Institute
Teachings of Thomas S. Monson: Course Outline

“Teachings of Thomas S. Monson: Course Outline,” Institute Secondary Electives Student Readings and Selected Course Outlines (2016)

“Teachings of Thomas S. Monson: Course Outline,” Institute Secondary Electives Student Readings

Teachings of Thomas S. Monson (Religion 390R): Course Outline

Course Objective: Students will study the messages of President Thomas S. Monson organized by scriptures he often quoted in his general conference talks.

After the first lesson, the lessons are divided into seven sections:

  1. Lessons 2–5: “Be Thou an Example” (1 Timothy 4:12)

  2. Lessons 6–9: He “Went About Doing Good” (Acts 10:38)

  3. Lessons 10–13: “Let Every Man Learn His Duty, and to Act” (D&C 107:99)

  4. Lessons 14–18: “Follow Me” (Luke 18:22)

  5. Lessons 19–21: “Inasmuch as Ye Have Done It unto One of the Least of These” (Matthew 25:40)

  6. Lessons 22–25: “My Yoke Is Easy, and My Burden Is Light” (Matthew 11:30)

  7. Lessons 26–28: Fishers of Men (Matthew 4:19)

Lesson 1: President Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of the Master

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

  • “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

Lesson 2: Guided Safely Home

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “We look heavenward for that unfailing sense of direction, that we might chart and follow a wise and proper course” (Thomas S. Monson, “Guided Safely Home,” 69).

Related Scriptures

Proverbs 3:5–6; Doctrine and Covenants 95:8; 124:40–45.

Lesson 3: Your Personal Influence

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “As we follow that Man of Galilee—even the Lord Jesus Christ—our personal influence will be felt for good wherever we are, whatever our callings” (Thomas S. Monson, “Your Personal Influence,” 20).

  • “We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become” (Thomas S. Monson, “See Others as They May Become,” 69).

Related Scriptures

John 15:4–8; Helaman 15:6–8.

Lesson 4: Be Thou an Example

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “You can share your testimony in many ways—by the words you speak, by the example you set, by the manner in which you live your life” (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Thou an Example,” 115).

Related Scriptures

3 Nephi 18:24.

Lesson 5: Be Strong and of a Good Courage

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Subordinate ego, pride, and hurt—then step forward with, ‘… Let’s not pass to future generations the grievances, the anger of our time.’ Let’s remove any hidden wedges that can do nothing but destroy” (Thomas S. Monson, “Hidden Wedges,” 20).

  • “Let us—all of us—have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle” (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” 69).

Related Scriptures

Alma 1:25; Doctrine and Covenants 64:9–11.

Lesson 6: True Shepherds

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Home teaching answers many prayers and permits us to see the transformations which can take place in people’s lives” (Thomas S. Monson, “True Shepherds,” 67).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 20:53.

Lesson 7: Anxiously Engaged

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “There are quorum members and those who should be our quorum members who require our help” (Thomas S. Monson, “Anxiously Engaged,” 59).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 38:24–27; 58:27.

Lesson 8: What Have I Done for Someone Today?

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

Related Scriptures

John 14:6; 2 Nephi 31:17–21; Mosiah 4:26.

Lesson 9: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

Related Scriptures

1 Corinthians 15:20–22, 53–57; Mosiah 16:7–8.

Lesson 10: To Learn, to Do, to Be

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “May we learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be what we should be” (Thomas S. Monson, “To Learn, to Do, to Be,” 67).

Related Scriptures

3 Nephi 27:27; Doctrine and Covenants 19:23.

Lesson 11: Willing and Worthy to Serve

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Miracles are everywhere to be found when the priesthood is understood, its power is honored and used properly, and faith is exerted” (Thomas S. Monson, “Willing and Worthy to Serve,” 68).

Related Scriptures

James 5:14–15; Alma 15:3–11.

Lesson 12: Stand in Your Appointed Place

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “May we reach out and rescue those who have fallen by the wayside, that not one precious soul will be lost” (Thomas S. Monson, “Stand in Your Appointed Place,” 57).

  • “We must use wisdom, inspiration, and sound judgment as we care for our families and fulfill our Church callings, for each is vitally important” (Thomas S. Monson, “Heavenly Homes, Forever Families,” 103).

