5 Quotes Plus Discussion-Promoting Questions
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First, I adore this meaningful talk. It is sage and merciful to anyone with wandering family members.
This is a unique conference talk, and this is my third attempt. I agonized over how to turn one long story into a meaningful lesson and discussion. It’s not meant to be broken down into a few quotes – goodness knows I tried.
It might be tempting just to play the talk on video, but your group will miss much-needed interaction and discussion. Plus, most people don’t absorb that much information all at once. Therefore, treat this as story hour and give out all the parts. Where there is a natural break for questions, I’ve suggested one.
You can find his full talk here. Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Choose the questions that resonate the most with you and make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities. These highlights and questions fit with Lesson Template 1 or Template 2. You can also check out several otherGeneral Conference Talks with 5 Highlights.
All blue quotes by Deiter F. Uchtdorf (unless otherwise noted).
Lesson Prep
- Please don’t worry if you don’t finish the story. Spiritual discussion is golden; it resonates and teaches more than a lecture covering all points will.
- If the discussion gets too secular, pull it back to the story and a spiritual tone…naturally and with tact.
- Encourage discussion by accepting all reasonable answers. Validate people for participating and be thankful they spoke up. Engage with the answer in a conversational way whenever it feels natural. Never say, “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.”
- Roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.
Printable Files
- Teacher Master Copy (quotes and questions)
- Cut up Quotes (to hand out)
Quote #1 (two sons)
**Suggestions for delivery: Treat this as story hour. Assign each quote below to a different person. Have them come up front (preferably) or stand up to read to give it a story-telling quality. Ahead of time, request that they read it like a bedtime story with some drama and flair.
If you are one of those creative types – you can have someone hold up a picture as each part is read. You could have them wear costumes or a hat or a cape. Regardless of how much you do, have fun with this. It invites comprehension and a learning atmosphere.
A Certain Man Had Two Sons
It has been called by some the greatest short story ever told. Since it has been translated into thousands of languages across the world, it is quite possible that during the past two millennia, the sun has not set without the story being referenced somewhere in the world.
It was told by Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who came to earth “to save that which was lost.” He begins with these simple words: “A certain man had two sons.”
Immediately we learn of a heartbreaking conflict. One son tells his father he is through with life at home. He wants his freedom. He wants to leave behind the culture and teachings of his parents. He asks for his share of the inheritance—now.
Can you imagine what the father felt when he heard this? When he realized that what his son wanted more than anything else was to leave the family and perhaps never return?
Possible discussion question: How do you think the father felt?
Quote #2 (hashtag)
Possible visual aids: You could give out cinnamon rolls or some other snack/treat while reading this quote. Or even have two people walk around with two different baskets marked “prodigal son, and ceremoniously give each person an item from each basket, etc.
Also, Make three hashtag signs and hold them up as they are read from the quote.
The Great Adventure
The son must have felt a thrill of adventure and excitement. At long last, he was on his own. Free from the principles and rules of the culture of his youth, he could finally make his own choices without being influenced by his parents. No more guilt. He could bask in the acceptance of a like-minded community and live life on his own terms.
Arriving in a faraway country, he quickly made new friends and began living the life he had always dreamed of. He must have been a favorite of many, for he spent money freely. His new friends—beneficiaries of his prodigality—did not judge him. They celebrated, applauded, and championed his choices.
Had there been social media in that time, surely he would have filled pages with animated photos of laughing friends: [“hashtag”] #Livingmybestlife! [“hashtag”] #Neverhappier! [“hashtag”] #Shouldhavedonethislongago!
Possible discussion question: Is social media always an accurate depiction of the quality and level of real life?
Quote #3 (impossible)
The Famine
But the party did not last—it rarely does. Two things happened: first, he ran out of money, and second, a famine swept through the land.
As the problems worsened, he panicked. The once unstoppable, jubilant high roller now could not afford a single meal, let alone a place to stay. How would he survive?
He had been generous to his friends—would they help him now? I can see him asking for a little support—just for now—until he got back on his feet.
The scriptures tell us, “No man gave unto him.”
Desperate to remain alive, he found a local farmer who hired him to feed swine.
Extremely hungry now, abandoned and alone, the young man must have wondered how things could have gone so terribly, dreadfully wrong.
It wasn’t just an empty stomach that troubled him. It was an empty soul. He had been so sure that giving in to his worldly desires would make him happy, that moral laws were obstacles to that happiness. Now he knew better. And oh, what a price he had to pay for that knowledge!
As the physical and spiritual hunger grew, his thoughts returned to his father. Would he help him after all that had happened? Even the humblest of his father’s servants had food to eat and shelter from the storms.
But return to his father?
Never.
Confess to his village that he had squandered his inheritance?
Impossible.
Face the neighbors who surely had warned him that he was disgracing his family and breaking his parents’ hearts? Return to his old friends after boasting of how he was breaking free?
Unbearable.
But the hunger, loneliness, and remorse simply wouldn’t go away—until “he came to himself.”
He knew what he needed to do.
Possible discussion question: Does pride sometimes keep us from asking for the help we need?
