Study 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.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What message did the older sister communicate to her son from the spirit world?
How does Elder Hales describe the purpose of mortality?
What personal experiences does Elder Hales share to illustrate his message?
What role does the Savior's Atonement play in making mortality work?
How can we find assurance and trust in the Lord during life's challenges?

Topics

Recognize That Mortality Is Designed to Work

Elder Hales emphasizes that mortality, despite its challenges, is perfectly designed by our Heavenly Father to help us grow and progress. The trials we face are part of the plan of happiness and are meant to refine us.

Mortality works! It is designed to work! Despite the challenges, heartaches, and difficulties we all face, our loving, wise, and perfect Heavenly Father has designed the plan of happiness such that we are not destined to fail.

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.

What does Elder Hales mean by "mortality works"?
Why are challenges and trials essential in the plan of happiness?
Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did it help you grow?
How can you remind yourself that your trials are part of God's plan when you face them?

Trust in the Lord During Trials

Elder Hales teaches that trusting in the Lord and His plan is crucial when facing life's difficulties. He shares personal and scriptural examples to illustrate how divine help is available to strengthen us.

And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

What does it mean to trust in the Lord during trials?
How does Elder Hales suggest we can find strength in difficult times?
What steps can you take to increase your trust in the Lord during a trial?
How have you felt the Lord's strength in your life during challenging times?

Embrace the Refiner's Fire

Elder Hales discusses the concept of the "refiner's fire" and how enduring life's difficulties helps us become more like the Savior. He encourages us to see our challenges as opportunities for growth.

We must expect to be schooled and taught and to pass through the refiner’s fire—sometimes to our utter limits.

The Savior helped me to overcome my feelings of unworthiness and to extend sincere forgiveness to the offender.

What is the "refiner's fire", and why is it important?
How can enduring challenges make us more like the Savior?
Think about a recent trial. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth?
How can you prepare yourself spiritually to go through the refiner’s fire?

Rely on the Savior's Atonement

Elder Hales underscores the importance of the Savior's Atonement in making mortality work. He shares his personal journey of finding worth and forgiveness through the Atonement.

Because of the Savior’s Atonement, mortality works.

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 does the Savior's Atonement make mortality work?
What personal experiences does Elder Hales share about the Atonement?
How can you apply the Atonement in your life to overcome feelings of unworthiness?
In what ways have you felt the Savior’s love and support through His Atonement?

Live with Compassion and Integrity

Elder Hales encourages us to learn from our experiences, both good and bad, to develop compassion and integrity. He shares how his life experiences have shaped his empathy for others.

I hope that as a result of the sum of my life’s experiences—good and bad—I have compassion for innocent victims of another’s actions and empathy for the downtrodden.

As we come to rely on the Savior’s grace and keep our covenants, we can serve as examples of the far-reaching effects of the Savior’s Atonement.

How do our life experiences help us develop compassion and integrity?
What does Elder Hales suggest about serving as examples of the Savior’s Atonement?
How can you use your experiences to show compassion to others?
What can you do to ensure you live with integrity in all aspects of your life?