing too bold? ~ How you ask someone out without seeming overpowering? ~ What do you like or dislike someone texting or calling you?

       2. During a Date: ~ What should or shouldn’t your date wear? ~ How can you tell if someone you like or date has high standards? ~ How do you want your date to act with you? ~ How does one say no to a kiss and still show you they like you? ~ How can you and your date avoid physical advances? ~ What are ways your date can show they like you? ~ How can your date earn your respect? ~ What kinds of activities make dating fun? ~ What date activities help you to get to know your date better? ~ What do you look for in a longer dating relationship? ~ What do you like about your date’s personality and looks?

       3. After a Date: ~ After the date how would you like the girl/guy to show continued interest? ~ ~ What is the best way to discourage your date from asking you out again? ~ How can one hint or encourage romantic interest when you have only indicated friendship? ~ What are some ways one can suggest another date?

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD Keys to Virtuous Choices voter-ballot (HERE or above)

THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE – Elder David A. Bednar warns of the harmful effects digital technologies can have on our souls and invites us to ask ourselves two questions to see if we are using these technologies properly. SEE VIDEO BELOW

Things as They Really Are: Elder David A. Bednar warns of the harmful effects digital technologies can have on our souls and invites us to ask ourselves two questions to see if we are using these technologies properly.

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD Media Influences (TV topper, phone friend, bookshelf buddy) tent cards (HERE or above)

QUESTIONABLE MEDIA AND QUESTIONABLE COOKIES OR BROWNIES:
1. Prepare ahead chocolate chip cookies or brownies and have them ready on two separate plates (showing the same treat). Attach the following note to one of the plates of cookies or brownies: Questionable Cookies / Questionable Brownies
2. With the two plates of cookies or brownies in front of youth, talk about movies, Hollywood standards, movie ratings, etc. Lead the discussion into phrases that people use after going to these movies (for example, “The movie isn’t too bad,” “There’s only a little swearing,” “Just a little talk about sex.” “You didn’t see much,” or “I’ve seen worse”).
3. Tell youth you made some cookies or brownies with the best ingredients (real butter, highest grade chocolate chips). Then hold up the plate with the sign Questionable Cookies or Questionable Brownies and say, “What if I told you that in this batch I added a little bit of doggie-do? Just a little never hurt anyone. Try them.” What would you do?
4. After getting their reaction, say, “These are completely edible cookies. There’s really no doggie-do in them.” Talk about ways Satan leads people “carefully down to hell,” by adding just a little here and there (through desensitization).
5. Read 2 Nephi 28:21. While you enjoy the cookies or brownies, make some new resolves. Have youth always ask themselves before participating in media, “Do I like doggie-do in my brownies?”

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD Media Influences (TV topper, phone friend, bookshelf buddy) tent cards (HERE or above)

OBEDIENCE & REPENTANCE

WHOLESOME HOME: Talk about having wholesome pictures, books, and music to create peace and love in the home. Show several of these and have them on display.

GO WITH POSITIVE MOTTOES EACH DAY: Show traffic signs and talk about actions youth wish to STOP and actions they wish to GO with to make their environment uplifting. They have the power to create happiness each day as they choose positive mottos to live by.

Change Ideas: Youth can write these change ideas on cards to post on their mirror. Perhaps find quotes for each to motivate (example below).

• Do it! “If it is to be, it is up to me.” – Marjorie Wilson, “The Woman You Want to Be” 1925

• Greet the day with a song. “I want to sing like the bird’s sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.” – Rumi

• Practice smiling three times a day. “Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.” – W. C. Fields

• Turn thoughts away from self. “The secret of charm is to take your mind off self and focus on others.” – Marjorie Wilson, Silent Movie Actress, 1920

• Make my room, home, or workplace clean and inviting.

• Create a wholesome environment. “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” – D&C 88:119

More Ideas on CHANGE:

• Feed my spirit daily with the scriptures.
• Church books, magazines, and songs.
• Pray daily to invite the Spirit.
• Look for the good in others.
• An interesting person talks to others about their interests.
• Share positive thoughts and feelings.
• Don’t attend every argument you’re invited to.
• Work ahead so as not to lose your head.
• Cook up a storm, but don’t let the dishes reign.

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD It’s Time for a Change goal cards (HERE or above)

“MIRROR TELL ME TRUE” Small Acts of Kindness Brainstorm.
Brainstorm and write down, to preserve in a file for each youth, a list of small acts of kindness they can do for others. Encourage them to look into the mirror and say, “Mirror, mirror, tell me true. Is His image in my countenance too?”  As they say this, they can look at the list and perform small acts of kindness.
Ideas:  • A sweet anonymous note • A phone call to someone less active • A friendly touch  • A smile • Breakfast in bed for a family member • A compliment • Find out someone’s favorite goody, make it for them, and deliver with a smile

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD Warm Fuzzy Righteous Reminders poster and bookmark (HERE or above)

HAPPINESS GIFT Scripture Search: Ask youth and leaders to share ideas on how they can be happy by serving others.  Place a gift box on the table, labeled, “Happiness is a gift I can give myself as I serve others.” Cut a hole in the back of the gift box (or lift the lid) to fill with the names of those participating. Draw names from the box to present their ideas. Assign several scriptures to read that tell ways to be happy through service: 1 Nephi 8:10; 2 Nephi 2:13; Mosiah 2:17; 2:41; Mosiah 16:11; Alma 3:26; 27:18; 41:5; 10; 4 Nephi 1:15; D&C 4:2; 76:5.
Ideas: Balance your life with personal care and selfless care (serving others). Focus on grooming self and taking care of personal needs quickly, then serve others. This selfless act of taking your mind off yourself and focusing on others will bring a lasting joy that does not come from self-focus.

