Old Testament 2022
September 25. What Are Our Responsibilities in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation? Isaiah 40–49

“September 25. What Are Our Responsibilities in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation? Isaiah 40–49,” Come, Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women Classes: Doctrinal Topics 2022 (2021)

“September 25. What Are Our Responsibilities in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation?” Come, Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women Classes: Doctrinal Topics 2022

youth standing outside temple

September 25

What Are Our Responsibilities in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation?

Isaiah 40–49

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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. What did we discuss last time, and what invitations or assignments were made? What have we done to act on those invitations or assignments?

  • Care for those in need. What can we do or say to reach out to those who might feel alone or distant from Heavenly Father?

  • Invite all to receive the gospel. What are some ways we can help others feel the love of Jesus Christ?

  • Unite families for eternity. What ideas can we share with each other to help strengthen our families?

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.

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Teach the Doctrine

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

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

It’s clear from the scriptures that helping with the Lord’s work is not for adults only. Samuel was a boy when the Lord first spoke to him. Mary was likely a young woman when an angel visited her, announcing that she would be the mother of the Savior. And Joseph Smith was 14 years old when the Lord called him to restore the gospel. More recently, President Russell M. Nelson invited all young people to “enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel (“Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Certainly, when the Lord said, “Thou, Israel, art my servant” (Isaiah 41:8), this included all of His covenant people, including those in your class or quorum.

Even though we all covenant to serve God when we are baptized, not all young people see themselves as the Lord’s servants. They may not recognize the unique ways they can help with His work. Look for passages in Isaiah 41–44 and section 1.2 of the General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that could help the youth understand what it means to be the Lord’s servants.

young women outside temple

Each young person is uniquely able to contribute to the work of salvation and exaltation.

Learn Together

Isaiah 41–44 can help the youth understand what it means to be a servant of the Lord. To begin a discussion, you could write references like these on the board: Isaiah 41:8–10; 42:6–7; 43:9–12; 44:21. Each person could pick a passage, read it, and share what he or she learns about what it means to be a servant of the Lord. In what ways are we the Lord’s servants? What blessings come when we are in His service? Here are other ways to help those you teach bring people to Christ as active participants in His work.

  • Do those you teach understand what “the work of salvation and exaltation” is? To help them, you might assign them to study (individually or in small groups) one of the four subsections of section 1.2 of the General Handbook. Each subsection describes an aspect of the work. Ask the youth to ponder questions like these: What are specific things a person my age could do to participate in this aspect of the work of salvation? What can our class or quorum do? Each person or group could share what they learned, along with answers to the questions.

  • Those you teach may benefit by learning more about the four aspects of the work of salvation and exaltation—living the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for those in need, inviting all to receive the gospel, and uniting families for eternity. They could choose an aspect that they are interested in and explore some of the items related to it under “Supporting Resources.” Let the youth share what they found that inspires them to become more converted to the Lord and help others do the same. They could then make plans to do something that helps accomplish this work. The class or quorum president could lead this discussion.

  • To help the youth ponder how they can use their talents to bring souls to Christ, you could ask each of them to study a section of Elder John C. Pingree Jr.’s message “I Have a Work for Thee” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 32–35). They could share how what they learned might help someone who isn’t sure that he or she can help with the Lord’s work. You could also review together the section “Discover and Develop Spiritual Gifts” in Elder Pingree’s message. How does the Lord help us discover and develop our talents?

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

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

“If the youth sense that you trust them, their confidence in their divine potential will grow” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 28).