Aligning Our Will with His
Ulisses Soares, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Soares counsels us to align our will with God's to obtain eternal blessings.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin with a discussion on the parable of the pearl of great price. Ask the class what they think the pearl represents in their own lives.
- Share a personal experience or story where aligning your will with God's brought unexpected blessings. Invite class members to think of similar experiences.
- Play a short video clip or music piece that emphasizes submission to God's will, and ask the class to reflect on what feelings or thoughts it evokes.
- Start with a silent reflection period where class members ponder times they have chosen their own will over God's and what the outcomes were.
- Introduce the lesson with a quote from a modern-day prophet about aligning our will with God's and discuss its relevance today.
Topics
Prioritize the Kingdom of Heaven
Elder Soares emphasized that the kingdom of heaven is like a priceless pearl that should be desired above all else. He explained that acquiring this "pearl" requires us to align our will with God's and set aside self-centered pursuits.
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a priceless pearl, truly the most precious treasure that should be desired over all else.
- What does the "pearl of great price" represent in your life?
- How can we prioritize the kingdom of heaven in our daily decisions?
- What are some self-centered pursuits you might need to set aside?
- How does prioritizing God's kingdom affect our relationships with others?
- Can you share a time when you prioritized spiritual over temporal goals?
Submit Our Will to God's Will
The talk highlighted the importance of submitting our will to God's will, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. This submission involves doing what pleases the Lord and aligning our desires with His divine plan.
The Savior achieved a perfect and divine level of submission to the Father by allowing His will to be swallowed up in the Father’s will.
- What does it mean to submit our will to God's?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to align our will with God's?
- How can we develop the habit of seeking God's will in our lives?
- What are the blessings of submitting to God's will?
- Can you think of a biblical example of someone who submitted to God's will?
Avoid Self-Centered Philosophies
Elder Soares warned against the growing trend of self-centered philosophies that prioritize personal preferences over God's plan. He urged members to be vigilant and avoid adopting worldly philosophies.
This way of thinking is often justified as being "authentic" by those who indulge in self-centered pursuits.
- What are some examples of self-centered philosophies in today's world?
- How can we recognize and avoid these philosophies?
- Why do you think such philosophies are appealing?
- What role does humility play in aligning our will with God's?
- How can we help others see the value of God's plan over self-centered pursuits?
Embrace Christlike Discipleship
The talk encouraged members to walk the path marked by Christ, doing His will and emulating His example. This involves living by God's word and being protected from worldly errors.
As Christ’s disciples, we desire to walk the path He marked for us during His mortal ministry.
- What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?
- How can we better emulate Christ in our daily lives?
- What are the challenges of living by every word of God?
- How does discipleship protect us from worldly errors?
- Can you share an experience where being a disciple of Christ brought you peace?
Experience Transformational Submission
Elder Soares described the joy and transformation that come from fully submitting our will to God's. This submission leads to a consecrated life and a deeper connection with the divine.
To decisively and unquestioningly make the Lord’s will our own requires majestic and heroic discipleship!
- What is transformational submission, and how does it affect us?
- Why is it described as "majestic and heroic"?
- How can we prepare ourselves for this level of submission?
- What changes have you noticed in your life when you submit to God's will?
- How can we help others experience the joy of transformational submission?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How does the parable of the merchant seeking pearls apply to our modern lives?
- What are some practical steps we can take to align our will with God's?
- How can we support each other in our journeys of discipleship?
- What role does prayer play in understanding God's will for us?
- How can we discern between our own desires and God's will?
- What are some examples of 'doing what works for the Lord' in your life?
- How can we cultivate a willingness to submit to God's will?
- What are the dangers of leaning on our own understanding?
- How does the Atonement of Christ enable us to align our will with God's?
- What does 'covenant confidence' mean, and how can we develop it?
