2022
Coming Closer to Jesus Christ
July 2022

“Coming Closer to Jesus Christ,” Liahona, July 2022.

For Parents

Coming Closer to Jesus Christ

family walking in front of a temple

Dear Parents,

The Lord has given us His gospel, the priesthood, temples, and many other resources to help us learn of Him and prepare to return to Him. This issue of the magazine shares ways that we can all come closer to Christ despite the challenges that surround us.

Gospel Discussions

The Temple: The Most Holy Place of Worship

On page 4, you can use teachings from Elder David A. Bednar to teach your family the importance of temple ordinances. Following that article is a collection of testimonies from members worldwide about new temples in their areas. Show your family the chart on page 12 to see the growth in the number of temples that have been announced recently. How do temple ordinances bring individuals and families closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

What Are Scriptures?

You could use the Gospel Basics article on page 22 to teach what the scriptures are and why it is important to study them and the teachings of modern prophets.

The Lord Will Guide Us

On page 40, Elder Ciro Schmeil discusses examples of people who have been instruments in the hands of the Lord. Read some quotes from the article and discuss with family members how they can be open to the Spirit’s promptings and become instruments in the hands of the Lord.

Come, Follow Me Family Fun

For Such a Time as This

Esther 4–7

Esther was courageous in approaching the king and saving her people.

  1. Sit in a circle and ask a family member to name a scripture hero who was courageous, stating one way in which the person showed courage (example: Esther, courage to speak).

  2. The next person in the circle says the name of the first hero and then chooses another person in the scriptures they think was courageous and explains why.

  3. Continue around the circle, naming each scripture character who has been selected and adding a new one. Keep playing until everyone in the family has had at least one turn.

Discussion: How can we be courageous in our time and in our specific circumstances? How can we bless the lives of others when we act courageously and do the right thing? 

Numbers Unbreakable

2 Kings 6:8–23

Read the story of Elisha and the young servant in 2 Kings 6:8–23.

  1. Get a thin stick that could be easily broken.

  2. Challenge someone to break it.

  3. Put 10 or more sticks together. Challenge the same person to break the group of sticks without separating any.

  4. Why was the challenge more difficult the second time?

  5. Read 2 Kings 6:16-17: “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

  6. Whom did Elisha and the young servant see protecting them?

  7. Read the following: “Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes” (Henry B. Eyring, “O Ye That Embark,” Liahona, Nov. 2008, 58).

Discussion: Read Doctrine and Covenants 84:88. At times when we might feel alone, how can we trust that we are not? How is the Lord protecting and helping us today? (For ideas, see Ronald A. Rasband, “Be Not Troubled,” Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18–21.)