Gospel Teaching and Learning

Introduction

1. Moses 1:39- For behold, this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man
2. Teaching, No Greater Call: pg 61- “What is the role of teachers? It is to help individuals take
responsibility for learning the gospel- to awaken in them the desire to study, understand, and
live the gospel and to show them how to do so.”
3. Who teaches? Leaders, teachers, Home and Visiting Teachers, Fathers, Mothers, Brothers,
Sisters, Grandfathers, Grandmothers, Uncles, Aunts, etc.
4. Christ is the exemplar: he taught us using 4 key principles
a. Love those you Teach
b. Teach by the Holy Spirit
c. Teach the Doctrine of Salvation
d. Invite those you teach to follow the Gospel

Love those you Teach

1. Example of Father Lehi and the Vision of the Tree of Life (1 Nephi 8:11-12)
2. Example of Ammon and King Lamoni (Protecting the flock, then defending Lamoni against his
father) (Alma 17 & 20)
3. Christ loving us enough to lay down his life for us

Teach by the Holy Spirit

1. D&C 50:21-24- He that preacheth and he that receiveth are edified by the Spirit of Truth
2. Elder David M. McConkie- Four Principles of Gospel Teaching
a. “First, immerse yourself in the scriptures. We cannot love what we do not know.
Develop a Habit of daily scripture study, separate and apart from you lesson
preparation. Before we can teach the gospel, we must know the Gospel.”
i. D&C 11:21- Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and
then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit
and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.
b. “Second, apply in your life the things that you learn… Our work, first and foremost, is to
keep the commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength.”
c. “Third, seek heaven’s help. Appeal unto the Lord for His Spirit with all the energy of
your heart.”
i. Enos- a mighty prayer for himself, his people, and even his enemies; then he
went forth to teach them the Gospel
d. “Fourth, brothers and sisters, it is of utmost importance that we exercise our agency
and act, without delay, in accordance with the spiritual promptings we receive… You
must not be afraid to exercise your agency and act upon the thoughts and impressions
that the Spirit of the Lord puts into your heart.”

1
Teach the Doctrine of Salvation

1. Alma 31:5- Virtue of the Word of God has a more powerful effect than any other to change
hearts
2. What is the Word of God? Scriptures, General Conference talks and ensign articles, and
approved curriculum
3. Examples: not reading one scripture in Gospel Doctrine, straying off topic by too many add-ons,
focusing on “personal theory” rather than prophetically revealed truth
a. Personal stories, quotes from prophets can significantly add to the discussion just as
gravy is nice on meat and potatoes, but nobody wants just the gravy…
4. Age appropriate teaching: Home Teaching manual, Family scripture study, etc.
5. Mosiah 18:19- Gospel teachers set apart by prophet Alma taught nothing save it were spoken
by the mouth of the Holy Prophets

Invite those you Teach to Follow the Gospel

1. President Monson: “The goal of gospel teaching… is not to ‘pour information’ into the minds of
class members… The aim is to inspire the individual to think about, feel about, and then do
something about living gospel principles.”
2. Alma teaching the people at the waters of Mormon (Mosiah 18:7-11)
3. Christ and the rich young man (Luke 1818-22)
4. Nearly every example of Christ when he teaches he follow with a personal invitation to live
better and do more.
5. Russell T. Osguthorpe: “Learning and teaching are not optional activities in the Kingdom of God.
They are the very means by which the gospel has been restored to the earth and by which we
will gain eternal life. They provide the pathway to personal testimony.”

Conclusion

Testimony of gospel teaching and Christ

Invitation to follow Christ and Love those you Teach, Teach by the Holy Spirit, Teach the Doctrine of
Salvation, and Invite those you Teach to Follow the Gospel.