Hosea 1–6; 10–14; Joel

To begin, consider introducing the skill “Understanding Symbolism in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills. You could then ask students to share examples of symbols they have found in their personal scripture study and what those symbols teach them about Jesus Christ or His gospel.

Next, consider showing a picture of a married couple, such as the following:

Remind students that in the scriptures, marriage is often used as a symbol to teach about our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. The Savior is often called the Bridegroom, and the Church is likened to His bride (see Isaiah 54:5; Revelation 19:5–10; Guide to the Scriptures, “Bridegroom,” Gospel Library).

• Why is marriage a good symbol for the relationship between Jesus Christ and His covenant people?

Explain that Hosea was a prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel shortly before it was conquered by Assyria. His ministry took place during a time of great wickedness (see “What is the book of Hosea?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament). The Lord commanded Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer, who had lived as a harlot (see Hosea 1:1–2). The Lord used the marriage of Hosea and Gomer to teach the Israelites about His covenant relationship with them.

Write the following statements on the board: Hosea represents Jesus Christ; Gomer represents the Israelites.

Invite students to read Hosea 2:5, looking for what Gomer did after she married Hosea. (Explain that “their mother” refers to Gomer.) You could then ask:

• How did Gomer’s actions represent the people of Israel? (You could study 2 Kings 17:13–18 and Jeremiah 3:6 together as part of this discussion.)

• What feelings might Hosea have had after learning about the actions of his wife?

• How can Hosea’s experience with Gomer help us understand how the Lord might feel when we choose to break our covenants with Him?

To help students continue studying the Lord’s message in the book of Hosea, distribute the handout titled “Understanding the Lord’s Love and Mercy.” Students could discuss the questions on the handout with a partner or small group, or they could work on their own and write their answers on the handout.

After sufficient time, invite students to share insights they gained from their study, as well as the truths they wrote down at the end of their handout. They might share truths like these: Jesus Christ is full of love and mercy, even when we stray from Him. Jesus Christ invites His covenant people to repent, return to Him, and keep their covenants.

To help students understand how these truths apply in our time, consider sharing the following statements by President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Dale G. Renlund:

Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 33)

No matter how long we have been off the path or how far away we have wandered, the moment we decide to change, God helps us return. From God’s perspective, through sincere repentance and pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ, once back on the path, it will be as if we were never off. (Dale G. Renlund, “Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 106)

Invite students to imagine they know someone who feels they have strayed too far from the Lord to be forgiven. Give them a few minutes to write an encouraging message to this person and share what they have learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that might help them. After sufficient time, you could invite a few willing students to share their responses.

To conclude, invite students to think about their covenant relationship with God. Encourage them to record any adjustments they may have felt prompted to make in their lives that can help them draw closer to Him.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

You could begin by discussing the following statement by President Wilford Woodruff:

If you have the Holy Ghost with you—and every one ought to have—I can say unto you that there is no greater gift, there is no greater blessing, there is no greater testimony given to any man on earth. You may have the administration of angels; you may see many miracles; you may see many wonders in the earth; but I claim that the gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 49)

• Why do you think the Holy Ghost is such a significant gift from our Heavenly Father?

Invite the students to ponder how important it is for them to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost in their lives. Encourage them as they study today to look for truths that can help them more fully recognize the significance of the Holy Ghost.

To introduce students to the verses they will study today, consider displaying the following image:

Remind students that on the evening of September 21, 1823, the angel Moroni appeared to the young Joseph Smith and told him of the work God had for him to do. As part of their conversation, Moroni shared several prophecies from the Old Testament that he said were about to be fulfilled. One of these prophecies is recorded in Joel 2 (see Joseph Smith—History 1:36–41). (For more about the book of Joel, see “What is the book of Joel?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)

Invite students to read Joel 2:28–32, looking for the prophecy that Moroni quoted. Consider asking questions like the following to help students share their insights from these verses:

• What aspects of this prophecy do you see being fulfilled in our day? (As part of this conversation, consider writing the following truth on the board: The Lord will pour out His Spirit upon all people in the latter days.)

• What evidence have you seen that the Lord is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh?

The following statements could be helpful to use as the class discusses the previous question:

The era in which we live is the fulness of times spoken of in the scriptures, when God has brought together all of the elements of previous dispensations. From the day that He and His Beloved Son manifested themselves to the boy Joseph, there has been a tremendous cascade of enlightenment poured out upon the world. … The vision of Joel has been fulfilled. …

There has been more of scientific discovery during these years than during all of the previous history of mankind. Transportation, communication, medicine, public hygiene, the unlocking of the atom, the miracle of the computer, with all of its ramifications, have blossomed forth, particularly in our own era. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Living in the Fulness of Times,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 4, 5)

One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since [being called] as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children. …

… If Joseph Smith’s transcendent experience in the Sacred Grove teaches us anything, it is that the heavens are open and that God speaks to His children. (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 94, 95)

Point out that because the Holy Ghost is such a significant gift from our Heavenly Father, it is important that we learn how to (1) recognize how the Spirit speaks to us, and (2) invite the Spirit’s companionship into our lives.

Consider displaying the following questions. Invite students to choose one to focus on and then search for scriptures or statements from Church leaders that help answer the question. They could find resources on their own or use some of the resources provided.

Invite students to share what they discovered with a partner or a small group. Then consider discussing the following questions together as a class:

• What recent experiences have you had with the Holy Ghost? How did those experiences affect your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Invite students to think about what they could start doing or stop doing to help invite the Spirit of the Lord more fully into their lives. Encourage them to record their plan in their personal notes. Testify of the truths you have discussed today.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”