Lesson Prepration Guide for "’Tis Eastertide: No One Walks Alone"

In this Easter message, Elder Gerrit W. Gong invites us to see our lives through the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. He teaches that the resurrected Savior walks with us even when we do not immediately recognize Him, especially through scripture, ordinances, covenants, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost. The talk centers on the reality of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, His promise to abide with His disciples, and the covenant belonging available in His restored Church. Elder Gong also connects these truths to Sabbath worship, solemn assembly, sustaining living prophets, and the call to notice and walk with those who feel alone.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Invite class members to picture themselves on the road to Emmaus. Ask them to imagine feeling confused, sorrowful, or disappointed, and then realizing that the Savior had been with them all along. This could help set a reflective tone and introduce the talk’s central message that no one walks alone.
Begin by asking class members to share a time when a scripture, sacrament meeting, or quiet spiritual impression helped them feel that the Savior was near. This opening could help connect Elder Gong’s message to personal experience before discussing the talk in depth.
Write the phrase “Abide with us” on the board. Ask the class what that phrase suggests about discipleship, covenant belonging, and the Savior’s relationship with us. Then connect their responses to the Emmaus account and the promises Elder Gong described.
Show or read the Luke account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus before discussing the talk. Invite class members to listen for moments when the Savior taught, comforted, and revealed Himself. This could help anchor the lesson in scripture and prepare the class to see Elder Gong’s themes more clearly.
Start with Elder Gong’s closing invitation: “If you see someone walking alone and sad, will you please walk with them?” Ask the class what that invitation might look like in a ward, quorum, Relief Society, family, or neighborhood. This could immediately move the lesson toward application and ministering.

Topics

Recognize the Savior on our Emmaus road

Elder Gong retold the account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and emphasized that the resurrected Savior had been with them even before they recognized Him. He taught that this pattern also applied in discipleship today. Even when people felt sad, burdened, or unseen, the Lord was walking with them.

Though we did not recognize Him before, He has been walking with us all along.

Why do you think the disciples did not recognize the Savior at first?
How have you seen that the Savior was with you even before you fully recognized His help?
What kinds of “dusty roads to Emmaus” do people walk today?
How can remembering this story change the way we face loneliness, grief, or confusion?
What helps you notice the Savior’s presence in ordinary moments of life?
How could this account strengthen someone who currently feels unseen or misunderstood?

Let scriptures and ordinances reveal Jesus Christ

Elder Gong taught that the Emmaus story revealed a covenant pattern: the Savior taught from the scriptures, hearts burned, and He was known in the breaking of bread. He said that scripture, ordinances, and covenants helped disciples come to know the living Christ. He connected this pattern directly to worship and covenant life in the restored Church.

As He “talk[s] with us by the way,” His words in scripture can cause our hearts to burn. As He breaks and blesses the sacramental bread, His ordinances and covenants can help us know Him.

What did Elder Gong teach about the relationship between scripture study and recognizing the Savior?
How has the sacrament helped you feel closer to Jesus Christ?
What does it mean to you that ordinances and covenants help us know Him?
When have your heart and mind been opened through scripture or worship?
How can we prepare more intentionally for the sacrament each week?
What changes could we make so our covenant worship becomes more personal and powerful?

Abide in Christ through Sabbath covenants

Elder Gong emphasized that each Sabbath disciples came to worship Jesus Christ and renew sacred covenants through the sacrament. He taught that taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, remembering Him, and keeping His commandments invited His Spirit to be with us. He said that as disciples witnessed and remembered Jesus each week, they abided and walked with Him.

As we witness and remember Jesus each week, we abide and walk with Him.

What did Elder Gong say the sacrament invited us to do each Sabbath?
How does remembering the Savior weekly help us abide in Him?
What does it mean to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ in daily life?
How have Sabbath worship and sacrament covenants strengthened you during difficult times?
What can individuals or families do to make the Sabbath more centered on Jesus Christ?
How does the promise of always having His Spirit bless our efforts to follow Him?

Receive the Savior’s promised comforters

Using John 14, Elder Gong taught that Jesus Christ promised both the Holy Ghost and His own personal presence as Comforters. He explained that the Holy Ghost taught, reminded, and abided with disciples, and that the Savior promised not to leave them comfortless. He emphasized that Christ’s promise to abide with His people was real and personal.

The Second Comforter Jesus speaks of is Himself. Jesus promises, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

What stood out to you in Elder Gong’s discussion of the First and Second Comforters?
How have you felt the Holy Ghost teach or remind you of truth?
What does the Savior’s promise “I will not leave you comfortless” mean to you personally?
How can obedience and love for the Savior increase our ability to feel His comfort?
When have you felt divine comfort in a time of sorrow, uncertainty, or loneliness?
How can we help others become more aware of the Comforter in their lives?

