Lesson Prepration Guide for "Mortality Works!"

In his General Conference talk, Elder Brook P. Hales of the Seventy shares profound insights into the purpose and design of mortality. Through personal experiences and stories of others, Elder Hales illustrates how life's challenges and trials are integral to God's plan of happiness. He emphasizes that despite our struggles, mortality is designed to work, and through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we can find strength and assurance that our journey on earth is meaningful and purposeful.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by sharing a personal story or experience where you faced a challenge and how it helped you grow spiritually.
Start with a discussion on what "mortality" means to each class member and how it relates to their personal journey.
Play a short video or share a quote about resilience and overcoming life's challenges to set the tone for the lesson.
Invite a class member to share a brief testimony or experience of how they have seen the Lord's hand in their life during difficult times.
Open with a hymn or song that speaks about faith and endurance, such as "Come, Come, Ye Saints" or "Be Still, My Soul."

Topics

Recognize Mortality as a Learning Process

Elder Hales emphasized that mortality is designed to work through the challenges we face. These experiences are meant to teach us and help us grow, not to make us fail.

Brothers and sisters, mortality works! It is designed to work!...our loving, wise, and perfect Heavenly Father has designed the plan of happiness such that we are not destined to fail.

How have you seen the challenges of mortality contribute to your personal growth?
Why do you think it's important to experience trials and challenges in this life?
Can you share a time when you felt that a difficult experience was ultimately beneficial?
How does understanding that "mortality works" change your perspective on current challenges?
What role does faith play in seeing the purpose of our trials?

Trust in the Lord During Trials

Elder Hales shared that trusting in the Lord during our trials can help us bear them more easily. The Savior's Atonement provides the strength we need.

As a youth, I personally experienced great emotional pain... Nevertheless, I bear personal witness that the Lord can strengthen us and bear us up in whatever difficulties we are called upon to experience.

What does it mean to trust in the Lord during difficult times?
How has the Savior's Atonement helped you through your own challenges?
Why is it sometimes difficult to trust in the Lord during trials?
How can we develop greater trust in the Lord?
What are some practical ways to strengthen our faith during adversity?

Embrace the Refining Process of Life

Elder Hales taught that life's challenges are part of the refining process that prepares us for eternal life. We should expect to be tested and refined through difficulties.

To completely avoid the problems, challenges, and difficulties of this world would be to sidestep the process that is truly necessary for mortality to work.

How can we embrace the refining process of life rather than resist it?
What are some ways you have seen the refining process in your own life?
Why is it important to go through the refining process?
How can we support others who are going through their own refining processes?
What role does patience play in the refining process?

Learn from Experiences of Others

Elder Hales shared personal stories and experiences to illustrate how others" lives can teach us about enduring and overcoming challenges.

I sincerely hope that as a result of my life’s experiences—good and bad—I am kinder to others, treat others as the Savior would, and have greater understanding for the sinner.

What have you learned from the experiences of others that has helped you in your own life?
How can sharing our experiences with others be beneficial?
Why is it important to have empathy and understanding for others" challenges?
How can the stories of others inspire us to endure our own trials?
What lessons from others" lives have most impacted your faith journey?

See the Atonement as a Personal Gift

Elder Hales testified that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is a personal gift that helps us overcome feelings of unworthiness and find strength in our weaknesses.

I finally understood that the Savior’s Atonement was a personal gift for me and that my Heavenly Father and His Son love me perfectly.

How have you experienced the Atonement as a personal gift in your life?
In what ways does the Atonement help us overcome feelings of unworthiness?
How can we better appreciate the personal nature of the Atonement?
What steps can we take to apply the Atonement more fully in our lives?
How does the Atonement help us find strength in our weaknesses?

Additional Discussion Questions

What does it mean to you that 'mortality works'?
How can we find joy in the journey despite challenges?
What are some ways to keep an eternal perspective during trials?
How can the knowledge that 'mortality works' influence our daily decisions?
Why is it important to remember that we are not destined to fail?
How can we use our experiences to bless the lives of others?
What role does gratitude play in enduring life's challenges?
How can we develop greater compassion and empathy through our trials?
What have you learned about yourself through your life's challenges?
How does understanding the purpose of mortality help us in our relationship with God?