young man walking by lake

January 9

How Does God Want Me to Care for His Creations, including My Body?

Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

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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: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 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 say or do 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

Jesus Christ created the earth and all things on it under the direction of Heavenly Father. When He finished, He saw that “all things which [He] had made … were good” (Moses 3:2). Ponder the feelings you have when you look at God’s creations.

God has given us, His children, a responsibility to care for all that He has created. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “As beneficiaries of the divine Creation, what shall we do? We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations. … We are to prepare for our own divine destiny—glory, immortality, and eternal lives” (“The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 86). How will you help class or quorum members increase their desire to care for and protect their bodies and all of God’s creations? To prepare to teach, you could review President Nelson’s message cited above and Doctrine and Covenants 59:15–20; 104:13–18.

young woman hiking

Our bodies have been created in the image of God.

Learn Together

To help the youth consider what they can do to better care for God’s creations, write the following headings on the board: The Creator, The Creation, and Our Responsibilities. Ask them to review Genesis 1–2 and write what they learn about the Creator and the Creation. What do we learn about our responsibilities? (see especially Genesis 1:26–28; 2:15). The following ideas can help the youth discuss our responsibility to care for God’s creations.

• How can you help those you teach understand that their bodies are sacred creations of God? For example, you might ask them what we learn about our bodies from 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Moses 2:26–27; Abraham 4:26–27. What do the words “image” and “likeness” mean? Work together to make a list of some things we can do to care for our bodies. (See “Physical and Emotional Health,” in For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 25–27.)

• Young people are often confronted with messages that cause them to feel insecure about their bodies. Invite the youth to watch the video “God’s Greatest Creation” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask them to look for messages that help them feel grateful for their bodies (see also Russell M. Nelson, “Your Body: A Magnificent Gift to Cherish,” New Era, Aug. 2019, 2–7). What can we share to help a friend or family member who feels insecure about his or her body?

• Invite the youth to silently read one or more of the following verses, looking for insights about why God created the earth and how He wants us to care for it: Genesis 1:26–28; 2:15; 1 Nephi 17:36; Doctrine and Covenants 49:19–21; 59:15–20; 104:13–18; Moses 2:26–31; 3:15. Ask them to share their thoughts about each scripture passage. Then invite them to work together to create a list of things that they can do individually or as a group to fulfill their responsibility to care for the earth (see the ideas in “Supporting Resources”). What changes do we need to make in our thoughts and actions to better care for the earth?

• Consider inviting class or quorum members to come to the meeting with something that shows the beauty of the earth that God created, such as a drawing, photograph, or poem. Invite them to share what they brought and the feelings they have for God’s creations. Show the video “Our Home” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and ask them to listen for things that show how God feels about the earth and that inspire them to care for it.

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

Ways we can care for the earth:

• Plant some seeds, trees, or a garden.

• Pick up trash in your community.

• Organize a neighborhood cleaning or recycling project.

• Go on a hike and ponder things you are grateful for.

• Create art from items you would otherwise throw away, and share it in a group art show.

• Determine ways that you can conserve energy and water.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

Give class or quorum members many opportunities to teach each other in class, for they often learn best from each other and from the experience of teaching.