December 12

How Do I Find Answers to My Questions?

Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme or the Young Women Theme. Then lead a discussion about items such as the following, and plan ways to act on what you discuss (you can decide in a presidency meeting which items to discuss):

• Our quorum or class. What activities have we had recently? Were they successful? What went well, and how can we improve them?

• Our duties or responsibilities. Who needs our service? How can we help them?

• Our lives. What goals are we working on individually? What experiences can we share? What blessings have we received?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

It is normal to have questions. We wonder about our future and the world around us. We also have questions about God and His plan for us. As you read Official Declarations 1 and 2 this week, notice what prophets and apostles did to find answers to their questions (this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families might be helpful). What role has seeking answers to questions played in your gospel learning? What can you do to encourage members of your quorum or class to seek answers to their gospel questions in a faithful way? As you prepare to teach, consider reviewing Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15; 9:7–9 and “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” in Doctrinal Mastery Core Document ([2018], 3–5).

Our testimonies can be strengthened as we seek answers to our questions in faithful ways.

Learn Together

As members of your quorum or class studied Official Declarations 1 and 2 this week, they may have discovered principles related to receiving answers to questions about the gospel. Give them a few minutes to review the declarations and share what they learned about receiving revelation. The following activities can help those you teach better understand how to seek answers to their gospel questions.

• The following scriptures teach principles about asking questions and receiving answers: Matthew 7:7; Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15; 9:7–9. Your quorum or class could read these passages together and make a list on the board of the principles they find. Why doesn’t Heavenly Father always answer our questions completely or immediately? How can we continue showing our faith as we wait for answers? (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:23; 78:18). Consider sharing an experience when you had a question about the gospel and received an answer. Ask quorum or class members to share similar experiences.

• Can members of your quorum or class think of people in the scriptures who asked questions that led to revelation? (If needed, you may refer them to the scriptures under “Supporting Resources.”) Quorum or class members could read about these people in the scriptures and identify what questions they asked, how they sought answers, and the answers they received. What do we learn from these examples? How can we apply what we learn as we seek answers to our own questions? As part of this activity, you could also show “How Can I Live the Gospel Standards Better?” from “Face to Face with Elder and Sister Bednar” ([worldwide youth broadcast, May 12, 2015], FacetoFace.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Elder W. Mark Bassett’s message “For Our Spiritual Development and Learning” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 52–54) provides suggestions about how to seek answers to spiritual questions. Your quorum or class could read together the four paragraphs of his message beginning with “In order to understand the mysteries of God.” Then invite quorum or class members to read 1 Nephi 2:16, 19–20; 10:17–19; 11:1 and identify what Nephi did to seek answers to his questions. Invite quorum or class members to think about what they will do to follow Nephi’s example when they have questions about the gospel.

• The story in Mark 9:14–27 can help quorum or class members when they struggle with questions or doubt. In advance, invite a member of your quorum or class to come prepared to share the story. Then, divide your quorum or class into three groups, and assign each group to study one of the three observations that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland made about the story in his message “Lord, I Believe” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 93–95). How can we apply Elder Holland’s observations when we or someone we know has questions or doubts about the gospel?

Act in Faith

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

Supporting Resources

• Enos 1:1–8; Alma 5:43–47; 40:3–5; Ether 2:18–23; Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–4, 11; Joseph Smith—History 1:10–18 (Examples of people seeking answers to their questions)

• James B. Martino, “Turn to Him and Answers Will Come,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 58–60

• Gospel Topics, “Answering Gospel Questions,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The Savior encouraged those He taught to use the scriptures to find answers to their own questions. How will those you teach be blessed as they learn how to find answers to their questions?