This week's lesson is based on Elder Ballard's recent talk at General Conference. I would encourage each of you to follow THIS LINK to watch, listen to, or read the talk.

Elder Ballard gave a powerful analogy that compared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to a boat. He said ""Brothers and sisters, stay in the boat, use your life jackets, and hold on with both hands. Avoid distractions! And if any one of you have fallen out of the boat, we will seek you, find you, minister to you, and pull you safely back onto the Old Ship Zion, where God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are at the helm and will guide us right . . ."

As I read this talk, I pondered the times that I have "jumped out of the boat". I also thought of some of the people in my life who are currently "overboard". I ask that you ponder your own experiences and think about the following questions:

• What do you do on a regular basis to made sure you are "staying in the boat" and "holding on with both hands"? 
• What can you do to help those who have "jumped out of the boat"?
• What blessings come into our lives as we heed the council to "stay in the boat"?

Thank you, again, for all you do to prepare for the lessons. The spirit that you bring with you on Sunday is the true teacher for you and those around you.

Claira Wilson