Lesson 16: Doctrine and Covenants 3-5

Assess Your Learning 1

Doctrine and Covenants 1–5; Joseph Smith—History 1

Reflecting on and assessing our spiritual learning can help us draw closer to the Savior. This lesson can help students remember and evaluate how their experiences studying Doctrine and Covenants and Joseph Smith—History have helped them grow spiritually and come closer to Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

Why should we assess?

To help prepare students to evaluate their progress so far, consider doing an activity like the following. Draw the following graphic on the board and consider giving an example of a goal. Students might consider spiritual, intellectual, physical, or social goals they are making with the Children and Youth program.

On a page in your study journal, draw a line. At the end of the line on the right side, write one of your long-term goals. Some examples might be to play a sport or musical instrument at a high level, become especially good at a skill, earn a degree or certification, or marry in the temple.

As shown in the following graphic, draw a stick figure above the line to represent how far you feel you have progressed toward your goal.

On the left side of the line, take a moment to write down progress you have already made. You might include specific things you have learned or done to progress toward your goal.

• Why is it helpful to pause and evaluate what we have learned and how we have progressed?

Consider inviting several students to share what they have learned or done to progress toward their goals. This will not only prepare students to learn more in this lesson but may also help students get to know each other better and build unity in the class.

One of the purposes of seminary is to help you come closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ, and become more like Him.

• Why might it also be important to pause and evaluate our efforts to come closer to Jesus Christ and become more like Him?

What are you learning? How are you progressing?

Explain that throughout this year of study, every four to six weeks there will be a lesson like this one, where students can stop to evaluate what they are learning and how they are coming closer to the Savior.

If useful, consider inviting students to list some of the stories and topics they have learned about so far. This may help them as they do the following:

Take a few minutes to write in your study journal about the progress you are making to come closer to the Savior as you have studied the Doctrine and Covenants this year. This can include doctrine and truths you are learning, ways your testimony of Jesus Christ is increasing, new habits you are forming, and ways you are striving to change.

After sufficient time, invite several students to share their thoughts if they are not too personal. This could be done in small groups or as a class. Alternatively, students could also think of a word or phrase to summarize how they are learning or growing and write it on the board (for example, “stronger testimony,” “learning about Him through the scriptures,” or “feeling the Savior’s love”). Then you could point to key words on the board and ask if the student who wrote it would be willing to share why they listed it. As you listen, look for ways to congratulate students’ efforts, encourage them to continue, and testify of the Lord’s help and blessings.

Assess scripture study

Display a picture of Joseph Smith like the following and discuss with students the impact that studying the scriptures had on him as a prophet of God.

• How did scripture study help the Prophet Joseph Smith?

Reflect on your own goal of scripture study. How is your effort affecting you?

Provide each student with two small sheets of paper. Students can record their answer to the first question on one sheet of paper and then record their answer to the second question on the other.

• What is one way you feel you have been successful in your scripture study?

• What is a struggle you are having with your scripture study?

Have students place the papers with their successes in one pile and the papers with their struggles in another pile. Shuffle the two piles separately and share them with the class. As you read their successes, compliment and encourage students. Consider asking “Has anyone else found success doing something similar?” and “How has your scripture study helped you come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?” As you read the struggles students are having with scripture study, it may be effective to invite the class to find scriptures, look for statements from prophets or Church leaders, or think of personal experiences that may help.

Assess how students feel about the Prophet Joseph Smith

Provide an opportunity like the following for students to assess how they feel about the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Write as many things as you can think of that you have learned about the Prophet Joseph Smith in the past few weeks of seminary.

Students could write what they have learned on the board around the image of Joseph Smith. Alternatively, students could do this activity in small groups.

Underline or circle anything in your list that also refers to a way he has helped you draw closer to Jesus Christ.

If students do not bring it up, be sure to include that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the First Vision, translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God, and received revelations from the Lord included in the Doctrine and Covenants. Also include that the Lord restored the priesthood, the Church, and covenants and ordinances through Joseph Smith.

Invite students to evaluate how strongly they believe the items they listed on a scale of 1 to 5 (1=not believing and 5=confidently believing). Invite them to share experiences that have helped increase their belief that God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet to help us draw closer to Jesus Christ.

Some of your students might still struggle with their testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Asking the following question and allowing students to provide lots of ideas might help these students.

• If someone struggles to believe that the Lord called Joseph Smith to be a prophet, what might you suggest they do to strengthen their belief?