Confidence in the Presence of God
Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President Nelson counsels that charity and virtue increase our confidence in God's presence.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by sharing a personal experience where you felt confidence before God, and invite class members to think about times they have felt the same.
- Start with a discussion on what it means to have confidence in the presence of God, and ask class members to share their initial thoughts or feelings on this concept.
- Show a short video clip or read a story about someone who demonstrated confidence before God, and discuss what attributes helped them achieve that confidence.
- Ask class members to reflect silently for a minute on a time they felt close to God, then invite them to share how that experience impacted their confidence in approaching Him.
- Read the talk's quote about charity and virtue, then break into small groups to discuss how these principles can help increase our confidence before God.
Topics
Embrace Charity as Peacemakers
President Nelson emphasized the importance of charity as a defining trait of peacemakers. He reiterated the need for charity in our interactions, both publicly and privately, and encouraged us to plead with Heavenly Father for this gift. Charity helps us become more like the Savior and is essential for spiritual progress.
True charity towards all men is the hallmark of peacemakers! It is imperative that we have charity in our discourse, both public and private.
- How can we cultivate charity in our daily interactions, especially with those who are difficult to love?
- Why is charity considered the foundation of a godly character?
- What are some practical ways we can be peacemakers in our communities?
- How does charity influence our relationship with the Holy Ghost?
- In what ways can charity help us prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
Cultivate Virtue to Strengthen Confidence
President Nelson taught that virtue is crucial for maintaining confidence before God. By filling our thoughts with virtue, we can drive away negative and impure thoughts. Virtue enhances our positive thoughts and helps us grow spiritually.
The Lord tells us to garnish our thoughts unceasingly with virtue. Imagine the boost you will receive to any positive thought when you enhance it with virtue.
- What are some strategies to keep our thoughts virtuous?
- How does virtue impact our spiritual growth and confidence before God?
- Why is it important to drive away impure thoughts with virtue?
- How can regular temple worship help us increase our capacity for virtue?
- What role does virtue play in preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
Gain Confidence Through Covenant Keeping
President Nelson highlighted the power of making and keeping covenants with God to gain confidence in His presence. He explained that such confidence is born of the Spirit and allows us to approach God with assurance.
When we make and keep covenants with God, we can have confidence that is born of the Spirit.
- How does keeping covenants with God enhance our confidence in approaching Him?
- What are some challenges we face in keeping our covenants, and how can we overcome them?
- How does the Spirit help us gain confidence before God?
- Why is confidence in the presence of God important for our spiritual journey?
- In what ways can we strengthen our covenant relationship with God?
Prepare for the Second Coming with Temple Worship
President Nelson encouraged regular temple worship as a means to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He noted that temple worship increases our capacity for charity and virtue, thus enhancing our confidence before the Lord.
Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord.
- How does temple worship help us prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
- What blessings have you experienced from regular temple attendance?
- How can we make temple worship a more consistent part of our lives?
- Why is it important to increase our capacity for charity and virtue in preparation for the Savior's return?
- What role does the temple play in strengthening our spiritual confidence?
Experience Joy and Spiritual Power
President Nelson promised that as we increase our confidence before the Lord, we will experience greater joy and spiritual power. This increased confidence comes from living with charity and virtue and seeking the Lord through covenants.
As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase.
- What does it mean to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes?
- How can we intentionally seek to grow our confidence before the Lord?
- What role does joy play in our spiritual journey and relationship with God?
- How can increased confidence before God impact our daily lives?
- What are some steps we can take to experience greater spiritual power?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can we help the rising generation develop confidence in the presence of God?
- What challenges do we face that can affect our self-confidence, and how can we overcome them?
- How does understanding God's love for us increase our confidence in approaching Him?
- What are some examples of individuals in the scriptures who demonstrated confidence before God?
- How can we support each other in our efforts to cultivate charity and virtue?
- What impact does social media have on our ability to be peacemakers?
- In what ways can we be instruments of peace in our families and communities?
- How can we balance the demands of daily life with the pursuit of spiritual confidence?
- What are some ways to invite the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion?
- How can we prepare ourselves and others for the acceleration of temple-building and its significance?
