Study Guide for "Forsake Not Your Own Mercy"

In his General Conference talk, Elder Matthew S. Holland delves into the story of Jonah, a prophet who initially resisted God's command but ultimately became a powerful symbol of repentance and divine mercy. Elder Holland draws parallels between Jonah's experiences and our own struggles, emphasizing the importance of understanding the Fall and recognizing the Savior's redeeming power. This talk encourages us to seek divine help and healing, particularly through the Savior, Jesus Christ, and to embrace the joy that comes from living the gospel.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What lessons can we learn from the story of Jonah?
How does a testimony of the Fall influence our perspective on life's challenges?
In what ways does Jonah's experience symbolize the Savior's mission?
What does Elder Holland mean by "forsake not your own mercy"?
How can we find joy amidst our trials according to Elder Holland?

Topics

Understand the Lessons from Jonah's Story

Elder Holland recounts the story of Jonah, who initially fled from God's command to preach repentance to Nineveh but eventually fulfilled his mission. Jonah's experience illustrates the challenges of obedience and the transformative power of repentance and divine mercy.

God commanded Jonah to "go to Nineveh" to declare repentance. But Nineveh was ancient Israel’s brutal enemy—so Jonah promptly heads the exact opposite direction.

God patiently teaches Jonah that He loves and seeks to rescue all His children.

What was Jonah's initial reaction to God's command, and what does this teach us about obedience?
How did Jonah's attitude change after his experience in the belly of the whale?
Reflect on a time when you resisted a prompting or command from God. How did you eventually respond?
How can you apply Jonah's story to your own journey of repentance and forgiveness?

Gain a Testimony of the Fall

Elder Holland emphasizes the importance of understanding the doctrine of the Fall. Recognizing that all are fallen helps us temper frustrations and extend mercy to ourselves and others, acknowledging our shared struggles and the purpose of mortality.

Stumbling more than once in his duties, Jonah provides a vivid testimony that in mortality, "all are fallen."

A testimony of the Fall does not excuse sin or a lax approach in life’s duties, which always call for diligence, virtue, and accountability.

Why is it important to have a testimony of the Fall?
How does understanding the Fall help us extend mercy to ourselves and others?
In what ways have you seen the effects of the Fall in your life?
How can you better extend mercy to yourself and others in light of the Fall?

Recognize the Savior's Deliverance

Jonah's story is a symbol of Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. Elder Holland highlights the Savior's role in delivering us from the effects of the Fall, urging us to turn to Him for healing and salvation.

Even greater than manifesting the effects of the Fall, Jonah’s story powerfully directs us to Him who can deliver us from those effects.

As Jonah was "three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

How does Jonah's experience in the whale symbolize the Savior's mission?
What does Elder Holland teach about the Savior's power to deliver us?
How can you more fully turn to the Savior for healing and deliverance?
Reflect on a time when you felt the Savior's deliverance in your life.

Forsake Not Your Own Mercy

Elder Holland urges us not to forsake our own mercy by turning away from divine help. By embracing the Savior's mercy, we can find hope, healing, and happiness even in the midst of trials.

For anyone today feeling like I did then—that you are cast off, sinking in deepest waters, with seaweed wrapped about your head and oceanic mountains crashing all around you—my plea, inspired by Jonah, is forsake not your own mercy.

You have immediate access to divine help and healing despite your human flaws.

What does it mean to "forsake not your own mercy"?
How does embracing the Savior's mercy bring hope and healing?
In what ways have you been tempted to forsake your own mercy?
How can you better embrace the Savior's mercy in your daily life?

Find Joy Amidst Trials

Elder Holland teaches that focusing on God's plan and the Savior can bring joy even amidst trials. He encourages us to serve, smile, and maintain hope, trusting in the Savior's ability to heal and deliver.

President Russell M. Nelson taught us so very well: "When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives."

Whether we are facing a deep, Jonah-like catastrophe or the everyday challenges of our imperfect world, the invitation is the same: Forsake not your own mercy.

How does focusing on the Savior and His gospel bring joy amidst trials?
What does Elder Holland suggest we do to maintain joy in challenging times?
Reflect on a time when you found joy despite difficult circumstances. What helped you?
How can you better focus on the Savior to find joy in your current challenges?