Amos; Obadiah; Jonah: Lesson 150
Amos 8
Overcoming Spiritual Hunger
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
We have all felt hunger. Imagine what it might be like to suffer from spiritual hunger. The Lord taught the Israelites through Amos using this imagery. Amos prophesied that his people would no longer be given His word because they had rejected it. Losing the Lord’s word would lead to a spiritual famine. This lesson can help you increase your confidence that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can satisfy your spiritual hunger through the Restoration of the gospel.
Study the Scriptures
When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they had very little food. At one point, they said they would rather have died in Egypt, where they were slaves, than to be hungry (see Exodus 16:1–3).
Can you think of a time when you were very hungry? What was it like? How did you feel when you were finally able to eat?
During the prophet Amos’s time, he prophesied of spiritual famine. What might people hunger for spiritually and struggle to find? Amos revealed the Lord’s words to the people. Unfortunately, they did not want to hear (see Amos 7:11–16).
Read Amos 8:11–12. Mark the consequences of rejecting the Lord’s word.
Understanding apostasy. These verses refer to a period of time known as an apostasy. An apostasy is when individuals or groups of people reject the principles of the gospel and the Lord no longer sends prophets to them. One fulfillment of Amos’s prophecy occurred following the death of Christ’s apostles and is known as the Great Apostasy. The Great Apostasy lasted until the Lord restored His gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith.
To help you think about what you read, answer the following questions in your mind. Why do you think famine is a good comparison for living without the word of the Lord? In what ways has Amos’s prophecy been fulfilled?
Look at the following images and read the following scriptures. As you do, think about how Jesus Christ is like these symbols.
In Their love, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have restored the Church in our day. Read three or more of the following passages. Look for what the Lord revealed He would do during the Restoration of His Church. Tag these passages as “Restoration.”
Truths brought back through the Restoration can help us be spiritually filled. In your notebook, write truths you have learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that have helped you be filled spiritually.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
What if I don’t know much about the Apostasy and the Restoration?
Understanding the Apostasy and the Restoration can help you see Heavenly Father’s plan and love for you. You can then use this knowledge to teach others. Study the following resources to learn more about the Apostasy and the Restoration.
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“Dispensations: The Pattern of Apostasy and Restoration“ (6:52)
6:53 -
Topics and Questions: Apostasy, Overview
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Topics and Questions: Restoration of the Church, Overview
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Topics and Questions: Restoration of the Gospel, Gospel Study Guide
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Gospel Library: Key words “apostasy” or “restoration”
Prepare a lesson outline about the Apostasy and the Restoration that you could share with the youth in your branch or ward. Add at least one creative way to get your peers involved in the lesson.
Option B
What can I do to satisfy my spiritual hunger?
In our day, we can feel spiritual hunger. Think about the following scenario:
Marta is 15 years old and wants nothing more than to find purpose for her life. She struggles with self-confidence, and she isn’t sure what direction she should take.
Review the following to help you prepare an encouraging message for Marta.
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“Daily Bread: Pattern” (2:51)
2:52
President James E. Faust (1920–2007) explained:
Where can we hear the words of the Lord? We can hear them from our prophet, … the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the other General Authorities. We can also hear them from our stake presidents and bishops. Missionaries can hear them from their mission presidents. We can read them in the scriptures. We can also hear the still, small voice which comes through the Holy Ghost. Hearing the words of the Lord lifts us out of spiritual blindness “into his marvellous light.” (“The Light in Their Eyes,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 21)
Think about the daily spiritual nourishment you currently receive. Which activities do you feel help you the most? What can you do to make sure you do not miss these spiritually filling opportunities?
Using what you have studied, write a message to Marta. As part of your response, be sure to include scriptures; statements by Church leaders; and, if possible, your own personal experience.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you increase your confidence that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can satisfy your spiritual hunger through the Restoration of the gospel.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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Your lesson outline about apostasy and restoration.
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Your encouraging response to Marta.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?