Quote #4 (lost and found)
The Return
Now let us go back to the father, the brokenhearted master of the house. How many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hours had he spent worrying about his son?
How many times had he looked down the very road his son had taken and relived the penetrating loss he had felt as his son walked away? How many prayers had he offered in the deep of night, pleading with God that his son would be safe, that he would discover truth, that he would return?
And then one day, the father looks out on that lonely road—the road that leads home—and sees a distant figure walking toward him.
Is it possible?
Though the individual is a great way off, the father knows in an instant it is his son.
He runs to him, throws his arms around him, and kisses him.
“Father,” the son cries out, in words he must have rehearsed a thousand times, “I have sinned against both heaven and you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. All I ask is that you take me in as a hired servant.”
But the father scarcely lets him finish. Tears in his eyes, he commands his servants: “Bring the finest robe in the house and place it on my son’s shoulders. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Make a feast to celebrate. My son has returned!”
Possible discussion question: Who does the father represent? (accept all reasonable answers – Heavenly Father and Christ and hopefully us.)
Quote #5 (healing)
The Celebration
While almost everyone is overjoyed at the son’s return, one is not—his older brother.
He is carrying some emotional baggage.
He was there when his brother demanded his inheritance. He witnessed firsthand the massive weight of grief on his father.
Ever since his brother left, he has tried to lift his father’s burden. Every day, he has worked to restore his father’s broken heart.
And now the reckless child is back, and people can’t stop lavishing attention on his rebellious brother.
“All these years,” he tells his father, “never once have I refused to do a single thing you asked. Yet in all that time, you never celebrated me.”
The loving father responds, “Dear son, all that I have is yours! This is not about comparing rewards or celebrations. This is about healing. This is the moment we have been hoping for all these years. Your brother was dead and is alive again! He was lost but now he is found!”
Possible discussion questions: What do you think about the statement, “This is not about comparing rewards or celebrations. This is about healing”?
Quote #6 (you)
A Parable for Our Time
My beloved brothers and sisters, dear friends, like all of the Savior’s parables, this one is not just about people living long ago. It’s about you and me, today.
Who among us has not departed from the path of holiness, foolishly thinking we could find more happiness going our own self-centered way?
Who among us has not felt humbled, brokenhearted, and desperate for forgiveness and mercy?
Perhaps some may even have wondered, “Is it even possible to go back? Will I be labeled forever, rejected, and avoided by my former friends? Is it better to just stay lost? How will God react if I try to return?”
This parable gives us the answer.
Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion. He will embrace us; place a robe around our shoulders, a ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet; and proclaim, “Today we celebrate! For my child, who once was dead, has come back to life!”
Heaven will rejoice at our return.
Possible discussion question: Are we sometimes the prodigal son in smaller, less dramatic ways? What is Elder Uchtdorf’s message to all of us?
You can easily end the lesson here – but if you have time, here is some more content.
Quote #7 (invitation)
Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory
May I take a moment now and speak to you individually?
No matter what may have happened in your life, I echo and proclaim the words of my beloved friend and fellow Apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s [atoning sacrifice] shines.”
Though choices may have taken you far away from the Savior and His Church, the Master Healer stands at the road that leads home, welcoming you. And we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ seek to follow His example and embrace you as our brothers and sisters, as our friends. We rejoice and celebrate with you.
Your return will not diminish the blessings of others. For the Father’s bounty is infinite, and what is given to one does not in the slightest diminish the birthright of others.
Possible discussion questions: What does Elder Holland mean by “It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s [atoning sacrifice] shines.”
What does Elder Uchtdorf mean by “Your return will not diminish the blessings of others”? Do people sometimes get jealous in families or at church over the attention given to someone else?
Quote #8 (path)
I do not pretend that coming back is an easy thing to do. I can testify of that. It may, in fact, be the toughest choice you will ever make.
But I bear witness that the moment you decide to return and walk in the way of our Savior and Redeemer, His power will enter your life and transform it.
Angels in heaven will rejoice.
And so will we, your family in Christ. After all, we know what it’s like to be a prodigal. We all rely daily on the same atoning power of Christ. We know this path, and we will walk with you.
Our path will not be free from grief, sorrow, or sadness. But we came this far “by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.” And together we will “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all [people].” Together we will “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,” for Jesus Christ is our strength!
Possible discussion question: Do we need Christ’s atoning power daily? Can we have mercy on others who also need it?
Quote #9 (closing)
It is my prayer that each one of us may hear, in this profound parable, the Father’s voice calling us to enter the road that leads home—that we may have the courage to repent, receive forgiveness, and follow the path that leads back to our compassionate and merciful God. Of this I bear witness and leave you my blessing in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Summary
Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about Elder Uchtdorf’s talk. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.
Final Comment
This is such a stunning, spiritual message and a significant departure from how most lessons are given. It adds variety to our 2nd-hour classes. Thank you for being resourceful and preparing yourself to teach meaningfully. Everyone needs Elder Uchtdor’s message. If you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching – try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” Please put the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.
PDFs for Download – click the blue link to view online.
Teacher-Copy-Elder-Uchtdorf-Oct-23Download
Cut-up-Quotes-Elder-Uchtdorf-Oct-23Download
