Young Women Manual 3
"Lesson 2: Coming to Know the Savior," Young Women Manual 3, 6
Each young woman will strive to make Jesus Christ her friend.
1. Picture 2, Jesus at the Door (62170), located at the back of the manual.
2. Display the picture at the front of the classroom.
3. Ask a young woman to express her feelings about the Savior and her relationship with him.
4. Assign young women to present any stories, scriptures, or quotations you wish.
Tell the following story:
A man died and was resurrected and waiting in a room to be interviewed. Another man was ahead of him. The door opened, the man entered, and the door closed. The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interviewer began: "I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ."
"Well, He was born of Mary in Bethlehem; he lived thirty-three years, spending the last three organizing his church, choosing his Apostles, and giving the gospel to direct our lives."
The interviewer stopped him and said: "Yes, yes, that's all true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ."
"Well, he suffered and died so that we could have eternal life. Three days later he was resurrected so that we might return to Heavenly Father."
"Yes, yes, that is true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ." The man, a little perplexed, again began: "Well, he restored the gospel in its fulness to the earth through Joseph Smith, reorganized his church, gave us temples so we could do work to save our dead. He gave us personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation."
The interviewer again stopped him and said, "All of what you have said to me is true." The man was then invited to leave the room. After he left the door opened and the second man entered. As he approached the interviewer he fell upon his knees and cried, "My Lord, my God."
Ask each young woman to consider her own situation and answer the following question in her mind. Give the class a minute of silence in which to contemplate their answers.
* Are you presently well enough acquainted with the Savior that you would recognize him if you were to walk into his presence?
Let the class discuss their feelings. Be sure they understand that it is not necessary to see the Savior in order to come to know him. Even though he has promised to show himself to the righteous in his own way and time (see D&C 93:1), he also told Thomas, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
Show the picture of Jesus at the door.
* What is unusual about this picture? (There is no handle on the outside of the door.)
* If Christ is to come in, what must happen? (We must each open the door.)
Write on the chalkboard 3 Nephi 9:14. Ask each young woman to locate the scripture. Read and discuss it with the class.
Help the class see that Christ has personally invited each of us to come to him. But we must make the decision to do so.
Read Elder Melvin J. Ballard's experience in which he discovered the joy available to those who truly come unto Christ.
"I recall an experience which I had two years ago bearing witness to my soul of the reality of His death, of His crucifixion, and His resurrection, that I shall never forget. I bear it to you tonight, to you, young boys and girls; not with a spirit to glory over it, but with a grateful heart and with thanksgiving in my soul. I know that He lives, and I know that through Him men must find their salvation, and that we cannot ignore this blessed offering that He has given to us as the means of our spiritual growth to prepare us to come to Him and be justified.
"Away on the Fort Peck Reservation where I was doing missionary work ... , I found myself one evening in the dreams of the night in that sacred building, the temple. After a season of prayer and rejoicing I was informed that I should have the privilege of entering into one of those rooms to meet a glorious Personage, and, as I entered the door, I saw, seated on a raised platform, the most glorious Being my eyes have ever beheld or that I ever conceived existed in all the eternal worlds. As I approached to be introduced, he arose and stepped towards me with extended arms, and he smiled as he softly spoke my name. If I shall live to be a million years old, I shall never forget that smile. He took me into his arms and kissed me, pressed me to his bosom, and blessed me, until the marrow of my bones seemed to melt! When he had finished, I fell at his feet, and, as I bathed them with my tears and kisses, I saw the prints of the nails in the feet of the Redeemer of the world. The feeling that I had in the presence of Him who hath all things in His hands, to have His love, His affection, and His blessing was such that if I ever can receive that of which I had but a foretaste, I would give all that I am, all that I ever hope to be to feel what I then felt!" (Melvin J. Ballard: Crusader for Righteousness [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], pp. 138-39).
Have a young woman read the following statement:
"He wants us to come to him as we are. We do not have to be perfect to go to him. While Jesus was on the earth he associated with publicans and sinners and his disciples asked him why he associated with them, to which question Jesus gave a beautiful and simple answer: 'They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.' (Mark 2:17.) The Lord does not ask us to heal ourselves of our imperfections before we approach him, but to come to him with those imperfections and he will assist us in overcoming them. The Lord loves us and wants us to overcome our sins and he will help us as we exercise our free agency. We must initiate the process of repentance and strive with all of our might to overcome our weaknesses" (Gospel Doctrine [A Course of Study for the Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums, 1970-71], p. 57).
Emphasize that each of us can know the Savior of the world. He does not require that we be perfect, but he does require that we put forth effort.
Put the young women's answers on the chalkboard under the heading "How can I draw closer to my Savior?" (See the chalkboard illustration.)
Explain that Jesus stated another requirement in John 15:14. Read the scripture; then add the requirement to the chalkboard.
To help the class understand what it means to do "whatsoever I command you," read the following quotation:
"You young adults, you are the best of any generation. Maintain your purity. Be the standard bearers in the great move to bring all men unto the Master. Prepare your minds by filling them with the eternal truths contained in the holy scriptures. Be obedient to parents and to God. Listen to and sing the music of heaven. Reject the vulgar and base sounds and beats of Satan's music. He would like to gain your favor with his sensual and carnal rhythms and thereby lead you down to hell. Resist temptation by building a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. No other relationship will give you greater joy and happiness" (William R. Bradford, in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, p. 146; or Ensign, May 1976, p. 98).
Discuss some of Elder Bradford's recommendations. Help the young women see that these practical suggestions will help them live the commandments. By obeying the commandments and following the counsel of living prophets, they will draw closer to the Savior.
Write on the chalkboard Doctrine and Covenants 88:62-63. Have the young women locate the scripture.
* What else has the Savior asked us to do to become his friends?
* How do we "draw near," "seek," and "ask"? Write these words on the chalkboard.
Emphasize that as the young women strive to do those things listed on the chalkboard, they will draw closer to their Savior. The lessons this year will help them better understand Jesus Christ and become his friend.
How can I draw closer to my Savior?
1. Come to him for help in overcoming my imperfections.
2. Strive to repent and overcome my weaknesses.
3. Do what Christ commands by living all the commandments.
4. Draw near, seek, ask.
Conclude the lesson by reading the following two quotations:
"Be a companion with Christ, and he will draw near unto you and be your best friend. There is no better friend than Christ" (William R. Bradford, in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, p. 146; or Ensign, May 1976, p. 98).
"I bear you my witness that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our friend. In his loving processes of command, rebuke, greeting, revelation, encouragement, and long-suffering, he daily proves this. Certainly he is willing to take us the way we are, but he wants to leave us improved in his word and his paths" (Marvin J. Ashton, in Conference Report, Oct. 1972, p. 34; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 43).
Have the assigned young woman express her feelings about the Savior. Allow other class members to do the same.
Bear testimony of your own love for the Savior. Encourage each young woman to try harder to draw closer to her Redeemer during the coming year. The lessons for this year will give each young woman added encouragement. The young women should bring their scriptures to class and study the words of the Savior through past and present prophets. Each young woman who studies the scriptures, repents of any sins and shortcomings, and lives the commandments will find her relationship with Jesus Christ steadily growing stronger.
^ Back to top« Previous Chapter: Lesson 1: God the Father
Next Chapter: Lesson 3: Living the Gospel Daily »
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