Eternal Life-Knowing God (FHE plans and quotes from Elder Hales)

Lesson Plan

What are some gifts that you have received? (Children will likely mention toys, Lego, books, etc).

What is the greatest gift that you have ever received? We have all received the same greatest gift, and the answer is found in D&C 14:7.

“And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”

The greatest gift is eternal life. What is eternal life? The answer is found in John 17:3.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Dad gave a great talk on this subject just a few weeks ago. He said “Life eternal is knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ. As we strive for eternal life we must strive for a knowledge of God. Even more, we must not only have a knowledge of Him but also truly know Him. The better we know Him the more we love Him. How can we fully love something we do not understand? How can we truly love someone we do not know? The more familiar we are with someone, the more we understand and love that person.” (Jared’s talk is here).

In October 2014, Elder Robert D. Hales spoke about eternal life and knowing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Watch the first segment of Elder Hales talk (up to 3:33).

“My own testimony grew as I learned about Heavenly Father and the Savior from the teachings and testimony of my parents, teachers, the scriptures—which I read diligently—and especially the Holy Ghost. As I exercised faith and obeyed the commandments, the Holy Ghost testified that what I was learning was true. This is how I came to know for myself.”

Discuss ways that we can know God: study scriptures and the words of the prophets, love and serve others, meaningful prayers, etc.

Concluding remarks from Elder Hales:

“I testify that our Heavenly Father wants us to seek this knowledge now. The words of the prophet Helaman cry from the dust: “Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation … , a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”Indeed, we will not fail.

That sure foundation is Jesus Christ. He is “the Rock of Heaven.”When we build our house upon Him, the rains of the latter days may descend, the floods may come, and the winds may blow, but we will not fall. We will not fail, for our home and our family will be founded upon Christ.”

Further Study

“All of us need to know God more fully in order to love him more deeply and obey him more completely.” Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Grandeur of God”. October 2003 General Conference.

The March 2014 New Era magazine has a great explanation of John 17:3, including quotes from General Authorities.

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