November: How can I find answers to my own gospel questions?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Alexa/Siri/Cortana/Google Activity
• Ask the class what questions they could search on the internet and find instant answers to. Give them the opportunity to ask those questions using an voice activated device such as Alexa, Siri, Cortana, or Google.
• Elder W. Mark Bassett of the Seventy said, "In this modern age, we have come to expect that knowledge can and should be obtained immediately." But can all knowledge be obtained this way?
• What are some questions people might ask about life or the gospel?
• Ex: Is there life after death? Does God answer prayers? Is the Book of Mormon true? What college should I go to?
• Can we ask the internet for these answers?
• Yes, they can probably provide insight and opinions. But most require us to seek knowledge through study and prayer.
• So... How can we find answers to our gospel questions?

2. Learn Together:

• Elder Bassett continued his talk by using Nephi's example to show us how we can find answers.
• Read 1 Nephi 2:16: 19-20
• Traits that Nephi exemplified
• (1) sincere desire, (2) humility, (3) prayer, (4) trust in the prophet, (5) faith, (6) diligence, (7) obedience

3. Teach Others/Liken the Scriptures

• Pass out the Examples in the Scriptures worksheet
• Have the class read the scriptures listed on their worksheet for Joseph Smith, Alma, Laman and Lemuel, or Brother of Jared. 
• Give them time to answer the questions and be prepared to share their findings with the class.
• How did Joseph Smith, Alma, and the Brother of Jared's experiences differ from Laman and Lemuel's?

4. Making it Personal

• Is there a difference between questioning and asking questions?
• This link has great info: https://www.lds.org/youth/article/when-you-have-questions?lang=eng
• Share Video Clip from President Uchtdorf's 2009 CES Fireside (found in the link at the top of the post)
• Why are there times when the Lord doesn't answer our questions completely or immediately?
• "Be obedient, remember the times when you have felt the Spirit in the past, and ask in faith. Your answers will come, and you will feel the love and peace of the Savior. It may not come as quickly or in the format you desire, but the answer will come. Do not give up! Never give up!" - Elder James B. Martino
• "Elder Neil L. Anderson... has said that as we 'remain steady and patient' through our lives, 'at times, the Lord's answer will be, 'You don't know everything, but you know enough' - enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right" - "You Know Enough" from Nov 2008 Ensign.

5. Conclusion

• "Have ye inquired of the Lord?" story from John Hilton III (found in the link at the top of the post)
• Share with the youth the page on LDS.org that is dedicated to helping us find answers to gospel questions: https://www.lds.org/topics/answering-gospel-questions?lang=eng
• Finish with testimony and 1 Nephi 15:11 - "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? - If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things [will] be made known unto you."

September: How can I inspire others to obey the commandments?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction:

• Think of someone you know, whom you wish you could inspire to keep the commandments.
• What inspires people to live the gospel? What inspires you?

2. Likening the Scriptures & Learning Together:

• Read Matthew 5:16 & 1 Timothy 4:12
• How are these scriptures related?
  
• Build a Lighthouse Activity
• I cut out each part of the picture of a lighthouse to the right. Using the scriptures that were just read, discuss how we can be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, etc. (Save Bear Your Testimony for later in the lesson)
• Use the talk "Be an Example and a Light" by President Monson to assist in the discussion.
• Go through each of the traits and have the youth ponder if that is something that they could work on or is it something that they have down. 
• Can you think of someone who exemplifies one of these traits?
• Watch "Leave the Party" video
• While they watch, ask the youth to look for how the power of being an example influences others to obey or disobey the commandments.
• I shared an example of going to party when I was their age. I knew that I should leave, but I didn't. Nothing bad happened, but I still wish I would have stood up and left. Then I shared another example of going to a movie with a friend who was an example and we left when we didn't feel comfortable.
• Ask the youth to share any examples that they might have.

3. Teach Others:

• Read Alma 4:19
• What does "bearing down in pure testimony" mean?
• How can it help us and others obey the commandments?
• Have you ever been influenced by someone's testimony?
• Speed Sharing Activity (aka Speed Dating)
• There are a few ways that you can organize this... I had the class sit in two rows of chairs facing each other. Then I handed out the scriptures in a way that #1 was across from #5, #2 across from #4, etc. 
• Give the youth about 3-5 minutes to read their scripture and formulate what inspires them about the testimony they read:
• Matthew 6:13-19
• Mosiah 3:17
• Alma 5:45-48
• Alma 7:13
• D&C 76:22-24
• Then they will have about 45 seconds to share with their partner.
• Have all the #1's get up and move to the other end of the row, with everyone scooting down a seat. Repeat.

4. Make it Personal:

• Bearing Your Testimony Checklist (General information found in Preach My Gospel)
• Not only did they read the testimonies, but they bore testimony of their own. 
• Go through the checklist and point out that what inspired them was a testimony of their own. That it was direct and heartfelt, it wasn't eloquent or lengthy, and it didn't start with "I'd like to bear my testimony"
• What opportunities do you have to bear your testimony in a similar manner?

