The Camp Meeting, by Worthington Whittredge

May 3–9

Doctrine and Covenants 46–48

“Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”

As you read Doctrine and Covenants 46–48, the Holy Ghost may testify to you about the truths in these sections. Recording and reviewing impressions can help you find ways to help class members discover these same truths.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

It may be helpful for class members to share, from time to time, how their personal or family scripture study is going. For example, when class members share an insight about something they or a family member discovered this week, you could ask them what they were doing during their study that prompted those insights.

Teach the Doctrine

Doctrine and Covenants 46:1–7

We should welcome all to Jesus Christ’s Church.

• For many, how and what they feel in Church meetings can significantly influence their activity in the Church. The Lord’s instructions in Doctrine and Covenants 46:1–7 can help your ward members create more welcoming, meaningful worship experiences for each other and for visitors. Class members could search these verses, looking for principles related to Church meetings and list on the board what they find. For each item in the list, the class could discuss what that principle looks like in practice.

• How can the Lord’s instructions in Doctrine and Covenants 46 help class members see Church meetings as an opportunity to feel the Holy Ghost? You could invite class members to search Doctrine and Covenants 46:2 and discuss when they have seen leaders and teachers conduct meetings by the Holy Ghost. What is the role of those attending the meetings? Consider inviting class members to share times when they felt a meeting was directed and guided by the Holy Ghost.

• Perhaps you could invite a few class members to share their experiences when they first attended a meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What helped them feel welcome? What advice would they give to other members to help make our Church meetings more welcoming? How can we apply the Lord’s counsel found in Doctrine and Covenants 46:1–7? Let class members practice what they would say if they saw a stranger walk into the chapel for the first time.

• A hymn like “’Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love” (Hymns, no. 176 or 177) could also help class members think about and discuss how to make our Church meetings more welcoming and uplifting. Maybe class members could sing the hymn together and share ideas from the lyrics about how to help others feel God’s love at church.

  

  The Lord taught that all are welcome in His Church.

Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–33

Heavenly Father gives spiritual gifts for the benefit of His children.

• The early Saints firmly believed in manifestations of the Holy Ghost. How can you help your class members build their faith that these gifts can be manifest in our lives today? You could begin by inviting class members to read Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–33 in pairs or small groups. Ask them to look for at least five spiritual gifts and to discuss ways they have seen those gifts manifested in their life or the life of someone they know—including people in the class. What did they find that they could share with the class to build their faith in these gifts?

• The Lord declared that gifts of the Spirit benefit those who are faithful and are “not for a sign” (verse 9). Perhaps class members could discuss how spiritual gifts benefit the faithful. How can these gifts help those who want to gain or strengthen their testimony of the gospel?

• Some people love God and try to keep His commandments but don’t feel they have experienced any gifts of the Spirit. How could the counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–33 help?

Doctrine and Covenants 47

The Holy Ghost can direct us as we fulfill our callings.

• Many people can relate to what John Whitmer felt when he wanted reassurance that his calling came from God. Maybe class members could share similar experiences they have had. What do we find in Doctrine and Covenants 47 that could have given John Whitmer confidence in his assignment?

Improving Our Teaching

Your role as a teacher. Teaching is more than just presenting information you have prepared. Among other things, it includes creating an environment where class members can learn and discover truths for themselves and share what they have learned with others. For example, throughout the lesson, ask class members about their experiences studying the scriptures at home.