Martin Harris’s farm

Martin Harris Farm, by Al Rounds

February 22–28

Doctrine and Covenants 18–19

“The Worth of Souls Is Great”

It is only through the Holy Ghost that a person’s heart can change. President Henry B. Eyring taught, “If you teach doctrinal principles, the Holy Ghost will come” (“Discussion with Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder Henry B. Eyring” [Church Educational System satellite training broadcast, Aug. 11, 2003]).

Record Your Impressions

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Invite Sharing

To prompt class members to share their experiences with the scriptures, read together Doctrine and Covenants 18:34–36. Then ask class members to share a verse they read this week in which they recognized the voice of the Lord.

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Teach the Doctrine

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16; 19:15–20, 39–41

The Lord rejoices when we repent.

• Many people associate repentance with negative feelings. How can the Lord’s words in Doctrine and Covenants 18 and 19 help class members see repentance as something joyful? You could write on the board Repentance is  and ask class members to suggest ways to complete this sentence, based on what they’ve read from sections 18 and 19. (Consider reviewing Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16; 19:15–20, 39–41 in class.)

• What does it mean to “cry repentance”? (Doctrine and Covenants 18:14). Perhaps class members could consider this question as they read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16. Why do people sometimes choose not to repent? How can we inspire those we love to come unto the Savior and receive forgiveness? Encourage class members to look for something in Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16 or 19:15–20 that could help.

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16

“The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

• How can you help class members understand how valuable each of us is in God’s sight? Maybe they could read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16 and share experiences in which they came to understand their worth to God. How do these verses affect the way we view ourselves? other people? How does God show us that we are of great worth to Him?

  Jesus holding a small boy

  Worth of a Soul, by Liz Lemon Swindle

Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–19

Jesus Christ suffered for all mankind.

• How can you help class members feel the witness of the Holy Ghost as they ponder the Savior’s description of His own atoning suffering? (Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–19). Perhaps you could invite someone to sing a favorite hymn about the Savior. You could also display a picture of the Savior and invite class members to read verses 15–19; then they could write down their thoughts and feelings. (Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s words in “Additional Resources” could also deepen class members’ appreciation for the Savior’s suffering.) A sentence like this on the board could help class members ponder: I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ because … A few class members may be willing to share what they wrote and bear their testimonies of Jesus Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–26, 34–41

Doing God’s will often requires sacrifice.

• As class members face situations in which they must make sacrifices for the gospel, it may be inspiring for them to learn about the sacrifice Martin Harris made so the Book of Mormon could be published. Maybe you could invite someone to come to class prepared to tell about Martin’s decision to mortgage his farm to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon (see Saints, 1:76–78). What verses from section 19 might have helped him make his decision? You may want to invite class members to share how the Book of Mormon has blessed them and how thankful they are for Martin Harris’s sacrifice and for others who sacrificed so the book could be published.

• Perhaps someone in the class could share a sacrifice they have made for the Lord. This may lead class members to think about their own willingness to sacrifice. Encourage them to share anything they find from Doctrine and Covenants 19 that inspires them to make sacrifices in order to do God’s will (see especially verses 16–26, 34–41).

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Additional Resources

The cost of God’s love.

Referring to Doctrine and Covenants 19:18, Elder D. Todd Christofferson said: “Let us consider the cost of God’s precious love. … His agony in Gethsemane and on the cross was greater than any mortal could bear. Nevertheless, because of His love for His Father and for us, He endured, and as a consequence, He can offer us both immortality and eternal life” (“Abide in My Love,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 50).

Improving Our Teaching

Create an environment that invites the Spirit. There are many ways you can invite the Spirit into your class. Prelude music can encourage reverence. Expressions of love and testimony can create a warm, spiritual atmosphere. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 15.)