Liken the events of the Apostasy to Our Lives

Okay, so this post is over a week old...I apologize. We went on our "Baby Moon" the weekend of Easter which is why I posted that lesson early. Then I taught this lesson the last weekend in April which was also Fast Sunday because of the Ft. Lauderdale Temple Dedication that happened this past Sunday. I wanted to go ahead and get this lesson on here so that I can refer to it next year...better late than never, right?! I also want to note that while I had an entire lesson planned, I didn't get around to everything. I was truly humbled to be able to teach by the Spirit. I have a testimony of this gospel, I know it's true. I'm an educator and can get in front of a class and teach, but for some reason have trouble getting in front of a congregation and bearing my testimony. That Sunday, I spent the entire lesson discussing the puzzles of our lives and bearing my testimony about each piece. I could feel the Spirit so strong and knew that I was really touching the youth in my class. I'm thankful for that experience and hope that I can continue to receive similar revelation as I continue being their teacher.

How can I liken the events of the Apostasy and the Restoration to my life?

We should “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). To liken the scriptures means to see how scriptural events and circumstances are like the events and circumstances in our lives. Even though the events of the Apostasy and the Restoration occurred long ago, we can find ways to learn from these events and relate them to us today.

Object Lesson Idea: adapted from https://www.theredheadedhostess.com/articles/how-to-explain-the-apostasy-and-restoration-to-others-by-anthony-sweat/

Puzzle (2 mins to put together - then discuss)

Application: How is this puzzle similar to what happened during the apostasy?  Each piece of the puzzle can represent one of the major areas of the true church: priesthood ordinances, revelation, commandments, prophets and apostles, and Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. What happened to each of these pieces during the great apostasy?  How did we receive them back?  Look at your puzzles, are any two the same? (Hopefully there will be different shapes or arrangements between the three of them.)  Why were so many different churches formed during the apostasy?  Did they have the fullness of the gospel?  What was needed in order for you to put together the puzzle correctly?  (Revelation)  What was needed for the gospel to be restored?  Why was it important to have the restoration?

On the board, write the headings “Great Apostasy” and “Personal Apostasy.” Help them liken the Great Apostasy to themselves by discussing how the things on their list could lead to personal apostasy. For instance, like the people who killed the apostles after the death of Christ, a person today who rejects or criticizes the living apostles is in danger of personal apostasy. What can the youth do to guard against personal apostasy?

The Great Apostasy	Personal Apostasy
The apostles were killed after the death of Christ.	Rejecting or criticizing the living apostles.
Men corrupted the principles of the gospel.	Misunderstanding the scriptures.
Unauthorized changes in Church organization.	Not supporting the leaders in your ward or stake.
Unauthorized changes in Priesthood ordinances.	Not living worthy of the priesthood, not showing proper respect toward the priesthood.
Widespread wickedness.	Disobeying the commandments.

Video: What the Restoration Means to Me (5 mins)

http://bcove.me/pjf4r0g5

Journal: How can you “liken” the events of the apostasy to your own life?

Post-it Statements: Write an “I know…” or “I question…” statement about today’s lesson.