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD Warm Fuzzy Righteous Reminders poster and bookmark (HERE or above)

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER:
Ask youth what their Achilles’ heal is. (It is their vulnerable or weak spot.) See the story that follows*. Discuss common Achilles’ heels. Be willing to share yours as a leader. Mention that there are some we need not share but we should know what they are. Discuss the idea that knowledge is power. If we know we have a weakness, we can best combat it. Discuss some of the weaknesses brought up and what might be done to avoid them. Have someone come who has been successful at overcoming her Achilles’ heel (a major problem) who would be willing to share (e.g., drug abuse, smoking, anger, addiction to soap operas, etc.).

*Story and discussion: An old Greek legend tells of a young man who had only one vulnerable spot. Ask a class member to tell the story of Achilles.
Achilles [uh-KIL-eez] was one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. Soon after his birth, his mother, Thetis, dipped him in the River Styx, which according to legend would protect his body from harm. However, the water did not touch the heel by which Thetis held him. During the tenth year of the Trojan War, Paris shot an arrow into Achilles’ unprotected heel. Achilles died of the wound.
. What does it mean to have an Achilles heel? (To have a vulnerable or unprotected weakness.)
. How does Satan know our weaknesses? (He knows us from the premortal life.)
. How can we overcome our weaknesses?
Quotation: After the discussion, read the following quotation: “Satan knows all the tricks. He knows where we are susceptible to temptations and how to entice us to do evil. He and his messengers suggest evil, minimize the seriousness of sin and make evil inviting” (ElRay L. Christiansen, “Q and A,” New Era, July 1975, p. 49).
Quotation and chalkboard: Assign a class member to list on the chalkboard each of the temptations mentioned as the following quotation is read aloud.
. “Now, the adversary knows that a little sin will not stay little, and he welcomes any and all into his kingdom by first trying to get us to lie a little, then helping us to try to justify ourselves in so doing or to cheat or to steal. Some folks are indeed induced to desecrate the Sabbath day until it becomes habitual with them. Some people begin with the use of liquor just to ‘relax a bit.’ Also, drug abuse, evil speaking, disobedience to parents, or deceiving one’s own companions—these are means he has of getting us to digress from the proper course. He knows full well that, if continued, such diversions soon result in regrets, sorrows, and losses, because they lead us into greater sinfulness.
. “No doubt one of the most infamous snares set out by the adversary is that of unchastity” Youtube video of this, click HERE (ElRay L. Christiansen, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 29; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 24).
(The above story discussion was taken from the Young Women Manual 1, lesson 28)

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD Temptation Traps and Escapes Brainstorm (HERE or above)

TEMPTATION WEIGHT LIFTING:
Have a weight lifting class and discuss the weight Satan puts upon us if we accept his temptations. We have the power to push through (1 Nephi 15:24).

“WHITE” BALLOON BOUNCE AND “BLACK” BALLOON STOMP: Give each youth a white and a black balloon to blow up and tie. The white balloon represents purity and the ability to resist temptation and the black balloon represents temptation.
To Play:
1. White Balloon Bounce: Have youth think of one or two ways they can resist temptation and write it on everyone’s balloon with a permanent marker. Have them at the same time bounce their balloons into the air, giving an idea on how to resist temptation (e.g., obey parents, dress modestly, come home from dates early, get enough rest, read the scriptures, pray, attend church, serve others, listen to the Spirit, read The New Era, listen to the prophet, etc.). Youth can take balloons home.
2. Black Balloon Stomp: Tell the youth that we can “help” stomp out temptation by living the gospel. Tie a string to black balloons and then to youth’s ankles (with shoes off). At “go,” stop out temptation balloons popping all. The last with a balloon says, “Help!” and all stomp her temptation out.

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD Temptation Traps and Escapes Brainstorm (HERE or above)

O“BEE”-DIENT BUZZ SESSION:

1. Have young women bring scriptures and divide the chalkboard into two sides, writing “Obeyed” on the left, and “Disobeyed” on the right.
2. Have youth “buzz” (discuss) people in the scriptures who obeyed (Amulek, Nephi, Naaman, Lehi, Ester, David, Daniel) and people who disobeyed (Lamen and Lemuel, King Noah, and Coriantumer).
3. Write these names on the chalkboard.
4. Discuss the consequences that followed their actions.
5. Talk about people of today who are obedient and who are not (without gossiping or revealing names of friends or family that the others know).
6. Talk about the consequences of their actions.
7. Ask why we risk all that is precious to us and our eternal blessings to be disobedient.

*BUZZZZZZ YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN TAFFY PULLING:

Have youth gather in the kitchen to cook and pull honey taffy. All you need is a stove, pan, honey, a board, butter, and a knife.

To Make:
1. Place two cups of honey in a saucepan and bring to boil, reducing heat to medium.
2. As you stir taffy, talk about 1) ways youth can buzz their way to heaven, and 2) challenging situations they are facing and how they can “bee” obedient.
3.  When the honey has cooked for 10 minutes or so, test it. Place 1/2 teaspoon full of honey in a cup of cold water, and if it stays together it is done. If not, continue cooking and testing.
4. Pour onto a buttered board or pie plate and cool until it’s very warm to the touch.
5. With buttered fingers, pull and cut into taffy.  Wrap pieces in wax paper squares.
6. *Cut out and give youth the “Buzzzzzz your way to heaven!” label to place on taffy.

Matching Activity: DOWNLOAD I Can “Bee” O-bee-d-ant doorknob hanger and “Buzzzz your way to heaven!” sign for honey taffy treat (HERE or above)