5. Conclusion:

• Think back to the beginning of class, when they thought of someone who they would like to inspire to obey the commandments. Did they learn something that they can do to be a lighthouse?

September: What blessings does Heavenly Father promise if I obey the commandments?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Traffic Sign Analogy
• Show the youth the paper full of traffic signs
• Do Not Enter sign - What is the point of this sign? But what if I really want to go in, can I? So why should I obey this sign?
• What do commandments have in common with traffic signs?
• Quote #1 from Tad R. Callister - "Commandments are no more restrictive to the spiritual man than street signs are to the motorists. Neither prohibits our progress; on the contrary, the enhance it by serving as guideposts or directional signs to help us find our destination."

2. Learning Together & Likening the Scriptures

• What other commandments have we been given? (List these on one side of the board under the heading "Commandments"
• What do we get in return for keeping these commandments? (Blessings)
• What are some blessings we get for keeping the commandments we listed on the board? (List their responses on the other side of the board under the heading "Promised Blessings"
• Pass out scriptures cards to the youth to find blessings to specific commandments and discuss

3. Teaching Others

• Using the topical guide under "Commandments of God", have the youth find an example of keeping the commandments and how that person was blessed. Have the youth share with the class.
• Example: D&C 95:8-9 - Commanded to build a temple

4. Making it Personal

• Show the video "A Shower of Heavenly Blessings"
• Have the youth ponder the following while they watch the video... "Summarize in one sentence what they learned from the video about blessings of keeping the commandments."
• What role does faith play in being obedient and receiving blessings?
• How can keeping the commandments help our testimonies grow?
• Quote #2, #3, #4 from Elder L. Whitney Clayton

5. Conclusion

• What blessings have you received as a result of keeping the commandments? Or your parents, family, or friends?

August: How can I teach others how to do family history work?

All Printables and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Did the youth do any family history work with week?
• Have you ever taught someone how to use technology?
• Quote from Elder Bednar, “Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends.”

2. Learning Together

• What are some ways you can use your technology skills to help others learn about family history?
• Quote from Generations Linked in Love by Elder Russell M. Nelson found in the printables

3. Teaching Others

• During the lesson, "Why is it important to learn about my family history?", the youth mentioned different ways that they find names to take to the temple. I had them teach their tips to the class.
• Watch "Preserve your Photos and Family Memories" video. When I watched this video, it really touched me and I knew that this was what we needed to focus on in this lesson.
• I hooked my laptop up to a tv and showed the youth how to add photos and stories to their ancestors "Memories" section of their profile. As well as how to tag other ancestors in the photo.
• I went to my grandma's house in preparation and she let me take a book full of stories and pictures. She even had cassette tape recordings of President Monson interviewing my Great-Grandparents that need to be transcribed. How cool is that!? Let's just say I'm hooked on learning about my ancestors and I brought all the life histories, some photos and those cassette tapes to show my class, hoping that they will find the enthusiasm for learning about their ancestors.
• I also showed them how to use the Memories app on their phones. It links to the Family Tree (Family Search) app. You can store pictures, recordings, and documents on the Memories app while you are meeting with grandparents and others who can share stories and pictures of ancestors. There is a really cool feature on the Family Tree app called "Relatives Around Me". If two people have this screen open on their phone, Family Tree will find how you and their other person are the most closely related. I found out my husband is my 6th cousin!

4. Making it Personal

• Watch "Help Others Add Photos and Documents the Their Family Tree" video
• Think of someone that you could share what we have learned today with (FHE, Grandparents, sibilings)
• I bought copies of "My Family: Stories that Bring Us Together" booklet from the distribution center. You can also order them online HERE
• Let the class share their family stories

5. Conclusion

• You might not remember all of their names, but they will never forget yours.
• SoulSavers treat (I put a piece of paper over the "Life" part of "LifeSavors")

August: Why is it important to learn about my family history?

All Printable and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Have the youth try to fill out a pedigree chart. (Some are going to be able to fill it out and other's might not know past their parents)
• I let the class share how well the class did. Then I had them hold on to the chart until the end of the lesson.

2. Likening the Scriptures

• Why do we do family history?
• What is the spirit of Elijah?
• Malachi 4:5-6
• D&C 128:18
• Read the "Redeeming the Dead" section in True to the Faith
• Watch The Time is Now Video

3. Learning Together

• How can we do family history work?
• Interviewing family members, recording memories (such as journals that were talked about last week), Learning about ancestors, adding photos and stories to FamilySearch.org, doing indexing, Completing temple ordinances
• Read "Redeeming the Dead" quote by Elder Richard G. Scott
• What family history work have you done? Or family members?

