Note: The Church handbook states that “the Savior taught His Father’s doctrine. Following the Savior’s example, teachers focus on the essential, saving truths of the gospel. They teach using the scriptures, the teachings of latter-day prophets, and approved curriculum materials. Teachers lead inspired discussions and ensure that their teaching is edifying and doctrinally sound.” (link) In accordance with this guidance, the following Sunday Lesson Study Guides draw from the scriptures, General Conference talks, and the words of latter-day prophets. 

All of the Sunday lesson study guides for the lessons are on one page, below, as well as at the end of each lesson.

Teachers: please take a minute to also read the Notes for Teachers section at the bottom of this document.

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Sunday Lesson Study Guide —
Lesson 1: Come Unto Me

Objective:

“To be Christlike, a person loves mercy… These individuals treat everyone with love and understanding, regardless of characteristics such as race, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and tribal, clan, or national differences. These are superseded by Christlike love.”
– Elder Renlund, October 2020

Core materials: 

John 13:34-35 — “love one another; as I have loved you”
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“Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God” — By Elder Dale G. Renlund, October 2020
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“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives” — President Russel M. Nelson, April 2017

Ideas for Discussion:

1. **As you read the scriptures in this lesson contemplate how Christ and his teachings can be used as we discuss racism with those around us? How can discussions about race be an opportunity to share our testimony of Christ?
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2. Elder Renlund invites us to “treat everyone with love and understanding, regardless of characteristics such as race, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and tribal, clan, or national differences.” How could President Nelson’s invitation to lead in rooting out racism help us learn to be more loving amidst all of these differences? 
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3. How can we draw on “godly power” as we address difficult topics and turbulent times? Why is it important that we draw on this power today?

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Sunday Lesson Study Guide —
Lesson 2: Humility and Personal Revelation

Objective:

“Lord, is it I?”
– Matthew 26:22

Core materials: 

Matthew 26:22 — “And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?”

D&C 109:7 — “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;”
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“Hear Him” — President Russel M. Nelson, April 2020
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Race and the Priesthood — Gospel Topics Essay from the Church

Ideas for Discussion:

1. As we are learning about racism and prejudice, how can we use the scriptures, revelation and the words of the prophets to deepen our understanding? Why should we turn to these sources to inform our understanding of these issues? (See D&C 109:7)
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2. **Clearly and directly discuss the church’s official teachings on race as published in the Gospel Topics Essay–1. that the Church disavows the theories brought forth in the past that black skin is a sign of disfavor or curse. 2.  Mixed-race marriages are not a sin and 3. Black individuals or people of any other race or ethnicity are not inferior in any way to anyone else. 4. The church unequivocally condemns all racism, past and present. 
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3. What qualities of humility (Ezra T. Benson) and meekness (David A. Bednar, Neal A. Maxwell) could I work on and improve? How will these qualities help me as I learn about racism and prejudice, discuss racism with family and friends and as I strive to make a difference in my community?

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Sunday Lesson Study Guide —
Lesson 3: Love

Objective:

“Mourn with those that mourn”
– Mosiah 18:9

Core materials: 

Mosiah 18:9 — “Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life”

2 Nephi 26:33 — “For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.”
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By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God — Sharon Eubank, October 2020
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A Perfect Brightness of Hope — Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2020

Ideas for Discussion:

1. Make a list of all of the sacrifices you have had to make during this Covid-19 time. Ponder what similar sacrifices you would be willing to make to help relieve the other forms of suffering that Jeffrey R. Holland mentions: poverty, safe schools, and relief from racial, ethnic, and religious prejudice.
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2. **The doctrine of the church is clear that “all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33) and that we are to “love one another” without exception. Where do I fall short of this ideal and where can I see instances in my ward, work, community, society, or government where this Christlike ideal is not met? What can we do as a ward or family, social circle, and community to celebrate diversity and foster an atmosphere of inclusion?

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Sunday Lesson Study Guide —
Lesson 4: Repent

Objective:

“The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!”
– President Nelson

Core materials: 

3 Nephi 11:37-41 — “And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. / And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. / Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. / And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. / Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.”

June 2020 Facebook Post from Russell M. Nelson —
“We join with many throughout this nation and around the world who are deeply saddened at recent evidences of racism and a blatant disregard for human life. We abhor the reality that some would deny others respect and the most basic of freedoms because of the color of his or her skin.

We are also saddened when these assaults on human dignity lead to escalating violence and unrest.
The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!

During the Savior’s earthly mission, He constantly ministered to those who were excluded, marginalized, judged, overlooked, abused, and discounted. As His followers, can we do anything less? The answer is no! We believe in freedom, kindness, and fairness for all of God’s children!

Let us be clear. We are brothers and sisters, each of us the child of a loving Father in Heaven. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, invites all to come unto Him—“black and white, bond and free, male and female,” (2 Nephi 26:33). It behooves each of us to do whatever we can in our spheres of influence to preserve the dignity and respect every son and daughter of God deserves.

Any nation can only be as great as its people. That requires citizens to cultivate a moral compass that helps them distinguish between right and wrong.

Illegal acts such as looting, defacing, or destroying public or private property cannot be tolerated. Never has one wrong been corrected by a second wrong. Evil has never been resolved by more evil.

We need to foster our faith in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

We need to foster a fundamental respect for the human dignity of every human soul, regardless of their color, creed, or cause.

And we need to work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than creating walls of segregation.
I plead with us to work together for peace, for mutual respect, and for an outpouring of love for all of God’s children.”
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“Eyes to See” — Michelle Craig, October 2020
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“Love Your Enemies” — Dallin H. Oaks, October 2020

Ideas for Discussion:

1. “As we repent, our view of ourselves and the world changes.” (Preach my Gospel) Share how your studies in rooting out racism have helped you form a fresh view of yourself or the world.
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2. President Oaks quoted from Theresa Dear’s essay on putting an end to racism:  “racism thrives on hatred, oppression, collusion, passivity, indifference and silence.” Think of each of these words and discuss how we can repent of contributing to racism in any of these ways. 
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3. Ponder areas in which you can repent in regards to racism. What response have you received when praying “Lord, is it I?” (Matt 26:22) and “What am I doing that I should stop doing?” and “What am I not doing that I should start doing?” (“Eyes to See”).
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4. How can we “work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding”?

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Sunday Lesson Study Guide —
Lesson 5: Lead Out and Promote

Objective:

“Today I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children.”
– President Nelson

Core materials: 

Mosiah 27:3-4 — “And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men; that they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.”
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“Let God Prevail” — President Russel M. Nelson, October 2020
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“Locking Arms for Racial Harmony in America” — Essay by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Ideas for Discussion:

1. **How can we “lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice.” and “promote respect for all of God’s children.” as our prophet has asked us to do as members of the church?
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2. Share examples of how you have followed President’s Nelson’s example in grieving for and with “our black brothers and sisters enduring the pains of racism and prejudice”. What have you learned from listening to their stories and experiences? 
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3. Ponder this phrase: “We likewise call on government, business, and educational leaders at every level to review processes, laws, and organizational attitudes regarding racism and root them out once and for all.” How can we do this as individuals and as a ward family?
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4. How can we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints be a more inclusive people?
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5. How can we “elevate [our] conversations above divisive and polarizing rhetoric”?