Lesson 131

Commandments (Part 1)

Introduction

The teaching materials for this doctrinal mastery topic are divided into four parts. In part 1, students will study paragraphs 9.1–9.3 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2018). They will learn about one reason God gives His children commandments and about why we need to keep the Sabbath day holy. They will also study the doctrinal mastery scripture passage Isaiah 58:13–14.

Note: You could teach the segments of this lesson in a single class session or over the course of several class sessions, dividing class time between Doctrinal Mastery and a regular sequential scripture lesson. If you choose to teach the segments over the course of several class sessions, you may need to briefly review with students what they learned in previous segments before you teach a new segment.

Suggestions for Teaching

Teach students to turn to God for answers

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers from God” (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 28). Teach students to turn to God when they have questions. Help them understand “that an honest search for truth requires effort. Complex questions cannot be answered with superficial answers” (Chad H Webb, “Doctrinal Mastery” [address given at the Seminaries and Institutes of Religion Annual Training Broadcast, June 14, 2016], broadcasts.lds.org).

Understanding the Doctrine

Segment 1 (5 minutes)

Draw two hearts on the board. Invite students to think of a family member they love and who loves them in return.

• How do you show this person that you love him or her? How does this person show his or her love for you?

Above one heart, write the question How does God show His love for us? Above the other heart, write the question How do we show our love for God?

Ask students to turn to doctrinal topic 9, “Commandments,” in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Invite two students to take turns reading paragraphs 9.1–9.2 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for phrases that answer the questions written above the hearts. Invite two different students to come to the board and write the phrases they found under the appropriate hearts. Then ask:

• How do God’s commandments demonstrate His love for us?

• How can understanding that God gives us commandments because He loves us and wants us to become like Him affect the way we feel about His commandments?

Segment 2 (20 minutes)

Explain that because God loves all of His children, He has always given His children commandments. Invite a student to read aloud the first sentence of paragraph 9.3 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Ask the class to follow along, looking for one of the earliest commandments God gave to His children.

• What was one of the earliest commandments God gave to His children?

• What can we learn from the fact that keeping the Sabbath day holy was one of the earliest commandments God gave to His children?

Invite a student to read aloud the second sentence of paragraph 9.3: God commands His children to honor Him by doing His will rather than our own on the Sabbath, and He promises great blessings to those who keep His day holy. Invite students to consider marking this key statement of doctrine in their copies of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

• Which doctrinal mastery scripture passage helps teach this doctrine? (Isaiah 58:13–14.)

Invite students to turn to Isaiah 58:13–14 and to consider marking this doctrinal mastery passage in a distinctive way so they can locate it easily. To help students understand the context of this passage, explain that while teaching the Israelites about the law of the fast, He also explained how they could find joy in properly observing the Sabbath day.

Invite a student to read Isaiah 58:13–14 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for words or phrases that help teach the key statement of doctrine they identified in paragraph 9.3.

• What words or phrases did you find in these verses that help teach the key statement of doctrine you identified in paragraph 9.3?

To help students understand how they can honor God on the Sabbath by doing His will and not their own, invite a student to read aloud the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson. Ask the class to listen for anything that can help them to honor God on the Sabbath day.

“Not pursuing your ‘own pleasure’ [Isaiah 58:13] on the Sabbath requires self-discipline. You may have to deny yourself of something you might like. If you choose to delight yourself in the Lord, you will not permit yourself to treat it as any other day” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 132).

• What did President Nelson teach that can help you to honor God on the Sabbath?

• How can you “delight thyself in the Lord” (Isaiah 58:14) by “not doing thine own ways” (Isaiah 58:13) on His holy day?

• How have you been blessed as you have tried to honor God by doing His will instead of your own on the Sabbath?

Segment 3 (15 minutes)

Invite students to make personal lists in their study journals or on pieces of paper of some of the things they typically do on the Sabbath. After students have had sufficient time to make their lists, invite them to think about whether those activities represent their own will or God’s will.

To help students understand some of the many things they can do to honor God on the Sabbath day, consider displaying the following statement from For the Strength of Youth. Invite a student to read the statement aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for things they can do to honor God on the Sabbath day.

“Honoring the Sabbath day includes attending all your Church meetings. …

“Prepare during the week so that you can reserve Sunday for the many uplifting activities that are appropriate for the Sabbath day. Such activities include spending quiet time with your family, studying the gospel, fulfilling your Church callings and responsibilities, serving others, writing letters, writing in your journal, and doing family history work. Your behavior and dress on the Sabbath should show respect for the Lord and His holy day” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 30).

• What activities stood out to you that you may not previously have considered doing on the Sabbath?

Invite students to ponder what they may need to change or do better so they can dedicate the Sabbath day to doing God’s will. Testify of the blessings of keeping the Sabbath day holy, and encourage students to act on any promptings they have received about how they can better honor God on the Sabbath day.