Teachings of Church Leaders 4

This lesson has two parts. The first part will teach you two skills that can help you have a more meaningful experience studying general conference messages.

In the second part of this lesson, you will use the skills you learned to study the general conference talk assigned by your teacher. If a message wasn’t assigned, choose one from the most recent general conference.

The average general conference talk is just 12 minutes long. With limited time, speakers often have to cut some information from their talks. Fortunately, the published talks often contain footnotes. Footnotes provide related sources and additional information on the speaker’s topic. You can use these footnotes to deepen your study of general conference.

For example, President Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women General President, taught the following about Emma Smith:

First, the Lord reminded Emma of her place in His plan, including who she was and whose she was—a daughter in His kingdom. She was invited to “walk in the paths of virtue,” a path that included ordinances that would unlock God’s power if Emma held on to her covenants. (“Live Up to Your Privileges,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 8)

ordinances, covenants

At the end of that statement, a small number 16, typed in superscript, appears after the word covenants. Footnote 16 references Doctrine and Covenants 25:13 (a revelation given to Emma Smith) and the following quotation from a book by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Ruth:

The word covenant is of Latin origin, con venire, and literally means a “coming together.” In the context of the priesthood, a “covenant” is a coming together or an agreement between God and man. It presupposes that God and man come together to make a contract, to agree on promises, stipulations, privileges, and responsibilities. (Dale G. Renlund and Ruth Lybbert Renlund, The Melchizedek Priesthood: Understanding the Doctrine, Living the Principles [2018], 60)

Reading that footnote can help you better understand what President Freeman is teaching. Linking President Freeman’s statement to Doctrine and Covenants 25:13 can help you understand that passage the next time you study it.

As you study today, use the footnotes to link at least two statements by Church leaders to scripture passages they help clarify.

Another way you can deepen your study is by looking for opportunities to ask questions about what you study.

For example, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Because of the loving plan of our Heavenly Father for each of His children, and because of the redeeming life and mission of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we can—and should—be the most joyful people on earth! (“Welcome to the Church of Joy,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 36)

joy, plan of salvation

After reading that statement, you might make a note asking a question like “Why should having the gospel make us the most joyful people on earth?”

As you study today, take time to record at least two questions as notes next to the statements that inspired them. Even if you can’t answer the questions in this study session, taking time to record them is an act of faith.

Today you learned two skills:

1. Using footnotes to deepen your study

2. Asking questions about what you study

Use these skills to study the general conference talk assigned by your teacher. If a message wasn’t assigned, choose one from the most recent general conference.