Related Scriptures

Luke 10:25–37; Mosiah 4:27; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, 14–16.

Lesson 13: The Priesthood—a Sacred Gift

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “As we honor our priesthood and live our lives so that we are at all times worthy, the blessings of the priesthood will flow through us” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Priesthood—a Sacred Gift,” 90).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 121:36–37.

Lesson 14: Ponder the Path of Thy Feet

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Each of us has come to this earth with all the tools necessary to make correct choices” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Three Rs of Choice,” 67).

  • “As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and as we follow in His footsteps, we can return safely to our Heavenly Father” (Thomas S. Monson, “Ponder the Path of Thy Feet,” 86).

Related Scriptures

2 Nephi 31:16; Moroni 7:16.

Lesson 15: True to the Faith

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Let us resolve here and now to follow that straight path which leads home to the Father of us all” (Thomas S. Monson, “True to the Faith,” 21).

Related Scriptures

2 Nephi 31:17–21.

Lesson 16: The Way of the Master

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “By learning of Him, by believing in Him, by following Him, there is the capacity to become like Him” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Way of the Master,” 4).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 19:23.

Lesson 17: A Time to Choose

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “It is a very competitive world that will require the very best that you can bring to it, and it will reward you when your best efforts are put forth” (Thomas S. Monson, “Decisions Determine Destiny,” 4).

  • “The choices we make determine our destiny” (Thomas S. Monson, “Choose You This Day,” 67).

Related Scriptures

1 Corinthians 9:24–25; 2 Nephi 2:27–29; 10:23.

Lesson 18: The Lighthouse of the Lord

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

Related Scriptures

Matthew 5:13–14, 16.

Lesson 19: To the Rescue

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “The world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save” (Thomas S. Monson, “To the Rescue,” 48).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 81:5; 123:12–17.

Lesson 20: The Fatherless and the Widows—Beloved of God

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “We need not wait for Christmas; we need not postpone till Thanksgiving Day our response to the Savior’s tender admonition: ‘Go, and do thou likewise’ [Luke 10:37]” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Fatherless and the Widows,” 7).

Related Scriptures

Luke 10:25–37; James 1:27.

Lesson 21: My Brother’s Keeper

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “The worth of a human soul is its capacity to become as God” (response of a quorum president, in Thomas S. Monson, “My Brother’s Keeper,” 43).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13, 22–23.

Lesson 22: I Will Not Fail Thee, Nor Forsake Thee

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Our Heavenly Father … knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass” (Thomas S. Monson, “I Will Not Fail Thee,” 87).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 58:2–5; 122:5–9.

Lesson 23: If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “We do live in turbulent times. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties” (Thomas S. Monson, “If Ye Are Prepared,” 116).

  • “May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe” (Thomas S. Monson, “Dare to Stand Alone,” 67).

Related Scriptures

Mosiah 18:8–9; Doctrine and Covenants 38:30.

Lesson 24: Your Eternal Home

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “In a very real sense, we are builders of eternal houses. We are apprentices to the trade—not skilled craftsmen. We need divine help if we are to build successfully” (Thomas S. Monson, “Your Eternal Home,” 52).

Related Scriptures

Matthew 11:28–30; 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Lesson 25: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Our Savior Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church, which bears His name. …

    “… I have the sure knowledge … that God directs His prophet” (Thomas S. Monson, “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” 88).

Related Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 21:1–7.

Lesson 26: The Divine Gift of Gratitude

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude” (Thomas S. Monson, “An Attitude of Gratitude,” 54).

  • “A grateful heart … comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Divine Gift of Gratitude,” 89).

Related Scriptures

Mosiah 2:19–21; Doctrine and Covenants 59:7, 21.

Lesson 27: The Call for Courage

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny” (Thomas S. Monson, “Courage Counts,” 40).

  • “Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Call for Courage,” 55).

Related Scriptures

Deuteronomy 31:6–7; 1 Nephi 8:33.

Lesson 28: Models to Follow

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “All of us living in the world today need points of reference—even models to follow” (Thomas S. Monson, “Models to Follow,” 60).

Related Scriptures

Matthew 4:19; 3 Nephi 27:27.