4. Making it Personal

• Read "An Invitation to the Rising Generation" by Elder David A. Bednar

(So this part of the lesson can be done many ways. My husband is a tech junkie, so we just happened to have a couple, okay quite a few, Kindle Fires. You could also ask the class to bring their own electronic device. Or you might have a few laptops and tablets lying around. Or if that isn't an option, you could set up a projector and laptop to show the class.)

• Give the youth a tour of the FamilySearch Indexing program
• Give the youth a tour of the FamilySearch website/app
• This was my main focus 
• How can I find ancestors who need ordinances completed?
• How do I reserve ordinances?
• How do I print them off and take them to the temple?
• In the link above, I provided some FamilySearch articles for help in navigating their site
• I also showed them the "Take A Name" app. This is my favorite, especially since I can't easily find ancestors to do work for since my immediate ancestors have had their work done already. This app will find people like my 1st cousin 7 times removed that needs their work done.

5. Conclusion

• On an index card, I had them write down one thing that they would do this week to do family history. (Ex: Complete the pedigree chart if they weren't able to, learn about an ancestor, or find a name to take to the temple.)

July: How can I prepare to receive temple ordinances?

All Printouts and Videos are HERE

(Things to get in advance: For the Strength of Youth Pamphlets)

1. Introduction:

• I displayed a picture of the Salt Lake Temple on the table before class.
• Have the youth take turns reading the introduction in the For Strength of Youth.
• My church library only had 3 copies, so I had to ask around to get enough for my class. You could always have the youth share pamplets or you could print out the front cover and the intro.
• Ask the youth, "Why do you think that they chose a temple for the front cover?"

2. Learn Together

• Watch the "Temples" video
• Ask the youth what the temple means to them, whether it is doing baptisms for the dead, attending temple open houses, or visiting temple grounds.
• Temple Statistics
• When President Monson was called as an Apostle in 1963, there were 12 operating temples in the word. As of today, there are 156 operating temples. When all of the announced temples are dedicated there will be 182 temples. Wow!
• With the Cedar City and Saratoga Springs temple, there will be 18 temples in Utah alone.
• List of Temples by Year
• I found this awesome table of all of the temples sorted by year of dedication. I had to add my own page to update it to current. Make sure to print out part 1 and part 2.
• How many temples were there when you were born?
• How many temples were there when Mom and Dad or Grandpa and Grandma were born?
• Is there anything that sticks out to you? (I thought it was interesting how there were times when there was no temple or how there was a lot dedicated in 2000.)
• I told a story about my great grandparents who were married in North Carolina in 1934. They drove all the way to Salt Lake to be sealed in 1935. There were only 7 temples in the world.

3. Likening the Scriptures

• Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "As temples are prepared for the people, the people need to prepare themselves for the temple."
• Read Psalms 24:3-4
• What does this teach us about preparing to receive temple ordinances?
• Write a list on the board of other ways we can prepare to receive temples ordinances.

4. Teach Others

• Watch the first 3 minutes of Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk "Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times" 
• Divide the class up into 4 groups. Have three of the groups study one of the principles listed in his talk. Have the last group study the article "Making the Temple a Part of Your Life".
• Have each group teach the class about their findings.

5. Making it Personal

• Let the youth write down three goals that they can work on to help them prepare for temple ordinances.

6. Conclusion

• Watch the "Always in our Sights" video
• I shared the special feelings I had when I was able to gather with my family in the Celestial Room for the first time and bore my testimony that it really is worth it.

Additional Resources:  I also printed off a copy of the "Commonly Asked Questions" about the temple from the Liahona. I thought it had some great explanations, just in case the kids asked questions.

July: How can I deepen my understanding of covenants?

All Printouts Found HERE

1. Introduction

• Making, Breaking, or Keeping Covenants Picture Activity
• Pass out the pictures representing making, breaking or keeping covenants
• Have each youth explain which category their picture(s) fall under

2. Learn Together

• As a class, read the section from True to the Faith titled "Covenants" 
• I have created a worksheet that has this section and the following questions for the youth to answer.
• What is a covenant?
• Why do we make covenants?
• What blessings do we receive when we keep them?
• Discuss answers
• Object Lesson from http://www.ambermaybe.com/2012/06/11/26-weeks-of-fhe-week-9/
• I didn't worry about the rubber ducky on top. I gathered three white cups and one red one. Then I told them that the red cup had to stay in the middle of the white cups. And the white cups couldn't move.
• Hand out "The Covenant Path" printout 
• I found this and I really liked how each of the covenants were laid out as we go through life. I wanted the youth to be able to keep a copy, so I sized it to fix in a standard set of scriptures.

