September 11

How Can I Be Clean and Happy Again after I Sin?

Isaiah 1–12

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 can turning to the Lord help us deal with challenges and trials?

• Care for those in need. Who do we know who needs our prayers and our friendship?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. What plans to share the gospel have been discussed in ward youth council meetings? How can our class or quorum get involved?

• Unite families for eternity. How can doing family history work strengthen our relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus?

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

When we feel guilty after sin, we have a choice. These feelings, while painful, can be a blessing if they move us to repentance. But Satan tells us these feelings mean that God does not love us and tries to make us feel discouraged and hopeless. There may be people you teach who are burdened with such feelings. They may wonder if they can ever be clean and happy again. How might you help them find hope in the Savior’s Atonement?

The prophet Isaiah boldly chastised people for their sins. But he also testified that because of the Savior, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). Ponder this as you read Isaiah 1–12 this week. What might inspire those you teach to turn to Jesus Christ with faith that the burdens of their sins can be taken away? You might also study Sister Sharon Eubank’s testimony of Christ in her message “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 73–76).

Because of Jesus Christ, our burdens of sin can be taken away.

Learn Together

To prepare for a discussion that builds on Isaiah 1–12, you could ask each youth to bring to the meeting something red and something white. You could display these objects while reading together Isaiah 1:16–18. Then the youth could share in their own words what they learn from these verses. (See Sister Sharon Eubank’s discussion of verse 18 in “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness.”) Here are some other activities that can inspire faith in the Savior’s power to make us spiritually clean.

• Reviewing scriptural examples of repentance can help those you teach build their faith that Jesus Christ can make them spiritually clean. You might write on the board names such as Saul (later Paul), Alma the Younger, Zeezrom, and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. You could also write two groups of scripture references: Acts 8:3; Mosiah 27:8–10; Alma 11:21–23; Alma 17:12–15 (these people in their sinful state) and Acts 9:13–20; Alma 36:17–24; Alma 15:5–12; Alma 23:6–12 (after these people turned to the Savior and repented). The youth could match each name with the scriptures describing that person. What did these people do to repent? What do these accounts teach about the Savior’s willingness to forgive? Do we see some patterns we can follow?

• To help those you teach better understand forgiveness of sin, you could give each person an analogy or parable to study. These could include the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11–24); the Savior as our Shepherd (paragraphs 5–8 of Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “Our Good Shepherd” [Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 29–32]); and a broken piano (the beginning of Sister Cristina B. Franco’s message “The Healing Power of Jesus Christ” [Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 60–62]). The youth could summarize each analogy or parable and discuss what it teaches about the Savior’s love and atoning power.

• Feeling sorry that we have sinned is helpful and leads us toward repentance. Feeling discouraged or worthless because of our sins is not helpful and can keep us from repenting. Your class or quorum could read together the section titled “Godly Sorrow” in President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “You Can Do It Now!” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 55–57). What is the difference between sorrow for sin that leads to repentance and sorrow that leads to despair? (see also 2 Corinthians 7:9–10; Mormon 2:12–14). If someone feels overcome by feelings of guilt and despair for sin, what might we say to help him or her turn to the Savior? Invite the youth to share their testimonies of the Savior and His mercy.

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

• Dallin H. Oaks, “Cleansed by Repentance,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 91–94

• “Repentance through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (2019), 62–63.

• “Repentance: A Joyful Choice” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

“The Savior’s personal testimony gave authority to His words. … As you bear testimony of true doctrine, the Spirit will confirm the truth of the doctrine in the hearts of those you teach” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 21).