Bear fruit by abiding in Him

Elder Gong referred to John 15 and taught that Jesus Christ was the vine and that disciples could not bear fruit by themselves. He said that without the Lord, people could do nothing, but those who abided in Him brought forth lasting fruit. He also taught that abiding in Christ led to enduring joy.

But “he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit,” and “your fruit should remain.”

What does it mean to abide in Christ rather than just believe in Him occasionally?
Why do you think Elder Gong connected abiding in Christ with fruit that remains?
What kinds of spiritual fruit have you seen come from staying close to the Savior?
How does dependence on the Lord differ from self-reliance without Him?
What habits help you remain connected to the Savior as the true vine?
How has abiding in Christ brought greater joy into your life?

Sustain the Lord’s prophet with joy

Elder Gong reviewed the sacred pattern of solemn assembly and explained that it symbolized united commitment and support. He testified that the Saints were blessed as they sought first the kingdom of God and followed Jesus Christ and the Lord’s prophet willingly, obediently, and joyfully. He also expressed gratitude for President Dallin H. Oaks and the leaders sustained in conference.

As we “seek … first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,” we follow Jesus Christ and the Lord’s prophet willingly, obediently, joyfully.

What did Elder Gong teach about the meaning and purpose of solemn assembly?
Why is sustaining Church leaders more than a formal vote?
How have you been blessed by following the prophet willingly and joyfully?
What can we do to better show united commitment and support for those the Lord calls?
How does sustaining the prophet help us seek first the kingdom of God?
What attitudes or actions can make our sustaining more sincere and active?

Choose the best spiritual part

Elder Gong shared a story President Oaks had told about grandchildren choosing coins, with one granddaughter selecting only gold pieces. He used that story to illustrate President Oaks’s lifelong example of choosing “good, better, best.” Elder Gong taught that faithful disciples chose the best spiritual part and followed the Savior by both precept and example.

A man loved and tutored by the Lord, President Dallin W. Oaks has exemplified “good, better, best” all his life. He chooses the best spiritual part.

What did the story of the gold pieces teach about priorities?
How can we tell the difference between what is good and what is best spiritually?
What are some examples of “good” things that can distract us from “best” things?
How have you been blessed when you chose the better or best spiritual part?
What change could you make this week to focus more on what matters most eternally?
How can families and classes help one another choose what is best?

Trust the Atonement to change everything

Elder Gong testified that Jesus Christ’s Atonement changed everything. He said it brought literal resurrection, made possible a return to God’s presence, and allowed families to be eternally united. He also taught that through the Savior, people could heal, reconcile, and abide in covenant belonging.

Jesus Christ’s Atonement changes everything. It brings literal resurrection. It can enable our return to the presence of God and the eternal uniting of families.

What did Elder Gong say the Atonement of Jesus Christ made possible?
How have you seen the Savior bring healing or reconciliation into real life?
Why is resurrection an essential part of Easter faith?
What does “covenant belonging” mean to you?
How can the Savior’s grace help us in relationships that need healing?
How does this doctrine give hope when we face loss, sin, or brokenness?

Walk with those who feel alone

Elder Gong concluded with a direct invitation to notice and walk with those who were alone and sad. He taught that no one should sit alone or walk their road to Emmaus alone or unseen. He invited disciples to see one another and walk together in Christ’s love.

If you see someone walking alone and sad, will you please walk with them? No one sits alone, and no one should walk their road to Emmaus alone or unseen.

Why do you think Elder Gong ended with this invitation?
What are some simple ways we can walk with someone who feels alone?
How can a quorum, Relief Society, or ward become better at noticing those who feel unseen?
When has someone walked with you in a way that reflected the Savior’s love?
What fears or barriers sometimes keep us from reaching out?
Who in your life might need you to notice and walk with them this week?

Additional Discussion Questions

What phrase or image from this talk stayed with you most, and why?
How did Elder Gong connect Easter to everyday discipleship rather than only to one holiday?
What does it mean to you that Emmaus was a place of healing?
How can we better recognize sacred patterns in scripture that apply to our lives today?
In what ways can the sacrament become a more meaningful moment of remembering and abiding?
How does following the prophet help us stay centered on Jesus Christ?
What role does covenant belonging play in helping people feel less alone?
How can we invite the Holy Ghost more fully into our homes and personal worship?
What would it look like for our class or ward to truly live the principle that no one walks alone?
What is one impression from this talk that you feel prompted to act on this week?