"I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder" (Isaiah 29:14)

Because of General Conference, there are only three (3) Sundays in 2016 to teach some of the most important topics in the Church!

Apostasy and Restoration, like most gospel subjects, can be taught both doctrinally and historically. Nevertheless, these topics can and should be very personal to each youth.

Perhaps more than any other theme, this month provides the opportunity to teach about how to know the difference between truth and falsehood. It's a chance to compare gospel truths against what the world says. It's important that youth have the tools to discern and test what they learn about. Having these tools and applying them is critical for youth -- who probably spend 10x more time online and at school than they do learning about the gospel in Church and at home! Therefore, let's prepare them and give them things they can use at school, with friends, online, etc.

This brings up another related topic: Doubts. This is also a great month to discuss how coming to know the truth is a process, punctuated by spiritual experiences and hard work. Doubts are OK, and it's good to address them openly and with acceptance. It's how testimonies start to grow. I'll have a separate post just on this topic, since the 12-18 age is when many let their doubts grow, unopposed by correct doctrine and without the tools to test truth and resolve doubts. Left unchecked, doubts develop into disbelief, often with negative and lasting consequences.

April: The Apostasy and the Restoration

“I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph”
(D&C 35:17).

The events of the Apostasy and the Restoration hold important lessons that the youth can apply to their efforts to learn and teach the gospel. Encourage the youth to ask questions about what they are learning, to seek to learn more, and to teach others what they discover.