In the Book of Mormon, we read about the missions Alma and the Sons of Mosiah served. Sometimes, they were thrown into prison because the people hated them and sometimes they were surrounded by eager learners who wanted to hear things of the gospel. It occurs to me that our Sunday School and Relief Society/Priesthood classes are similar in nature.

While I served as a Gospel Doctrine teacher, there was a “very active” man who came week after week taking it upon himself to be the “devil’s advocate.” These two descriptions, “very active” and “devil’s advocate,” do not belong together. I wondered many times what his purpose was in destroying the spirit I was trying to bring into the lesson.

I’ve also sat in Relief Society classes where everyone seems to basically agree on the principles taught, but they get bogged down in managing the cares of the world. For example, everyone might agree that marriage and families are ordained of God, but the discussion will resort to complaining about motherhood.

Sometimes, I just wonder if the Spirit is shaking His head at us, thinking, “Why are you wasting my time and yours?”

When Alma preached in places like Zarahemla or Ammonihah (see Alma 5 and 9), he had to teach the very basics of the gospel, repeating them over and over again, hoping the people would finally listen. He was preaching, for the most part, to people who knew better but were just not that committed. Zeezrom, if you’ll recall, really gave Alma a run for his money. Poor Alma probably thought his efforts were a complete waste of time; that is until he reached Sidon, where he found a repentant Zeezrom (see Alma 15).

On the other hand, preaching to the people in Gideon (see Alma 7) must have given Alma great joy. This was a people ready to hear the word of God. Alma didn’t have to stick with the basics, he knew these people were ready and waiting for a more spiritual outpouring.

Elder L. Tom Perry spoke to us, during the opening session of the April 1979 conference, as if we were the citizens of Gideon. He reminded us that civilizations who “establish a value standard, a central belief, a uniting together, have experienced the greatest progress.” In other words, when everyone is unified in their belief, they can look ahead to greater experiences with the spirit.

If your Relief Society agrees with the foundation that marriage and family are ordained of God, then the discussion would be better served being guided by a spiritual discussion of power and fortified strength to carry out our duties as mothers in Zion.

He also said, “Conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ brings a requirement to live according to a higher law. From there on we must conduct ourselves as citizens of His kingdom.”

If we truly have testimonies of Jesus Christ, then there is no reason to ever play devil’s advocate. We sit in classes together to build one another up, to promote the spirit, and to do our part to ensure each individual is strengthened to carry on the battle.

All God asks of us is to choose His Son, Jesus Christ, “to demonstrate by our lives that we, indeed, keep God’s commandments,” as Elder Perry testifies.

I recognize there are people with various levels of faith all around us. So, my point is that we build on that faith, as opposed to tearing it down or even wallowing in the imperfections of our lives. We would be better served to seek mightily the Spirit of God.

In this same session, Pres. Kimball said something I think we all are familiar with. He said, “Gospel principles are not on trial … we are.”

Anytime we are sitting in church, may we be the one to uplift the class, invite the spirit to edify, and inspire others onward. Let us wear our membership well and be eager to listen and learn marvelous things from the Spirit of the Lord.