Lesson 5 Teacher Material

Our Mortal Experience and the Gift of a Physical Body

In the premortal world, we “accepted [God’s] plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). In this lesson students will be invited to explain the purpose of our mortal life and how our physical bodies help us progress to become like God. Students will also consider what they can do to improve their own family relationships by overcoming the natural man and becoming more like Jesus Christ.

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Encourage students’ efforts to apply gospel truths by following up. The ultimate goals of gospel learning are conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and becoming like Them. Achieving these goals requires that we apply what we learn. Teachers can help students in their efforts to apply their learning by appropriately following up on invitations extended in the lessons. Students should not be asked to share anything that is too personal. If students do not offer any responses, teachers can invite students to reflect on what they felt or wrote in previous lessons and encourage them to act. Only a few minutes of class time should be spent following up with students.

Note: In each of the lessons so far, students have been invited to apply their learning in different ways. For example, in lesson 4 students considered how they could make their families more central in their lives. You might ask students to review the impressions they recorded and reflect on their efforts to act on what they felt. Then consider inviting one or two students who feel comfortable to share what they have experienced as they have tried to better live this teaching. You might make it a practice to follow up in coming lessons as you feel prompted.

Suggestions for Teaching

Our physical bodies and mortal experiences are necessary for us to gain eternal life.

Display the following scenario (consider adapting it as needed to be more relevant to your students).

Your coworker Dmitry is friendly and fun to be around. He believes in having a “good time.” He lives for excitement and pleasure. He parties on the weekend, which usually involves some form of alcohol or drug use. He is not married but is sexually active. He often says things like “If it feels good, do it” or “You only live once.” He thinks you live a strict and boring life because you keep the moral standards of the Church. He recently asked you, “Why don’t you have more fun and enjoy life?”

Invite students to discuss with a partner or in a small group how they would respond to Dmitry’s question. Encourage students to consider how truths about our physical bodies and the purpose of our mortal lives taught in section 1 of the preparation material could support their response. After sufficient time, invite a few students to share their responses. Then write the following truth on the board: Our physical bodies and the conditions of mortality prepare us to become like God.

• How do having a physical body and experiencing the conditions of mortality prepare us to become like God? (Consider inviting students to review the statements by Elders D. Todd Christofferson and David A. Bednar in section 1 of the preparation material. As students share insights, ask follow-up questions to help them deepen their understanding.)

Through Jesus Christ we can overcome the natural man.

Write the following phrase on the board: The Natural Man. Invite two students to read Alma 41:11 and 1 Corinthians 2:14 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for words or phrases that describe the natural man. List students’ responses on the board. Invite students to review Elder Bednar’s statement in section 2 of the preparation material to find additional characteristics to add to the list on the board.

• Select one of the characteristics of the natural man listed on the board. How can that characteristic affect a dating or family relationship?

Write this phrase on the board: The Man or Woman Changed by Jesus Christ. Invite students to read Mosiah 3:19 and look for how we can overcome the natural man.

• How can the Holy Spirit and the Savior help us overcome the natural man? (Students might share answers similar to the following principle: As we yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ will help us put off the natural man and become a saint through His Atonement. You might also use the statements by Elder Bednar and Bishop Gérald Caussé in section 3 of the preparation material to help students understand this principle.)

Consider asking one or more of the following questions to help students deepen their understanding:

• How can this principle help someone who may feel like he or she cannot change or cannot control the appetites and impulses of the natural man?

• What are some things the Savior understands about the challenges of a physical body?

• What have you learned about the Savior from how He has helped you “put off” or overcome the natural man and become more like Him? How has the Holy Spirit helped you in these efforts?

To help students apply truths they have learned in this lesson, display questions like the following and invite students to record their thoughts and impressions. (Some students may want to add to their responses from the “Record Your Thoughts” activity at the end of section 3 of the preparation material.)

• Which of the Christlike attributes described in Mosiah 3:19 do I need to develop more fully?

• What will I do to more fully rely on the Savior and the influence of the Holy Spirit to help me put off the natural man and develop this Christlike attribute?

• What impact might this change have in my family relationships?

Encourage students in their efforts to overcome their weaknesses and become more like the Savior. Consider testifying that the Lord will bless them with power to develop His attributes and improve their family relationships.

For Next Time

Invite students to reflect on what they know about the doctrinal importance of marriage between a man and a woman in God’s plan. Encourage students as they study lesson 6 to strive to deepen their understanding of this doctrine and what it means for them as disciples of Jesus Christ.