Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47

You could begin by discussing the following scenario or a similar one that you create:

Grace has actively participated in the Church throughout her life. But recently she has found herself struggling with some of the teachings of the prophets and apostles. She has begun to wonder how important it really is to align her beliefs and choices with their counsel.

• If Grace came to you for advice, what might you share with her?

Invite students to ponder what can make it difficult for someone to follow the Lord’s prophets and apostles. Encourage them as they study today to seek promptings from the Holy Ghost that can help them more fully follow the prophet.

Explain that Ezekiel was a priest who was carried away captive into Babylon with other Jews by King Nebuchadnezzar. While in captivity, Ezekiel was visited by the Lord and called to be a prophet (see “What is the book of Ezekiel?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament).

Invite students to study Ezekiel 3:16–19 and 33:1–11, looking for what the Lord taught Ezekiel after calling him as a prophet. To help students share their insights, consider asking questions like these:

• What did you find in these verses that can inspire you to follow the Lord’s prophets with greater confidence? (Students may identify a truth like this: The Lord calls prophets who serve as watchmen and warn us of danger.)

• How is a prophet like a watchman on a tower? (You could display the image found at the beginning of this lesson as you discuss.)

As a class, consider listing on the board some of the spiritual dangers in our day.

Invite students to search one of the following messages—or another recent message from a prophet or apostle—and look for teachings that could help with some of the spiritual dangers listed on the board:

• Neil L. Andersen, “The Prophet of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 24–27

• D. Todd Christofferson, “The Voice of Warning,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 108–11

As part of their study, students could practice using the skill “Tagging Scriptures and Other Gospel Teachings” in Scripture Study Skills. They could organize the statements they find using a certain tag they create.

After sufficient time, invite students to discuss what they found with a partner or small group. You might also discuss the following questions together as a class:

• How have you or someone you know been blessed by responding to warnings or counsel given by prophets?

• How can your response to the teachings and counsel of prophets influence your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Encourage students to consider how they could better follow the warnings and counsel of the Lord’s prophets in their lives. Invite them to write down any specific invitations or steps they feel inspired to take to follow the Lord’s prophets.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

You could display a few images depicting Jesus Christ as a shepherd, such as the following. Then discuss the accompanying questions.

• What thoughts or feelings do you have when you look at these images of the Savior?

• What messages do these images communicate about Him?

Encourage students as they study today to look for truths that can help them follow the example of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, to care for Heavenly Father’s children.

Explain that in Ezekiel 34, the Lord compared the Israelite leaders to shepherds. Invite students to read Ezekiel 34:1–6, looking for what the Lord said about these shepherds. Encourage students to share what they discovered by discussing questions like the following:

• What stood out to you about the actions of the shepherds in these verses?

• What do you learn about the Lord from these verses?

Explain that the Lord contrasted the neglectful and harmful actions of Israel’s leaders by describing how He cares for His own flock.

You could write the following incomplete phrase on the board.

• As the Good Shepherd, the Savior …

Invite students to read Ezekiel 34:11–16, looking for ways they might complete the phrase on the board. After sufficient time, invite students to write their responses on the board. Students may identify truths like the following:

As the Good Shepherd, the Savior …

• Seeks out those who are lost (see Ezekiel 34:11–12, 16).

• Delivers His sheep from darkness (see Ezekiel 34:12).

• Nourishes His sheep and provides for their needs (Ezekiel 34:13–15).

• Binds up the broken (see Ezekiel 34:16).

• Strengthens the sick (see Ezekiel 34:16).

You could invite students to share some scriptural examples where the Savior demonstrated some of these actions.

Organize the class into small groups. Invite them to refer to the truths from Ezekiel 34:11–16 that are listed on the board and make a list of practical ways they can care for others as the Savior does. (For example, they could seek out those who are lost by reaching out to someone who may be lonely or who they have not seen in a while.)

After all groups have created a list, you could have a member from each group share some of their ideas with the class. You might also discuss the following question together as a class:

• When has someone followed the example of Jesus Christ and cared for you?

  (As part of this discussion, you could show the video “Ministering as the Savior Does” or the video “Strengthen Thy Brethren” from time code 0:00 to 3:22.)

  

  6:8
  

  10:17

Give students time to reflect on something specific they will do to minister to others as the Savior would. Encourage them to write down their plan in their personal notes. Testify of the truths you have discussed.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Consider sharing the following scenario or creating a similar one of your own:

Explain that teachings from Ezekiel 37, along with many other verses of scripture and gospel resources, can help address questions like the one presented in the scenario.

Distribute the handout titled “The Bible and the Book of Mormon.” Give students sufficient time to complete it, either individually or with a partner.

After sufficient time, organize students into small groups and give students time to share insights from their study, along with the responses they wrote. You could also ask a few students to share their responses with the whole class. Then consider discussing a few questions like the following:

• What insights did you gain about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from your study?

• How have the Bible and the Book of Mormon helped you increase your testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel? (As part of this discussion, you could show the video “Holy Scripture Guides Us Closer to Jesus” [1:27].)

  

  1:27

Encourage students to ponder ways they could more fully incorporate both the Bible and the Book of Mormon into their scripture study. Invite them to write down any goals or spiritual impressions they have received from the Holy Ghost in their personal notes.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

You could begin by displaying a picture of a temple. Ask students to share reasons that they or others might have for worshipping in the temple. Have them write their responses on the board.

Invite students to think about their desire to attend and worship in the temple. Encourage them to pay attention to spiritual promptings they receive that can help them more fully seek the Lord’s blessings by worshipping in the house of the Lord.

Before students begin studying, you could introduce the skill “Understanding Symbolism in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.

Explain that Ezekiel 40–48 is an account of a vision Ezekiel had of a latter-day temple that will be built in Jerusalem prior to the Second Coming (see “Ezekiel 40–48. When will the temple in Jerusalem prophesied of by Ezekiel be built?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament). Point out that the portion of the vision that students will study today in Ezekiel 47 contains symbols of the blessings the Lord gives to those who participate in temple and family history work. This chapter begins with a heavenly messenger bringing Ezekiel to the temple door in Jerusalem.

To help students ponder the symbolism in Ezekiel 47, invite them to create a table like the following in their personal notes:

Give students time to study Ezekiel 47:1–12 and to record their insights in the table. You could also encourage them to study “Ezekiel 47:1–12. What is the meaning of the healing waters coming from the temple?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.

After sufficient time, invite students to share what they learned as they studied these symbols. You might also ask questions like the following:

• What can Ezekiel’s vision teach us about the blessings we can experience through temple worship? (As we worship the Lord in the temple, He blesses us with healing, new life, and growth.)

• What are some of the blessings we can receive from the Lord through temple worship that can heal or give life?

Consider inviting students to search for promised blessings that come from temple and family history work in one of the following resources:

• The “Invitations and Promises” section of “The Holy Temple—the House of the Lord,” in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Russell M. Nelson

• Dale G. Renlund, “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 47

Invite students to share with a partner or small group blessings that stood out to them and why.

• In what ways has the Lord blessed you as you’ve participated in temple or family history work? (As part of this discussion, you could show the videos “Testimonies of the Promised Blessings of the Temple and Family History” [2:22] or “The Power to Heal” [4:25].)

  

  2:22
  

  4:26

Invite students to create a plan for how they can more fully participate in family history and temple work. Encourage them to record their plan in their personal notes.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”