“He Was Lost, and Is Found – Quotes and Scriptures

Lesson 18: “He Was Lost, and Is Found – Quotes and Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 18:15

Reading 1 – Luke 15:8-10

Reading 2 – Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-13

Reading 3 - President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Some of our own … cry out in pain and suffering and loneliness and fear. Ours is a great and solemn duty to reach out and help them, to lift them, to feed them if they are hungry, to nurture their spirits if they thirst for truth and righteousness. …

“… There are those who were once warm in the faith, but whose faith has grown cold. Many of them wish to come back but do not know quite how to do it. They need friendly hands reaching out to them. With a little effort, many of them can be brought back to feast again at the table of the Lord.

“My brethren and sisters, I would hope, I would pray that each of us … would resolve to seek those who need help, who are in desperate and difficult circumstances, and lift them in the spirit of love into the embrace of the Church, where strong hands and loving hearts will warm them, comfort them, sustain them, and put them on the way of happy and productive lives” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 118; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 86).

Reading 4 – Elder Bruce D. Porter has said: “The parable of the prodigal son is a parable of us all. It reminds us that we are, in some measure, prodigal sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven. For, as the Apostle Paul wrote, ‘all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23).” (Redeemer of Israel, Bruce D. Porter, Ensign, November, 1995)

Reading 5 – Luke 15:11-16

Elder Bruce D. Porter has said: “Like the errant son of the Savior’s parable, we have come to ‘a far country’ (Luke 15:13) separated from our premortal home. Like the prodigal, we share in a divine inheritance, but by our sins we squander a portion thereof and experience a ‘mighty famine’ of spirit (Luke 15:14). Like him, we learn through painful experience that worldly pleasures and pursuits are of no more worth than the husks of corn that swine eat. We yearn to be reconciled with our Father and return to his home.” (Redeemer of Israel, Bruce D. Porter, Ensign, November, 1995)

Reading 6 – Luke 15:17-19

Reading 7 - Elder Neal A. Maxwell has written: "There are many prodigals who lack the meekness and the intellectual clarity to do what the prodigal son did. Saying, in effect, 'Living like this is ridiculous!,' the prodigal son 'came to himself.' He realized how much better off he would be to return to his father. He did not ponder, 'What will they say? Will anyone come out to meet me?' Instead, he arose and went home. Being sufficiently meek to feel caused him to think, and humbleness of mind saved his soul." (Meek and Lowly, p48)

2 Nephi 2:8

Reading 8 – Luke 15:20-24

Reading 8 – Luke 15:20-24

Luke 15:25-32

Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

Reading 9 - President Gordon B. Hinckley said of The Prodigal Son: “I ask you to read that story. Every parent ought to read it again and again. It is large enough to encompass every household, and enough larger than that to encompass all mankind, for are we not all prodigal sons and daughters who need to repent and partake of the forgiving mercy of our Heavenly Father and then follow His example?” (“Of You It Is Required to Forgive,” Ensign, June 1991, 5).