“Lesson 102—Doctrine and Covenants 88:51–95: ‘Draw Near unto Me and I Will Draw Near unto You,’” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 88:51–95,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Lesson 102: Doctrine and Covenants 88
Doctrine and Covenants 88:51–95
“Draw Near unto Me and I Will Draw Near unto You”
In this portion of Doctrine and Covenants 88, Jesus Christ revealed how He governs His creations and invites us to draw near to Him. This lesson can help students receive the blessings of drawing near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Possible Learning Activities
Close Relationships
Consider beginning class by creating a discussion about developing close relationships. You could invite each student to write on the board the name of someone they feel close to. Ask a few students to share why they chose that person.
You might ask follow-up questions like the following:
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What makes a relationship between two people close? What creates distance?
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What could you do to recreate a close relationship with someone you have become distanced from?
In Doctrine and Covenants 88, the Savior described His power that governs His creations (see verses 41–45). He taught that when we see the stars and the planets in the heavens, we have “seen God moving in his majesty and power” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:47). Jesus Christ then gave a parable to teach about God’s relationship with His creations. It teaches that God has created many worlds inhabited by His children and that He visits each of them. The Lord commanded His friends to call on Him while He was near them (see verses 51–62).
“Draw near unto me”
Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:63, looking for what Jesus Christ invites us to do.
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What invitations do you find personally meaningful?
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What principles can you identify from these invitations?
Students may identify a variety of principles—for example, as I draw near to Jesus Christ, He will draw near to me. You may want to point out that as we draw near to Jesus Christ, we also draw near to Heavenly Father.
To help students understand this principle, you could discuss how it is illustrated in the parable. Some of the following questions could help too:
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How would you describe what it means to draw near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
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In what ways do you think They draw near to us?
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What are some reasons someone may want to feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Give students an opportunity to reflect on how close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ they feel. You could invite them to write “Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ” on a page in their study journals. Then ask students to draw an image that represents themselves. Students could reflect on times they have felt close to God and His Son and what helped them feel this way. Students could also reflect on how close they currently feel to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Remind students that if we feel distanced from the Lord, we can take action to change our situation. Invite students to reflect on the needs they have and how they would be blessed if they were closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Encourage students to seek personal revelation to know what they can do to draw closer to Them.
Invitations and blessings
Students could complete the following chart on the board or in their study journals. As needed, help students understand various phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 88:63–69. For example, you could clarify verse 65 by explaining that we should not have improper motives nor seek to satisfy worldly desires when we pray. You could help students understand the word expedient in verses 64–65 means suitable or proper.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:63–69 and complete the following chart:
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Ways to Draw Near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ |
Blessings from Drawing Near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ |
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One way to help students engage with these verses is to invite one student to hold an image of the Savior at the front of the class. Ask another student to stand in the back of the classroom.
As students share what they found, the student in the back of the class can step closer to the student holding the image of the Savior. The student holding the image of the Savior can step closer too.
You could use some of the statements in “Additional Resources” to help students understand ways to draw near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
The following questions can help you discuss what students found in the verses they read:
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How do you think taking these actions can help you draw near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
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How might these blessings influence your relationship with Them?
My plan
Consider showing the video “How I #HearHim: Elder Dale G. Renlund” (3:00). Ask students to look for what Elder Renlund teaches about drawing near to Jesus Christ. Discuss what students learned from his experience.
Inviting students to answer the following questions in their study journals can prepare them to share with the class. You could also share a personal experience about what you have done to draw near to Jesus Christ and how you have felt Him drawing near to you.
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How are you striving to draw near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
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How have you or someone you know been blessed for striving to draw near to Them?
Invite students to seek the Holy Ghost to lead them to know what they can do to draw near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Remind students that they may have already received promptings during the lesson.
Students could write down how they will strive to draw near to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, how this could help them with challenges they are facing, and any obstacles they may need to overcome. Students could write on their drawings or make a note they will take home.
Encourage students to share with Heavenly Father in their prayers what they plan to do and to ask for His help.