Teaching Help for Elder Stevenson’s Talk “Days Never to Be Forgotten”
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“Days Never to Be Forgotten” by Elder Gary E. Stevenson is certainly a talk we never want to forget. What an exciting time to be alive and witness so many miracles and the progression of God’s work on earth. Want to share this message with your church class or family? Read on for discussion questions and teaching ideas.
Pssttt... we highly recommend getting a 10 Year Journal- especially after reading this talk! These journals are awesome. I began one the last part of high school and finished it after my 4th child. It was certainly a decade never to forget. Now I give these to my kids. Simply write a few lines each day. It's so neat to read the previous years entries as you go and a great motivation to keep using it.
Discussion Questions
Elder Stevenson mentioned the decade of 1820-1830. What events stand out to you? How have these early events impacted your life?
What are some things you and I can do to help make these next ten years unforgettable? What unique opportunities might this next decade bring?
We will have many opportunities during this next decade to share glad tidings. There is the Olympics in Salt Lake in 2034, the Church’s bicentennial, temples being built, and more. How have you recently been able to share about the gospel of Jesus Christ? What are some things we can do to be prepared to share each day? How can we be better about receiving the gift that these opportunities are and open our mouths? What are some ways we can as a ward or branch be better at loving, sharing, and inviting others to come and see?
How can we increase our covenant confidence? Why is covenant confidence important to you?
What are some ways we can support one another in our temple efforts? This is a good opportunity to not just answer the question but actually make lists to distribute and use. Pass a sign up in Primary and Young Women’s too (or Young Men’s).
Miraculous events continue today. What are some that have stood out to you and why?
What are some things we can do to help in temple building around the world as well as in our own neck of the woods?
How can our joyful discipleship serve as a natural missionary tool? What are some other natural ways we can share the gospel of Jesus Christ?
How does reflecting on past and anticipated divine events strengthen our testimony of God’s involvement in our lives and in His Church?
Keep scrolling for more ideas!
Teaching Ideas
Look back, envision the future activity: Invite everyone to close their eyes for a few minutes if they can. What was life like 10 years ago for you? What did it feel like? What were your top concerns? What was your main focus? What was drastically different then compared to right now? Then invite your class to write down a few things they remember as well as what they are grateful for now, 10 years later. It can include trials they went through then as well as developments throughout the world. Just think about how different cell phones were back then! Are you happy about the trajectory of your life over the last ten years? What would you do different now? Now close your eyes again. Where do you hope to be in 10 years from now? Are you on the right path now? What do you hope life looks like? What do you hope to have accomplished by then? Again, give them a couple of minutes to jot down some thoughts and goals. We are each on earth right now for a reason. Our patriarchal blessings can confirm this for us and help us see the opportunities we need to seize in our lives. Encourage your class to go home and study their patriarchal blessing and continue to make goals for their next 10 years.
You can compare some interesting Church facts from 10 years ago compared to today as well (see the current stats):
2,665 stakes
338 missions
12,275,822 total membership
51,067 full-time missionaries
119 temples in operation
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Elder David B. Haight, Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Sister Ruby Olson Haight (widow of Elder Haight), Sister Dantzel White Nelson (Elder Russell M. Nelson’s wife) died.
Interesting facts about the Church for 2023 (2024 will be available in April).
3,565 stakes
414 missions
17,255,394 members
67,871 full-time missionaries
27,801 senior service missionaries
3,884 young service missionaries
186 temples in operation with 55 under construction and 94 announced.
President Russell M. Nelson has announced 185 temples himself as of October 2024 for a total of 367 total temples in operation, construction, or announced. It’s also worth noting that the 100th operating temple was dedicated in 2000 (Boston, Massachusetts). The 200th operating temple will be dedicated on November 10, 2024 (Deseret Peak Utah). There were 19 operating temples when I was born. You can check how many there were for your birth year using this handy list.
With the building of more temples and more people coming to learn of our church, we need to be even more intentional about the reputation we leave behind us. What are some ways we can step in compassionately in our communities and uplift one another? Make a list of practical ideas and check JustServe.org together.
Tech savvy? Invite some youth and young adults to share how they feel about being part of the "rising generation" preparing to build up Zion in these challenging times. Record their responses and edit into a short video. Then show it your class and ask them, “What advice or personal experiences can you share about staying strong in faith despite challenges? What advice would you give these youth?” With permission, record their responses in class (would need to get approval from the Bishop probably or at least the RS/EQ presidents) or invite some to stay after church and quickly record some to then send back to the youth and young adults.
Teaching Kids?
Help your kids better understand this message with some fun activities in our archives then share some of your favorite parts of Elder Stevenson’s talk.
For fun activities that talk about the events of the early days of the church, check out our lesson helps for primary based on the Doctrine and Covenants.
Make a time capsule with your family and open it in 10 years. Remember to put a reminder on your phone with where you put it too!
Pin the Tag on the Missionary Also see an article about how you can help your children share the gospel.
Temples and Eternal Families (coloring page and chain)
