Lesson 22 Teacher Material

Participating with Jesus Christ in the Ongoing Restoration

President Russell M. Nelson testified: “We’re witnesses to a process of restoration. If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come” (“Latter-day Saint Prophet, Wife and Apostle Share Insights of Global Ministry,” Oct. 30, 2018, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). In this lesson, students will identify what they do or can do to participate in the ongoing Restoration. They will also consider the help they can receive from the Savior as they do His work.

Suggestions for Teaching

Jesus Christ directs the work of the ongoing Restoration.

Display the following statement by President Nelson (or you could show the video “President Nelson—What Does the Restoration Mean to You?” [1:06] and just display the last question in the statement):

Regardless of where you live or what your circumstances are, the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior, and God’s prophet Joseph Smith is your prophet. He was foreordained before the foundation of the earth to be the prophet of this last dispensation, when “nothing shall be withheld” from the Saints. Revelation continues to flow from the Lord during this ongoing process of restoration.

What does it mean for you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth? (“Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 88; emphasis added)

Invite some students to respond to President Nelson’s question and share what the Restoration means to them. You could then ask:

• What does it mean for you that the Restoration is an ongoing process?

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Ask follow-up questions that inspire deeper learning. When students answer questions, share feelings, or offer insights, listen intently to what they say and how they say it. Discern whether a follow-up question can help students to think more deeply, draw on their personal experience, or explore the feelings of their hearts. Follow-up questions should be natural, not forced. They should be engaging, not overbearing.

Invite students to share examples of the ongoing Restoration. (It may be helpful to review the statement by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. in section 1 of the preparation material and share one or two examples you have identified.) As students share, you could pause and ask follow-up questions, such as these:

• How has [student’s example] helped you or someone you know come closer to Jesus Christ?

• How do you think [student’s example] can help prepare us for the Second Coming?

• How has [student’s example] strengthened your testimony that this is the work of the Lord?

To help students more fully appreciate the significance of the gathering of Israel in the ongoing Restoration, consider displaying the following statement by President Nelson: “[The] gathering [of Israel] is the most important thing taking place on earth today” (Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], supplement to the New Era and Ensign, 8, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Invite students to take a few minutes to review section 2 of the preparation material and look for reasons that the gathering of Israel is so important. Then you could have them role-play with a partner or as a class how they would respond to one or more of the following scenarios:

• Explain to a high school seminary class the importance of the gathering of Israel.

• Share with someone not of our faith how the gathering of Israel can bless all people.

• Explain ways we can assist the Lord in gathering Israel to a member of the Church who feels uncertain how they can help.

After the role plays you could invite a student to read aloud the statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in section 1 of the preparation material. You might provide some time for students to record their thoughts about the following questions:

• How would you describe your efforts to further the Lord’s work in the ongoing Restoration?

• What is a contribution that you could make now to further His work? (Consider reviewing the statement by President Bonnie H. Cordon in section 2 of the preparation material.)

The Savior labors with us as we do His work.

Consider sharing the following scenario:

Maria has received a new calling in her ward and feels overwhelmed. As she leaves the bishop’s office, she says to herself: “How can I ever do this calling? I am just not good enough. There are others so much more qualified. Maybe I should ask the bishop to find someone else.”

• What counsel would you give Maria?

Invite students to review Jacob 5:70–72, Doctrine and Covenants 38:7, and Doctrine and Covenants 49:27 and search for a principle that could help Maria. Students may identify a principle like the following: As we do the Lord’s work, He is in our midst and labors with us.

• How can the knowledge that the Savior labors with us help Maria? How could this knowledge help you?

• Why is it important to know that the Father was with the Savior during His mortal ministry? (You could review the statement by Elder Kim B. Clark in section 3 of the preparation material to help students answer this question.)

• When have you felt an assurance that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were with you as you did Their work?

Students could reflect on the Savior’s willingness to labor with them as they do His work. As they reflect, you could display the following bulleted list and invite students to read the selected verse for each hymn. Encourage students to record their thoughts and feelings about what they read.

• “Let Us All Press On” (Hymns, no. 243), verse 3

• “We Are All Enlisted” (Hymns, no. 250), verse 3

• “The Time Is Far Spent” (Hymns, no. 266), verse 4

• “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” (Hymns, no. 270), verse 3

To end class, you could ask one or two students to share their experience related to this truth: As we do the Lord’s work, He is in our midst and labors with us.

For Next Time

Consider encouraging students a few days before the next class to study the preparation material for lesson 23. You could send the following message: Watch “Prepare for the Second Coming” (1:00), and consider how the material in lesson 23 can help you prepare for Jesus Christ’s return.