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Galatians 6

The Law of the Harvest

Purpose

To help students understand how the law of the harvest applies to life.

Before the Video

Discussion

Write Planting and Harvesting on the board and have students explain these two basic steps of gardening. You may want to show your students some seeds that are familiar to them and have them explain the process of planting and the expected harvest.

Using the Video

The Law of the Harvest 3:24

“Look For” Activity

Have your students identify what is unique about the garden in the video.

Show the Video

A family plants a garden that produces vegetables and fruits different than those planted.

After the Video

Discussion

Ask students what happened in the garden that could not happen in real life and why it would be impossible. Read Galatians 6:7 and discuss the law of the harvest and how it applies to life. Have students read Galatians 6:8 and tell what they think it means to sow to the flesh and to the spirit. What harvest comes to the people who sow to each of these?

Sharing Experiences

Invite students to share blessings they have harvested by sowing to the spirit. These personal harvests might include experiences from scripture reading, service, fasting, or patience.

Scripture Insight

In life we sometimes observe situations that appear to be exceptions to the law of the harvest. Have students read Galatians 6:9 and 3 Nephi 27:11. Discuss how the phrases “in due season” and “for a season” show that these are not truly exceptions but that the harvest is simply delayed. Give your students the following case studies and have them discuss how the law applies in each situation.

Case Studies

1. Clark pays a full tithe and never seems to get ahead financially. Tom has the same salary as Clark but does not pay tithing and has significantly more material possessions.

2. Ron is honest, studies diligently, and has a B average in high school. Jake cheats in his classes and has an A average. Because of his grades, Jake receives a scholarship to a university.

Quotation

The harvest may not come until after this life. Elder Spencer W. Kimball, as an Apostle, said, “The wicked may prosper for a time, the rebellious may seem to profit by their transgressions, but the time is coming when, at the bar of justice, all men will be judged, ‘every man according to their works.’ (Rev. 20:13.) No one will ‘get by’ with anything. On that day no one will escape the penalty of his deeds, no one will fail to receive the blessings he has earned. … There will be total justice” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 305).