Lesson Prepration Guide for "“Return unto Me … That I May Heal You”"

In his talk, Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy shares a poignant message of hope and redemption, drawing parallels between a fallen willow tree and those who have strayed from the faith. He extends a loving invitation to those who have stepped away from the Church to return and find healing through Jesus Christ. Elder Palmer emphasizes the importance of nurturing one's faith and the joy that comes from returning to the spiritual home of the Church.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin by sharing a personal story of a time when you or someone you know returned to something important in your life and the positive impact it had.
Start with a brief discussion on the symbolism of trees in scripture and how they often represent spiritual growth and strength.
Ask the class to reflect on a time when they felt spiritually distant and what helped them feel closer to the Savior.
Begin by reading the parable of the prodigal son and invite class members to consider how it relates to the talk.
Show a picture of a willow tree and discuss its characteristics, leading into Elder Palmer’s story about the fallen willow.

Topics

Revive Your Spiritual Roots

Elder Palmer shared the story of a fallen willow tree that was revived through care and nourishment, symbolizing the potential for spiritual renewal. He encouraged those with weakened testimonies to seek spiritual nourishment and return to their faith.

After some time, we saw signs of life as the tree began to take root.

What spiritual nourishment have you found most helpful in strengthening your testimony?
How can we support others in our community who are seeking to revive their spiritual roots?
In what ways can the story of the willow tree inspire us to be patient with our spiritual growth?
What are some "roots" in your life that keep you grounded in the gospel?
How can we better recognize and respond to spiritual promptings that encourage us to return to the Savior?

Embrace the Invitation to Return

Elder Palmer extended a loving invitation for those who have strayed from the Church to return, emphasizing that the Savior's arms are open and waiting. He shared stories of individuals who have found joy and peace by coming back to their faith.

Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

What feelings or experiences might prevent someone from accepting the invitation to return?
How can we create a welcoming environment for those who are considering returning to the Church?
What role does repentance play in the process of returning to the Savior?
How can we help others feel the Savior's love and open invitation to return?
What can we learn from the stories of those who have returned to the Church after a long absence?

Overcome Offense and Embrace Forgiveness

Elder Palmer highlighted the importance of overcoming offenses that may have led individuals away from the Church. He shared examples of individuals who sought forgiveness and found peace by returning to their faith.

Sadly, the fact that I took offense 15 years ago has made me pay an extremely heavy price.

How can holding onto offenses impact our spiritual well-being?
What steps can we take to overcome feelings of offense and seek forgiveness?
How can the Atonement of Jesus Christ help us heal from past wounds?
What role does humility play in the process of seeking forgiveness?
How can we support others who are struggling with feelings of offense?

Support and Love Those Who Wander

Elder Palmer emphasized the importance of loving and supporting those who have wandered from the Church. He shared a story of a family who continued to love their daughter despite her choices, helping her feel welcomed when she decided to return.

They didn’t call me out on my sins; rather, they called out to me in my sinfulness.

How can we show unconditional love to those who have left the Church?
What actions can we take to maintain relationships with loved ones who have stepped away from their faith?
How can our prayers and support influence those who are considering returning to the Church?
What does it mean to "call out to someone in their sinfulness"?
How can we balance expressing our beliefs while respecting others" choices?

Find Strength in the Savior’s Promise

Elder Palmer testified of the Savior’s promise to heal those who return to Him. He encouraged individuals to focus on Jesus Christ and His gospel as their source of strength and hope.

To whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

How can focusing on the Savior provide us with the strength to overcome challenges?
What does it mean to you to have the Savior as your source of hope?
How can the Savior's promise of healing motivate us to return to Him?
In what ways can we strengthen our relationship with the Savior daily?
How can we help others recognize the Savior’s role in their healing and growth?

Additional Discussion Questions

What personal experiences have you had with spiritual renewal?
How can we help others recognize their divine potential as the Lord does?
What lessons can we learn from the story of the willow tree about resilience?
How can we better listen to and act on spiritual promptings in our lives?
What can we do to ensure we are spiritually nourished each week?
How can we create a culture of forgiveness and acceptance in our wards?
What are some ways we can invite others to return to the Church?
How can we make the sacrament a more meaningful experience for those returning?
What scriptures or teachings have helped you during times of spiritual struggle?
How can we help those who are 'barely hanging on' to feel supported and loved?