Lesson 167: Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions

Examining Gospel Topics and Questions with an Eternal Perspective

Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, Part 3

Jesus Christ looking out in the distance

One purpose of doctrinal mastery is to help students be familiar with the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge so they can use them throughout their lives. This lesson can help students examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective and see them more like Jesus Christ does.

Possible Learning Activities

The Eye of Faith

Display the image below and invite students to imagine the situation.

Imagine walking into a museum and seeing an exhibit like this. How would you describe what you are seeing?

perceptual shift by Michael Murphy

• What might you think if someone looking at the same exhibit told you they saw the shape of a human eye?

Explain that from a different angle the dots line up to reveal an image of a human eye. Display the following image. You may also want to play the video, which shows the perspective change until the eye becomes visible.

human eye artwork

• What can we learn about perspective from this artwork?

• What spiritual lessons might this help us understand?

After students have shared their insights, help them learn from Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Look at this art by Michael Murphy. From this perspective, you would hardly believe that it is an artistic rendition of a human eye. However, as you look at the dots from a different perspective, you see the beauty of the artist’s creation.

Likewise, we see the spiritual truths of God through the perspective of an eye of faith. (Neil L. Andersen, “The Eye of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 35)

• What do you think it means to see spiritual truths with “an eye of faith”?

• What can sometimes make it hard for us to see spiritual truths this way?

Seeing as the Lord sees

When we need help seeing doctrine, questions, or social issues from a perspective of faith, we can use the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge:

1. Act in faith.

2. Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective.

3. Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources.

In this lesson, we will focus on examining concepts and questions with an eternal perspective.

Invite students to explain their understanding about what it means to examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective.

Read paragraphs 8–10 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023) to see what we can do to have an eternal perspective.

• What did you learn from these paragraphs about the importance of keeping an eternal perspective?

• What can help you have an eternal perspective?

Consider marking this phrase in paragraph 8: We seek the help of the Holy Ghost in order to see things as the Lord sees them.

• What do you think would be some benefits of trying to see our spiritual questions or concerns the way the Lord sees them?

Find two or three scriptures that can help you understand the value of the Lord’s perspective.

Students could start by looking for scriptures about God’s knowledge under “God, Omniscience of” in the Topical Guide.

Here are some verses to consider:

• Isaiah 55:8–9

• 2 Nephi 9:20

• Doctrine and Covenants 38:1–2

• Doctrine and Covenants 88:6, 41

To help students think about what they read, ask them to write a summary of what they learned about God. You could invite a few students to share what they wrote or ask students to share with a partner.

• What do these verses teach about God that might motivate us to see things from His perspective?

Different perspectives

The following activity can help students practice comparing a worldly perspective with an eternal perspective. Consider introducing a scenario such as the following and helping students consider both points of view.

Ryan recently graduated from high school. He has started dating a girl who is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As their relationship has become more serious, she has recently brought up the idea that they could live together instead of getting married.

Invite the class to discuss the following question and list answers on the board under a heading entitled “Worldly perspective.” Consider reminding students of the artwork shown at the beginning of the lesson. You could display the side view of the eye artwork during this discussion.

• If Ryan had a limited or worldly perspective, why might this sound like a good idea to him?

If students need help coming up with reasons, you could share the following paragraph.

If Ryan was looking at this decision with a worldly perspective, he might see some benefits to living with his girlfriend instead of getting married. He might think about saving money by not spending it on an expensive ring and wedding. He might think it would reduce the stress of being in a marriage that would require his full commitment. If everything worked out, they could always get married later.

Now that students have looked at this situation with a worldly perspective, help them take an eternal perspective. If you displayed the side view of the eye during the last discussion, now display the image where the eye is visible.

On the board, write the heading “Eternal perspective,” and invite students to list answers to the following question under this heading. Consider pointing students to resources like “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” or For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022).

• If Ryan has an eternal perspective, why would he choose not to move in with his girlfriend?

