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August 28

How Can the Savior Help Me during My Trials?

Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150

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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, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. What recent experiences have brought us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• Care for those in need. Has someone recently moved into our ward or joined the Church? How can we help them feel welcome?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. What activities are coming up that we can invite our friends to attend?

• Unite families for eternity. What efforts can we make to record our personal histories?

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

The challenges we face can make us feel worn out, frustrated, defeated, and alone. The writers of the Psalms understood those feelings and expressed them powerfully: “My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; … I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top” (Psalm 102:4, 7). But with just as much power, they testified that turning to the Savior will bring relief: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psalm 103:2–4).

Think about the blessings that will come to members of your class or quorum as they more fully understand how the Savior can help them in their trials. How has the Savior helped you? As you prepare to teach, you might review President Henry B. Eyring’s message “Tested, Proved, and Polished” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 96–99) and “Adversity” in Gospel Topics (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

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The Savior will help and comfort us in our trials.

Learn Together

You might begin by asking class or quorum members to review Psalms 102, 103, and 116, looking for how the Savior helps us in our efforts to overcome trials. They could work individually or in a group to write a few sentences about what they found and then share what they wrote. Choose one or more of the following activities to help them understand this topic more deeply.

• Hymns can invite the Spirit and teach doctrine in a powerful way. Consider reviewing a hymn about how the Savior helps us in our trials, such as “How Firm a Foundation” (Hymns, no. 85). What does the hymn teach about the help the Savior can give us? The youth could then review the scripture passages in “Supporting Resources.” They might benefit from recording a phrase from the hymn or one of the scriptures that reminds them to seek the Savior in their adversities.

• President Henry B. Eyring’s message “Tested, Proved, and Polished” could help those you teach better understand questions like the following: What are some of the purposes of our mortal trials? How will the Savior help us with our challenges? What can we do to draw on the Savior’s help and power? Consider writing these questions on the board. Class or quorum members could look for answers in President Eyring’s message. For example, what do we learn from the stories about President Eyring’s mother at the beginning and end of the message? You might ask each person to ponder how they can apply what they learned to their own trials. Some youth may be willing to share their thoughts.

• Sister Lisa L. Harkness related the account of the Savior calming the storm to teach that He can calm the storms in our lives (see Mark 4:35–41; “Peace, Be Still,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 80–82). You might invite a class or quorum member to come prepared to share what she or he learned about the Savior from the scriptural account. This person could also show a picture (see Gospel Art Book, no. 40). The youth could then review what Sister Harkness taught about how the Savior “is in our boat” when we face challenges. You might invite individuals to share how the Savior has helped them in their trials, including how He has helped them through other people. Encourage the youth to share their experiences with someone they know who needs the Savior’s peace.

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

• Isaiah 53:3–5; Hebrews 2:17–18; Alma 7:11–13; 36:3; Ether 12:27 (The Savior will help us in our trials)

• Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God Will Do Something Unimaginable,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 51–54

• Cristina B. Franco, “The Healing Power of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 60–62

• “Mountains to Climb” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

“Asking questions that encourage learners to bear testimony of the principles being taught can be a powerful way to invite the Spirit. … Their testimonies—and the testimonies of others in the class—will grow as the Spirit bears witness of the truth” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 32).