Study Guide for "“Here Am I, Send Me”"

In this Easter message, President Susan H. Porter teaches children—and all of Heavenly Father’s children—that they are known, loved, and needed in God’s work. She begins with our premortal life and Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness, then points to Jesus Christ’s willing response, “Here am I, send me,” as the perfect example of love and obedience. She testifies that because of the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection, we can receive help, healing, joy, and the blessing of living with our families in God’s presence. She also invites each of us to offer what we have, however small it may seem, and let the Lord magnify our efforts to bless others.

Before Reading

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

What does this talk teach about who I was before I came to earth?
How does Heavenly Father’s plan show His love for me and my family?
What does Jesus Christ’s statement “Here am I, send me” teach about discipleship?
How does the Savior help me with both sins and life’s challenges?
What might Heavenly Father be sending me to do right now?
How can the Lord make my small efforts into something greater?
What blessings come now and later as I bring myself and others closer to Jesus Christ?

Topics

Remember your divine identity and premortal purpose

President Porter teaches that we are more than our age on earth. Before birth, we lived a long time as spirits, learning and growing in the spirit world. We came to earth with gifts, a purpose, and the ability to make a difference for good. This truth gives children and adults confidence that their lives matter and that Heavenly Father has prepared them for meaningful service.

That is how long you have lived on earth, but did you know that your spirit is much, much older?

Although you don’t remember, you spent a long time in the spirit world learning and growing.

You were born with gifts. You have a purpose. And you have the ability to make a difference for good.

What does President Porter teach about our life before birth?
According to the talk, what did we do in the spirit world?
What truths does she teach about the gifts and purpose we brought with us to earth?
How does understanding our premortal life influence the way we see ourselves?
When have I felt that Heavenly Father gave me specific gifts or abilities?
What good difference can I make right now in my home, church, school, or community?
How does remembering that I lived with Heavenly Father before earth life change the way I face challenges?
What can I do this week to act more confidently as a child of God with a purpose?

Trust Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness

The talk explains that Heavenly Father loves His children and wants them to receive all the blessings He enjoys. His plan includes coming to earth, receiving a body, and choosing to live His commandments so that we can return to Him and live in joy and peace with our families. This doctrine frames mortal life as purposeful and hopeful rather than random or confusing.

Heavenly Father loves His children so much that He wants each of us to receive all the blessings He enjoys.

Before we came to earth, He shared with us His plan of happiness.

As part of His plan, we would need to come to earth, gain a body, and choose to live His loving commandments.

Then we could return to live with Him and our families in joy and peace.

What does this talk teach about why Heavenly Father created a plan for us?
What are some parts of the plan of happiness President Porter mentions?
Why are commandments described as loving commandments?
What future blessing does she connect to following Heavenly Father’s plan?
How have I seen Heavenly Father’s love for me in His plan?
Which commandment do I most need to follow more faithfully right now?
How can I teach someone in my family about the plan of happiness in a simple way?
What experiences have strengthened my testimony that Heavenly Father’s plan leads to joy and peace?

Follow Jesus Christ, who said, "Here am I, send me"

President Porter centers the talk on Jesus Christ’s willing acceptance of the Father’s mission. Because Heavenly Father knew we would make mistakes and need help, He chose Jesus Christ to come to earth. The Savior’s words, “Here am I, send me,” model submission, love, and readiness to serve. The speaker invites us to follow that same pattern in our prayers and discipleship.

Heavenly Father knew that when we came to earth, we would make mistakes and would need help to return home to Him.

Do you know who Heavenly Father chose to help us? Yes, Jesus!

Jesus Christ had so much love for Heavenly Father and for us, He said, “Here am I, send me.”

Follow His example and say in prayer to Heavenly Father, “Here am I, send me.”

Why did we need a Savior according to President Porter?
What does Jesus Christ’s response teach about His love for the Father and for us?
How does President Porter invite us to follow the Savior’s example?
What does it mean to say to Heavenly Father, “Here am I, send me”?
When have I sincerely asked Heavenly Father to send me to help someone?
What fears or hesitations keep me from responding willingly to the Lord?
How can I become more ready to act when spiritual promptings come?
What would change in my life if I began each day by praying, “Here am I, send me”?