If students need help answering the question, you could share the following paragraph. Ideally, students would come up with their own answers as they engage in discussion.

If Ryan were looking at this decision with an eternal perspective, he might consider some of the following things: Happiness comes from following Jesus Christ and living His teachings. Ryan would not want to “sin against God” (Genesis 39:9) by breaking the Lord’s law of chastity, which includes avoiding sexual relations before marriage. The gospel of Jesus Christ also teaches that children have the right to be born into a family where a father and mother are married and committed to them and each other. Ryan understands that he can make covenants with God in the temple to allow his relationships to be eternal.

The following short video can demonstrate the clarity we can have in making decisions when we look at questions and social issues from an eternal perspective.

Now that students have worked through a scenario, you might invite them to discuss other situations on their own or in small groups. They could view a different question or social issue from both the worldly and eternal perspectives.

To help students discuss the value of comparing the worldly and eternal perspectives, you might ask questions such as the following:

• What did you learn by comparing a worldly perspective and an eternal perspective?

• What benefits can come from seeing our choices or questions from an eternal perspective?

• When have you observed the blessings of seeing things with an eternal perspective?

Testify of the truths you have discussed today. Encourage the students to continue applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge as they seek answers to their questions.

Additional Resources

How can I talk to others when my perspective is different from theirs?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency said:

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

I suggest that it may be preferable for our young people to refrain from arguing with their associates. … They will often be better off to respond by identifying the worldly premises or assumptions in the assertions they face and then by identifying the different assumptions or premises that guide the thinking of Latter-day Saints. This won’t elicit agreement from persons who don’t share our faith, but it can move the discussion away from arguing. (Dallin H. Oaks, “As He Thinketh in His Heart” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 8, 2013], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

How can understanding the plan of salvation influence my perspective?

President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

President M. Russell Ballard

Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, God gave the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and many additional teachings to the Church. These include a knowledge of the plan of salvation, which is a map of where we came from, our purpose here on earth, and where we are going when we die. The plan also provides us with a unique, eternal perspective that we are God’s spirit children. By understanding who our Heavenly Father is and our relationship to Him and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we will accept Their commandments and make covenants with Them that will lead us back into Their eternal presence. (M. Russell Ballard, “God Is at the Helm,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 25)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Jesus Christ’s eternal perspective

It can be inspiring for students to see that Jesus Christ maintained an eternal perspective during His mortal life. Consider reading examples in the scriptures where Jesus Christ responded to a question or issue based on His understanding of God’s plan of salvation. Examples include Luke 2:49; John 6:35, 38, 42, 51; John 18:36; and many other scriptures. It might be helpful to read some of the surrounding verses or to provide context for what students are reading. Students might also benefit from discussing why they are grateful that Jesus Christ maintained an eternal perspective to accomplish His divine mission.

Studying Church history

Help students understand the cultural differences that exist between our customs and traditions and those from the past. One way to do this would be to display a world map and invite students to briefly share what they know about different countries around the world. Students could discuss what we can learn from visiting different countries and what can be difficult. Invite students to study paragraphs 9 and 10 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023), looking for what to do when we have historical questions. You might also show this video, where Church historian Matthew Grow advises how to navigate Church history.

Reframing issues and questions

According to paragraph 8 in the Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023), seeing things as the Lord does allows us to reframe doctrinal concepts, questions, and social issues. Help students learn how they might go about reframing, and then let them practice. The following three steps might be helpful instructions for students to follow. They could use the Reframing Questions handout to write down their questions and assumptions. You may also want to show the video to illustrate reframing difficult questions.

1. Choose a question or social issue.

2. Think about and write down the different assumptions they or someone with a worldly perspective might have on the subject.

3. Look at the same question or social issue with an eternal perspective. Ponder questions such as, “What do I already know about Heavenly Father, His plan, and how He deals with His children?” and “What gospel teachings relate to or clarify this concept or issue?”

reframing questions