Handbook 2 reminds us, "Less-active members usually still believe in the gospel. ... Those who return to activity often do so when they see that something is missing from their lives." As they follow the promptings of the Spirit, "ward council members can discern when families and individuals might be ready to respond to an invitation" to return to Church activity.

In the following true stories, you will meet members of the Church who have felt the Spirit of the Lord and come back. What do their experiences have in common? And what can we learn from them?

Leaders in the Savior's Church know that He is preparing the way back for each of His lost sheep. It was He who said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep." He knows them. He loves them. And through the circumstances of their lives, He is preparing the way for us to bring them back to the fold.

The key families and individuals that we knew we just had to work with, because of the feelings that we had had--not only because of that, I should say, but because of specific things that were happening in their lives at the time. My name is Keith Grant. I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Sheffield Ward One. My callings are ward missionary and I'm second counselor to the elders quorum president. Keith Grant had been inactive for nearly 20 years. Over those years he was continually visited by ward leaders, home teachers, and missionaries. Ten months ago, as he was being visited by a new set of missionaries, his daughter was inspired to ask a question. My daughter asked if she could be baptized. And Elder [INAUDIBLE] baptised her. And the Spirit was really strong on that day that Rachel was baptized. My name's Andrea Sorsby, and I'm in Sheffield Ward. And I'm the Relief Society president. Sister Sorsby had also been inactive for several years. She admitted that sometimes she would sit in her car in the church parking lot and couldn't get up the courage to walk through the door for fear she would be judged. Throughout those years, her visiting teachers made sure she received a message every month. What the scripture says about--that parents have responsibility for their children, was what brought me back to church, because my eldest daughter was coming up to the age of baptism, and I thought, "I need to get back to church because otherwise I'm not teaching my children about the gospel. I knew about the gospel and I've chosen not to follow it, but I've not taught them the gospel." Louis Green had been contemplating the gospel, and missionaries were visiting him often, testifying of gospel truths and sharing the Spirit. I'd never experienced like that, like a death in my family. My grandma had lung cancer. She was really bad. And she obviously passed away, my grandma. And to me, that was--looking back now, before, I would've thought to myself I wouldn't have been able to handle it. But for some reason, something made me strong, even on the day of the funeral. I was able to be there for my family and my granddad. Blaine Young and several of his children left activity several years ago. His wife and daughter remained active and worked with priesthood leaders to reach out to Blaine and the other children. A year ago his daughter became engaged to be married in the temple. You had actually given up on the thought, yeah? You weren't going back. You thought, "Well, I'm not going to be able to do it. I'm not going to be able to be good enough." And so you were almost kind of thinking, "Well, is there really much point?" My dad was able to be there with us in the sealing room and be a witness. I was actually a witness. Yeah. And I've got his signature on a certificate and things. So he's now serving as the executive secretary. And without his help, I'd be lost as a bishop. I forget things at the best of times. And he's someone who's very organized and keeps me reminded of everything that I need to keep on top of. Handbook 2 encourages ward council members to be continually aware of the needs and circumstances of less-active members. What circumstances are preparing less-active members in your ward or branch to return to activity?

We took advantage of those circumstances, or used those circumstances as a catalyst for other good things. And that's no coincidence. That's Heavenly Father preparing them, preparing us to meet and to help progress those individuals.

Pause to reflect on the experiences of these members. You may want to begin by reviewing these questions: What did their experiences have in common? And what can we learn from them? Did you notice that all of these members had personal experiences involving what matters most to them--children, families, and questions about the purpose of life? Make a list of the less-active individuals and families you know and love. What experiences are they having that may be preparing them to return? [MUSIC PLAYING]