Doctrinal Mastery: John 7:17

“If Any Man Will Do His Will, He Shall Know of the Doctrine”

Young adult woman ponders scriptures near lake.

During your study of John 7, you learned that Jesus invited us to do Heavenly Father’s will so that we can know His doctrine is true (see verse 17). This lesson will help you memorize this doctrinal mastery reference and its key scripture phrase, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in a real-life situation.

Memorize and explain

Try to recite the scripture reference and key scripture phrase below while covering up one of the three parts. Once you’re comfortable reciting one of the three parts from memory, cover up a different part and recite the scripture reference and key scripture phrase several more times. Continue this process until you can recite everything without looking.

John 7:17
“If any man will do his will,
he shall know of the doctrine.”

Read the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency.

We should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Testimony,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 27)

How do you think President Oaks’s statement relates to what the Savior taught in John 7:17 ?

Practice application

Take a few minutes to review the principles in paragraphs 5–12 of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022). Choose one of the principles to study more closely.

How would you briefly explain the principle you selected to someone who may be unfamiliar with it?

When you understand the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, you can help yourself and others gain a testimony or face uncertainty. Use the following scenario to practice helping a friend.In a conversation with your friend Luis, he tells you that he doesn’t have a testimony of [choose a doctrine]. You remember what you learned from John 7:17, and with confidence you explain that he can receive a testimony of this doctrine by [explain what Luis could do to receive a testimony of this doctrine]. You can tell that Luis is frustrated as he tells you, “I’ve tried doing that a few times, but I still don’t feel like I know it is true.”

What are some possible reasons why Luis might not feel like he has a testimony?

Using the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, help Luis understand what obstacles he might need to overcome to gain a testimony. You could use the following questions or others you think of to prepare a response to help Luis.

Act in faith

Why do you think it is important to continue to live the Savior’s teachings even if a testimony doesn’t come in the time we want it to?
What experience could you share with Luis about the effort it takes to obtain a testimony?

Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective

What do you think Heavenly Father might want someone like Luis to know about gaining a testimony?
How might understanding that a testimony comes from Heavenly Father and not simply with time be something that could help Luis? (see Matthew 16:13–17).

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

What are some divinely appointed sources that might help Luis turn to the Lord for help in gaining his testimony?

One example of using a divinely appointed source would be looking up President Dallin H. Oaks’s talk “Testimony,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and sharing a short statement from it that might help Luis.