By Divine Design by Elder Rasband is a beautiful, feel-good talk. I really think this is a great way for everyone to feel the love of Christ. But please be aware and sensitive to those who are seeking and on paths that feel lonely. Remind the sisters as often as prompted that not all of the things we are seeking will be answered readily, but in the Lord’s time. The purpose is about building each other up, and recognizing the things in our lives that have been directed by God. The suggested LDS.org prompts is this:
To encourage discussion about Elder Rasband’s message, it might be helpful to invite a few members to bring a sewing pattern, a blueprint, or a recipe and talk about why these are helpful. What examples or teachings from Elder Rasband’s message inspire members to recognize God’s design for their lives? Perhaps class members could share experiences in which they saw the Lord was directing their lives. What have they done to show God that they “treasure” His direction? Why is it important to recognize God’s “divine design”?
I am not a huge fan of this, but you can use it if it suits you. In addition, I am not a fan of watching or listening to the conference talk in the actual lesson time. Thus, I suggest preparing some portions of the talk that you aim to discuss on slips of paper that can be handed out at the start of class for later discussion.
At least a week or two before the lesson, ask some members in the class to share stories that might be similar to the ones that Elder Rasband shared in his talk—things that happened to them and are “not just a coincidence”. The stories could be something as simple as how wives met their husbands, or more complex like how parents met the child they were to adopt, or running into missionaries when someone was “less active” or similar. I would try to keep these stories to less than five minutes per person, so you can have three to five people share their experiences. If people are too shy to share, then invite them to write their stories, then read them anonymously.
First, read or have someone read this quote from the talk:
Elder Neal A. Maxwell once explained: “None of us ever fully utilizes the
people-opportunities allocated to us within our circles of friendship. You and I may call these intersectings ‘coincidence.’ This word is understandable for mortals to use, but coincidence is not an appropriate word to describe the workings of an omniscient God. He does not do things by ‘coincidence’ but … by ‘divine design.’”5
Our lives are like a chessboard, and the Lord moves us from one place to another—if we are responsive to spiritual promptings. Looking back, we can see His hand in our lives.
Next, invite the people who you have asked to share some “not just a coincidence” experiences. Allow for this to take up about half of the lesson time.
Next, hand these quotes out and discuss:
Significant events unfold in the gospel and in the Church that further the kingdom of God on earth. They are not by accident but by God’s plan. He who fashioned this world can calm the seas with His word and can steer both Alma and Amulek and Nephi and Laban to be at the right place at precisely the right time.
Likewise, events and associations unfold in each of our lives that further God’s work on earth.
When we speak of things like this, it can be sometimes confusing—it may sound like we have a lack of agency, or as if everything is ultimately foreordained. How is God’s working with us by ‘divine design’ different to fore-ordination?
Now, where does our agency fit in a “divine design”? We have a choice to follow or to not follow our Savior and His chosen leaders. The pattern is clear in the Book of Mormon when the Nephites had turned away from the Lord. Mormon lamented:
“And they saw … that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples—
“Therefore the Lord did cease to preserve them by his miraculous and matchless power, for they had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness.”
How can we tell which choices are the best choices?
(Sometimes, I think especially for women, it can be very difficult to balance following the Saviour in the way we are supposed to. What I mean is that we might find ourselves on a Thursday afternoon with the following choices: a) I can go to the temple, b) I can spend time with an elderly neighbour, and c) I can invite a less active friend out to get to know her better.
All of these choices are good—so which one should we choose? I think prayer is an imperative part in balancing the good choices that compete for our time.)
Most often, our good works are known to only a few. They are, however, recorded in heaven. One day, we will stand as a witness of our whole-souled devotion to works of righteousness. No trial or calamity can derail God’s plan of happiness. Indeed, by “divine design,” “joy cometh in the morning.”8 “I came into the world to do the will of [the] Father,”9 Jesus taught. Dear brothers and sisters, so have we.
How are good works necessary for us to partake of the blessings of God’s divine design for us?
The Lord loves to be with us. It is no coincidence that when you are feeling His Spirit and acting on first promptings that you feel Him as He promised: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”
How do you feel knowing that Christ will go before you, and is surrounding you as you follow promptings that might otherwise be scary or even uncomfortable to you? Can following the spirit give us confidence?
When we are righteous, willing, and able, when we are striving to be worthy and qualified, we progress to places we never imagined and become part of Heavenly Father’s “divine design.” Each of us has divinity within us. When we see God working through us and with us, may we be encouraged, even grateful for that guidance. When our Father in Heaven said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,”20 He was talking about all of His children—you in particular.
Consider this sentence alone: Each of us has divinity within us. How does that make you feel about yourself? How does that make you feel about your child, your spouse, your friends and even your enemies? How can we encourage the divinity from within each other to rise up?
Elder Rasband: Each of us is precious and loved by the Lord, who cares, who whispers, and who watches over us in ways unique to each of us. He is infinitely wiser and more powerful than mortal men and women. He knows our challenges, our triumphs, and the righteous desires of our hearts.
Write this on the board, or even have it prepared on handouts for the class:
{insert your name}, you are precious and loved by the Lord, who cares, who whispers, and who watches over you in ways that are unique to you and your life. He is infinitely wiser and more powerful than mortal men and women. He knows your challenges, your triumphs, and the righteous desires of your hearts.
How does this make you feel to know that God knows your challenges, no matter how big or small– right now?
Bear your testimony of how each of us is a divine daughter of Heavenly Parents, and that our Heavenly Parents knows us intimately and individually.
“might be helpful to invite a few members to bring a sewing pattern, a blueprint, or a recipe” nice that blueprint was included. @@
Yep. I thought that was pretty out of touch, too.