Study Guide for "Go Forward in Faith"

In this inspiring talk, President Russell M. Nelson discusses the importance of faith, the role of temples, and the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He encourages members to focus on Jesus Christ, maintain a temple-worthy life, and to continue to grow in faith and understanding of the gospel.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What is the significance of the temples announced in this talk?
How does President Nelson encourage us to deal with difficult times when temples are closed?
What is the relationship between faith and fear according to President Nelson?
What is the role of the Restoration in the Church today?

Topics

Understanding the Significance of Temples

President Nelson discusses the importance of temples in our lives and the Church. He announces the construction of eight new temples and emphasizes that even when temples are closed, we can still draw upon the power of our temple covenants and endowments.

Now, let’s talk about temples. We have 168 dedicated temples across the world. Others are at various stages of planning and construction. When plans are announced to erect a new temple, it becomes part of our sacred history.

During times of our distress when temples are closed, you can still draw upon the power of your temple covenants and endowment as you honor your covenants.

These eight new temples will bless the lives of many people on both sides of the veil of death. Temples are a crowning part of the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why are temples important in the Church?
How can we draw upon the power of our temple covenants and endowments when temples are closed?
What is the role of temples in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
How can you continue to live a temple-worthy life even when temples are closed?
What can you do to prepare for the construction of new temples?
How can you incorporate the teachings and blessings of the temple into your daily life?

Growing in Faith and Decreasing Fear

President Nelson teaches that focusing on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can lead to decreased fear and increased faith. He encourages members to truly hear, hearken to, and heed the words of the Savior.

The many inspiring components of this April 2020 general conference—and the sacred week that we now begin—can be summarized by two divinely decreed words: “Hear Him.” We pray that your focus on Heavenly Father, who spoke those words, and on His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, will loom largest in your memories of all that has transpired.

We pray that you will begin anew truly to hear, hearken to, and heed the words of the Savior. I promise that decreased fear and increased faith will follow.

What does it mean to "Hear Him"?
How can focusing on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ lead to decreased fear and increased faith?
How can you better "Hear Him" in your daily life?
What steps can you take to decrease fear and increase faith?

Continuing the Restoration of the Gospel

President Nelson discusses the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it is reflected in the growth of the Church and the construction of new temples.

As the Restoration continues, I know that God will continue to reveal many great and important things pertaining to His kingdom here on earth. That kingdom is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Temples are a crowning part of the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What is the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
How is the Restoration reflected in the growth of the Church and the construction of new temples?
How have you personally witnessed the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
What can you do to participate more fully in the ongoing Restoration?

Living a Temple-Worthy Life

President Nelson encourages members to live a temple-worthy life and to use the time when temples are closed to study and pray about the power and knowledge with which they have been endowed.

Please use this time when temples are closed to continue to live a temple-worthy life or to become temple worthy.

Study and pray to learn more about the power and knowledge with which you have been endowed—or with which you will yet be endowed.

What does it mean to live a temple-worthy life?
How can we use the time when temples are closed to grow spiritually?
What can you do to live a more temple-worthy life?
How can you use this time to study and pray about the power and knowledge with which you have been endowed?

Blessings of Peace and Faith

President Nelson confers an apostolic blessing of peace, increasing faith in the Lord, a desire to repent and become more like Christ each day, and healing where needed.

I bless you with peace and increasing faith in the Lord.

I bless you with a desire to repent and become a little more like Him each day.

Should there be illness among you or your loved ones, I leave a blessing of healing, consistent with the will of the Lord.

What is an apostolic blessing?
How can we increase our faith in the Lord and desire to repent?
How have you experienced peace and increasing faith in your life?
What can you do to become a little more like Christ each day?