Library
Doctrinal Mastery: Matthew 22:36–39

Doctrinal Mastery: Matthew 22:36–39

The Two Great Commandments

Jesus is shown with a group of people speaking to a scribe about the two great commandments. Outtakes: include close ups of people in the crowd. (Scene filmed at ext. the temple court of the Women)

In Matthew 22:36–39, the Savior taught the two great commandments. This lesson will help you practice using the doctrine taught in this passage and the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to understand how to obey both commandments to love God and love your neighbor.

Memorize and explain

Practice memorizing the key phrase “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God. … Thou shalt love thy neighbour” for the reference Matthew 22:36–39.

Draw a heart and write the numbers 1 and 2 below it. Next to number 1, write, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God”; next to number 2, write,“Thou shalt love thy neighbour.” Point to the heart, and state the reference. Next, point to each number. As you do, state the portion of the key phrase associated with the number. Repeat the process several times.

Read Matthew 22:36–39, and recall your previous study of these verses.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 1. Record your answers to the following questions in your study journal:

  • What are some ways we can love God with all our heart? How can we love our neighbors as ourselves?

  • Why do you think these two commandments were given in this order?

Practice application

If needed, review paragraphs 5–12 of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022). In some situations, we may struggle to know how to follow God’s commandments and show love for those who do not obey God’s commandments.

Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy taught:

Former Official Portrait of Elder Lynn G. Robbins. Photographed March 2017. Replaced October 2019 (with Telescope ID: 2298123)

Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the first and second great commandments (see Matthew 22:37–39). It is forgetting which way we face. And yet, we have all made that mistake because of the fear of men. …

Decisions of character are made by remembering the right order of the first and second great commandments. …

The Savior, our great Exemplar, always faced His Father. He loved and served His fellowmen but said, “I receive not honour from men” (John 5:41).

(Lynn G. Robbins, “Which Way Do You Face?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 9, 11)

Ponder these questions before you do the following activity.

  • Have you ever been afraid to lovingly correct or counsel a friend because you didn’t want to offend them?

  • Have you ever felt like you had to choose between what others expected of you and what the Lord expected of you?

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 2. Do the following in your study journal:

Write a scenario in which someone might find it difficult to love God and follow His commandments and also show love to others. (Note: Do not create a scenario that others could recognize as pertaining to a specific individual or peer.)

Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective

Think about the person in your scenario as you answer the following questions.

  • What assumptions might influence a person to choose to please others instead of pleasing God?

  • How might understanding Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation or other gospel teachings help resolve these false assumptions?

  • What truths about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ might help the person see others from Their perspective?

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

Read the following statements from latter-day prophets to see what insights might be helpful for the person in your scenario. President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018

Sometimes we as leaders of the Church are criticized for holding firm to the laws of God, defending the Savior’s doctrine, and resisting the social pressures of our day. …

… But wouldn’t it be far more uncaring for us not to tell the truth—not to teach what God has revealed?

(Russell M. Nelson, “The Love and Laws of God” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 17, 2019], 3, speeches.byu.edu)

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency stated:

Official Portrait of President Dallin H. Oaks taken March 2018.

We must try to keep both of the great commandments. To do so, we walk a fine line between law and love—keeping the commandments and walking the covenant path, while loving our neighbors along the way. This walk requires us to seek divine inspiration on what to support and what to oppose and how to love and listen respectfully and teach in the process.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Two Great Commandments,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 75)

  • How could knowing the truths taught in these statements help the person in your scenario?

Act in faith

  • What could the person in your scenario do to access Heavenly Father’s help to know how to act?

  • How could they act in a way that will keep both of the two great commandments?

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 3. Using the scenario you created, write a response that answers how the person could show love for both God and their neighbor.