Why is learning an important part of Heavenly Father's plan?
One of the main reasons Heavenly Father sent us to earth was to give us experiences that would help us learn and become more like Him. If we are obedient and teachable, He will help us learn what we need to know, line upon line, throughout our lives. Heavenly Father expects us to use the knowledge we gain to bless others and build His kingdom.
Plan of Salvation WorksheetOne of the main reasons Heavenly Father sent us to earth was to give us experiences that would help us learn and become more like Him. If we are obedient and teachable, He will help us learn what we need to know, line upon line, throughout our lives. Heavenly Father expects us to use the knowledge we gain to bless others and build His kingdom.
Hand out a copy of this worksheet to each class member and a copy of the True to the Faith booklet or a printed copy of the section, "The Plan of Salvation" from the lesson outline (see below). Have each of the youth, or in groups, choose a section of the plan to fill in the lines beneath the picture on the worksheet with an explanation of that part of the plan. Then have them take turns sharing their part so everyone can fill in the whole worksheet.
Plan of Salvation
True to the Faith, (2004), 115–17
In
the premortal existence, Heavenly Father prepared a plan to enable us
to become like Him and receive a fulness of joy. The scriptures refer to
this plan as “the plan of salvation” (Alma 24:14; Moses 6:62), “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8), “the plan of redemption” (Jacob 6:8; Alma 12:30), and “the plan of mercy” (Alma 42:15).
The plan of salvation is the fulness of the gospel. It includes the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ,
and all the laws, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel. Moral
agency, the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is also essential
in Heavenly Father’s plan. Because of this plan, we can be perfected
through the Atonement, receive a fulness of joy, and live forever in the
presence of God. Our family relationships can last throughout the eternities.
You
are a participant in Heavenly Father’s plan, and your eternal
experience can be divided into three main parts: premortal life, mortal
life, and life after death. As you come to understand the plan, you find
answers to questions asked by so many: Where did we come from? Why are
we here? Where do we go after this life?
(If you do not have copies of the True to the Faith then print the following for each youth or group.)
Premortal Life
Before
you were born on the earth, you lived in the presence of your Heavenly
Father as one of His spirit children. In this premortal existence, you
attended a council with Heavenly Father’s other spirit children. At that
council, Heavenly Father presented His great plan of happiness (see Abraham 3:22–26).
In
harmony with the plan of happiness, the premortal Jesus Christ, the
Firstborn Son of the Father in the spirit, covenanted to be the Savior
(see Moses 4:2; Abraham 3:27).
Those who followed Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were permitted to
come to the earth to experience mortality and progress toward eternal
life. Lucifer, another spirit son of God, rebelled against the plan and
“sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3).
He became Satan, and he and his followers were cast out of heaven and
denied the privileges of receiving a physical body and experiencing
mortality (see Moses 4:4; Abraham 3:27–28).
Throughout
your premortal life, you developed your identity and increased your
spiritual capabilities. Blessed with the gift of agency, you made
important decisions, such as the decision to follow Heavenly Father’s
plan. These decisions affected your life then and now. You grew in
intelligence and learned to love the truth, and you prepared to come to
the earth, where you could continue to progress.
Mortal Life
You
are now experiencing mortal life. Your spirit is united with your body,
giving you opportunities to grow and develop in ways that were not
possible in your premortal life. This part of your existence is a time
of learning in which you can prove yourself, choose to come unto Christ,
and prepare to be worthy of eternal life. It is also a time when you
can help others find the truth and gain a testimony of the plan of
salvation.
Ask the youth to share what they learned today. Do they understand the importance of learning in Heavenly Father’s plan? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this doctrine?
Life after Death
When you die, your spirit will enter the spirit world and await the resurrection. At the time of the resurrection, your spirit and body will reunite, and you will be judged and received
into a kingdom of glory. The glory you inherit will depend on the depth
of your conversion and your obedience to the Lord’s commandments. It will depend on the manner in which you have “received the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:51; see also 76:74, 79, 101).
From the outline:
Ask each youth to read one of the scriptures in this outline, looking
for principles of learning. Invite each to draw a picture or diagram
that represents the principles in the scripture passage. Ask the youth
to use their pictures to teach each other about what they read. What do
these scriptures teach about the importance of learning in Heavenly
Father’s plan?
**I am a very visual learner and I like to draw scriptures and scripture stories, so I like this suggestion from the outline. I am going to divide the class into 3 groups for them to do this part. I will give each group one of the scriptures and ask them to read it silently and then draw on the chalkboard a symbol or picture to help the class guess what the scripture is about. Then I'll have them read it out loud to the class an explain their drawing.
The scriptures are:
D&C 98:11-12 "line upon line, precept upon precept"
Alma 12: 9-11 "harden his heart vs. not hardening = more learning"
D&C 88: 77-80 "learn so we can magnify our callings"
From the outline:
Invite the youth to read the “Education” section in For the Strength of Youth,
including the scripture references. Ask half of the class to look for
things Heavenly Father wants us to do, and ask the other half to
identify blessings that He has promised. Invite them to share what they
find and choose something they feel they need to work on. Discuss as a
class ways they can improve in those areas, and encourage the youth to
set personal goals to apply the Lord’s counsel.
Education
Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.Doctrine and Covenants 130:18
Education
is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help you become more
like Him. He wants you to educate your mind and to develop your skills
and talents, your power to act well in your responsibilities, and your
capacity to appreciate life. The education you gain will be valuable to
you during mortality and in the life to come.
Education
will prepare you for greater service in the world and in the Church. It
will help you better provide for yourself, your family, and those in
need. It will also help you be a wise counselor and companion to your
future spouse and an informed and effective teacher of your future
children.
Education
is an investment that brings great rewards and will open the doors of
opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you. Plan now to obtain an
education. Be willing to work diligently and make sacrifices if
necessary. Share your educational goals with your family, friends, and
leaders so they can support and encourage you.
Ask the youth to share what they learned today. Do they understand the importance of learning in Heavenly Father’s plan? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this doctrine?
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