Lesson 30: D&C 81-83

 July 19-25
Doctrine and Covenants 81-83
"Where much is given much is required"

Materials: talent strips, bowl, talent show*
Opening Song: "Have I done any good" (Hymns, 223)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: *Have each family member display, perform, or discuss a talent in a family talent show. 

Lesson:

Read D&C 82: 18-19. What are talents? Talents are skills that we have been blessed with. Some talents we are born with; they are part of our personality. Other talents are things we have to practice and develop. Talents can be physical things like playing the piano, drawing, or developing in sports, but talents can also be characteristics like being friendly, being organized, or even being faithful. 

D&C 82:18 talked about how we should be improving our talents. How can we improve our talent? Have a family member tell a brief version of Christ's parable of the talents. Just like Jesus talked about in his parable of the talents. We need to use our talent and be actively trying to better ourselves to improve our talents. Hidden talents are a waste. 

Verse 18 also mentions that we should be gaining other talents. This means we should be learning new things. Heavenly Father values knowledge and he loves it when His children want to learn. Learning entirely new skills is an important part of developing our talents. 

Why is all this important? Why does Heavenly Father care so much about our talents? D&C 82 says that talents should be "cast into the Lord's storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church--Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God." We develop our talents not only to enrich our own lives, but also to bless those around us and build the kingdom of God. 

Heavenly Father is aware of our strengths and talents. Through the direction of the Holy Ghost, he can enable Bishops and other church leadership to call members to positions in the church where they can use and develop their talents. Our talents can bless those around us in our families, wards, and communities. 

Activity: Talent strips. 

Cut out the strips below and put into a bowl. Have each family member take turns picking a talent and answering the following question: How could the this talent be used to build the Kingdom of God in the latter days:

- playing an instrument 

- playing basketball

- drawing

- being positive

- being polite

- being a good listener

- telling stories

Story: Elisha always loved to dance. She had "twinkle toes" ever since she was a tiny girl. Every year she worked on her talent by going to dance classes. As Elisha got older, she was able to experience all different kinds of dance. She tried ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, broadway, cheerleading, waltz, tango, mambo, swing, cha-cha, and so many other kinds-- and she loved them all. She felt so free as she moved across the dance floor and she loved the happy feeling she got when she was dancing to fun music. As she grew up, Elisha made a lot of different dance teams and worked with a lot of interesting people. She was proud of herself when she was chosen for the Touring Team for Brigham Young University's Ballroom Dance Company. She could now dance for people all across the world! Before her first tour, her team held a special prayer where they asked Heavenly Father to bless all the spectators as they danced. They wanted their audience to like their performance and to want to know more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through her college years, Elisha performed in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Scotland, England, and across the United States. Every time Elisha went on tour she felt honored because she knew she wasn't just dancing, she was bearing her testimony through her example and her talent. 

Elisha in Blackpool, England; used with permission.

(If you have children or youth this would be a good opportunity to pull out the goal books and review with them how they are doing on their goals.)

Bear your testimony about how developing your talents can help others come unto Christ.

Closing Song: "I want to be a missionary now" (Children's Songbook, 168)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars recipe here