Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ
J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
First Counselor Dennis symbolizes the importance of covenants and wearing the garment of the holy priesthood.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of symbols and their importance in teaching and understanding deeper principles. Ask class members to share examples of symbols they've encountered in their daily lives or in their studies of the scriptures.
- Start the lesson with a brief activity. Ask class members to think about a time when they had to decipher a symbol or a metaphor in a book or a movie. What did they learn from that experience?
- Open the lesson by reading a short parable from the scriptures. Discuss the use of symbols in the parable and how they help to convey deeper meanings.
Topics
Understanding Symbolism in Gospel Teaching
Sister Dennis discussed the importance of understanding symbolism in gospel teachings. She mentioned how Jesus taught using stories and symbols to convey deeper meanings to those who had "ears to hear".
Jesus taught through stories and symbols—a mustard seed to teach the power of faith, a lost sheep to teach the worth of souls, a prodigal son to teach the character of God. His parables were symbols through which He could teach deeper lessons to those who had “ears to hear.”
- Why do you think Jesus often taught using stories and symbols?
- Can you recall a time when understanding the symbolism in a scripture story helped you gain a deeper understanding of a gospel principle?
- How can we develop "ears to hear" the deeper meanings in the scriptures and in the teachings of modern prophets?
- What can we do to help others understand the symbolism in gospel teachings?
- How does understanding symbolism enhance our study of the scriptures?
The Significance of Covenant Relationships
Sister Dennis emphasized the significance of covenant relationships with God. She explained that when we choose to enter into a covenant with God, it deepens our relationship with Him and allows Him to bless us with His mercy and love.
When we choose to be part of a covenant, it enhances and deepens our relationship with Him. President Russell M. Nelson has taught that when we choose to make covenants with God, our relationship with Him can become much closer than it was before our covenant, and it enables Him to bless us with an extra measure of His mercy and love.
- What is a covenant relationship with God?
- How does entering into a covenant with God enhance and deepen our relationship with Him?
- What blessings have you experienced as a result of making and keeping covenants with God?
- How can we help others understand the importance of making and keeping covenants?
- How does our understanding of covenants impact our faith and commitment to God?
Symbolism in Baptism and the Sacrament
Sister Dennis discussed the symbolism in the ordinances of baptism and the sacrament. She explained that these ordinances are symbolic of the Savior's Atonement and His sacrifice for us.
Baptism by immersion is the symbolic gate through which we enter into a covenant relationship with God. Being immersed in the water and coming up again is symbolic of the Savior’s death and Resurrection to new life. As we are baptized, we symbolically die and are born again into the family of Christ and show we are willing to take His name upon us.
- What does the ordinance of baptism symbolize?
- How does the sacrament help us to remember and renew our baptismal covenants?
- How do these ordinances help us to "put on Christ"?
- What can we do to more fully appreciate the symbolism in these ordinances?
- How does participating in these ordinances strengthen our relationship with God?
The Garment of the Holy Priesthood as a Symbol
Sister Dennis spoke about the garment of the holy priesthood as a symbol of our covenants and commitment to God. She explained that the garment is a reminder of the Savior's Atonement and His constant covering throughout our lives.
The garment of the holy priesthood is deeply symbolic and also points to the Savior. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit and had to leave the Garden of Eden, they were given coats of skins as a covering for them. It is likely that an animal was sacrificed to make those coats of skins—symbolic of the Savior’s own sacrifice for us.
- What does the garment of the holy priesthood symbolize?
- How does wearing the garment remind us of the Savior's Atonement?
- How can we better appreciate and respect the symbolism of the garment?
- What changes might we need to make in our attitudes or actions related to the garment?
- How does wearing the garment help us to "put on Christ"?
Invitation to Make and Keep Covenants
Sister Dennis extended an invitation to make and keep covenants with God. She encouraged studying the teachings of President Nelson about the blessings that come from making and keeping covenants.
If you have not yet done so, I invite you to choose a deeper relationship with God by making covenants with Him in the house of the Lord. Study the talks of our prophet (including the beautiful teachings in the footnotes of his talks, which most conference talks have).
- What steps can we take to prepare ourselves or others to make covenants with God?
- What can we learn from President Nelson's teachings about covenants?
- How can we better honor the covenants we have made?
- What blessings have you experienced from making and keeping covenants?
- How can we support others in their covenant journey?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to 'put on Christ'?
- How can understanding the symbolism in the gospel help us in our day-to-day lives?
- How can we strengthen our covenant relationship with God?
- What can we do to better remember and honor the covenants we have made?
- How does the Atonement of Jesus Christ relate to our covenants?
- Why is it important to renew our covenants regularly through the sacrament?
- How can we help others understand the importance and symbolism of the garment of the holy priesthood?
- What blessings have you experienced as a result of making and keeping covenants?
- How does our understanding of covenants impact our faith and commitment to God?
- How does the symbolism in the gospel help us to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
