All Things for Our Good
Gerrit W. Gong, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Gong testifies that all things work together for our good through faith in Jesus Christ.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Introduce the lesson by sharing the Chinese story Elder Gong used at the beginning of his talk. Discuss how the perspective of the man in the story relates to our own experiences with trials and blessings.
- Begin the lesson by asking class members to share experiences where they saw trials or challenges eventually work out for their good.
- Start the lesson with the scripture Elder Gong quoted, Romans 8:28, and discuss what it means to believe that "all things work together for good to them that love God."
Topics
Understanding God's Purpose in Our Trials
Elder Gong discussed the idea that trials and afflictions can be consecrated for our good. He used examples from the scriptures and from the lives of church members to illustrate how trials can bless us and others in ways we never imagined.
We increase faith and trust in the Lord that all things can work together for our good as we gain eternal perspective; understand our trials may be “but for a small moment”; recognize affliction can be consecrated for our gain; acknowledge accidents, untimely death, debilitating illness, and disease are part of mortality; and trust loving Heavenly Father does not give trials to punish or judge.
- How can our trials and afflictions be consecrated for our good?
- What scriptural examples can you think of where trials were turned into blessings?
- How can we gain an eternal perspective during our trials?
- How can we trust God during our trials, even when we don't understand His purposes?
- How can our trials bless others?
The Healing Power of Jesus Christ's Atonement
Elder Gong emphasized the healing power of Jesus Christ's Atonement, not only from sin, but also from pain, affliction, sickness, sorrow, and separation. He explained that Christ's triumph over death and hell can make all things right.
Jesus Christ’s Atonement can deliver and redeem us from sin. But Jesus Christ also intimately understands our every pain, affliction, sickness, sorrow, separation. In time and eternity, His triumph over death and hell can make all things right.
- How has the Atonement of Jesus Christ helped you in times of trial or affliction?
- What does it mean to you that Christ intimately understands our every pain and affliction?
- How can we draw upon the healing power of the Atonement in our lives?
- How does Christ's triumph over death and hell bring hope in our trials?
- How can the Atonement help us to see our trials as opportunities for growth?
Becoming Our Best Selves Through Christ
Elder Gong stressed the importance of putting off the natural man or woman and becoming a child before God. He explained that we become our truest, best selves only as we seek perfection in Jesus Christ.
We become our truest, best selves only as we put off the natural man or woman and become a child before God.
- What does it mean to put off the natural man or woman and become a child before God?
- How can we seek perfection in Jesus Christ?
- How does striving to become like Christ help us to become our best selves?
- What are some ways we can put off the natural man or woman?
- How does our view of ourselves and our potential change as we strive to become like Christ?
The Role of Temples in Our Spiritual Growth
Elder Gong highlighted the importance of temples in our spiritual growth and journey. He encouraged members to visit the temple more frequently and to consider owning their own temple clothes.
As the Lord, through His living prophet, brings more houses of the Lord closer in more places, temple blessings work together for our good. We come by covenant and ordinance to God our Father and Jesus Christ and gain eternal perspective on mortality.
- How have temple blessings worked together for your good?
- What can we do to make temple worship a more regular part of our lives?
- How does attending the temple help us gain an eternal perspective?
- What are some ways we can prepare ourselves for temple attendance?
- How can owning our own temple clothes enhance our temple experience?
Ministering as Jesus Christ Would
Elder Gong shared stories of individuals who were able to comfort and serve others in their times of need. He emphasized that things work together for good when we minister as Jesus Christ would.
Things work together for good when we minister as Jesus Christ would.
- What does it mean to minister as Jesus Christ would?
- Can you share an experience where you were able to comfort or serve someone in their time of need?
- How can we become more Christlike in our ministering efforts?
- How can our ministering efforts work together for good in our own lives and in the lives of those we serve?
- What are some ways we can improve our ministering efforts?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can we trust God during our trials, even when we don't understand His purposes?
- How can our trials and afflictions be consecrated for our good?
- How can we draw upon the healing power of the Atonement in our lives?
- What does it mean to put off the natural man or woman and become a child before God?
- How does attending the temple help us gain an eternal perspective?
- What does it mean to minister as Jesus Christ would?
- How can we trust that all things work together for our good, even when we're in the midst of a trial?
- How can we become more Christlike in our ministering efforts?
- How can owning our own temple clothes enhance our temple experience?
- How can our ministering efforts work together for good in our own lives and in the lives of those we serve?
