“Behold I Am the Light Which Ye Shall Hold Up”
Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Rasband emphasizes sustaining Church leaders and holding up the light of Jesus Christ.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin with a discussion on the meaning of "holding up" in a spiritual context. Ask class members to share personal experiences where they felt supported by others in their faith journey.
- Share a brief story or video about someone who has been a light to others through their service or testimony. Invite class members to reflect on how they can be a light to those around them.
- Start with a scripture reading from the Book of Mormon about bearing one another's burdens and discuss how this relates to Elder Rasband's message.
- Invite a class member to share their testimony of sustaining Church leaders and how it has impacted their life.
- Play a hymn or song about Jesus Christ being the light of the world and ask members to ponder how they can reflect His light in their daily lives.
Topics
Sustain Church Leaders Actively
Elder Rasband emphasized the importance of actively sustaining Church leaders, including the prophet, apostles, and local leaders. Sustaining involves more than a simple vote; it means supporting and defending them in their roles.
To sustain means to hold up another person, to give them our attention, to be faithful to their trust, to act upon their words.
- What does it mean to you to sustain Church leaders?
- How can we actively support and uphold the prophet in our daily lives?
- Why is it important to defend and follow the counsel of Church leaders?
- In what ways can we show support for our local Church leaders?
- How can sustaining leaders strengthen our own faith and testimony?
Hold Up the Light of Christ
Elder Rasband taught that we hold up the light of Christ by living our covenants and supporting the prophet. This involves being a witness of God and reflecting His light to the world.
We hold up the Lord’s light when we hold fast to our covenants and when we support our living prophet as he speaks the words of God.
- How can we hold up the light of Christ in our communities?
- What are some ways we can reflect the Savior's light in our interactions with others?
- Why is it important to hold fast to our covenants in holding up Christ's light?
- How does supporting the prophet help us hold up the light of Christ?
- What challenges might we face in being a light to the world, and how can we overcome them?
Receive Strength Through Temple Worship
Elder Rasband highlighted the power of temple worship in providing strength, peace, and personal revelation. The temple is a place where we can receive divine assistance and feel the presence of angels.
All who worship in the temple will have the power of God and angels having ‘charge over them’.
- How does attending the temple strengthen you personally?
- What role does the temple play in helping us receive personal revelation?
- Why is it important to maintain worthiness to enter the temple?
- How can we make temple worship a more central part of our lives?
- What experiences have you had in the temple that have brought you peace and comfort?
Defend Truth Against Counterfeits
Elder Rasband warned of the need to distinguish between God's truths and Satan's counterfeits. He encouraged members to pray always to conquer Satan and escape his deceptions.
One of our greatest challenges today is distinguishing between the truths of God and the counterfeits of Satan.
- What are some examples of counterfeits of truth that we might encounter today?
- How can we strengthen our ability to discern between truth and deception?
- Why is prayer an essential tool in overcoming Satan's deceptions?
- What role does personal revelation play in defending truth?
- How can we help others recognize and reject counterfeits of truth?
Experience Joy in Sustaining the Prophet
Elder Rasband shared the joy and spiritual light felt when sustaining the prophet. He recounted personal experiences that underscored the prophet's divine calling and the blessings of supporting him.
In his presence, I immediately felt the light and prophetic mantle he carries.
- What feelings do you experience when you sustain the prophet?
- How can we cultivate joy in supporting the prophet and his teachings?
- What are some ways we can share our testimony of the prophet with others?
- Why is it important to recognize the prophet's divine calling?
- How does sustaining the prophet bring us closer to Jesus Christ?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can we better support our family members in their spiritual journeys?
- What does it mean to bear one another's burdens in a modern context?
- How can we be more effective witnesses of God in our everyday lives?
- What are some practical ways to hold up those who are struggling around us?
- How does following the prophet's counsel bring us peace amidst worldly challenges?
- What impact does sustaining Church leaders have on the unity of the Church?
- How can we use the light of Christ to overcome personal trials?
- What role does the Atonement play in helping us hold up others?
- How can we ensure our lives are in alignment with the teachings of Jesus Christ?
- What steps can we take to increase our personal revelation and spiritual strength?
