Lesson 18 Teacher Material

Becoming Like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ told the Nephites and Lamanites in the land Bountiful that He had fulfilled the law of Moses. As He taught a higher law, He invited the people to be perfect, even as He and Heavenly Father are perfect. (See 3 Nephi 12:17–48.) In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to explain the Lord’s teachings on perfection. Students will also study different aspects of the higher law and identify something they can do to better live this law and become more like Jesus Christ.

Suggestions for Teaching

The Savior teaches the Nephites and Lamanites how to become perfect.

Display the following questions, and invite students to ponder them:

• Thinking about your divine potential, what Christlike attributes do you hope to develop in the next year? the next 10 years?

• What attributes do you hope to develop by the end of your life?

If you feel it is appropriate, ask students to share their answers with a peer or invite one or two students to share their answers with the class.

Explain that during His ministry among the Nephites and Lamanites, Jesus taught important truths about our divine potential. Invite students to review 3 Nephi 12:19–20, 46–48, looking for what the Lord desires us to be.

• According to these verses, what potential does the Lord see in us?

• What do these verses teach about how we can become perfect like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father? (Students may identify a principle similar to the following: As we come unto Jesus Christ and follow His law and commandments, we can become perfect, as He and the Father are perfect.)

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Help students use scripture study aids and resources. The Church has provided study aids and resources to enhance our study of the scriptures. Study helps such as the Guide to the Scriptures, Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, Joseph Smith Translation, footnotes, chapter headings, and maps can help students better understand what they are reading. During class, look for opportunities to help students use these aids and resources.

Point out that some people struggle to understand the commandment to be perfect. Invite students to explore the topic “perfect” in the Guide to the Scriptures. You might also ask students to review Moroni 10:32–33 and the statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in section 1 of the preparation material. Consider asking one or more of the following questions:

• Why is it helpful to understand that perfect means “complete, whole, and fully developed”? (Guide to the Scriptures, “Perfect,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). When and how can perfection be achieved?

• How would you summarize what Moroni taught about becoming perfect? How can understanding this teaching bring you hope when you fall short and make mistakes? When have you felt the Lord providing you with divine help and strength?

• What does it mean to you to know that Jesus Christ is extending His grace to you and has prepared a way for you to become like Him and His Father?

To help students apply what they have learned, you may want to display the following scenario:

Joan is a faithful member of the Church. While she has a testimony of the gospel, she worries that she will never be perfect. When the topic of perfection comes up, all she can think about are her flaws and mistakes. She believes she just isn’t good enough to make it to the celestial kingdom.

• Thinking about what you have learned today, what truths could you share with Joan to help her have greater hope in the Lord’s invitation to be perfect?

Jesus Christ teaches the higher law of His gospel.

Remind students that after the Savior explained that He had fulfilled the law of Moses, He taught the people the higher law of the gospel.

• How would you define the higher law? What is the purpose of this higher standard? (If needed, students could refer to section 2 of the preparation material.)

Invite students to review the scripture passages they studied before class in section 2 of the preparation material. (If some students did not prepare in advance, invite them to select a passage and study it now.) After students have had sufficient time to review, select one of the following activities or create one of your own that will give students the best opportunity to share and discuss what they have discovered:

• Option 1: Divide students into small groups. Invite students to take turns sharing with their groups what they learned from a passage they studied. After students finish discussing in their groups, invite them to share with the class what they have discovered.

• Option 2: Display the questions included in the “Record Your Thoughts” activity in section 2 of the preparation material. Invite students to consider how they would answer the questions based on the passage they studied. Invite students to share with a partner or small group how they would answer the questions.

• Option 3: Invite students to think of a scenario in which they can apply a teaching from the passage they selected. Give students an opportunity to present their scenarios either in small groups or to the class and to explain how they would apply the teachings they selected.

Invite students to select a principle or Christlike attribute they would like to live better. Encourage students to write down how they can improve in living this principle or developing this attribute. Consider inviting one or two students to share their testimonies of the goodness and grace of Jesus Christ.

For Next Time

Point out that President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suggested that young people in our time are “growing up in enemy territory” because the influence of the adversary is everywhere (“How to Survive in Enemy Territory,” New Era, Apr. 2012, 2). As students begin the unit on spiritual dangers in our day and study the preparation material for the next class, invite them to look for how the Book of Mormon can help them live righteously in a wicked world.