Read and discuss the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
Read and discuss Moroni 10:3-5
- read, study
- remember the mercy of God
- ask God if something is not true
- ask with a sincere heart and real intent
- have faith in Christ
Read and discuss D&C 58:26-28
- God doesn't have to command you in all things
- If he does, then you're a slothful servant!
- be anxiously engaged in a good cause; do a lot on your own; be good
- we are our own agents; if you do good, you won't lose your reward
What is a testimony to you? What does it mean to "have a testimony?"
The Planner Assignment
Story of moving into my Planning assignment at work. In March 2015, I new nothing of financial planning at work. I didn't know what terms such as first incurred or recovery or affiliate meant. I sat in a week-long workshop with my new team and it was like I was in a foreign country - I had no clue what they were talking about. When it came time to provide support for my customers, I simply had to trust my mentors when they told me what to do and what to say. I was told it would take about six months before I really understood everything. Up to that point, I just had to give it my best shot, ask lots of questions and learn as best I could.
Eventually, the six months passed and despite some mistakes, both major and minor, I was still in the assignment. And sure enough, I pretty much understood everything. It wasn't a perfect understanding, but I no longer needed to rely on my mentors for constant help.
Then all during the year 2017, I have been the mentor to others and have grasped the nuances of the assignment. I know what things are important and what things aren't. I know what needs to be changed and what should be kept. In a sense, I'm a thought leader and considered a basic expert.
How does this story apply to the topic of gaining a testimony and spiritual self-reliance?
Be Sure You're on Solid Footing
Each one of us has to be able to answer for herself or himself, as to what they believe. And you will need to defend that position or belief. If you're not willing to defend your beliefs, then they really aren't your beliefs.
Personally speaking, the reason I love Helaman 5:12, is because it talks about a rock and building your foundation on a rock - on something that won't move out from beneath you. One of the great tragedies of life is seeing someone committed to something, only to discover that what they had committed to really was not what they believed in.
I love the moral courage of Batman in Batman Begins. Ras al Gul frees Bruce Wayne from prison and Bruce climbs to this sanctuary high in the mountains. The League of Shadows trains Bruce and Bruce is committed to them. As a final act of loyalty, they ask Bruce to behead a thief and murderer. Bruce says he is not an executioner. And at that moment, he has to decide on whether to keep to his own moral code or go along with the League of Shadows. Obviously he decides to do what is right in his mind and escapes the League of Shadows.
Finding Answers to Your Gospel Questions
1 Nephi 15:2-11
- Laman & Lemuel had questions but did not put the work in to find answers
JSH 1:10-18
- JS had questions and went to God to ask
What questions did prophets and people in the scriptures have?
- Let them look and find other examples of how people got answers
What questions do people ask today?
- Write them on the board
What sources do we have to help us answer these questions?
- scriptures.lds.org
- lds.org
- mormonessays.com (links to lds.org)
- parents, leaders
- general conference talks
- church publications
- google … is google a valid source? What is google other than other people who have gone down the same path of questions and have shared their answers?
