Supplement to Gospel Doctrine Course Now Available

The First Presidency has announced the availability of a new book, Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In a letter sent to local Church leaders in the United States and Canada, the First Presidency said that the book “will help members throughout the world learn more about the history and heritage of the Church. This book will make an excellent addition to home libraries. It will be available in all approved languages and will be used to supplement and support the Gospel Doctrine course in 1997, the study of the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history.”

The book, written by a Church service committee, was initially produced for international areas of the Church where there is sometimes a void of Church materials, but all members can benefit from studying it.

The book’s 11 chapters summarize the coming forth of the Church and also include chapters on the present-day Church and a brief look at the worldwide Church. The text emphasizes the spiritual heritage of all members and can be especially helpful to add interest for youth classes.

“Each of us has a place in Church history,” the book’s conclusion states. “Some members are born into families who for generations have embraced the gospel and nurtured their children in the way of the Lord. Others are hearing the gospel for the first time and entering the waters of baptism, thereby making sacred covenants to do their part in building the kingdom of God. Many members live in areas where they are just beginning their era of Church history and are creating a heritage of faith for their children. Whatever our circumstances, we are each a vital part of the cause of building Zion and preparing for the Second Coming of the Savior. We are ‘no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God’ (Eph. 2:19).

“Whether we are new members or old, we inherit a legacy of faith and sacrifice from those who have gone before us.”

Included with the letter announcing the release of Our Heritage was a supplement for the Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, which informs Gospel Doctrine teachers of supplemental material available for use during the 1997 course of study. These materials include Our Heritage (35448), Truth Restored, Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Video Presentations (53912), and pictures from the meetinghouse library, Church magazines, and the Gospel Art Picture Kit (34730).

“In 1997 Sunday School Gospel Doctrine classes will study the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history, with more emphasis being given to Church history than in the past,” the instructions read.

“Although this course focuses on the Doctrine and Covenants, it should include later events of Church history also. Teachers may combine some lessons during the year to allow time to study more recent events, such as those mentioned in chapter 14 of Truth Restored and chapters 9 through 11 of Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

These materials, including the newly released Our Heritage, can be obtained from local distribution centers.