Study Guide for "Eyes to See"

In this talk, Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, discusses the importance of spiritual vision and seeing ourselves, others, and God's hand in our lives. She shares stories from the scriptures and personal experiences that emphasize the power of prayer in gaining divine insight and understanding. She also emphasizes the significance of seeing others as God sees them and acting on the impressions we receive.

Before Reading

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

What does Sister Craig mean by "seeing" in a spiritual context?
How can prayer help us gain spiritual vision?
What is the significance of seeing ourselves as God sees us?
How can we learn to see others as God sees them?
What role does action play in developing our spiritual vision?

Topics

Recognizing God's Hand in Our Lives

Sister Craig shares the story of Elisha and his servant to illustrate how God is always working in our lives, even when we don't see it. She emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's timing and praying for the ability to see His hand in our lives.

Elisha knew the young man needed more than calming reassurance; he needed vision. And so “Elisha prayed, … Lord, … open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

Wait and trust in God and in His timing, because you can trust His heart with all of yours.

What was the significance of Elisha's prayer for his servant?
How can we develop trust in God's timing?
What does it mean to see God's hand in our lives?
Can you recall a time when you saw God's hand in your life?
How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's influence in your daily experiences?
How can you apply the principle of trusting in God's timing in your current circumstances?

Understanding Our Divine Identity

Sister Craig emphasizes the importance of understanding our divine identity as sons and daughters of heavenly parents. She encourages us to ask God to reveal these truths and how He feels about us, as this understanding will influence everything in our lives.

Perhaps the most important things for us to see clearly are who God is and who we really are—sons and daughters of heavenly parents, with a “divine nature and eternal destiny.”

Ask God to reveal these truths to you, along with how He feels about you. The more you understand your true identity and purpose, soul deep, the more it will influence everything in your life.

What does it mean to have a divine nature and eternal destiny?
How can understanding our divine identity influence our lives?
Why is it important to know how God feels about us?
How do you currently understand your divine identity?
What can you do to deepen your understanding of your divine nature and eternal destiny?
How can you seek to understand how God feels about you?

Seeing Others as God Sees Them

Sister Craig discusses the importance of seeing others as God sees them. She shares personal experiences and teachings of Jesus Christ to illustrate how seeing deeply can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities to serve others.

Understanding how God sees us prepares the way to help us see others as He does.

Jesus Christ sees people deeply. He sees individuals, their needs, and who they can become.

As I pray for the Lord to open my eyes to see things I might not normally see, I often ask myself two questions and pay attention to the impressions that come: “What am I doing that I should stop doing?” and “What am I not doing that I should start doing?”

How can understanding how God sees us help us see others as He does?
What does it mean to see others deeply?
How can asking ourselves what we should start or stop doing help us see others as God sees them?
How can you practice seeing others as God sees them in your daily interactions?
What changes might you need to make in order to see others more deeply?
Can you think of a time when seeing someone as God sees them led to a meaningful connection or service opportunity?

Recognizing God's Errand for Us

Sister Craig shares a story about a young woman named Rozlyn who made a difference in someone's life by seeing their needs and acting on them. She emphasizes the importance of asking God to help us see others" divine potential and then acting by loving, serving, and affirming their worth.

As with all gifts the Father so willingly offers, seeing deeply requires us to ask Him—and then act. Ask to see others as He does—as His true sons and daughters with infinite and divine potential. Then act by loving, serving, and affirming their worth and potential as prompted.

As this becomes the pattern of our lives, we will find ourselves becoming “true followers of … Jesus Christ.” Others will be able to trust our hearts with theirs. And in this pattern we will also discover our own true identity and purpose.

What does it mean to "see deeply" in the context of serving others?
How can we become "true followers of Jesus Christ" by seeing and serving others?
How does serving others help us discover our own true identity and purpose?
How can you apply the pattern of asking and acting in your own life?
What opportunities do you have to serve others and affirm their worth?
How has serving others helped you understand your own divine identity and purpose?