THE LESSON
President Dallen H. Oaks opening message was profound by stating the current situation in which we live in a time of anger and hatred. He was referring to the destructing protest and campaigns that were happening in the United States which is also happening in other countries especially in my country, the Philippines. We also have this.
We, as followers of Christ, reminded us that we must forgo the anger and hatred with which political choices are debated or denounced in many settings.
He then shared the Savior's teachings about anger and hatred from the scriptures and a very nice quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley.
A question was asked and answered;
How do we keep these divine commandments in a world where we are also subject to the laws of man?
Followed by another profound question;
How do we do this - especially HOW DO WE LEARN TO LOVE OUR ADVERSARIES AND OUR ENEMIES?
And we learn 5 answers from President Dallin H. Oaks. These are:
1. Not to contend with anger.
2. When we are trying to understand and relate to people of a different culture, we should try getting to know them.
3. To seek to understand the power of love.
4. To render unto Caeser by keeping the laws of our various countries.
5. Articles of faith 1:12
He expounded on each answer and gave examples.
He closed this talk with his testimony that the Lord has taught him that it is possible to obey and seek to improve our nation's laws and also to love our adversaries and our enemies.
THE STUDY GUIDE
After having our personal study using this study guide, I think you can better structure how to teach this lesson during class.
I would start by asking, how would I love my enemies? I feel this is a profound question. I could either wait for answers or I'll ask that questions first and tell my student that later we will found out from the talk what are the ways we can love our enemies.
I will then refer to the current situation of protests and campaigns in the United States. Afterward, I will ask my students about the same situation we have in the Philippines. We may not have so many issues about racism in the Philippines however we can see so many instances of attacking and denouncing political leaders. We see anger and hatred.
During my study, I'd like to feast upon the word of God. I'll study all the scriptures that were shared from the talk. But if I'm going to teach this talk, I will choose 2 scripture which is Matthew 5:43-44 and quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley. I won't take so much time here because the answer to the question, how to love our enemies is the most important part of this talk that needs to be discussed. I think so.
We are all learning together. There might be some members during the class that will express their opinions about which political leader they support, as a teacher, it is always better not to choose which side. It is wise to focus on what the lesson teaches us, which is to forgo anger and hatred.
We'll discuss the question, HOW DO WE KEEP THESE DIVINE COMMANDMENTS IN A WORLD WHERE WE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF MAN?
Next, the important question to be discussed is, HOW DO WE LEARN TO LOVE OUR ADVERSARIES AND OUR ENEMIES?
Take a careful study on how to teach these answers because this is the important and longest part of the talk.
I would end up, by sharing what I've learned from this talk and my testimony.
WHAT I LEARNED
I've learned from this talk that it is not only to a person that I'm angry with. I was able to recognize that sometimes I hate a situation or adversaries. It may be a situation of my personal life, the situation of my family, the situation of a friend, or the state of the nation.
The reality is, there are so many things that we hate about. We tend to say cruel, unkind, and even malicious words. I would consider this talk of President Oaks not only for racism and politics. This applies to all aspects of our life.
This has been one of the commandments of the Lord that I always try to practice every day. If I hate someone or a situation, it is SO HARD to control my heart not to get angry. Most of the time, I cry to release the anger and it helps to make me feel better. I also write down those negative feelings. And while crying or writing, I try to understand the other person or the situation.
It is so hard in the practice of disagreeing with someone without hating or getting angry. However, over time we can learn how to love those we hate. I've learned that we can actually disagree with the process, system, or law peacefully without attacking or demeaning the person we disagree with. Also, we can do this without our heart-pounding with anger and hate.
With all the hate that surrounds us, love is all that we need.
I'm excited to share with you today this study guide. If you would like a copy of this, you can download it by clicking the link below.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope to hear your thoughts about this talk! Please comment below. And please share this with your Sunday school teacher. Thank you!
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Love Your Enemies by President Dallin H. Oaks
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