The Lord Is Hastening His Work
Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Cook emphasizes the importance of embracing and supporting new and returning converts as the Lord hastens His work.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Start by sharing a brief story or example of a time when you felt the Lord hastening His work in your life or in the Church. Invite class members to share their own experiences.
- Play a short video clip of a recent convert sharing their testimony or story of conversion, and discuss how the Lord is hastening His work through new members.
- Begin with a hymn or primary song that focuses on missionary work or gathering Israel, and discuss its relevance to the talk.
- Share a quote from President Nelson about the hastening of the Lord's work, and discuss how it applies to the themes in Elder Cook's talk.
- Invite a class member who has served a mission to share an experience that illustrates how the Lord is hastening His work.
Topics
Recognize the Turbulence of Our Times
Elder Cook acknowledged the commotion and turbulence of our current times, emphasizing the need for followers of Jesus Christ to be peacemakers and foster unity, peace, and healing.
We live in a turbulent time when "the whole earth [is] in commotion." President Russell M. Nelson’s admonition to be peacemakers, as followers of Jesus Christ, was emphasized beautifully this morning by Elder Gary E. Stevenson.
- How can we be peacemakers in our current turbulent times?
- What are some ways we can foster unity and healing in our communities?
- How does recognizing the turbulence of our times help us focus on the Savior?
- What examples have you seen of individuals or groups being peacemakers?
- How can we apply President Nelson’s admonition to be peacemakers in our daily lives?
Witness the Hastening of the Lord's Work
Elder Cook highlighted the rapid growth and progress of the Church, noting the significant increase in converts and the global expansion of the Church's influence.
The Lord is truly hastening His work in our time. We should be profoundly grateful for the hastening, which has occurred and is occurring despite these challenging times.
- What evidence have you seen of the Lord hastening His work in your area?
- How can we contribute to the hastening of the Lord’s work?
- What role do new converts play in the hastening of the Lord’s work?
- How can we support and welcome new converts into our congregations?
- Why is it important to recognize and be grateful for the hastening of the Lord’s work?
Embrace the Covenant Path
Elder Cook emphasized the importance of the covenant path, encouraging members to make and keep sacred covenants, and to focus on temple ordinances as a goal for exaltation.
Receiving the ordinances and covenants and living the commandments are essential. Focus on the covenants necessary for exaltation.
- What does it mean to you to be on the covenant path?
- How can we help new members understand and embrace the covenant path?
- What are some challenges you have faced in staying on the covenant path, and how have you overcome them?
- Why are temple ordinances a critical focus for our spiritual journey?
- How can we support each other in making and keeping sacred covenants?
Support and Welcome New Converts
Elder Cook called on members to warmly welcome and support new converts, emphasizing the need for friendship, responsibility, and nurturing to help them feel they belong.
My counsel to the members of the Church is to wrap our arms around these precious, elect people who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- How can we ensure new converts feel welcomed and supported in our ward?
- What are some practical ways to help new converts integrate into the Church community?
- Why is it important for new converts to have friends and responsibilities in the Church?
- How can we create an environment where new members feel they belong and are not just guests?
- What experiences have you had in helping new converts feel welcomed and supported?
Pursue Lifelong Learning of Gospel Doctrine
Elder Cook encouraged continuous learning of gospel doctrine, emphasizing that gospel knowledge grows over time and that studying the scriptures is essential for deepening conversion.
Learning the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ is a lifelong pursuit, both in understanding doctrine and living a Christlike life.
- How can we make gospel learning a lifelong pursuit?
- What are some effective ways to study the scriptures and deepen our understanding?
- How does continuous learning of gospel doctrine strengthen our conversion?
- What role does the Holy Ghost play in our pursuit of gospel knowledge?
- How can we help others, especially new members, in their journey of gospel learning?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to you to live in 'the best of times' spiritually?
- How can we balance the challenges of the world with the blessings of the gospel?
- In what ways can we follow the Savior’s example in turbulent times?
- What personal experiences have strengthened your testimony of the hastening of the Lord's work?
- How can we better recognize and act on opportunities to share the gospel?
- What steps can we take to prepare ourselves for temple ordinances?
- How can we support each other in making and keeping sacred covenants?
- What are some ways to nurture and strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ?
- How can we ensure that no one sits alone emotionally or spiritually in our congregations?
- What impact does having a 'perfect brightness of hope' have on our daily lives?
