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Answering Questions about the Gospel

Answering Questions about the Gospel

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Purpose

Prepare ahead of time to answer questions about the gospel that others may have, both members and nonmembers. You’ll be able to lift and strengthen others, and you’ll keep your own testimony strong!

Description

Divide participants into small groups. Give each group a question (you can use questions from the the list below or provide your own questions). Set a time limit. Each small group looks in the scriptures and general conference talks for answers to their question. When the time is up, invite each group to share what they learned.

Example questions:

  1. Why don’t you drink coffee? (Answers may include how our body is a temple, 1 Corinthians 6:19, or that we follow the Word of Wisdom.)

  2. Why don’t you do particular activities on the Sabbath? (Answers may include how important it is to take the sacrament, Doctrine and Covenants 59:9, that we should observe it as a day of rest as taught by Moses, Exodus 20:8–11, but also that we should be careful about not being judgmental of what others choose to do on the Sabbath, as tolerance and humility are true attributes of a follower of Christ.)

  3. Why can’t I go inside of your temple? (Answers may include the importance of the temple as a sacred place where worldly distractions and disruptions are out of place. Those not of our faith are welcome to attend Latter-day Saint chapels or tour temples during open houses prior to their dedication.)

More Ideas

  • Resource list—As a group, make a list of resources you can use to help you find answers to your gospel questions. You might include things like scriptures, general conference talks, fasting and prayer, and friends and family. Give everyone a copy of the list.

  • Confirming truth—When answering questions about the gospel, it’s important to help people understand how they can know for themselves if something is true (see Moroni 10:3–5). Invite group members to role-play explaining in a simple way how to pray and recognize an answer through the Holy Ghost.

  • Scripture chase—Find answers to the same questions in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. As a group, discuss how the Book of Mormon can clarify teachings found in the Bible.

  • Living prophets—Divide into groups. Assign each group a talk from the most recent general conference. Have each group discover questions that the conference talks answer, and then share those questions and answers with the group.

Discussion

Encourage participants to talk about what they are learning. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity. You could ask questions like the following:

  • Why do you think it is important to be prepared to answer questions about the gospel?

  • When have you felt or experienced blessings from answering someone’s questions about the gospel?

  • What thoughts or impressions do you have about sharing answers to questions others have about the gospel?

  • How can you apply what you are learning in your life?

Related Resources

Sabbath Day Lessons

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