Lesson 170: Scripture Study Skills

Finding Gospel Truths in the Scriptures

Learning to Identify Doctrine and Principles

marking verses in scriptures

In the scriptures, the Lord has preserved gospel truths—the eternal doctrine and principles of His gospel—that bring us closer to Him and are essential to our progression and salvation. This lesson can help increase your ability to find gospel truths in the scriptures and come closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior.

Possible Learning Activities

The parable of the gems

lady searching in the sand

searching in the sand for gems

If the following video is unavailable, consider beginning class by displaying the pictures above and asking students to imagine someone searching for and finding gems in the sand on a beach. Ask, “How might searching the scriptures be like searching for gems in the sand?”

Watch the video “The Parable of the Gems“ (6:47; watch from time code 2:13 to 4:20) and ponder how the story could be like our scripture study.

If you were unable to show the video, skip the first of the following questions. You might also alter the last question to “What might someone do to examine and appreciate the gems?”

• What stood out to you in this video?

• What could the sand represent? What could the gems represent?

• What did the girl do to learn about or appreciate the gems she found?

Consider explaining the following in your own words:

Doctrine and principles of the gospel could be like the gems in the analogy. One of the central purposes of scripture is to teach doctrine and principles of the gospel. A doctrine is a fundamental, unchanging truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A gospel principle is a doctrinally based guideline that individuals can adopt to help them in making decisions. The most important doctrine and principles we learn from the scriptures help us to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and to understand how to return to Their presence.

In this manual, sometimes you will see invitations for students to identify “truths.” This is a simpler way of saying principles or statements of doctrine. Invite students to evaluate how easily they can identify truths (principles or statements of doctrine) from the scriptures.

• Which of the following statements best represents how confident you feel in your ability to find gospel truths in the scriptures?

  • Not confident at all

  • Somewhat confident

  • Very confident

Listen carefully to students’ answers. Consider asking why they feel the way they do. Look for ways throughout the lesson to help them feel more confident as they strive to find gospel truths.

Define

Provide students with the accompanying handout. Read this together as a class. Give any additional explanations you think might be necessary to define this skill.

Learning to Identify Doctrine and Principles

Some gospel doctrine and principles are clearly stated in the scriptures. Other doctrine and principles may be implied in the storyline and only found by studying an entire book of scripture, a chapter, or a single verse. You can practice the following important steps whenever you are studying the scriptures to help you identify gospel truths:

1. Read slowly and carefully.

2. Look for clearly stated truths. These are sometimes indicated when the author uses words like “thus we see,” “therefore,” “wherefore,” or “behold.”

3. Look for implied truths. You can find these truths by asking yourself questions like the following:

   1. Are there any important ideas, words, or phrases—especially any that help you come to better know Heavenly Father and His plan or Jesus Christ and His gospel?

   2. What are the cause-and-effect relationships in this story?

   3. What is the moral or point of the story?

   4. Why do you think the writer included these events or passages?

4. Write in your own words what you found and mark the words in the scriptures that teach it.

5. Ponder why the truth is important to you. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

   Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

   Ponder [and] examine every word, every scriptural gem. … Hold it up to the light, and turn it, look and see what’s reflected and refracted there. … Such an examination may unearth a treasure hidden in a field: a pearl of great price; a pearl beyond price. (“Students Need Teachers to Guide Them” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, June 20, 1992], 4)

Model

Consider modeling how to do this as a class by following the steps in the handout. Let students know they will have an opportunity later to try it on their own. Consider drawing a gem on the board. Beside it, write truths that students identify. Using students’ wording is a great way to build their confidence in participating in class.

gem

1. Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–11 slowly and carefully.

2. Look for clearly stated truths.

   Students might find a doctrine like the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

3. Look for implied truths by asking some of the questions listed in the handout.

In response to the first question on the handout, students might find this truth: We can repent and come unto Christ because He suffered for our sins and pains and ultimately died for us.

If students notice the cause and effect in verses 10 and 11, they might be able to see this truth: Because the worth of our souls is so great in the sight of God, Jesus Christ willingly suffered so we could repent and come unto Him.

If students consider the last question, they might see this truth: Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, wants us to know how important we are to Him.

Write the truth you found on a piece of paper, in the margin of your scriptures, or as a note in the Gospel Library app. You may also want to mark the words that teach it in the scriptures.

Take some time to ponder why the truth you found may be important or meaningful to you. Take a moment to ponder the truth you identified. The following three questions may help:

1. Why might this truth be considered a gem?

2. What does it teach you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

3. How could it help you today?

Invite several students to share their thoughts. As they hear what their classmates think and ponder, it can encourage them to think more deeply about truths in the scriptures.

