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Relief Society · Elders Quorum · 25 minutes

“How Long Will It Be Ere They Believe Me?”Relief Society & Elders Quorum lesson

Elder Dale G. Renlund · Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles · Saturday Afternoon Session

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A 25-minute class

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Because of what Jesus Christ has already done for us, we can trust His promises, see past our present troubles, and know there is no exception that leaves any of us out.

Skip the Joseph Smith quote on ample provision and the Book of Mormon purpose passage. Mention them in one sentence at most, so there is time for the story of the children of Israel and Linda's asterisk.

0–2Open2–5Hook5–20Discuss20–23Apply23–25Testify

Before Sunday

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Sunday: cold oatmeal and God's promises

This Sunday we will discuss Elder Dale G. Renlund's October 2026 talk, "How Long Will It Be Ere They Believe Me?" In the talk, a man who barely survived two heart transplants complains about his breakfast, and Elder Renlund compares that to the way the children of Israel lost sight of what God had done for them. Please read or listen to the talk on the Gospel Library app. Before Sunday, think about this question: what has the Lord already done in your life that you tend to forget when things get hard?

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Story hook

Elder Renlund told about a heart transplant patient, Mr. Martin. The first donor heart failed. His liver, kidneys, and lungs were shutting down, and the medical team was getting ready to withdraw life support. Then a second heart came, one no other hospital would use. It worked beautifully. Ten days later, the day before he went home, Elder Renlund found him angry, saying through clenched teeth, "The oatmeal isn't hot, and the milk isn't cold!" Ask the class why that moment might feel familiar.

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Remembering what the Lord has done helps us trust His promises

The children of Israel saw the Red Sea part and ate manna in the wilderness. Still, they kept focusing on their present hardships, and their trust in God wore away. Elder Renlund teaches that when we remember the great things the Lord has already done, we can see the bigger picture and rely on His promises. Our hope rests on Jesus Christ's righteousness and faithfulness, not our own, so His promises hold even when our day goes badly.

Elder Renlund points out that the Lord asked, "How long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have [shown] among them?" (Numbers 14:11). He explains it as the Lord asking, "Why don't they trust me?"
— Elder Dale G. Renlund

Ask the class

  • 1.The Lord asked about Israel, "How long will it be ere they believe me?" When you read that question in the talk, what do you hear in the Lord's voice, and what does it tell you about how He feels toward us?
  • 2.Lehi told Jacob he was redeemed "because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer" (2 Nephi 2:3). How does it change your hope to know it rests on Christ's faithfulness instead of your own performance?

If time remains

God's promises include each of us, with no exceptions

Elder Renlund's sister Linda used to read promised blessings in the scriptures and picture an asterisk that left her out. She came to see that she was not extraordinary enough to be an exception. Elder Renlund invites each of us to erase that asterisk, because the Savior's power reaches every circumstance.

Ask the class

  • 1.Why do faithful people sometimes believe a promise applies to everyone except them, and what has helped you erase that asterisk?

Counsel together

Quorum / Relief Society business

  • •Is there someone in our quorum or Relief Society who is in a long stretch of cold oatmeal right now, and how could we help them see the bigger picture this month?
  • •How could we make more room in our meetings for members to share what the Lord has done for them?

Last 3–5 minutes

Close

This week, write down one specific time the Lord helped you, and come back to it on a day when the cold oatmeal seems to be all you can see.

Elder Renlund teaches that when our faith is centered on Jesus Christ, He promises spiritual peace no matter our circumstances, and we can feel joy here and now through our covenant relationship with Him.

Your witness: Think of a time you remembered what the Lord had already done for you and found you could trust Him with something new. Share it briefly, and say plainly what you believe about His promises applying to you.

Read or listen first“How Long Will It Be Ere They Believe Me?”
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