Lessons · Thu Sep 17, 2026 · Scripture

Isaiah 11–12 — "An Ensign for the Nations"

Isaiah 1–12

The principle

The Lord's restored Church is an ensign to gather people to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What the lesson is for

Help students see the Restoration as the ensign Isaiah saw, and leave wanting to invite one real person rather than feeling guilty about everyone.

Personal study, first ten minutes

Isaiah 11:1–12 and Isaiah 12:1–6

Use the chapter heading and the footnotes — they are the tools this chapter is built for. Who is the stem? Who is the rod? An ensign is a flag an army gathers under.

Take it

PowerPoint deck 7.7 MB Lesson source (JSON)

The deck

Click any card to see it full size.

Card 0: CONTEXT SETUP — A Stump, A Shoot, And A Banner. — **Card 0** · CONTEXT SETUP A Flag Worth Gathering To.

Card 1: DIRECT TEXT INTERACTION & AI — The Chapter Tells You How To Read It. — **Card 1** · DIRECT TEXT INTERACTION & AI Use The Footnotes.

Card 2: TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE — How Do You Actually Feel About Sharing It? — **Card 2** · TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE One person.

Card 3: CHRIST-CENTERED ACTION — Name Somebody. Then Ask Them. — **Card 3** · CHRIST-CENTERED ACTION Invite one.

Teacher notes

Supplies, board work and timing. Never printed on the cards.

SUPPLIES: board space for the tree drawing, and a picture of Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith. THE TREE: draw it UNLABELLED first and let them label it. Stem/stump = Jesus Christ (D&C 113:1–2, via footnote 1c — make them find it, this is the footnote skill). Rod and root = Joseph Smith (D&C 113:3–6). The tree cut down is the house of David fallen and divided. TRANSLATION HELPS: stem can be rendered stump; rod as a small branch or shoot; asp and cockatrice in 11:6–9 are both venomous snakes; 'set his hand again the second time' (11:11) is the latter-day gathering. ENSIGN = a flag or banner an army gathers under and marches behind, and 11:12 points at the Restoration itself (D&C 45:9). DO NOT let this become a guilt lesson about missionary work — the manual's aim is desire, not obligation. Land it on one person, one invitation. THIS SETS UP the Missionary Preparation lessons on 09-21 and 09-23; say so at the end.

Journal prompt

The last five minutes. Card 3 hands into this.

Answer the two questions from the start of class again, now that you have studied: how do you feel about sharing the gospel, and why do you feel that way? Then name one person you could invite, write what you will say, and write the day you will say it.