Practice

Invite students to do the following activity individually. Students could complete the activity in their study journals or, if you would like them to share what they found with other students in the activity below, on separate pieces of paper. They can use the provided handout to help them.

For practice, do the following activity:

1. Draw a picture of two gems.

2. As you study at least two of the following passages, or other passages of your choosing, list one “gem” of truth you find for each: Doctrine and Covenants 1:30; 8:2–3; 18:15–16; 19:16–19; 21:4–6; 49:15–17; 58:42–43; 76:22–24; 131:1–4; 135:3.

3. Write why each truth is a spiritual gem to you. Include what it teaches you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how it can help you today.

If students completed the activity on separate pieces of paper, they could exchange their papers with other students and share what they learned from each other. Students could also nominate scriptural gems they feel are especially meaningful to youth today and make a list of these on the board.

Based on your experience today, why might you want to find and ponder truths as you study?

Write in your study journal how you would like to find truths as you study the gospel. One way you might do this is to identify and ponder at least one truth a day from your personal scripture study. You may consider writing the truths you discover in your scriptures or in a scripture journal.

Consider inviting one student a day for the next several lessons to share one scriptural gem they found in their study. Students could do this by sharing a scriptural thought as part of a devotional. Look for other opportunities in future lessons for students to continue practicing this important skill.

Additional Resources

Why should I identify gospel truths from the scriptures?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Elder Richard G. Scott

As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle. (Richard G. Scott, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86)

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified of the following:

Elder David A. Bednar

Learning, understanding, and living gospel principles strengthen our faith in the Savior, deepen our devotion to Him, and invite a multitude of blessings and spiritual gifts into our lives. …

Correct principles enable us to find our way and to stand firm, steadfast, and immovable so we do not lose our balance and fall in the raging latter-day storms of darkness and confusion. (David A. Bednar, “The Principles of My Gospel,” Liahona, May 2021, 123, 126)

President Marion G. Romney explained:

President Marion G. Romney

One cannot honestly study the scriptures without learning gospel principles because the scriptures have been written to preserve principles for our benefit. (“The Message of the Old Testament” [Church Educational System symposium, Aug. 17, 1979], 3)

What is the value of taking time to write the truths we find?

Elder B. H. Roberts taught:

Elder B. H. Roberts

To be known, the truth must be stated and the clearer and more complete the statement is, the better the opportunity will the Holy Spirit have for testifying to the souls of men that the work is true [New Witnesses for God, 3 vols. (1909), 2:vii]. (B. H. Roberts, in James E. Faust, “What I Want My Son to Know before He Leaves on His Mission,” Ensign, May 1996, 41; Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 182)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Clearly stated principles

If students would benefit from seeing examples of truths that follow words and phrases like “thus we see,” “therefore,” “wherefore,” or “behold,” you could have them look at the following scriptures and try identifying the principle:

• Helaman 3:27: “Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.”

• Alma 12:10: “Therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word.”

• Ephesians 6:13: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

• Alma 41:10: “Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.”

Guidelines for evaluating truths

When learning how to identify truths from the scriptures, it is easy to identify statements or write principles that are not true and are not what the original author intended. It may be worthwhile to provide students with the questions listed below to help them evaluate the accuracy of the principles they find. After you identify a principle as a class, you could model how to use these questions before having students try it on their own.

• Is what you identified confirmed by other scriptures and current teachings of Church leaders?

• Is what you identified in harmony with the inspired intent of the original writer as much as you can tell? (You might review the verses before and after the truth you identified and ponder if it is in line with what you think the original writer intended.)

• Is what you identified true at all times, in all circumstances, and in all cultures?

• Does understanding what you identified help you fulfill your eternal destiny in Heavenly Father’s plan?

• Do you feel the Holy Ghost confirming that what you identified is true?

Other tools to help students identify truths

Consider identifying the following additional tools to help students identify principles.

Background information: Most of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were revealed because someone asked a question or the Saints faced a problem or difficulty. Knowing this information can help you understand why the Lord revealed what He did. For example, invite students to read the section heading to a section of the Doctrine and Covenants and find the answers to these questions:

• Who was this revelation for?

• What was the question or situation that preceded this revelation?

Summary statements: It can also be useful to know that below the section heading to each section of the Doctrine and Covenants, there is a paragraph that summarizes groups of verses. This can also be useful when attempting to identify principles. For example, read the paragraph under the section heading for the section you chose.

With this information in mind, read the section or a portion of the section you chose looking for gospel truths.

Finding truths in the scriptures

Learning to Identify Doctrine and Principles