The gospel can be effectively taught in large meetings or in small, intimate gatherings. The Savior used both methods during His ministry, as did the Prophet Joseph Smith. The text of Doctrine and Covenants 130 contains some of the Prophet’s teachings to a small gathering of Saints living in Ramus, Illinois. This lesson is intended to help students practice teaching elements of Jesus Christ’s doctrine.
Possible Learning Activities
The following learning activities are designed to help students teach different portions of the lesson. If you would rather not have students teach, refer to the “Supplemental Learning Activities” for teaching ideas you could use.
Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher
To begin class, consider displaying an image of Jesus Christ teaching people and invite students to visualize what it might have been like to be there. Consider asking the following questions:
What might you have been thinking or feeling if you were present while Jesus taught?
What do you think makes the Savior such an effective teacher?
Explain that as members of the Savior’s Church, we have many opportunities to teach His gospel. You might also display the following message from the First Presidency about teaching:
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the First Presidency
Beloved brothers and sisters,
What a glorious opportunity you have to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ! Whether or not you have a specific calling to teach, you are a teacher. As a disciple of the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, you have opportunities to share His light wherever you go—in the home, at church, as you minister to others, and among your friends. To teach the gospel is a sacred trust. It is an essential part of the Lord’s work, and it works best when we do it in His way. (Teaching in the Savior’s Way: For All Who Teach in the Home and in the Church [2022], 1)
What are some opportunities teenagers have to teach and testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel?
Explain to students that they will have the opportunity to prepare a brief lesson from some of the teachings in Doctrine and Covenants 130 and to practice teaching their lesson to others. If you plan on having a few students teach the whole class, this would be a good time to assure them that you will not ask anyone unwilling to do so.
Before students begin preparing lessons, consider sharing the following background information.
On April 2, 1843, the Prophet Joseph Smith met with Saints in Ramus, Illinois, about 20 miles outside of Nauvoo. Joseph taught various gospel truths, including details about the Godhead, the importance of gaining knowledge in this life, and how we can receive God’s blessings. The Prophet’s teachings are recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 130.
Prepare to teach
To help students prepare to teach, distribute the handout titled “Teaching Truths from Doctrine and Covenants 130.” Invite class members to follow the lesson preparation steps for guidance. Since Doctrine and Covenants 130:22–23 is a doctrinal mastery passage, it may be necessary to ask a few students to work on that topic to ensure that those verses will be taught during the lesson.
As students prepare, move throughout the room and provide help as needed. You might offer some suggestions of what they could use to help others actively participate. These may include discussion questions, visuals, objects, sharing of personal experiences, or writing exercises.
Step 1: Choose one of the study topics below and study the resources provided. Pay attention to thoughts, ideas, and impressions from the Holy Ghost about what you are reading. You could also find other resources to deepen your understanding of your chosen topic.
Step 2: Create a five- to seven-minute lesson outline for your chosen topic. Consider using some of the following questions to help you prepare:
How can or should these truths impact our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
How can I use the scriptures and words of the prophets to help others better understand this topic?
What can I do to help others engage in the lesson and be active participants?
What experiences can I share or what can I testify of?
What can I do to help others apply this topic to their lives?
Study topics and resources:
Option 1: Knowledge and intelligence rise with us in the Resurrection.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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Elder Neal A. Maxwell
If we ponder just what it is that will rise with us in the resurrection, it seems clear that our intelligence will rise with us, meaning not simply our IQ, but also our capacity to receive and apply truth. Our talents, attributes, and skills will rise with us; certainly also our capacity to learn, our degree of self-discipline, and our capacity to work. (Neal A. Maxwell, We Will Prove Them Herewith [1982], 12)
Option 2: We obtain blessings from God by obeying His laws.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
We believe these three divine persons constituting a single Godhead are united in purpose, in manner, in testimony, in mission. We believe Them to be filled with the same godly sense of mercy and love, justice and grace, patience, forgiveness, and redemption. I think it is accurate to say we believe They are one in every significant and eternal aspect imaginable except believing Them to be three persons combined in one substance. … We declare it is self-evident from the scriptures that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are separate persons, three divine beings. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 40–41)
Teaching experience
Convey to learners that their contributions are valued: As students share the lessons they prepared, help them know that their contributions to the lesson are valued and appreciated. For more practice with this, see the training titled “Communicate that you value students before they comment or as they raise their hand” found in Teacher Development Skills: Love Those You Teach.
After you have given students time to prepare a lesson outline, consider inviting a few to teach their lessons in front of the class. You could also organize students into small groups, and they could alternate teaching each other. During student presentations, encourage class members to show respect and fully engage in the learning process. If any students are uncomfortable teaching in seminary or if time runs out before all get an opportunity, encourage them to try teaching their lesson at home, in a church setting, or to a friend. To conclude, consider asking questions such as the following:
What did you learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that can help you in your current circumstances?
What did you learn today about teaching the Savior’s gospel?
How can taking opportunities to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ benefit you now and in the future?
Doctrine and Covenants 130:22–23 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider inviting students to mark doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so they can locate them easily.
Memorize
You may want to help students memorize the reference and key scripture phrase of Doctrine and Covenants 130:22–23 and review them in future lessons. The key scripture phrase for this passage is “The Father has a body of flesh and bones … ; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost … is a personage of Spirit.” Ideas for memorization activities are in the appendix materials under “Doctrinal Mastery Review Activities.”