Adorned with the Virtue of Temperance
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Share a brief story about a personal experience where temperance made a difference in your life or someone else's life. Invite class members to think about similar experiences they might have had.
- Begin with a discussion on the concept of "spiritual erosion" and how it can affect our lives. Ask class members to consider how they have seen this in their own lives or the lives of others.
- Start with a video or audio clip of President Russell M. Nelson's words about the temple renovation and ask the class how this analogy applies to their spiritual lives.
- Invite class members to reflect silently for a minute on the question: "How firm is your foundation?" and then share their thoughts.
- Present a visual of a strong foundation and a crumbling one, and ask the class to discuss what makes the difference between the two.
Topics
Implement Spiritual Reinforcements
Elder Soares emphasized the need to strengthen our spiritual foundation in Jesus Christ, similar to the structural reinforcements made to the Salt Lake Temple. He encouraged us to reflect on our foundation's firmness and identify needed reinforcements in our testimony and understanding of the gospel.
“How firm is your foundation? And what reinforcements to your testimony and understanding of the gospel are needed?”
- What are some ways you can reinforce your spiritual foundation?
- How do you identify gaps in your spiritual foundation?
- What extraordinary measures have you taken to strengthen your testimony?
- In what ways can the gospel of Jesus Christ prevent spiritual erosion?
- How can we apply the analogy of the temple renovation to our personal lives?
Cultivate the Christlike Virtue of Temperance
Elder Soares taught that temperance is essential for maintaining a firm foundation in Christ. It harmonizes with other virtues such as humility, faith, and charity, and helps protect against spiritual erosion.
“Temperance harmonizes and strengthens other Christlike attributes mentioned in this revelation: humility, faith, hope, charity, and the pure love that flows from Him.”
- Why is temperance important in our spiritual journey?
- How does temperance harmonize with other Christlike attributes?
- What are some examples of temperance in the Savior's life?
- In what ways can temperance protect our souls from worldly influences?
- How can we cultivate temperance in our daily lives?
Emulate the Savior's Example of Temperance
Elder Soares highlighted the Savior's perfect example of temperance, especially during His ministry on earth. He taught us to be patient and not retaliate when faced with adversity, following the Savior's path with a compassionate heart.
“Jesus Christ, the greatest of all, suffered for us until He bled from every pore, yet He never allowed anger to inflame His heart.”
- How did the Savior exemplify temperance during His life?
- What can we learn from the Savior's response to adversity?
- How can we apply the Savior's teachings on temperance to our own lives?
- What does it mean to "revile not against those that revile"?
- How can we develop a compassionate heart like the Savior's?
Avoid Worldly Influences and Spiritual Erosion
Elder Soares warned against the worldly behaviors of aggressiveness, arrogance, and impatience, which can lead to spiritual erosion. He invited us to exercise temperance, especially during challenging times, to avoid falling into the enemy's traps.
“Oftentimes, the world exalts behaviors born of aggressiveness, arrogance, impatience, and excessiveness.”
- What are some worldly influences that can lead to spiritual erosion?
- How can we resist the temptation to act with aggressiveness or impatience?
- What are the dangers of allowing worldly behaviors to influence us?
- How can we maintain our spiritual integrity in a world that exalts excessiveness?
- Why is it important to exercise temperance during challenging times?
Strengthen Testimonies Through Trials
Elder Soares shared an experience with members in Mexico City who, despite enduring severe trials, maintained their faith and chose to respond with temperance. This example illustrates the power of faith in Jesus Christ to overcome adversity and strengthen testimonies.
“As we looked into the faces of those Saints, we did not see anger, resentment, or a desire for revenge. Instead, we saw a quiet humility.”
- How can trials strengthen our testimonies?
- What role does temperance play in overcoming adversity?
- What can we learn from the example of the Saints in Mexico City?
- How can we maintain faith in Jesus Christ during difficult times?
- Why is it important to choose temperance over anger or resentment?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How does the principle of temperance relate to the concept of spiritual erosion?
- What personal experiences have you had where temperance made a difference?
- How can we help others cultivate temperance in their lives?
- What are some practical ways to practice temperance in everyday situations?
- How does temperance influence our relationships with others?
- What are the challenges of maintaining temperance in a fast-paced world?
- How can we teach children the importance of temperance?
- What scriptures can we study to better understand the virtue of temperance?
- How does temperance contribute to our overall spiritual growth?
- What is the relationship between temperance and the other virtues mentioned in the talk?