3. Likening the Scriptures & Teaching Others

• Have the youth pick a covenant to learn about and teach to the class. If you have more than six youth, you could print off multiple copies or have them work in groups. (To be fair, I had my class roll a dice to see who got to pick first.) 
• For this activity, the youth are asked to read scriptures as well as excerpts from True to the Faith and a few other articles. If you want to save on printing, you could always bring True to the Faith books for the youth to use instead of the print outs from the True to the Faith.
• Also, if you wanted to save paper, you could always print out the Covenant worksheet from earlier in the lesson and the covenant they are going to learn about and teach double-sided. 

4. Making it Personal

• Pass out index cards and have the youth answer the following question: "Why is making and keeping covenants important to me?

5. Conclusion

• Read the quote from Elder Russell M. Nelson on the back of the Covenant Keeper Kit Kat handout from RuthAnne Strong. 

June: How can I use stories to teach others about the priesthood?

All Printables and Videos found HERE

Introduction:

• Display list of parables 
• Ask the youth what all of these words have in common
• Why did Jesus use stories to teach?

Learn Together:

(I used the article "Using Stories to Teach About the Priesthood" as the outline for this lesson. So headings, sections and paragraphs mentioned below come from this article. You can also find a pdf version in the printables and video link. I had the youth read the quotes from the article.)

• Read the 1st paragraph of section "Why Use Stories"
• To help us better understand why stories are a great way to teach we are going to use the following scenario: "Read the scenario at the beginning of the article about Anton"
• Read the 2nd paragraph of "Why Use Stories"
• Do they have any priesthood stories they could share with Anton? (If they can't think of anything, that's okay. They will remember experiences throughout the lesson and we will ask this question again later on.)

Likening the Scriptures:

• Ask the youth where can they find stories about the priesthood?
• Scriptures, Mormon Messages, their own experiences, other's experience
• Read Acts 8:14-24 and 3 Nephi 18:1-9, which are stories about the priesthood
• Read the section "Where to Find Stories"
• By now the youth have probably thought of a few stories they could share

Making it Personal:

• Read the section "What Stories to Use" and "When to Tell Stories"
• Put everything we have learned into action by watching the following videos and asked the youth to look for a principle. Afterwards ask them what it means to them personally.
• Faith in the Priesthood - What can you learn about preparation and the priesthood from President Monson?
• Sanctify Yourselves - What can you learn from the 18-year-old newly ordained Melchizedek priesthood holder about listening to the Spirit?
• Wartime Miracle - What can you learn about faith and the priesthood?
• Additional Stories, if you have time:
• http://www.ldsshortstories.com/stories/priesthood
• https://www.lds.org/children/resources/topics/priesthood-blessings?lang=eng&_r=1
• http://www.mormonhaven.com/zwick.htm

Conclusion:

• Ask the youth if they thought of any stories they would like to share about the priesthood.
• Have the youth answer the question on the index card "What does the priesthood mean to me?"

June: How can I participate effectively in councils in the Church?

All printables, handouts and videos found HERE

Introduction:

• Quickly did our monthly scripture chart drawing.
• What is a council?
• Types of Councils Match Game
• I put a colored piece of paper or cardstock behind each picture and word strip. 
• I also put the pictures on one side and the word strips on the other side of the chalkboard. I didn't want it to take too long by having them turn over two pictures or two word strips on their turn.

Making it Personal:

• Have the youth share their experiences participating in council settings at Church or at home. 
• What did they do to prepare for the meeting?
• What did they do to participate?

Likening the Scriptures:

• Before class write these scriptures on the board:
• Matthew 18:20
• Moroni 6:4-5
• D&C 38:27
• D&C 88:122
• Have the youth pick one of the scriptures and answer the question, "Why does the Lord use councils to accomplish his work?"
• Read the heading/description of this lesson in the Sunday School Manual. I have one you can print out in the link above.

Learning Together:

• Watch "Participate in Councils" video
• Have the youth write down what they learn is needed for a successful council on the index cards in the printable link above.
• Have they seen any of these principles applied in a council?
• Mock Ward Council Activity
• I put a table in the middle of the room and had the youth sit around it.
• I had them draw a prompts/problems that could be facing the ward. Using what they learned from the video and their experiences with council, they are to work together to find a solution to the problem.
• If you want, you could assign specific roles such as: Elder's Quorum President, Bishop, Relief Society President, Primary President, Sunday School President, etc. But I decided not to because of my age group and I only have 2 boys and 4 girls in my class. 

Conclusion:

• Why would it be less effective if one person made all the decisions without counseling others?
• How did the council help accomplish the Lord's work?
• What makes councils such an effective way to do the Lord's work?

May: What does it mean to bear testimony?

All Printables, Videos, and Handouts found HERE

1. Introduction

• Have the class close their eyes and imagine that they have invited a non-member friend or family member to church on Fast Sunday. We have partaken of the sacrament and the bishop turns the time over to the congregation to bear their testimonies. Your friend or family member leans over and asks, "What does it mean to bear testimony?" How would you answer?

