Living Prophets Lesson 14: Howard W. Hunter

Christ-centered Life

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Get the entire FHE lesson series on "Living Prophets."

Purpose: To teach family members the importance of focusing our lives on the example and teachings of Jesus Christ

Gospel Principles: Jesus Christ—example, faith, commitment

Scripture: 2 Ne. 25:26

Music: “I Believe in Christ” (Hymns, no. 134), “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” (CS, 57)

Lesson:

President Howard W. Hunter loved the Savior and often taught the Saints to follow the Lord’s teachings and example in their lives. As a stake president, he was concerned about all of those in his care and encouraged the stake and ward leaders to seek out those who needed particular reassurance and support. President Hunter also started a class to help struggling members. The class emphasized improving personal relationships with God and Jesus Christ. Many of the students who attended the class became active members of the Church and went to the temple.

While serving as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve, President Hunter taught Brigham Young University students to focus their lives on the Savior, stating, “Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.” 

After being sustained as prophet, President Hunter invited “all members of the Church to live with ever more attention to the life and example of the Lord Jesus Christ, especially the love and hope and compassion He displayed.”

Activities:

1. Print a copy of “Christ-Centered Maze.” Ask family members how they can make Christ the center of their life, even when they feel lost or alone.

2. Go to www.JesusChrist.lds.org to watch the video Finding Faith in Christ (under the multimedia section; this video is also available in most meetinghouse libraries). Discuss how being focused on the Savior can help us live more peaceful, fulfilling lives in the last days.

3. Review the following four specific steps for being Christ-like in our relationships with others. Have family members write and perform a mini skit that exemplifies using these steps.

—Seek the spirit of Christ through scripture study, prayer, and service.

—Remember that everyone is a child of God; treat each one accordingly.

—Live the “Golden Rule” by being kind and considerate of others.

—Be willing to change and apologize if you make a mistake.

Additional Resources:

1. Read the Ensign article “The Christ-Centered Life,” written by Neal A. Maxwell (August 1981), to learn twelve tactics to utilize in focusing more on the Savior.

2. If giving this lesson at Easter or Christmas, suggestions for making the holiday more Christ-centered can be found on Sugardoodle.net.

3. The Gospel Art Kit has numerous pictures of the Savior that can be used for this lesson or to display in the home. The pictures can be printed for free online (search Gospel Art Kit on www.lds.org).

Get the entire FHE lesson series on "Living Prophets."

All lessons are excerpted fromthe new book Follow the Prophets: 52 FHE Lessons from Latter-day Prophets.

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