Lesson Outline
⏰ OPENING (5 minutes)
Introduction Question
# Ask the class: "When you hear the phrase 'God is testing you' how does that make you feel? Is it comforting or uncomfortable?"
Allow 2-3 brief responses. Acknowledge different perspectives.
Teacher Note: Elder Eyring in his talk talks about being "proved" is not just about testing, but about strengthening.
⏰ SECTION 1: What Does It Mean to Be "Proved"? (10 minutes)
Lets dive into the talk - Reading Assignment #1
Ask someone to read: Elder Eyring's experience with physics and mathematics - Paragraphs 2-6
Internal Note:"I learned that my struggle with physics was actually a gift from the Lord." What an incredible perspective.
Personal Reflection & Engagement:
Step 1: Show of Hands
- Quick show of hands - how many of us have felt overwhelmed by something that seemed impossible, too hard, or unbearable?
- (Pause - let everyone raise hands, creates unity)
- "Keep your hand up if you can think of what helped you keep going."
- (Acknowledge the room - "Good, lots of hands still up")
Step 2: Teacher Shares Brief Story (30 seconds)
- Personal Example: Share story about moving to orem and the bad situation that led to an amazing situation. What kept me going was knowing that God was helpoing me get where I needed to be.
- (This models vulnerability and gives people permission to share)
Step 3: Open Discussion
- "President Eyring heard the prompting 'I am proving you, but I am also with you.' What do you think those two ideas together mean?"
- Allow 2-3 people to respond
Optional Follow-up (if discussion is flowing):
- "Anyone else had a similar experience where you almost gave up but something kept you going?"
Teacher Note: See if anyone has anything to share.
Reading Assignment #2
Ask someone to read: Paragraph 7 that starts with "The word prove has several meanings." Then have the next person read 8 and 9.
Discussion Questions:
- How does Elder Eyring define the word "prove"? What's the difference between testing and proving?
- What does he compare it to? (Answer: Proving steel—heat, weight, and pressure strengthen it)
- According to this definition, does proving weaken us or strengthen us?
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)
Teacher Note: Emphasize that proving doesn't weaken us—it reveals and enhances our true nature, making us stronger and more trustworthy.
⏰ SECTION 2: Book of Mormon Examples - Moroni (12 minutes)
Reading Assignment #3
Ask a class member to read: Paragraph 10 about Moroni beginning with "The prophet Moroni, for instance, was proved and strengthened..." Continued with 11, and end on 12.
Questions for the Class (One at a time):
- What were Moroni's circumstances? What trials did he face?
- Despite these trials, what did Moroni choose to do instead of despairing?
- Who was Moroni writing for? Why is this significant?
Scripture Study - Moroni 10:1-5, 7-8
Everyone turn to Moroni 10:1-5, 7-8. Ask someone to read these verses aloud.
Turn to Your Neighbor (3 minutes)
Instructions: Turn to someone next to you and discuss: 1. How do you think Moroni's trials refined his testimony? 2. What evidence do you see in these verses that his faith became 'more pure'?
After 2-3 minutes, invite 1-2 pairs to share their insights with the whole class.
Teacher Note: These are the verses we're about to read. You can reference them while the class turns to them.
Verse 1: Now I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my brethren, the Lamanites; and I would that they should know that more than four hundred and twenty years have passed away since the sign was given of the coming of Christ.
Verse 2: And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.
Verse 3: Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
Verse 4: And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Verse 5: And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Verse 7: And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
Verse 8: And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.
Teacher Note: Point out that Moroni's testimony "carries the power of one who endured faithfully to the end." We feel that power when we read his words today.
- Moroni truly put all faith in God
- He tells you to ask God if these things are true
- He tells us there are many gifts which backs up President Eyring
Reading Assignment #4
Ask someone to read: Paragraph 18.
Internal Note: It's interesting that it says "Moroni's testimony was refined in loneliness."
⏰ SECTION 3: Book of Mormon Examples - Jacob (8 minutes)
Reading Assignment #5
Ask someone to read: Paragraphs 19-22 about Jacob's experience.
Discussion Questions (one at a time):
- What afflictions did Jacob experience in his childhood?
- What promise did Lehi give to Jacob in paragraph 21? ("God shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain")
- What does it mean for God to "consecrate" our afflictions? How does this relate to being "proved and strengthened"?
Teacher Note: Help the class see that "consecrate" means to make sacred or set apart for holy purposes. God doesn't waste our suffering—He uses it to refine us and prepare us for greater things.
⏰ SECTION 4: The Savior's Example (8 minutes)
Reading Assignment #6
Ask a class member to read: Paragraph 30 that starts with "Because of His glorious..."
Reading Assignment #7
Ask a class member to read: Paragraphs 31 and 32 about the Savior in Gethsemane.
Open Discussion (one at a time):
Let's pause here and discuss what we just read.
- How is the Savior's Atonement part of our own "prove" process?
- Why is the Savior able to succor (help/comfort) us in our trials?
- According to Elder Eyring, what did the Savior take on, even in Gethsemane? (Answer: doubt and uncertainty)
- How does knowing that Christ experienced ALL our challenges help you in your current trials?
"He will make our spiritual power equal to every trial we are called to bear."
⏰ SECTION 5: Application & Testimony (10 minutes)
Reading Assignment #8
Ask someone to read: Paragraphs 33-34.
Turn to Your Neighbor (3 minutes)
Instructions: "Turn to someone next to you and discuss: What is one thing you can do this week to exercise faith in Christ during a difficult moment?"
After discussion, invite 1-2 volunteers to share with the class if they feel comfortable.
Final Testimony from Elder Eyring
Ask a class member to read: Paragraph 35, Elder Eyring's final testimony, beginning with "I testify that God knows you..." through the end of the talk.
"These moments are not evidence that the Lord has abandoned you. Rather, they are evidence that He loves you enough to refine and strengthen you."
Personal Reflection to Close
Share with the class: Elder Eyring says, "Your proving and strengthening may not look like Moroni's or Jacob's or the Prophet Joseph's. But it will come."
As we close, consider these questions to ponder this week:
- What "proving" opportunities is the Lord currently presenting to you?
- How can viewing these trials as evidence of God's love (rather than abandonment) change your perspective?
Teacher Note: Don't pressure anyone to answer these. Let them sit with these questions as something to think about throughout the week.
Key Takeaways from Today:
As we wrap up, remember these truths from Elder Eyring's message:
• When you're going through hard times, that's not God abandoning you—it's Him loving you enough to help you grow
• Being "proved" means being strengthened, like steel under heat and pressure—you come out stronger, not weaker
• Moroni, Jacob, and even the Savior show us that enduring faithfully through trials refines our testimonies
• Jesus Christ knows exactly what you're going through, and He will give you the strength to bear it
⏰ CLOSING (2 minutes)
Teacher's Testimony
Share your own brief testimony about how you've seen the Lord prove and strengthen you or someone you know. Keep it to 1-2 minutes.