Rely on the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection

In an Easter testimony, President Porter teaches that Jesus Christ came to earth, showed us how to live, and suffered in Gethsemane for our sins and challenges. He died on the cross and was resurrected, overcoming everything unfair and painful in our lives. Through His Atonement and Resurrection, He understands us perfectly and makes it possible for us to return to Heavenly Father.

He showed us how to live to be happy. He taught us how to love God and love others.

In Gethsemane, Jesus Christ suffered the pain of all our sins and challenges.

He died on the cross and then, in the greatest miracle of all, He was resurrected!

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, won the battle over everything that is hard and unfair in our lives.

Jesus Christ knows you, He understands you, and He loves you.

Because of Heavenly Father’s plan and Jesus Christ’s Atonement, all of us can receive the blessing of living joyfully forever with our families in Their presence.

What did Jesus Christ do in Gethsemane according to the talk?
How does President Porter describe the significance of the Resurrection?
What does the talk teach about the Savior’s power over suffering and unfairness?
How does the Atonement help us return to Heavenly Father?
When have I felt that Jesus Christ understood me in a personal way?
What burden, sin, sorrow, or challenge do I need to bring more fully to the Savior?
How can I remember the Savior more intentionally during Easter and throughout the year?
What experiences have strengthened my testimony of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Stay close to Jesus Christ every day

The speaker teaches that because Jesus knows, understands, and loves us, we should stay close to Him and learn all we can about Him. As we keep the great commandments to love God and love others, He helps us grow into who we are meant to become. President Porter promises that closeness to Christ brings practical blessings, including happiness, learning, comfort, friendship, and opportunities.

Jesus Christ knows you, He understands you, and He loves you.

Jesus has done everything to help you. Stay close to Him. Learn all you can about Him.

As you try to keep the most important commandments to love God and love others, He will help you grow into the magnificent person you are meant to be!

He will help you be happier, learn faster, feel comfort, make friends, and have more opportunities.

What reasons does President Porter give for staying close to Jesus Christ?
Which commandments does she identify as the most important?
What kinds of growth and blessings does she say come from following the Savior?
How does learning about Jesus help us become who we are meant to be?
What helps me feel closest to Jesus Christ?
How can I learn more about the Savior this week?
In what relationships do I need to better love God and love others?
What blessings have I noticed when I have tried to stay close to Christ?

Listen for the Spirit and act on divine assignments

President Porter invites listeners to begin each day with purpose and confidence, trusting that Jesus will walk with them. After praying, “Here am I, send me,” they should listen for thoughts and ideas from the Spirit. The Lord may send them to comfort the lonely, help family members, learn important lessons, teach someone to pray, or stand for truth and share His light.

Wake up each day with purpose and confidence, knowing that Jesus will walk with you.

Follow His example and say in prayer to Heavenly Father, “Here am I, send me.” Then listen for thoughts and ideas.

Through His Spirit, He may send you to comfort someone who is lonely, help your family, learn important lessons at school, or teach someone to pray.

He can help you stand for truth so you can bring His light to others.

What pattern for daily discipleship does President Porter teach?
After praying to be sent, what are we supposed to do next?
What are some examples she gives of things the Lord may send us to do?
How does the Spirit help us know how to serve?
What thoughts or promptings have I recently received that may be from the Spirit?
Who in my life may need comfort, help, truth, or light right now?
How can I make my morning prayers more purposeful?
When have I acted on a prompting and seen the Lord guide me?

Offer what you have and trust God to multiply it

Using the account of the boy with five loaves and two fishes, President Porter teaches that disciples do not need to solve every problem or wait until they have more to give. Like the boy, we can simply offer what we have to Jesus. Heavenly Father can then provide miracles and magnify small and simple offerings into great blessings for many people.

He knew that this food could not feed very many people, but he decided to give Jesus what he had.

Jesus took the food and thanked Heavenly Father for it. That food fed thousands of people!

You do not need to worry about fixing all the problems around you.

Heavenly Father can provide miracles when you simply offer what you have.

When you say, “Here am I, send me,” Heavenly Father can take something small and simple and make it great!

What does the story of the loaves and fishes teach in this talk?
Why does President Porter say we do not need to fix all the problems around us?
What does it mean to offer what we have to the Lord?
How does God work through small and simple things according to the talk?
What small offering can I give to the Lord right now—time, kindness, testimony, effort, or service?
When have I seen God magnify a small effort I made?
What problem have I been afraid to face because I felt I did not have enough to give?
How can I act in faith instead of waiting until I feel more capable?

