The principles taught in James 1:5–6 led Joseph Smith to a life-changing spiritual experience, and they can bless each of us in some way. Perhaps you could write questions like the following on the board and ask class members to ponder them silently: What influence has James 1:5–6 had in your life? 
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What has Joseph Smith’s experience with these James 1:5-6 verses taught you about seeking wisdom about your own questions? (see Joseph Smith—History 1:10–17). What experiences have taught you that “the testimony of James [is] true”? (Joseph Smith—History 1:26). Invite class members to share thoughts they have after pondering these questions.

Perhaps class members could put James 1:5–6 into their own words. How does this help them understand these verses better? You may want to discuss together what some of the words from these verses mean.

To start a discussion on James’s teachings about patience in these verses, you might invite class members to share experiences when they had to be patient and what they learned from that experience. Then they could search James 1:2–4; and James 5:7–11 for principles that relate to their experiences. They might also find applicable principles in the video “Continue in Patience” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Continue in Patience” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 56–59). Class members could share what they have learned about patience as they have come to know Heavenly Father and the Savior. What has helped us develop patience?

One way to discuss James’s teachings about faith and works could be to divide your class into two groups—one to explore why faith requires action and the other to explore why our actions require faith. To do this, they could read Matthew 7:21–23; James 1:6–8, 21–25; 2:14–26; and Joseph Smith—History 1:19. Then each group could share what they found and discuss why both faith and works are necessary.

To help class members ponder more deeply the memorable phrase “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), you could write the following sentence on the board: Faith without works is like ___________ without ________. Invite class members to think of creative ways to complete the sentence, and let them write their ideas on the board. What can we do to continually act on our faith in Jesus Christ?

To help inspire class members to show Christlike love to everyone regardless of others’ situation or outward appearance, you could ask class members to take turns reading verses from James 1:9–11; 2:1–9; 5:1–6. Discuss questions like the following: What does it mean to “have respect to persons”? (James 2:9). Why do we sometimes treat those who have money, fame, or power differently than those who don’t? How can we avoid treating others differently based on what their circumstances are? In what way are faithful followers of the Savior really the richest of all? (see James 2:5).

The powerful images James used can remind and motivate us to use words—both spoken and written—to uplift others. Consider inviting class members to scan James 3, looking for comparisons James used to describe how words can hurt or bless others; some class members might enjoy drawing pictures of what they find. How do these comparisons illustrate James’s instructions in this chapter? For example, how can our words be like a fire? Perhaps class members could share experiences that demonstrate the power that language can have. You might invite class members to ponder how they can apply James’s counsel.