2. Learn Together

• Testimony Do's and Don'ts
• Put the two headings on the board. Pass out the articles from talks about testimonies. Have each class member share what their article teaches us about the do's and don'ts of sharing your testimony

3. Teach Others

• Have the youth search the scriptures for an example of someone bearing their testimony. Here are a few examples:
• 1 Nephi 3:7 - Nephi
• Matthew 6:13-19 - Simon Peter & Jesus
• Alma 5:45-48 - Alma the Younger
• D&C 76:22-24 - Joseph Smith
• Have the youth share their example and what it can teach us about bearing testimony
• How can we bear testimony? Can it only be on Fast Sunday during sacrament meeting?
• Watch "Testimony of Thomas S. Monson" video 
• Have the class brainstorm other ways to bear testimony
• Additional Ideas: "Witnesses for God" by Henry B. Eyring

4. Making it Personal

• Ask the class to think of a time when they were influenced by someone's testimony, whether through actions or words while they watch a video.
• Watch "A Man without Eloquence" of Brigham Young's experience of being touched by someone else's testimony.
• Allow youth to share their experiences

5. Conclusion

• Pass out the index cards and have the youth write down their answer to the question you asked at the beginning of class "What does it mean to bear testimony?"

May: What can I learn from the living prophets and apostles?

All Printables and Handouts found HERE

1. Introduction

• Handout the coded message and give the class a few minutes to solve the code. They won't be able to solve it.
• What might give you a better chance at being successful? (A Key)
• Pass out the key to decipher the code
• Read the message
• What could the coded message and keys have to do with our lives today?

2. Learn together

• Why do you think that Joseph Smith said that prophets and apostles are a key that will never rust?
• Watch the video, "Why do we have prophets?" Discuss the video.
• We know that Heavenly Father has given us prophets to guide us through life, but is that enough? Once we have the words of the prophets, what must we do?
• Elder Neil L. Anderson, "To these men, that ordination brings a spiritual power and a solemn responsibility - a power to know and to testify and a responsibility to teach and to bless. It also brings a responsibility and a promise to us all. We have the responsibility to listen and to foll, and we have a promise that blessings will come as we believe and act on their words."
• While Christ was on the Earth he taught this through the Parable of the Sower. Reach Matthe 13:3-9
• Who is the sower? (The Lord) What does the seed represents? (The word of God) What does the soil represent? (Heart of the person)
• What does this parable teach us?

3. Making it personal

• Pass out the index cards and have the youth take a couple of minutes to write down a time when a "seed" or the words of the prophets guided them, taught them, or helped them.
• In the meantime, I attempted to draw a large flower pot on the board for the next activity.
• Invite the youth to share their seeds.

4. Teaching others

• As a class make a list of challenge that the youth face today.
• Have each youth select one of the challenges and search the most recent conference talks to find counsel that could help someone overcome that challenge. (I went to Deseret Book and bought an Ensign copy for each youth.)
• They will write the counsel they found on the seed, share with the class and put it on the board.

5. Conclusion

• Bear your testimony of the words of the prophets and apostles 
• I focused on the fact that they always come back to the fact that we are children of God. I shared this quote, "A prophet is indeed a revelator, but sometimes what we most need revealed to us is the heart of the gospel we've simply forgotten or overlooked in its simplicity: the Savior loves us, and we are known by Him."
• Then I tied it all back to if we listen to the "seeds" from our prophets and apostles with a heart that is full of good soil, then our testimonies will grow like the fruit in the parable. (I drew a flower coming out of the pot on the chalkboard.) Their word will truly be a key that will not rust. It will be a key to help us return home to our Heavenly Father.

March: What can the scriptures teach me about the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

All Printables and Handouts found HERE

1. Introduction

• For me, this was the last week of the month, so we did our scripture chart drawing. Then passed out the new charts for April. 
• We reviewed the challenge from last week.
• Trivia time: There are 6607 verses in the Book of Mormon. How many talk of Christ?
• 3925
• Display topic.

2. Making it Personal

• Read Elder Packer's story of giving a triple combination to Oxford found in his talk "The Reason for Our Hope". I split up the story into quotes.
• Pass out the worksheet
• What is your favorite scripture about Jesus Christ and/or the Atonement?
• Have the youth refer to the topical guide, if they do not have one.
• Write these scriptures on the board, then create a scripture chain as the youth read their scripture and share why they like it.

3. Likening the Scriptures

• Have each youth pick a picture of a story found in the scriptures listed on the worksheet. They will read the scripture associated with that picture. They will then teach the class how that story relates to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
• I went over the story of Noah, referenced in the suggestions on lds.org, to give them an idea of how it will work. The ark is like the atonement because it can protect us from the flood of sin. Or the floods can wash away our sins.
• It is okay if youth choose the same pictures. They will probably come up with different ideas of how it relates to the atonement.

4. Conclusion

• Since it is the last week of March, I want to answer any questions they have about the Atonement. So I asked them if they had any questions. 
• To end, I showed the video of the Gethsemane song that I love.

