March 13

How Can I Respond to Adversity with Faith?

Genesis 37–41

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How have we seen the hand of the Lord in our lives?

• Care for those in need. How can we support each other in the things we are going through?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we better use technology as a tool to share the gospel?

• Unite families for eternity. What are we doing to help our families come unto Christ?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

As a young man, Joseph of Egypt dealt with many types of adversity. He faced contention in his family and was mistreated by his brothers. He faced temptation to break the law of chastity. But instead of being respected for his integrity, he was cast into prison. Members of your class or quorum may face similar trials and many others. As you study Joseph’s experiences in Genesis 37–41, think about those you teach. Ponder what valuable lessons Joseph’s life might have for them (see also Ether 12:27; Henry B. Eyring, “Try, Try, Try,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 90–93). Joseph’s account could inspire class or quorum members to ask, “How can I respond to my adversities with faith, and how will God help me?”

By focusing on our faith in Jesus Christ, we can find strength in our adversities.

Learn Together

Consider asking class or quorum members to list on the board some events from the life of Joseph of Egypt, as described in Genesis 37 and 39–41. Showing some pictures, such as those in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families, could help them remember these events. How were Joseph’s trials similar to challenges that young people face today? If Joseph were alive now, what counsel might he give us about responding to adversity? What might he say about how his relationship with the Lord helped him? Use activities like the following to help the youth think about how they can respond to their challenges with faith in Jesus Christ.

• Studying how the Savior responded to adversity can help us face our adversities with faith. The youth might suggest some examples of adversity the Savior faced and review them together (see “Supporting Resources” for some ideas). What impresses us about how the Savior responded to His times of adversity? How can we follow His example as we face our own adversity?

• Sometimes it’s easier to respond to adversity when we try to see it from the Lord’s perspective. To help those you teach understand this, ask them to find examples of the difference that perspective can make by reviewing Elder Rafael E. Pino’s message “The Eternal Perspective of the Gospel” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 117–19). Invite them to share what they found. What do these examples suggest about how we might view and respond to our adversities? If the Savior could talk to us about our challenges, what do we think He would say? To help answer this question, the youth could review the scriptures in “Supporting Resources.”

• Consider asking the youth to share an example of someone (perhaps an ancestor) who inspired them by the way he or she faced a difficult trial. Or you might share inspiring examples of people you know. General conference messages often include stories of people who responded to adversity with faith (see some examples in “Supporting Resources”). Consider what you could share from such messages that might be meaningful to those you teach. As you discuss these examples together, suggest that class or quorum members focus on how faith in Jesus Christ helped people during their adversities. You could also share Bishop W. Christopher Waddell’s list of resources the Lord has provided to help us in our challenges, found near the end of his message “Turn to the Lord” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 94–96).

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• Matthew 4:1–11 (The Savior had faith during adversity)

• Matthew 14:10–21; Luke 23:33–34; John 19:25–27 (The Savior served others during His adversity)

• Matthew 27:45–46; Luke 23:44–46 (The Savior felt alone during adversity but trusted God)

• Matthew 5:38–45; Mosiah 24:8–15; Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–8; 122:5–9 (The Savior’s teachings about facing adversity)

• Neil L. Andersen, “Wounded,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 83–86

• L. Todd Budge, “Consistent and Resilient Trust,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 47–49

• Jean B. Bingham, “That Your Joy Might Be Full,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 85–87

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

“When you prepare, let your understanding of the people you teach guide your plans” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 7). For example, prayerfully plan activities using scriptures and other resources that could help with the challenges that class or quorum members face.