Helping Others Acquire Spiritual Knowledge

Asking questions and seeking answers from our Heavenly Father is an important part of spiritual growth. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency said, “It’s natural to have questions. . . . There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions” (“Come, Join with Us,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 23).

It is important to learn how to respond appropriately to students’ questions. Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy taught, “Our approach to students with doubts can be crucial in how they choose to respond” (“A Pattern for Learning Spiritual Things” [Seminaries and Institutes of Religion satellite broadcast, Aug. 7, 2012]). When students or others come to us asking questions or investigating Church doctrines, practices, or history, we can help them acquire spiritual knowledge by listening, teaching and testifying, inviting, and having follow-up conversations. The information below can guide you as you seek to help your students and others acquire spiritual knowledge.

Listen carefully and prayerfully:

• Carefully listen, observe, and discern in order to understand the true intent of students’ questions, feelings, and beliefs.

• Respond with love and a desire to help.

• Determine how and when the question might best be answered.

Teach and testify of gospel truths:

• Teach doctrine simply and clearly from the scriptures and as revealed through modern prophets.

• Help students examine questions in the context of the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ and in the proper historical context.

• Bear testimony of the principles you have taught and express confidence in the Lord’s promise to provide personal revelation.

Invite them to act in faith:

• Encourage students to remember experiences they have had when they felt the Holy Ghost and to hold fast to the truth they have learned until additional knowledge comes.

• Invite students to study scriptures, prophetic counsel, and other uplifting sources, including the Gospel Topics page on LDS.org.

• Invite students to act in faith by seeking help from Heavenly Father through prayer and obedience to the commandments.

Follow through:

• Show students that their concerns or questions matter to you by following up with them in class or in other appropriate ways.