March: How can I use the words of living prophets and apostles to strengthen my faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Name the Apostles Activity
• Give the youth time to fill in the apostles names underneath their picture. See printables for worksheet that I printed double-sided.
• Go over any that they did not know

2. Likening the Scriptures

• I wrote the following scriptures on the board:
• Bible Dictionary
• Jacob 7:11-12
• Mosiah 15:11-12
• D&C 107:23
• D&C 76:22-24
• Acts 1:22
• While each of the youth read a scripture, have them answer the question, "What is an apostle?" They can write their definitions in the box on the printable.

3. Learn Together and Teach Others

• Have each class member pick an apostle. Give them the corresponding testimony found in the printable link above. Depending on the size of the class, you could have them choose two.
• Ask the youth to highlight quotations that stand out to them.
• The youth will then share their discoveries with the class.
• Each youth then writes what impressed them in the box next to the apostle's picture.

4. Making it Personal

• Beforehand, study D. Todd Christofferson's talk "Becoming a Witness of Christ"
• Read the first section which is also Quote #1
• As the class, "How can we be witnesses of Christ?"
• Based on the discussion, incorporate the other quotes from Elder Christofferson's talk

5. Conclusion

• Watch "Lifting Burdens" Mormon Message
• Complete the index card for the week, "How can I share my witness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?"
• Challenge the youth to read "The Living Christ". In the printables, you will find one that will fit in their scriptures. 

February: How can I use Church music to learn about the plan of salvation?

All Printables Found HERE

1. Introduction

• Display list of music genres. What do these words have in common?
• Have the class think about their favorite type of music. Why is it your favorite?
• I talked about my favorite type of music and why. I also let those in my class share.
• Display Topic Poster.

2. Learn Together

• Pass out hymn books to each class member and have them turn to the First Presidency Preface in the front of the book.
• Read the 1st paragraph and discuss the scripture from D&C. Why do you think that music is important in the Gospel?
• Read the remaining sections in the preface, while discussing what blessings are promised.
• I shared this example from Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk, "Worship through Music"
• When the Lord’s Apostles meet in modern times, the singing of hymns is still part of their meetings. The weekly meetings of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Salt Lake Temple always begin with a hymn. Elder Russell M. Nelson plays the organ accompaniment. The First Presidency, who conduct these meetings, rotate the privilege of selecting the opening song. Most of us record the date each hymn is sung. According to my records, the opening song most frequently sung during the decade of my participation has been “I Need Thee Every Hour”. Picture the spiritual impact of the Lord's servants singing that song before praying for his guidance in fulfilling their mighty responsibilities.
• What ways can church music help us in our lives? Do you have any special experience where church music helped you or invited the spirit?

3. Likening the Scriptures

• Can you think of any church songs that teach us about the Plan of Salvation?
• Direct the class to the Topical Guide in the back of the hymn book and find the section titled "Plan of Salvation".
• Musical Notes Matching Game
• I chose 5 hymns from the topical guide to discuss. To make it a little more exciting I created a memory match game. (I left two music notes blank, if you want to add more.)
• Once they found a match, we turned to the hymn, read the scriptures and skimmed through the lyrics. 
• While reading, have them look for things they learn about the Premortal Life, Mortal Life, and Life after Death? I wrote these on the board under the appropriate heading.

4. Making it Personal

• The index card for this week had them answer the question - What did I learn about the plan of salvation from the words of the hymns?

February: Why is learning an important part of Heavenly Father's Plan?

All Printables and Videos are found HERE

1. Introduction

• Plan of Salvation Activity
• Since this was the first lesson they would be having on this topic, I thought it would be a good idea to review.
• I cut out the pieces of the Plan of Salvation beforehand and the class glued them onto a piece of paper in the correct order.
• Then I had the class help me put larger cut outs in the right order at the top of the board.
• Discuss what the Plan of Salvation is. Why is it important? 
• Hopefully, someone mentions learning. If not, you can ask more directed questions, such as "Why must we come to earth?"
• Display Topic Poster.

2. Liken the Scriptures / Teach Others

• I printed out one of these scriptures on the back of each Plan of Salvation activity paper, just so they wouldn't have too many papers to juggle. 
• 2 Nephi 28:27-30
• D&C 98:11-12
• Alma 12:9-11
• D&C 50:40
• D&C 88:77-80
• D&C 109:7
• D&C 88:63
• Have the youth read the scripture, then draw a picture of what the scripture teaches about learning. 
• Then have them share with the class what their drawing represents.

3. Making it Personal

• Read the Education section in the "For Strength of Youth". I had each youth read one paragraph. Have them look for things that Heavenly Father wants them to do and the blessings that he promises.
• My class is usually full of energy, (benefits of one o'clock church), so I brought multiple pieces of chalk and had the kids come up and write what they found under the headings "Things Heavenly Father Wants Me to Do" and "Blessings He Has Promised".
• Discuss why learning is so important during our time here on earth? Are there things that you can work on?

