Study Guide for "Be Peaceable Followers of Christ"

In his talk, Elder Quentin L. Cook discusses the challenges faced by followers of Christ in today's world. He encourages members of the Church to remain steadfast in their faith despite adversities, drawing strength from the teachings of Jesus Christ and the scriptures. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a peaceable and joyful demeanor, and assures that all wrongs will be righted through God's loving and comprehensive plan.

Before Reading

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

How does Elder Cook define "peaceable followers of Christ"?
What does Elder Cook say about the trials and adversities faced by followers of Christ?
How does Elder Cook suggest we respond to trials and adversities?
What are the two principles emphasized by the Lord as per Elder Cook's talk?
What is the ultimate assurance given by Elder Cook for peaceable followers of Christ?

Topics

Understanding Trials and Adversities

Elder Cook discusses the inevitability of trials and adversities in the lives of followers of Christ. He emphasizes that suffering adversity does not alter our heavenly destiny and assures that all wrongs will be righted in the future.

Whenever trials occur, we mourn and strive to bear one another’s burdens.

Bad things happen to good people on this mortal journey.

Clearly, our heavenly destiny is not altered when we suffer adversity.

How does Elder Cook describe the nature of trials and adversities?
What does Elder Cook say about the impact of trials on our heavenly destiny?
What assurance does Elder Cook give about wrongs being righted?
How have you experienced trials and adversities in your life?
How have these experiences affected your faith?
What actions can you take to maintain your faith in times of adversity?

Being Peaceable Followers of Christ

Elder Cook outlines the characteristics of peaceable followers of Christ. He encourages members to be warm, engaged members of their communities, sharing love and inviting others to follow Christ's teachings.

As peaceable followers of Christ, we strive to live His commandments.

Peaceable followers of Christ do not follow either path. We are warm, engaged members of the communities where we live. We love, share, and invite all of God’s children to follow Christ’s teachings.

What characteristics does Elder Cook associate with peaceable followers of Christ?
How does Elder Cook suggest we engage with our communities as followers of Christ?
How do you strive to be a peaceable follower of Christ in your daily life?
What actions can you take to be more engaged in your community?
How can you invite others to follow Christ's teachings?

Facing Challenges with Faith and Confidence

Elder Cook discusses the importance of facing challenges with faith and confidence. He emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ and His Atonement in helping us endure trials and find joy, peace, and consolation.

We do not know all the answers; however, we do know important principles that allow us to face trials, tribulation, and adversities with faith and confidence in a bright future that awaits each of us.

As we rely on Jesus Christ and His Atonement, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation.

What does Elder Cook say about facing challenges with faith and confidence?
How does Elder Cook describe the role of Jesus Christ and His Atonement in helping us endure trials?
How have you relied on your faith to face challenges in your life?
How has the Atonement of Jesus Christ helped you endure trials?
What actions can you take to strengthen your faith and rely more on the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

Maintaining Joy and Thanksgiving

Elder Cook encourages members to maintain a spirit of joy and thanksgiving, regardless of the trials they face. He suggests that being of good cheer helps avoid being cast down in spirit.

First, He encouraged them to “praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.”

Second, the Lord counseled if they were “sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.”

Striving always to be of good cheer helps avoid being cast down in spirit.

What does Elder Cook say about maintaining a spirit of joy and thanksgiving?
How does Elder Cook suggest we respond when we are sorrowful?
How do you strive to maintain a spirit of joy and thanksgiving in your life?
How has calling on the Lord helped you in times of sorrow?
What actions can you take to be of good cheer more consistently?

Assurance of Personal Peace and Heavenly Reunion

Elder Cook provides assurance that peaceable followers of Christ will find personal peace in this life and a glorious heavenly reunion in the future. He bears testimony of the Savior's divinity and the reality of His Atonement.

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I testify that “peaceable followers of Christ” will find personal peace in this life and a glorious heavenly reunion.

I bear a sure witness of the Savior’s divinity and the reality of His Atonement. He is our Savior and Redeemer.

What assurance does Elder Cook give to peaceable followers of Christ?
What testimony does Elder Cook bear of the Savior and His Atonement?
How have you experienced personal peace as a follower of Christ?
How does the assurance of a heavenly reunion impact your faith and actions?
How have you gained a testimony of the Savior's divinity and His Atonement?