The Prodigal and the Road That Leads Home
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf testifies of the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father and invites us to repent and return to Him.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by asking class members to share their interpretations of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. What lessons do they draw from this story?
- Start by asking the class to share experiences where they felt they strayed from the path and how they found their way back.
- Open with a discussion about the concept of repentance and forgiveness in the gospel. How have class members experienced these principles in their lives?
Topics
Understanding the Parable of the Prodigal Son
Elder Uchtdorf delves into the Parable of the Prodigal Son, highlighting the different stages of the son's journey. He emphasizes the son's initial desire for independence, his subsequent downfall, and finally, his decision to return home.
He had been so sure that giving in to his worldly desires would make him happy, that moral laws were obstacles to that happiness. Now he knew better. And oh, what a price he had to pay for that knowledge!
- Why do you think the son initially wanted to leave his father's house?
- What can we learn from the son's experiences in the "faraway country"?
- What led the son to decide to return home?
- How can we apply the lessons from this parable in our own lives?
- What does this parable teach us about the consequences of our choices?
Experiencing God's Unconditional Love
Elder Uchtdorf emphasizes the father's joy at his son's return, illustrating God's unconditional love and readiness to forgive us when we repent and return to Him.
Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion. He will embrace us; place a robe around our shoulders, a ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet; and proclaim, "Today we celebrate! For my child, who once was dead, has come back to life!"
- How does the father's reaction to his son's return reflect God's love for us?
- What can we learn from this about God's willingness to forgive?
- How have you personally experienced God's unconditional love?
- What does this teach us about repentance and forgiveness?
- How can we develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's love?
Relating to the Older Brother's Feelings
Elder Uchtdorf also explores the perspective of the older brother, who feels overlooked despite his obedience. He underscores that God's love and blessings are infinite, and one person's blessings do not diminish another's.
Your return will not diminish the blessings of others. For the Father’s bounty is infinite, and what is given to one does not in the slightest diminish the birthright of others.
- Why do you think the older brother felt upset about the celebration for his younger brother?
- What does the father's response to the older brother teach us about God's love and blessings?
- Have you ever felt like the older brother in this parable? How did you overcome these feelings?
- What can we do to cultivate a spirit of joy and celebration for the blessings and successes of others?
- How can we better understand and appreciate the infinite nature of God's blessings?
Recognizing Our Own Prodigal Moments
Elder Uchtdorf encourages us to see ourselves in this parable, acknowledging that we all have moments of straying and returning to the path of righteousness.
Who among us has not departed from the path of holiness, foolishly thinking we could find more happiness going our own self-centered way?
- When have you felt like the prodigal son in your own life?
- What helped you decide to return to the path of righteousness?
- How have you experienced God's love and forgiveness in your life?
- How can we help others who may be feeling like the prodigal son?
- What steps can we take to prevent ourselves from straying from the path of righteousness?
Experiencing the Joy of Repentance and Forgiveness
Elder Uchtdorf concludes by emphasizing the joy of repentance and forgiveness, encouraging us to have the courage to repent, receive forgiveness, and return to God.
It is my prayer that each one of us may hear, in this profound parable, the Father’s voice calling us to enter the road that leads home—that we may have the courage to repent, receive forgiveness, and follow the path that leads back to our compassionate and merciful God.
- What does it mean to you to "enter the road that leads home"?
- How have you experienced the joy of repentance and forgiveness?
- What can we do to cultivate a spirit of repentance in our lives?
- How can we help others experience the joy of repentance and forgiveness?
- What steps can we take to follow the path that leads back to God?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can we be more like the father in the parable in our interactions with others?
- What does the parable teach us about the importance of family relationships?
- How can we use this parable to better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
- What does the parable teach us about the dangers of pride and self-centeredness?
- How can we maintain hope and faith when we feel like we have strayed from the path?
- How can we support those who are trying to return to the path of righteousness?
- How does the parable illustrate the principle of agency?
- What can we learn from this parable about humility and recognizing our own faults?
- How does the parable teach us about the importance of forgiveness in our own lives?
- How can we apply the lessons from this parable in our interactions with others who may have different beliefs or lifestyles?
