October 22, 2023 YOUTH DOCTRINAL CLASS “How Can I Stay Strong in My Commitment to Jesus Christ?” for Aaronic Priesthood Quorums & Young Women – Come Follow Me – Lessons (1 and 2 Thessalonians), Activities and Goals

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

To help the youth review what they have read in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and introduce the topic of staying strong in our commitment to the Savior, you could read together 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3. Discuss what the term “falling away” could mean. In particular, what does it mean for an individual to fall away from Jesus Christ? You could contrast this term with other phrases Paul used, like “stand fast in the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 3:8) and “be not weary in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

DOWNLOAD Hold Fast to the Lord’s Standards word find (HERE or below)

You could then review 1 Thessalonians 5:15–23. How can following Paul’s counsel in these verses help keep us from falling away from our faith in Jesus Christ—even when we face opposition? Use activities like the following to help class or quorum members stay strong in their commitment to the Savior.

• It can be inspiring to learn from the examples of others who became immovable in their commitment to Christ. For instance, you could study together the example of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, who had been “a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people” but “never did fall away” after they were “converted unto the Lord” (Alma 17:14; 23:6–8).
  • DOWNLOAD Bury Swords: Change of Heart Quiz (HERE or below)
  • DOWNLOAD Anti-Nephi-Lehies Bury Weapons of War for Peace QUIZ (HERE or below)
  

• What does Alma 24:8–18 suggest about why they remained faithful? What key choices did they make? How did the Savior help them? Additional examples can be found in Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ.” Perhaps a few youth could read some of these examples and share what they learn about staying true to Christ. How have we stayed committed to the Lord despite our shortcomings?

In our efforts to strengthen our faith, it’s helpful to be aware of forces that seek to weaken it. Lehi’s vision of the tree of life describes some of these forces.
• DOWNLOAD Lehi’s Vision – Tree of Life 3-D vision box (HERE or below)
• DOWNLOAD The Iron Rod, Hymn 274 song visuals (HERE or below)

Perhaps you could show a picture of the vision (see Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 69) and review together the details, found in 1 Nephi 8:10–34. In the vision, what kept people from enjoying the fruit of the tree? What helped people reach the tree and stay there? What do these things symbolize in our lives?

In his message “Power to Overcome the Adversary” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 110–12), Elder Peter M. Johnson listed three ways Satan tries to weaken us. You could assign each youth to read about one of these and share with the class or quorum examples of how Satan uses this tool against youth today. Then they could each read one of Elder Johnson’s four suggestions for overcoming the adversary’s tactics and share what they learned.