Theme: “A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead” — caring for family (D&C 126:3) and strengthening the “welding link” with our ancestors (D&C 128:15–18, 23).

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1. Opening & So‘ālaupule (counsel together) — 6–8 min

Set the tone: “Talofa lava! Today we’ll blend Come, Follow Me with Fa‘a Samoa—family, respect (fa‘aaloalo), and service (tautua).”

Counsel prompts (pick 1–2): • D&C 126:3: “How can each of us ‘take especial care’ of our ‘aiga (family) this week?” • Temple focus: “What can our quorum do so more Deacons can participate in temple baptisms this month?”

Samoan touch: Explain so‘ālaupule = making a plan together with respect, like a family council (fono a ‘aiga). Keep it reverent and brief.

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2. Object lesson — “Welding Link” with an ‘Aiga Chain (3 min)

Hold up a simple paper chain labeled with words on each link: Alofa (love), Fa‘aaloalo (respect), Tautua (service), Fa‘asinomaga (identity). Break one link. Read D&C 128:18 (“welding link”). Ask: • “What weakens the chain at home? What strengthens it this week—Samoan style and disciple-of-Christ style?”

Doctrinal integrity: We’re teaching a gospel symbol (binding families to Christ), not reenacting any sacred cultural rite.

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3. Learn Together — 3 short segments (18–20 min)

A. “Take especial care of your family” — D&C 126:3 (5–6 min) • Why did the Lord tell Brigham Young to focus on family at that moment? • Fa‘a Samoa lens: In Samoan culture, youth show tautua to parents and elders (including matai). Discuss: “What does tautua look like in my house this week (chores without being asked, helping siblings, respectful words)?”

Key line to share: “O le ala i le pule o le tautua” — The path to leadership is through service.

B. Cheerful in “deep water” — D&C 127:2–4 (5–6 min) • Joseph Smith writes with hope under pressure. • Fa‘a Samoa lens: Families often face fa‘alavelave (family obligations/events). How can we carry those with faith and unity? Prompt: “Name one phrase from vv.2–4 you can use this week when life gets ‘deep.’”

C. Records on earth & in heaven — D&C 127:5–8; 128:1–8 (6–8 min) • The Lord cares about accurate records of ordinances. • Fa‘a Samoa lens: Many Samoan families keep strong genealogy and stories. 1-minute activity: Everyone writes one ancestor’s name or a family story detail they know (or want to learn). Connect: “As Deacons, we can prepare for temple baptisms for ancestors and help our families gather names.”

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4. Practice & Plan — “Tautua at Home / Temple as a Quorum” (7–8 min)

A. Tautua plan (home): Each Deacon sets one concrete act of service for this week (e.g., cook rice, sweep the fale/house area, help grandma with tech, be early & reverent for sacrament passing).

B. Temple step (quorum): • If youth have or can get a recommend, plan a quorum baptism trip. • Assign 2 youth to coordinate with a family history leader to find one name per Deacon this week (FamilySearch at church or at home with parents).

Integrity guardrails: Keep the focus on Christ, covenants, and priesthood service. Avoid turning lesson time into a cultural performance; let culture support the doctrine.

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5. Commit & Close — 3–4 min • Memorize this line for the week: “O le ala i le pule o le tautua.” • Each Deacon shares their tautua-at-home plan + one temple step (talk to parents/bishop, open FamilySearch, attend next trip). • Short testimony (presidency member) and prayer.

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Optional adds (use if time permits) • Proverb to discuss: “E sui faiga, ae tumau fa‘avae” — Practices change, but foundations remain. How do Samoan customs and the gospel both point us to the unchanging foundation—Jesus Christ and covenants? • Language moments (quick, reverent): • Talofa lava (hello), fa‘afetai (thank you), alofa (love), aiga (family), fa‘aaloalo (respect), tautua (service).