“August 16–22. Doctrine and Covenants 89–92: ‘A Principle with Promise,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 (2020)
“August 16–22. Doctrine and Covenants 89–92,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School
August 16–22
Doctrine and Covenants 89–92
“A Principle with Promise”
As you prepare to teach, consider the principles that stood out to you as you studied sections 89–92 this week.
Record Your Impressions
Invite Sharing
Here are questions you can use to encourage class members to share something from their scripture study: What did you read this week that strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ? in Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling? What did you read that helped you better understand Heavenly Father’s plan for His children?
Teach the Doctrine
The Word of Wisdom is a “principle with promise.”
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Many people may see the Word of Wisdom as simply a list of “dos” and “don’ts.” To help class members ponder the principles behind this instruction, invite them to search Doctrine and Covenants 89 with questions like the following in mind: Why did the Lord give us the Word of Wisdom? What does this revelation teach us about Heavenly Father and His plan for us? The statement in “Additional Resources” might be helpful. If you feel it would benefit class members, you could invite them to list on the board the healthy and harmful practices the Lord identified in Doctrine and Covenants 89:5–17. Then they could review “Physical and Emotional Health” in For the Strength of Youth (25–27) and add to their lists other things they find. How have the promises in verses 18–21 been fulfilled in our lives?
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Here’s another way to help class members discuss the principles in the Word of Wisdom. You could divide the class into three groups and ask each group to read section 89, looking for answers to one of the following questions: What principles can give encouragement to someone who struggles to obey the Word of Wisdom? What principles can help us not be judgmental of those struggling to obey it? What principles can comfort us when we have health problems despite living the Word of Wisdom? As part of this activity, you could share President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s experience in training to become a fighter pilot (see “Continue in Patience,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 58). Encourage class members to reflect on something they felt impressed to do during the discussion, and give them time to write down their impressions.
Imageboys running on a beachGod revealed the Word of Wisdom to help His children.
Doctrine and Covenants 90:1–17
The First Presidency holds “the keys of the kingdom.”
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This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families suggests that members search Doctrine and Covenants 90:1–17 to learn about the First Presidency. You could ask class members to share what they learned at home from this activity, or you could search these verses as a class. Class members could also find phrases in “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice” (Hymns, no. 21) or another song about prophets that relate to teachings in these verses. How has the service of the First Presidency helped you know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
“The Spirit manifesteth truth.”
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In the world today, we are exposed to messages that contain “many things … that are true” and “many things … that are not true” (verses 1–2). Invite class members to look in section 91 for counsel about the Apocrypha that can help them discern truth in the messages they encounter. What examples can they share of how the Spirit has helped them discern truth?
Additional Resources
The Word of Wisdom.
President Boyd K. Packer taught:
“The Word of Wisdom was ‘given for a principle with promise’ [Doctrine and Covenants 89:3]. That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor.
“Members write in asking if this thing or that is against the Word of Wisdom. It’s well known that tea, coffee, liquor, and tobacco are against it. It has not been spelled out in more detail. Rather, we teach the principle together with the promised blessings. There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which are not mentioned in the revelation. …
“Honor the principle of the Word of Wisdom and you will receive the promised blessings” (“The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Ensign, May 1996, 17–18).
Improving Our Teaching
Bear testimony often. Your simple, sincere witness of spiritual truths can have a powerful influence on those you teach. Your witness does not need to be eloquent or lengthy. It may, for example, be a simple testimony of the blessings you have received from living the Word of Wisdom. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 35.)