“The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”
Read the following scripture:
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of GodDoctrine and Covenants 18:10
- What is a soul?
- Why are souls of great worth to God?
- How should knowing the worth of souls affect how we think about and treat others?
- How should knowing the worth of souls affect how we think about and treat ourselves?
Invite class members to silently reread Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, this time continuing on to also read versus 11 and 12. Instruct them to substitute their own name in place of the words “soul,” “souls,” and “all men.” (For children, ask for class members who would like to hear these scriptures with their own names included, and read it aloud for them.)
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-13
- How did personalizing this scripture affect you? What did it make you think and feel?
- How could these verses help someone who questions his or her worth?
- How does God show you that you are of great worth?
Activities for Children
Show children this image from Come Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants 18.
- How are some of these kids like you?
- How are some of these kids different from you?
- Why do we need lots of different people in the world? How does it help us when people who are different from each other work and play together?
Listen to the Primary song, “Every Star Is Different”
Children may enjoy filling out the I am of Great Worth coloring page while you discuss this concept. (Note: traditionally, many teachers use coloring as a way to fill time at the end of the lesson. However, you might consider letting kids color during the lesson, as a way to keep their hands busy.)
God relishes our potential.
Share and discuss these quotes from former General Primary President Rosemary M. Wixom.
Looking out through a window, not just into a mirror, allows us to see ourselves as His. We naturally turn to Him in prayer, and we are eager to read His words and to do His will. We are able to take our validation vertically from Him, not horizontally from the world around us or from those on Facebook or Instagram.
–President Rosemary M Wixom
- What does it mean to look “out through a window” instead of “into a mirror”?
- To take validation “vertically” instead of “horizontally”?
- How can we apply this counsel in our lives?
Because you are His child, He knows who you can become. He knows your fears and your dreams. He relishes your potential. He waits for you to come to Him in prayer. Because you are His child, you not only need Him, but He also needs you. Those sitting around you right now in this meeting need you. The world needs you, and your divine nature allows you to be His trusted disciple to all His children. Once we begin to see the divinity in ourselves, we can see it in others.-President Rosemary M Wixom
- Why would God need us?
- How is “relishing” your potential different than simply “knowing” your potential?
The Lord rejoices when I repent.
As you read this scripture, consider how it relates to the worth of souls being great in the sight of God.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
Doctrine and Covenants18:15-16
- How does this scripture relate to the worth of souls being great on the sight of God?
- How do these verses affect how you feel about repentance?
Differentiating between Worth and Worthiness
As you discuss these quotes, keep a running list on the whiteboard of clarifications between worth and worthiness.
Let me point out the need to differentiate between two critical words: worth and worthiness. They are not the same. Spiritual worth means to value ourselves the way Heavenly Father values us, not as the world values us. Our worth was determined before we ever came to this earth. “God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever.” (D. Todd Christofferson, 2016)
On the other hand, worthiness is achieved through obedience. If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less! We continue to repent and strive to be like Jesus with our worth intact. As President Brigham Young taught: “The least, the most inferior spirit now upon the earth … is worth worlds.” (Brigham Young, 1861) No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. -President Joy D. Jones
Our divine nature has nothing to do with our personal accomplishments, the status we achieve, the number of marathons we run, or our popularity and self-esteem. Our divine nature comes from God. It was established in an existence that preceded our birth and will continue on into eternity. –President Rosemary M Wixom
The worth of a soul is its capacity to become as God. -an LDS Elders Quorum President, as quoted by Thomas S. Monson
After the discussion, your list may look like this:
| Worth | Worthiness |
|---|---|
| the way God and Christ value us not how the world values us constant/does not change great/infinite unaffected by sins or accomplishments equal to our potential to become like God | achieved with obedience temporarily lessened with sin returns with repentance |
- Why do we need to distinguish between worth and worthiness?
- How does failing to differentiate affect the way we think about ourselves and others?
- How does it affect how we treat ourselves and others?
“Build up my church.”
In Doctrine and Covenants 18, the Lord gave Oliver Cowdery instructions to help lay the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ. You might consider how this same counsel applies to you as you build up the church in your area and build your personal faith.
5 Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.
Doctrine and Covenants18:5
- How do you build your life on “the foundation of [the Savior’s] gospel and [His] rock”?
- How can you so your part to help the church build on “the foundation of [the Savior’s] gospel and [His] rock”?
18 Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.
19 And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing.
Doctrine and Covenants 18:18-19
- How do these scriptures elaborate on how we can build up the church and our personal faith?
34 These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;
35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;
36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.
Doctrine and Covenants 18:34-36
- How is reading the scriptures like hearing the Lord’s voice?
- Have you ever felt like the scriptures were speaking to you? What was that experience like?
