Christ statue

December 10

How Does Jesus Christ Make Heavenly Father’s Plan Possible?

Revelation 1–5

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 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). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How have we seen the hand of the Lord in our lives?

• Care for those in need. How can we support each other in the things we are going through?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we better use technology as a tool to share the gospel?

• Unite families for eternity. What are we doing to help our families come unto Christ?

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; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

In a vision, John the Revelator saw a book that “no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth” was worthy to open, and this made him weep (see Revelation 5:3–4). The book represented “the works of God,” including His plan for our immortality and eternal life (see Doctrine and Covenants 77:6; Moses 1:39). But then in John’s vision, a Lamb was found “worthy to take the book, and to open the seals” (Revelation 5:9). This glorious news caused “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” of angels to sing and shout for joy (Revelation 5:11). Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, “redeemed us to God by [His] blood” (Revelation 5:9) and made possible the blessings of our Heavenly Father’s plan.

Ponder what Jesus Christ has done for you. Have you ever felt like those in John’s vision who “fell down and worshipped him”? (Revelation 5:14). Consider how you can help members of your class or quorum to better understand Jesus Christ’s central role in Heavenly Father’s plan. In addition to Revelation 1–5, you could also read 2 Nephi 9; “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org); and Elder Ulisses Soares’s message “Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul” (Liahona, May 2021, 82–84).

Learn Together

Members of your class or quorum might enjoy pretending to be film producers who are asked to make a movie of John’s vision in Revelation 5. Give them a few minutes to review the chapter and determine which scenes they would like to film. What do they feel would be the most powerful moments? How would this film help build faith in the Savior? To continue helping your class or quorum learn about Jesus Christ’s role in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation, here are a few suggestions:

• You could write the following headings on the board: Premortal Life, Mortal Life, and Life after Death. Invite the youth to review the scripture passages under “Supporting Resources” to learn how the Savior’s mission during His premortal life, during His mortal life, and after His Resurrection makes the Father’s plan possible. They could summarize what they learn under the headings on the board. Give members of your class or quorum an opportunity to share their feelings about what the Savior has done for them.

• To help the youth you teach better understand what Jesus Christ did to make Heavenly Father’s plan possible, draw a path on the board representing our journey back to our Father in Heaven. Draw obstacles in the path labeled physical death and spiritual death. (If needed, the youth could read the definitions under “Death, Physical” and “Death, Spiritual” in the Guide to the Scriptures [scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org]). How has the Savior made it possible for us to overcome these obstacles? (see 2 Nephi 9:7–10). The youth could review Elder Ulisses Soares’s message “Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul” and write sentences from the message next to the path that show how Jesus helps us return to God.

• When other people ask us questions about our beliefs and the choices we make, we can take the opportunity to share why Jesus Christ is important to us. One way to prepare the youth for such opportunities is to invite them to review Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Behold the Man!” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 107–10) looking for truths to share about Jesus Christ. You might list some of these truths on the board. You could then give the youth time to practice explaining to each other why we need Jesus Christ and how their lives have been blessed because they know the Savior.

The Crucifixion of Christ, by Louise Parker

The Crucifixion of Christ, by Louise Parker

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

• John 1:1–3, 10; Ether 3:14; Moses 4:1–2 (The Savior’s mission in the premortal life)

• Mosiah 3:5–11; Alma 7:11–13; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19 (The Savior’s mission during His mortal life)

• John 14:2–3; 2 Nephi 9:15–17; Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5; 138:28–31 (The Savior’s mission after His death and Resurrection)

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

Each individual in your class is a rich source of testimony, insights, and experiences with living the gospel. Invite them to share with and lift each other.