4. Conclusion

• My team teacher would like the class to write down something they learned or a goal each week.  My team teacher is planning to compile these at the end of the year. So I passed out cards for the youth to write down a goal that they can work on to become a better life long learner of the Gospel.
• Watch the video "You Know Enough" from Elder Neil L. Anderson
• If you still have time, you could discuss the following questions.
• What would you say to a friend who is struggling because he or she does not understand everything about the gospel?
• How would they help their friend understand the role of learning in Heavenly Father's plan?

January: How can I learn to see Heavenly Father's hand in all things?

All Printables/Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• "We Lived With God" video
• What evidence of His hand do these people see in the world around them?
• Ask the class what evidence they see in the world around them.

2. Liken the Scriptures/Learn Together

• Pass out the worksheet with the scripture matching game (Option: you can also hang a large version of the match game on the board. Printables found in like above)
• Have one person read the scripture and find the match on the other side
• 1 Nephi 1:20 - Tender mercies over the chosen
• Psalms 145:9 - Created all things
• Moses 6:63 - All things bear record
• Alma 30:44 - There is a Supreme Creator
• D&C 59:21 - Who confess not his hand in all things
• Have a class member read the story from Elder Bednar's talk "The Tender Mercies of the Lord" about the young widow and the Christmas card. You could also split it up into quotes so that multiple youth read.

3.Making it Personal

• What is a tender mercy?
• Watch the Mormon Message "The Tender Mercies of the Lord"  video
• Complete the worksheet as you see fit. Allow the youth to share their thoughts.

4. Conclusion

• Pull topic back to how even thought God created the universe, He still know each and every one of us. 
• If there is time you can share the video "God is Our Father"

January: How Can I Help Others Learn About Heavenly Father?

All Printables and Videos can be found HERE

1. Introduction

• Follow up on any challenges from last week. 
• What have you learned about the Godhead? Has anything stood out to you? Surprised you? Do you have any questions so far?
• Display topic
• What must we do before we can help others learn about Heavenly Father?
• Have the class answer the question "What do we believe about Heavenly Father?" on the worksheet?
• Discuss what they wrote down.
• Read the quotes from True to the Faith and Preach My Gospel

2. Learn Together

• Once we have an understanding of what we believe in, how can we help others learn about Heavenly Father?
• Based on where the discussion went I have both of these videos ready to watch. 
• Sharing Your Beliefs
• Share the Truth with Others

3. Likening the Scriptures

• We can follow the examples of those who taught in the scriptures. 
• Split the class into two. Have half of the class study Alma 30:12-15 to find reasons why Korihor did not believe in God. The other half of the class will study Alma 30:37-53 to find reasons why Alma did believe in God.
• Have the class share
• (Depending on time, you could have the class do this activity on their own or have each youth read a couple of scriptures.) What can we learn from Ammon and Aaron? How did they help King Lamoni and his father learn about God?
• Ask the youth to share.

4. Making it Personal

• How could help a friend who is unsure of the existence of God?
• How can they apply what they have learned when they have opportunities to explain their beliefs about God?
• Challenge the class to have a conversation with someone about their beliefs... Even if it is as simple as Pres. Uchtdorf's conversations from the video.

5. If it is the last week of the month next week, remind class to bring their scripture study chart to class next time to enter the drawing.

January: How Can Studying the Scriptures Help Me Learn about Heavenly Father?

All Printouts/Videos for this Lesson found HERE

This was my first week teaching my new class, so I did a little Get to Know you Activity.

1. Get to Know You Activity

• Tangled Web from Amy Henning - Sit in a circle on the floor. Hold a ball of yarn. Tell the students something about yourself. Then roll the ball of yarn to someone else without letting go of the end of the yarn. Continue until they have created a giant web. 
• I had everyone stand up while still holding the yarn. I focused on how we need each other to learn and grow and that every ones thoughts and comments are important. If one student drops his or her strand of yarn, our web weakens. What are some reasons why our web might weaken? (Making fun of other comments, distracted during the lesson, etc.)
• I talked about how I hoped that this room could be an environment where we are comfortable sharing our testimonies and knowledge about the topics we will be talking about this year. Also, asking questions that you might have, so that we can discover the answers together.

