They Are Their Own Judges
David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Bednar elucidates that the Final Judgment will reflect what we have become through our choices.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Share a personal story about a time when you had to make a difficult choice using your moral agency. Invite class members to think about choices they have made and how they have impacted their lives.
- Begin by asking class members to consider how they feel about the concept of judgment. Do they view it with fear or hope? Use this to segue into Elder Bednar's discussion of the "pleasing" aspect of the Final Judgment.
- Play a short video clip or read a story about someone who has faced a significant judgment or decision in their life. Discuss the outcomes and relate it to the talk.
- Invite a class member to share their favorite scripture about judgment or agency and discuss how it has influenced their perspective on these topics.
- Start with a hymn or song that focuses on choosing the right or following Christ, and discuss how music can inspire us to make better choices.
Topics
Understand the Father's Plan of Happiness
Elder Bednar explained that the Father's plan provides us with opportunities to receive a physical body, learn through mortal experiences, and progress eternally. Central to this plan is the principle of moral agency, allowing us to choose and act according to eternal truths.
The overarching purposes of the Father’s plan are to provide His spirit children with opportunities to receive a physical body, learn "good from evil" through mortal experience, grow spiritually, and progress eternally.
- How does understanding the Father's plan of happiness influence your daily decisions?
- What does "moral agency" mean to you, and how do you exercise it in your life?
- Why do you think agency is such a central part of God's plan?
- How can we ensure that our choices align with the Father's plan for us?
- What are some ways we can help others understand and appreciate their agency?
Actively Engage in Doing and Becoming
Elder Bednar emphasized that the gospel of Jesus Christ invites us to not only know something but to become something. The Final Judgment will assess what we have become, not just what we have done.
The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become.
- How can we focus more on becoming rather than just doing?
- What are some attributes you hope to develop as you strive to become more like Christ?
- How does understanding the concept of becoming affect your view of the Final Judgment?
- In what ways can we help each other in our journey of becoming?
- What are some practical steps you can take to align your actions with your desired "becoming"?
Rely on the Savior’s Atonement
Elder Bednar taught that our works and desires alone cannot save us; it is through the Savior's atonement that we are reconciled with God. This reconciliation requires faith, repentance, and enduring to the end.
After all we can do, we are reconciled with God only through the mercy and grace available through the Savior’s infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice.
- How can we better rely on the Savior's Atonement in our daily lives?
- What does it mean to you to be "born again" through the Atonement?
- How can faith and repentance work together in the process of reconciliation with God?
- Why is enduring to the end an important aspect of utilizing the Atonement?
- In what ways has the Atonement personally affected your life and choices?
Develop Godly Fear
Elder Bednar distinguished between worldly fear and godly fear. Godly fear, rooted in reverence and awe for the Lord, brings peace and assurance, helping us to prepare for the Final Judgment.
Godly fear invites into our lives peace, assurance, and confidence.
- What is the difference between worldly fear and godly fear?
- How can godly fear lead to peace and assurance in our lives?
- What are some ways to cultivate a sense of godly fear?
- How does godly fear influence the way we prepare for the Final Judgment?
- Can you share an experience where godly fear guided your actions or decisions?
Embrace the Promise of a Pleasing Judgment
Elder Bednar reassured that the Final Judgment can be pleasing for those who have lived righteously, as we will stand before the Lord with a clear understanding of our choices and their consequences.
If our desires have been for righteousness and our works good... then the judgment bar will be pleasing.
- What does a "pleasing judgment" mean to you?
- How can we prepare ourselves to look forward to the Final Judgment with hope?
- What role do our desires play in ensuring a pleasing judgment?
- How can we use our understanding of judgment to motivate righteous living?
- What changes can we make now to ensure our judgment is a pleasing experience?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How do the concepts of agency and accountability relate to each other?
- What are some examples of how we can exercise moral agency in our daily lives?
- How can understanding the plan of happiness help us make better choices?
- In what ways can the Atonement help us become what we are meant to be?
- What are some practical ways to develop godly fear?
- How can we help others understand the positive aspects of the Final Judgment?
- What role does repentance play in the process of becoming?
- How can we better align our desires with righteous living?
- What are some challenges you face in exercising moral agency, and how do you overcome them?
- How can we support each other in preparing for a pleasing judgment?
