Relief Society · Elders Quorum · 25 minutes
Elder Gerrit W. Gong · Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles · Sunday Afternoon Session
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Christ has been walking with us all along our personal roads to Emmaus, and His covenants, especially the sacrament, are how we recognize Him.
Skip the section about the solemn assembly and the story about President Oaks; those are context for conference, not the heart of the lesson.
Before Sunday
Sunday's lesson: He's been walking with you all along
This Sunday we're discussing Elder Gerrit W. Gong's Easter talk from general conference. He focuses on the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who didn't recognize the resurrected Christ walking beside them until He broke bread with them. Elder Gong teaches that Christ walks our dusty, hard roads with us the same way today, through scripture, the sacrament, and covenant belonging. Before Sunday, read Luke 24:13–35 (the Emmaus account) and come ready to discuss: When have you sensed the Savior was with you on a hard road, even if you didn't fully recognize it at the time?
Pick one opening
Think of a time in your life when you felt alone on a hard stretch of road, a season of grief, confusion, or discouragement. Looking back, was there a moment when you sensed you weren't actually alone, even if you couldn't see it clearly at the time? Take a minute to think, then share if you're willing.
Think of a time in your life when you felt alone on a hard stretch of road, a season of grief, confusion, or discouragement. Looking back, was there a moment when you sensed you weren't actually alone, even if you couldn't see it clearly at the time? Take a minute to think, then share if you're willing.
Two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem on Easter Day, seven miles to a village called Emmaus. They're grieving. A stranger falls into step beside them, listens to their sadness, and opens the scriptures as they walk. Their hearts burn, but they still don't know who He is. Only later, when He breaks bread at the table, do their eyes open. He had been with them the whole time. That's the image Elder Gong wants us to carry into this discussion.
Teach this first
The road to Emmaus is a covenant pattern, not just a historical story. We all have seasons when we feel alone, unseen, or burdened. Elder Gong teaches that on those roads, Christ is already walking beside us, opening scripture, breaking bread in the sacrament, and fulfilling His promise to abide with us. We come to know He lives as we walk by faith with Him, not after the hard road is over.
Elder Gong teaches that 'sometimes on our dusty roads to Emmaus, we feel alone, misunderstood, burdened, unseen. But as He talks with us by the way, His words in scripture can cause our hearts to burn.'
Ask the class
If time remains
At the close of his talk, Elder Gong turns the Emmaus pattern outward: if Christ walks beside the lonely and unseen, so should we. He asks plainly, 'If you see someone walking alone and sad, will you please walk with them?'
Ask the class
Counsel together
Last 3–5 minutes
This week, identify one person who may be on a discouraging road. Do one small thing to walk with them, a text, a visit, sitting beside them on Sunday, and notice what the Savior does through that simple act.
Elder Gong promises, drawing directly from John 15, that as we abide in Christ and He in us, we will bear fruit that remains and our joy will be full.
Your witness: Share, in your own words, a moment when you felt the Savior walking beside you on a hard road, and what that has meant for your trust in His promises.