Bless others through simple acts of discipleship

President Porter shares examples of children around the world who are already offering what they have. A boy invited his mother to read the Book of Mormon, children in Ghana shared lunches, Primary children made activity kits for sick children, and two children testified publicly of their faith. These examples show that children can bless homes, schools, communities, and even adults through ordinary but faithful acts.

I have seen children all over the world who are offering what they have to bring God’s love to their families, church, friends, and communities.

In the Caribbean, a mother told me that the Spirit lifted her heavy heart when her young son asked her to read the Book of Mormon with him.

In Ghana, Primary children told me they share their lunch at school with others who don’t have any.

In Cambodia, I saw sick children in a local hospital light up when they were given activity kits made by Primary children who cared about them.

Chloe and Eli taught adults what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

What examples does President Porter give of children blessing others?
How did these children show discipleship in practical ways?
What do these stories teach about the ability of children to influence others for good?
How can simple acts of faith bring God’s love into people’s lives?
Which example in the talk most inspires me, and why?
How can I bless someone in my family through scripture study or prayer?
What could I share with someone who has less than I do?
How can I be a disciple of Jesus Christ in a way that teaches others by my example?

Bring people to Jesus Christ with joyful testimony

The speaker recounts a sacred moment when a Primary boy asked everyone who loved Jesus to raise their hands. The simple invitation turned every heart and thought toward the Savior and created a moment of joy. President Porter shows that testimony does not need to be complicated to be powerful; sincere expressions of love for Jesus can unite and uplift others.

Recently, during a fast and testimony meeting, I saw a Primary boy walk to the stand and ask, “Would everyone who loves Jesus please raise your hands?”

At that moment, every person looked up, smiled, and raised their hands.

All thoughts were on our Savior, Jesus Christ. It was a sacred moment of joy!

Why was the boy’s simple question so powerful?
What effect did his testimony have on the congregation?
What does this story teach about focusing hearts on Jesus Christ?
How can simple testimony invite the Spirit?
How can I speak more simply and sincerely about my love for Jesus Christ?
When have I felt joy from hearing someone bear testimony of the Savior?
What can I say or do this week to help others think about Jesus Christ?
How can I make my testimony more centered on the Savior?

Seek blessings now and later by coming unto Christ

Using a family memory about dessert “now and later,” President Porter teaches that discipleship brings both immediate and eternal blessings. As we strive to bring ourselves and others closer to Jesus, we receive help and growth in the present and prepare for everlasting love and joy in the future. The gospel blesses daily life while also leading to eternal life with our families.

We children knew my dad would always answer with a big smile, “I want some now and later!”

When you strive to bring yourself and others closer to Jesus, you will receive blessings now and later.

Today you can make choices that will help you change and grow now and prepare you for blessings of love and joy forever.

What does President Porter mean by blessings “now and later”?
How does coming closer to Jesus bless us in the present?
How does discipleship prepare us for eternal blessings?
What role do today’s choices play in our future joy?
What blessings have I already received from following Jesus Christ?
What choices today will help prepare me for eternal joy with my family?
How can I help someone else come closer to Christ this week?
What does “now and later” mean in my own discipleship journey?

Move forward as a covenant child with a gift to give

Near the end of the talk, President Porter extends a direct invitation to pray, “Here am I, send me,” and then move forward with the Lord in bringing ourselves and others to Christ. She reminds listeners that they are covenant children with something meaningful to offer. Her closing testimony anchors that invitation in the love of God the Father and Jesus Christ and in the promise of eternal family joy through the plan and the Atonement.

I invite you to pray to Heavenly Father and say, like Jesus did, “Here am I, send me.”

And then move forward, walking with Him to bring yourself and others to Christ.

“[You] are cov’nant children with a gift to give.”

I bear my witness that God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, love you.

Because of Heavenly Father’s plan and Jesus Christ’s Atonement, all of us can receive the blessing of living joyfully forever with our families in Their presence.

What final invitation does President Porter extend to listeners?
What does it mean to be a covenant child with a gift to give?
How does her testimony support her invitation to act?
What eternal promise does she emphasize in her conclusion?
What gift has Heavenly Father given me that I can use to bless others?
How can I more fully live as a covenant child?
What specific step will I take after studying this talk to move forward with the Lord?
How does my testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ motivate me to serve?