Lesson Prepration Guide for "Compensating Blessings"

In his talk "Compensating Blessings," Bishop Gérald Caussé addresses the challenges and limitations faced by many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Despite these difficulties, he emphasizes the Lord's love and the promise of compensating blessings for those who strive to live the gospel. Through personal experiences and teachings from the scriptures, Bishop Caussé reassures us that God will not hold us accountable for things beyond our control and that His blessings are accessible to all who earnestly seek them.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin the lesson by sharing a personal experience or asking a class member to share an experience where they felt the Lord's compensating blessings in their life.
Show a short video clip of Elder Neal A. Maxwell speaking to set the tone for the lesson and introduce the concept of compensating blessings.
Ask the class to think of a time when they faced a challenge that seemed insurmountable and how they felt the Lord's love during that time.
Start with a hymn or a musical number that focuses on the Savior's love and blessings, and discuss how music can be a source of comfort and inspiration.
Read the story of Bishop Caussé"s experience with Elder Maxwell and ask the class to reflect on similar moments of unexpected spiritual blessings in their lives.

Topics

Embrace God's Perfect Love

Bishop Caussé emphasized that God's love for each of us is perfect and unconditional. He invites all to partake of His goodness, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to receive the blessings of salvation and exaltation.

He inviteth [us] all to come unto him and partake of his goodness.

How have you felt God's perfect love in your life?
What does it mean to you that God's plan of redemption is for everyone?
How can we help others feel God's love and goodness?
In what ways can we partake of God's goodness daily?
How can understanding God's perfect love help us in times of trial?

Understand God's Justice and Mercy

Bishop Caussé explained that God is both just and merciful. He takes into account not only our desires and performance but also the challenges our circumstances impose on us.

God … takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performance, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us.

How do you reconcile God's justice with His mercy in your life?
What does it mean to you that God considers the challenges we face?
How can we show mercy to others in our daily interactions?
In what ways can understanding God's justice and mercy bring peace?
How can this principle help us when we feel inadequate or overwhelmed?

Rely on Christ's Atonement for Strength

The talk highlighted that through Christ's Atonement, we can find the strength to endure and overcome life's challenges. The Savior took upon Himself not only sins but also our pains and infirmities.

The Savior took upon Himself not only the sins of the repentant but also "the pains and the sicknesses of his people" and "their infirmities."

How has Christ's Atonement helped you in your personal challenges?
What does it mean to you that Christ bore our infirmities?
How can we more fully rely on Christ's Atonement in our daily lives?
In what ways can we share the strength of the Atonement with others?
How can understanding the Atonement change our perspective on trials?

Offer Our Whole Souls to God

Bishop Caussé taught that receiving compensating blessings requires us to do all we can and offer our whole souls to God. The Lord accepts the desires of our hearts as a worthy offering, especially when circumstances hinder our efforts.

The Lord asks us to do "all we can" and to "offer [our] whole souls as an offering unto him."

What does it mean to offer your whole soul to God?
How can we ensure our efforts are aligned with God's will?
In what ways can we show our willingness to follow the Savior?
How can we find peace when our efforts fall short of our aspirations?
What are some practical ways to offer our whole souls in service to God?

Recognize and Share Compensating Blessings

The talk encouraged recognizing our own blessings and using them to serve others. By doing so, we invite healing and compensation into our own lives and contribute to God's work of salvation.

When facing limitations and challenges, may we recognize our own blessings—our gifts, resources, and time—and use them to serve those in need.

How have you seen compensating blessings in your life?
What are some ways we can use our blessings to serve others?
How can serving others bring healing into our own lives?
In what ways can we participate in God's work of salvation?
How can sharing our blessings with others strengthen our faith?

Additional Discussion Questions

How can we better recognize the compensating blessings in our lives?
What role does faith play in receiving compensating blessings?
How can we support others who are facing limitations and challenges?
In what ways can temple work bring compensating blessings into our lives?
How can understanding God's plan help us deal with life's injustices?
What does it mean to you to be 'willing' to follow the Savior?
How can we find strength in knowing that the Lord accepts our offerings?
What are some examples of compensating blessings you've witnessed in others' lives?
How can we cultivate a heart that is willing to do all we can for the Lord?
How does the concept of compensating blessings change your perspective on adversity?