2. Introduction

• Can you imagine a time when the scriptures were not available to all?
• Watch the video, The Blessings of the Scriptures
• I stole this part from Kar's Kith and Kin, "Ask them to imagine for a minute that they were living in the 1500s. You didn't have scriptures of your own. Your priest chose what scriptures to share with you (or not to share with you). You didn't have the ability to sit down, read scriptures yourself, and commune with Heavenly Father. There is a reason this period of time was called the Dark Ages."
• What happens to those who do not have or do not use the scriptures?
• What are the blessings of reading the scriptures?
• Read the quotes in the printouts

3. Scriptures Challenge

• This year I really wanted to focus on reading the scriptures daily. I created a scriptures chart with the theme for this month of The Godhead. On the back they can write down what they learned about the Godhead while they are reading the scriptures this month. Then at the end of the month, they get entered into a drawing. 5 entries for reading every day. 1 entry for each thing they learned. 
• Display Topic

4. Liken the Scriptures

• List on the board truths that they know about God
• Go to the Topical Guide and find scriptures that teach those truths. I had half of the class look up "God, Love of" and "God, Wisdom of". List the scripture next to the truth on the board.
• Why are the scriptures important in helping us understand God?

5. Learn Together (I had to skip this becuase I was running out of time)

• Divide up into groups and read the scriptures listed in Part 1 of the handouts. What did you learn about Heavenly Father? What was your favorite verse?
• 2 Nephi 26:23-33
• Mosiah 2:19-25
• D&C 1:17-39
• 1 Nephi 1:8-20

6. Making it Personal

• Individually read "God" in the Bible Dictionary. Write down one thing they learned about God and look up any related scriptures. Share with class or neighbors. 

7. Conclusion

• Is there anything that stands out to you today?
• Do you have a greater understanding of something in particular?
• Do you have any other questions?

Christmas: How Can I Share my Testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

All printouts for this lesson found HERE

1. Introduction

• What are some of your family traditions during the Christmas season?
• What is the best gift you have received?
• What is the most memorable gift you have ever given?

2. Liken the Scriptures

• Pass out "The First Christmas" worksheet found in the link above
• Read Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-14
• As you read the Christmas story, have the youth look for gifts that were given on that first Christmas and lessons that we can learn from those who participated in that special night.

3. Learn Together

• I had the youth open up a wrapped box. Inside was one figurine of my little nativity set and the quotes/scriptures found in the link above. These quotes/scriptures will help the youth learn more about them. 
• I numbered the boxes and had them open them in the following order (But you can have them pick randomly if you would like):

1. Mary
2. Joseph
3. The Shepherds
4. The Wise Men

• Discuss what gifts each one of these people or groups. What lessons can we learn from them?

4. Making it Personal

• Unwrap the last package, which is baby Jesus.
• Watch this video titled "He is the Gift" 
• https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1460-he-is-the-gift?lang=eng
• Why is Christ the best gift we have ever received?
• "Because of Him" https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng

• What can we give to him in return?
• Watch the following videos:
• "The Reason Behind Christmas" https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-11-018-the-reason-behind-christmas?lang=eng&category=christmas-inspirational
• "Wise Men Still Seek Him" https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-019-wise-men-still-seek-him?lang=eng&category=christmas-inspirational
• How can we share our testimonies that Jesus is the Son of God?
• "Light the World" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJmAV0gTp_Q

5. Handout

• See printables above
• "At this focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched—none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and, later, wise men would follow from the East. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby - that's how Christmas began." - Elder Jeffery R. Holland 

December: Learn from the Scriptures to Prepare for the Second Coming?

All printables for this lesson available HERE

1. Introduction (See sources at the bottom of this post for great insights into the Second Coming that will aide your class discussions.)

• Display a picture of the Savior's birth and a picture of the Second Coming side by side. (You can use your own or the pictures in the link above.)
• Give each class member two pieces of paper. On one have them write a word that describes the first picture. On the other have them write a word that describes the second picture. Then post their descriptions next to the picture.
• This will give you a good feeling for how the youth in your class feel about the Second Coming. You can discuss their thoughts as you feel inspired to.
• Display the fill in the blank. Give the class time to guess the missing words. If needed, look up the scripture to find the words. Discuss this scripture. 
• Show the comic to the class and discuss how we don't know when the Second Coming will happen.

2. Liken the Scriptures

• Display topic. The whole lesson is likening the scriptures!

3. Learn Together (Pictionary Time!)

• Using the printouts found in the link above, play Pictionary to find out what will happen as signs of the Second Coming and how we can prepare for it.
• I had a timer, just in case the class got stuck on one of them. After the phrase was drawn and guessed, we turned to the scripture and read it. You can use the headings in the link above, if you want to display the guessed cards under the appropriate heading.

4. Making it Personal

• Ask if the class has any questions. Discover the answers together.
• As time permits, have the youth use the Topical Guide and Index to learn more about the Second Coming. (Look up the heading "Jesus Christ, Second Coming")
• Bear your testimony

5. Treat 

• Now and Laters with the quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "What if the day of His coming were tomorrow?... what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear? If we would do those things then, why not now?"

Great Sources:

• http://mothers-who-know.blogspot.com/2012/09/preparing-for-second-coming.html
• https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/preparation-for-the-second-coming?lang=eng
• https://www.lds.org/manual/true-to-the-faith/second-coming-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng