Lesson Prepration Guide for "O Youth of the Noble Birthright"

In his inspiring General Conference talk, Brother Bradley R. Wilcox addresses the youth of the Church, emphasizing the unique and noble responsibilities they hold as "children of the covenant." He explores why Latter-day Saints live differently and highlights the concept of a spiritual birthright that comes with making and keeping covenants. Brother Wilcox reminds the youth of their divine potential and the trust Heavenly Father has placed in them to help fulfill His work on earth.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by asking class members to share a time when they felt different because of their faith and how they handled it.
Start with a discussion on what it means to be a "child of the covenant" and how it impacts daily life.
Invite someone to read the story of the birthright son from the Old Testament and discuss its relevance today.
Show a video clip or a quote from Elder Russell M. Nelson's address "Thanks for the Covenant" and discuss its significance.
Pose the question: "Why do you think the Lord trusts the youth of the Church?" and allow for open discussion.

Topics

Understand the Importance of Being Different

Brother Wilcox addressed the question of why Latter-day Saints live differently than others, emphasizing that it is because of their covenant relationship with God which sets them apart and gives them a noble birthright.

With those blessings comes added responsibility. He knows you can make a difference in the world, and that requires, in many cases, being different from the world.

Why do you think it's important for Latter-day Saints to live differently?
How does living differently help us fulfill our responsibilities?
What challenges have you faced in living differently, and how have you overcome them?
How can understanding our birthright help us embrace being different?
In what ways can we support each other in living differently?

Embrace the Birthright and Its Responsibilities

Brother Wilcox explained the concept of a birthright, likening it to the responsibilities of the birthright son in the Old Testament, and emphasized the spiritual inheritance and responsibilities that come with being children of the covenant.

Is it too much for God to expect you to live differently than His other children so you can better lead and serve them? Not when you consider the blessings—both temporal and spiritual—that you have been given.

What does having a birthright mean to you personally?
How can we better understand and fulfill our birthright responsibilities?
What are some blessings that come from fulfilling our birthright?
How does our birthright influence our daily decisions and actions?
How can we help others recognize and embrace their own birthright?

Recognize God's Trust in Us

Brother Wilcox emphasized that being a child of the covenant means being trusted by God to help with His work and to be different from the world.

Think of it! God trusts you—of all the people on the earth, the children of the covenant, His crew members—to help with His work of bringing all His children safely home to Him.

What does it mean to you that God trusts you?
How can we live up to the trust God has placed in us?
In what ways can we show our trust in God?
How does knowing that God trusts us change how we view ourselves?
How can we strengthen our trust in God and in ourselves?

Receive Strength through Covenants

Brother Wilcox taught that through the covenant relationship with God and Jesus Christ, we receive divine assistance and strength to live as the Savior did.

Your covenant relationship with God and Jesus Christ is a relationship of love and trust in which you have access to a greater measure of Their grace—Their divine assistance, endowment of strength, and enabling power.

How have you felt strengthened by your covenants?
What role do covenants play in your daily life?
How can we better access the strength and grace offered through covenants?
What experiences have you had that demonstrate the power of covenants?
How can we help others understand the importance of making and keeping covenants?

Avoid Trading Your Birthright for Worldly Things

Brother Wilcox warned against trading the eternal blessings of our birthright for temporary worldly pleasures, encouraging youth to stay true to their divine potential.

Don’t sell your birthright for a mess of pottage. Don’t trade everything for nothing.

What are some worldly things that might tempt us to trade our birthright?
How can we stay focused on eternal blessings rather than temporary pleasures?
What strategies can help us resist worldly temptations?
How can we help others recognize the value of their birthright?
In what ways can we remind ourselves of our divine potential?

Additional Discussion Questions

What are some ways we can remind ourselves of our noble birthright daily?
How does understanding our divine potential help us in our personal challenges?
What does it mean to be a 'crew member' on God's ship, and how does it affect our choices?
How can we support each other in fulfilling our covenant responsibilities?
What are some practical ways to live differently in a digital world?
How can we find joy in living the gospel despite the pressures to conform?
What role does prayer play in helping us live up to our birthright?
How can we teach the rising generation about the importance of their birthright?
What can we learn from the examples of those who have embraced their birthright?
How does the knowledge of being trusted by God influence our interactions with others?