Missionary Preparation: Overview

Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Doctrine and Covenants Lessons
- The Restoration Proclamation
- Doctrine and Covenants 1
- Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65
- Doctrine and Covenants 3–5
- Doctrine and Covenants 6–9
- Doctrine and Covenants 10–11
- Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 18
- Doctrine and Covenants 19
- Doctrine and Covenants 20–22
- Doctrine and Covenants 23–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 27–28
- Doctrine and Covenants 29
- Doctrine and Covenants 30–36
- Doctrine and Covenants 37–40
- Doctrine and Covenants 41–44
- Doctrine and Covenants 45
- Doctrine and Covenants 46–48
- Doctrine and Covenants 49–50
- Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
- Doctrine and Covenants 58–59
- Doctrine and Covenants 60–63
- Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
- Doctrine and Covenants 67–70
- Doctrine and Covenants 71–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 76
- Doctrine and Covenants 77–80
- Doctrine and Covenants 81–83
- Doctrine and Covenants 84
- Doctrine and Covenants 85–87
- Doctrine and Covenants 88
- Doctrine and Covenants 89–92
- Doctrine and Covenants 93
- Doctrine and Covenants 94–97
- Doctrine and Covenants 98–101
- Doctrine and Covenants 102–105
- Doctrine and Covenants 106–108
- Doctrine and Covenants 109–110
- Doctrine and Covenants 111–114
- Doctrine and Covenants 115–120
- Doctrine and Covenants 121–123
- Doctrine and Covenants 124
- Doctrine and Covenants 125–128
- Doctrine and Covenants 129–132
- Doctrine and Covenants 133–134
- Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
- Doctrine and Covenants 137–138
- The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Living Christ
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeeding in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

“Missionary Preparation: Overview,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Missionary Preparation,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Missionary Preparation

Overview

We can help gather Israel by loving others, sharing the message of Jesus Christ, and inviting them to come to the Savior. God blesses missionaries as they serve diligently and teach people in their communities and around the world. God provided the Book of Mormon for the latter-day gathering.

Pacing suggestion: There are many good options to consider for pacing these lessons. For example:

Teach some or all of these lessons toward the end of the school year when older students might be working on submitting their mission papers.
Teach some of these lessons as you study sections of Doctrine and Covenants that help us better understand missionary work. Some suggestions are listed next to specific lessons below.

Prepare to teach

The following information provides you with ideas of what you may need to prepare in advance for each lesson.

Sharing the Gospel Out of Christlike Love

Pacing suggestion: You might consider teaching this lesson around the same time you teach students about Doctrine and Covenants 18. Verses 10–16 help us understand how the Savior’s love leads to His desire for everyone to come to Him.

Lesson purpose: To help students understand how their love for Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and other people can motivate them to share the gospel.

Student preparation: Provide students with the statement by Joseph Smith from this lesson. Invite them to prepare to share how this statement could motivate someone to share the gospel with others or to prepare to serve a full-time mission.
Images to display: Youth serving in different situations; someone sharing the gospel
Video: “Feed My Sheep” (5:47; watch from time code 2:46 to 4:29)
Materials: Blank pieces of paper for small groups to use

Love, Share, and Invite

Lesson purpose: To help students make a plan to share the gospel of Jesus Christ by using the principles of love, share, and invite.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share their own conversion story or a family member’s or friend’s story about joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Image to display: A camouflaged animal
Handout: “Love, Share, Invite”
Videos: “Simple Ways to Love, Share, and Invite” (2:45); “2021 Broadcast: Principles of Love, Share, and Invite” (54:06; watch from time code 0:00 to 1:35)

Choosing to Serve a Mission

Pacing suggestion: You might consider teaching this lesson around the same time you teach the lesson “Doctrine and Covenants 30–36, Part 1,” which focuses on reasons the Lord wants us to share His gospel.

Lesson purpose: To help students feel a desire to serve the Lord as His missionaries.

Student preparation: Invite students to speak to someone who has served a proselyting or service mission. Students could ask the person to share different ways the Lord blessed them and others through their missionary service.
Materials: Examples of mission assignments on small pieces of paper in a basket; copies of the first statement by President Russell M. Nelson for companionships to discuss
Handout: “Blessings of Missionary Service”
Video: “Value of a Full-Time Mission” (5:22)

The Book of Mormon Is a Conversion Tool

Pacing suggestion: You might consider teaching this lesson around the same time you teach the lesson “Doctrine and Covenants 84:49–102.” Verses 54–57 help us understand the importance of not treating the Book of Mormon lightly.

Lesson purpose: To help students feel the importance of strengthening their testimony of the Book of Mormon in preparation to share the Savior’s gospel.

Student preparation: Invite students to ask a family member or trusted friend to share how they first gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Encourage students who feel comfortable doing so to also share their own experience gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Materials: Display various simple tools (or images of them)
Videos: “A Book of Mormon Story” (5:15); “The Book of Mormon” (2:10)

Diligence in Missionary Work

Pacing suggestion: You might consider teaching this lesson around the same time you teach the lesson “Doctrine and Covenants 4.” Verse 6 shows that diligence is a Christlike attribute of those who desire to assist in the Lord’s work.

Lesson purpose: To help students seek the Lord’s help to become more diligent in their lives and their preparation to serve as His missionaries.

Student preparation: Invite students to reflect on how the following definition of diligence describes Jesus Christ. They might also identify accounts from His life in which He demonstrated diligence.

Diligence is “consistent, valiant effort, especially in serving the Lord and obeying His word” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Diligence,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Images to display: Apartment building; a family being taught by missionaries
Videos: “Fourth Floor, Last Door” (21:33; watch from time code 14:17 to 17:27 and from 18:27 to 18:57); “Preparation of Gordon B. Hinckley: Forget Yourself and Go to Work” (2:03)
Materials: Copies of instructions for the group activity