Relief Society · Elders Quorum · 25 minutes
President Dallin H. Oaks · President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints · Sunday Morning Session
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When we have struggles, questions, or doubts, President Oaks teaches that the way through is to draw closer to Jesus Christ through daily, step-by-step faith, patience, and humility.
Skip a detailed discussion of the Savior's visits to the Nephites and the lost tribes, and the two methods of gaining knowledge, and keep the focus on drawing closer to Christ when we struggle.
Before Sunday
Sunday: President Oaks on struggles, doubts, and coming to Christ
This Sunday we will discuss President Dallin H. Oaks's talk "The Gospel of Jesus Christ Is for All." He teaches that whatever our concerns or doubts are, the way to overcome them is to get closer to the Savior, one step at a time, with prayer and scripture study. Please read or listen to the talk if you can. Ponder: What is one small, daily step that has helped you feel closer to Jesus Christ during a hard season?
Pick one opening
President Oaks said that we all have present or future concerns or struggles we are trying to overcome, and some of those may be questions or doubts. Without naming anything private, think about a time you carried a hard question for a long while. What helped you keep going while you were waiting for an answer?
President Oaks said that we all have present or future concerns or struggles we are trying to overcome, and some of those may be questions or doubts. Without naming anything private, think about a time you carried a hard question for a long while. What helped you keep going while you were waiting for an answer?
Retell this moment from the talk: President Oaks, speaking as President of the Church, told members he prays that each of us will stay active and keep moving forward on the covenant path. Then he said he feels the positive effect of our prayers for him, and that he loves us. Point out that he then spoke plainly about struggles and doubts, and said the way through them is to get closer to the Savior.
Teach this first
President Oaks teaches that whatever our concerns, questions, or doubts are, the way to overcome them is to get closer to Jesus Christ, because He has taught again and again that He is the way. Strong faith takes more than strong desire: it grows through daily effort, one step at a time, with prayer and scripture study. Because this can take a long time, we hold on to the first article of faith, trust the Lord's timing, and stay patient with others and with ourselves.
President Oaks: "Strong faith requires more than strong desire. It means daily trying, one step at a time, with prayer and scriptural learning."
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If time remains
President Oaks teaches that we protect ourselves by renewing our covenants each week through the sacrament, by trying consistently to live those covenants, and, for those who have been endowed, by regular temple attendance. He calls these simple practices and says they will protect and strengthen us.
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Counsel together
Last 3–5 minutes
This week, choose one small daily step toward the Savior, such as a few minutes of scripture study paired with a sincere prayer, and keep it every day before next Sunday.
President Oaks promised that weekly renewing our covenants through the sacrament, living those covenants, and regular temple attendance for those who are endowed will protect and strengthen us.
Your witness: Share briefly how drawing closer to Jesus Christ, through prayer, scripture study, or the sacrament, has helped you through a struggle or an unanswered question, even while you were still waiting on the Lord.