Doctrinal Mastery: James 1:5–6

“Ask of God”

The Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. in the Sacred Grove (in Manchester, New York) when he received the First Vision. Joseph is depicted kneeling before God the Father and Jesus Christ. Both God the Father and Christ are portrayed wearing white robes. The Father is presenting Christ to Joseph. There are trees in the background. (Joseph Smith - History 1:15-20)

In a previous lesson, “James 1,” you learned that God blesses us with wisdom if we ask Him in faith. This lesson can help you memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for James 1:5–6, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

Turning to God for answers. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers from God” (“Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 28). Teach students to turn to God for wisdom when they have questions.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Joseph Smith—History 1:10–14, looking for how Joseph Smith applied principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in his life.

Possible Learning Activities

This doctrinal mastery passage lesson is designed to be taught after the lesson “James 1,” which is the contextual lesson for the doctrinal mastery passage James 1:5–6. If this doctrinal mastery passage lesson needs to be moved to a different week, be sure to teach the corresponding contextual lesson during that week as well.

Memorize and explain

Help students memorize and explain the scripture reference and key scripture phrase for James 1:5–6. The following activities are suggestions for accomplishing this goal.

Imagine a friend is struggling to make an important decision in his or her life. You know this friend did not grow up believing that we can speak directly to God in prayer.

Recall that in the previous lesson, you studied the following truth from James 1:5–6: God will bless us with wisdom if we ask of Him in faith.

How could you use James 1:5–6 to explain the relationship Heavenly Father invites us to have with Him? (It may be helpful to include examples of questions someone might ask or wisdom they might seek from God in prayer, as well as personal experiences or scriptural examples.)

After giving students time to ponder how they would answer the previous question, consider inviting them to share their answers with a partner so all have the chance to express their answers aloud. Listen to students’ answers, and, if necessary, review any material from the previous lesson to help students understand this passage better.

Consider displaying the image found at the beginning of the lesson while students complete the following activity.

Being able to find and explain this doctrinal mastery passage could help you as you share the gospel with others throughout your life. To help you commit this passage to memory, look at the image of Joseph Smith’s First Vision at the beginning of the lesson while repeating the following key scripture phrase and reference as many times as you can in one minute: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5–6).

To help students better commit the key scripture phrase and reference to memory, consider pausing several times throughout the lesson to hold up the image of the First Vision and inviting students to recite the key scripture phrase and reference again.

Practice application

Young Joseph Smith sits in a chair reading the bible.

Consider displaying this image or a similar image of Joseph Smith during the following portion of the lesson.

Joseph Smith is one of many scriptural examples of people who have been blessed by following the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. For the following practice application, you will study one example of how he applied these principles in his life. Before you begin, take some time to briefly review these principles in paragraphs 5–12 of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022).

Consider dividing the students into three groups, with each group focusing on a different principle of acquiring spiritual knowledge for the remainder of the lesson. If needed, invite each group to review the paragraphs pertaining to their principle in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

Think of what you already know about Joseph Smith’s experience. What questions did Joseph have? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:8–10.)
Why is it important for us to seek answers from God to our own questions just as Joseph Smith did?

Think of any questions you have or wisdom you are seeking. As you complete the following activity, think about how Joseph’s example of applying principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge could help you in situations that require wisdom from God.

Alternately, this practice application could be adapted for a question students have or wisdom they seek.

Invite each group to study the following verses together. Give them adequate time to talk about what they discover within their group, including what they learned from the student preparation activity. Then invite each group to report to the class on how they noticed Joseph applying the principle they focused on.

Study Joseph Smith—History 1:8, 11–17, and consider marking each phrase that shows how Joseph followed the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge as a teenager. Though you may already be familiar with his story, look for details in these verses that reveal Joseph’s desires, attitudes, and faith beyond what you may have noticed before.

What examples did you find of Joseph acting in faith, keeping an eternal perspective, and using divinely appointed sources?

The following questions are meant to help students discuss how Joseph applied the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, learn how these principles can benefit their lives, and turn to God to learn the truth. Choose the questions that are most relevant to students.

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

Why do you think it was important to Joseph Smith to seek answers to his questions directly from God?
What did Joseph believe would happen if he did not go to God to find answers? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:13.)
In addition to prayer, how else can you seek answers from God?

Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective

What do you think Joseph knew about God that gave him confidence to ask Him directly for answers?
When answers to your questions do not come quickly, how is it helpful to understand how Heavenly Father reveals truth to His children?
Why would Satan want to prevent Joseph—and you—from praying to God for answers?

Act in faith

How did Joseph Smith demonstrate “ask[ing] in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:6), even when Satan tried to prevent him from praying? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:15–16.)
How could Joseph’s example help you with your own questions and concerns? Consider making a specific plan for how you will act in faith.

Bear testimony of our loving Heavenly Father, who is willing to bless us with wisdom if we ask Him in faith. Consider sharing a personal experience that demonstrates His loving guidance after seeking Him in faith.

Doctrinal mastery review

During an upcoming lesson, spend no more than three to five minutes reviewing the scripture reference and key scripture phrase for James 1:5–6. One way to do this is to hold up the same picture that was used in this lesson as students memorized the key scripture phrase. See if students can still remember the phrase. Give them time to review it and try again as needed.

Another way is to hold up the image of the First Vision and invite students to recite the key scripture phrase two or three times at the beginning of the next few lessons.