Devotional Series (Religion 031): Course Outline

Consider inviting speakers to address the following topics and gospel truths:

Lesson 1: The Purpose of the Institute of Religion

The objective of institute is “to help … young adults understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven” (Gospel Teaching and Learning: A Handbook for Teachers and Leaders in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion [2012], x).

Lesson 2: Prophets and Revelation

“The Lord Reveals His Will to Living Prophets Now as He Did in the Past” (Teachings of the Living Prophets Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2010], 5).

Lesson 3: Feast upon the Words of Christ

If we diligently study the scriptures, “the words of Christ will tell [us] all things what [we] should do” (2 Nephi 32:3).

Lesson 4: The Converting Power of the Book of Mormon

“The Book of Mormon [is] the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 64).

Lesson 5: The Gifts of the Holy Ghost

“The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege—given to people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, been baptized, and been confirmed as members of the Church—to receive continual guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost” (Gospel Principles [2009], 121).

Lesson 6: Becoming Spiritually Self-Reliant

“Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion” (David A. Bednar, “Converted unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 109).

Lesson 7: Temple Marriage—a Sacred Covenant

“A temple marriage is also called a celestial marriage. Within the celestial glory are three levels. To obtain the highest, a husband and wife must be sealed for time and all eternity and keep their covenants made in a holy temple” (Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92).

Lesson 8: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129).

Lesson 9: Family History

“More people in all the world have felt the Spirit of Elijah move them to record the identities and facts of their ancestors’ lives. There are more resources to search out your ancestors than there have ever been in the history of the world” (Henry B. Eyring, “Hearts Bound Together,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 79).

Lesson 10: Developing Talents

“We come to earth with unique combinations of talents and abilities that we further develop during our experiences in mortality” (The Gospel and the Productive Life Teacher Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2004], 29).

Lesson 11: Member Missionary Work

“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 330).

Lesson 12: The Lord’s Appointed Day

“Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 132).

Lesson 13: The Agency of Man

“Your Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose and to act for yourself” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 12).

Lesson 14: “The Living Christ”

“Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2000, 3).