Lesson 8

Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge (Part 1)

Introduction

The teaching materials for Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge are divided into three parts. In Part 1, students will study the first three paragraphs in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. They will learn about God’s divinely ordained pattern for acquiring spiritual knowledge and the effect that our attitudes and desires have on our ability to learn through the Holy Ghost.

Note: Parts 1 and 2 of this lesson can be taught over the course of two 40-minute class sessions, or they can be combined and taught in one 80-minute session. Part 3 contains a practice exercise that gives students an opportunity to apply what they learned in parts 1 and 2.

Suggestions for Teaching

Teach students the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge

Students will better accomplish the purposes of Doctrinal Mastery if they know and understand the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. Be sure to help them understand these principles and to regularly review them in subsequent doctrinal mastery lessons. The practice exercises included in these lessons will require students to understand and apply these principles.

Increasing Our Understanding and Testimony of Spiritual Truth

Invite a student to read aloud the following account by Elder James B. Martino of the Seventy. Ask the class to listen for a challenge Elder Martino experienced when he was first introduced to the restored gospel:

“When I was a young man, my parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We knew that the missionaries had been teaching them, but my parents had taken the missionary lessons alone.

“After this surprising announcement, my brothers and I began to listen to the missionaries as well, and they each received the message of the Restoration with gladness. Although I was curious, my heart was not into changing my life. I did, however, accept the challenge to pray about whether the Book of Mormon was the word of God, but I did not receive an answer” (James B. Martino, “Turn to Him and Answers Will Come,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 58).

• What difficulty did Elder Martino encounter?

• What might be some reasons why Elder Martino did not receive an answer when he prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true?

Invite students to contemplate how they might feel if they were in this situation. Explain that sometimes those who ask Heavenly Father for spiritual knowledge feel that their prayers are not being answered. They might not be receiving an answer to their prayers because they do not understand what they must do in order to acquire spiritual knowledge.

Explain that during their seminary experience, students will have many opportunities to learn how to obtain spiritual knowledge from Heavenly Father. As they participate in Doctrinal Mastery, they will have opportunities to learn how to apply the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge and to develop a deeper understanding of the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Invite students to turn to “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” on page 3 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Invite a student to read paragraph 1 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what we must understand if we want to acquire spiritual knowledge from God. Ask students to report what they find.

• What characteristic of God allows us to trust Him when seeking answers?

• Why would it be important for a person who is seeking to acquire spiritual knowledge to first understand that God is the source of all truth?

• What words or phrases in paragraph 1 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document describe how we should seek to acquire spiritual knowledge?

Explain that God has established a pattern for acquiring spiritual knowledge. To help students understand what patterns are and why they are useful, display some type of pattern, such as a sewing pattern, house plans, or a pattern for building a piece of furniture. Explain that a pattern is a model or design that a person can follow or copy in order to create something.

• If someone knew how to follow this pattern and had the necessary skills and materials, what would he or she likely be able to do?

• What problems could result if a person chose not to follow the pattern while trying to make this item?

Write the following phrase on the board: Divine Pattern for Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge. Explain that if we understand God’s pattern for acquiring spiritual knowledge and how to use that pattern, we can obtain and apply spiritual truths.

Invite a student to read aloud paragraph 2 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Ask the class to follow along, looking for four things we must do to follow the pattern God has given to help us acquire spiritual knowledge.

• Based on this paragraph, what must we do to follow the pattern God has given to help us acquire spiritual knowledge?

After students respond, write the following answers on the board under “Divine Pattern for Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge”:

1. Have an honest desire to know the truth.

2. Be willing to live according to the truth that God has revealed.

3. Seek truth through prayer.

4. Seriously study the word of God.

Ask:

• Why do you think it is important for us to have an honest desire to know the truth and to be willing to live according to the truth God gives us?

• How should we pray in order to receive answers and acquire spiritual knowledge?

• How can a serious study of the scriptures and the words of the prophets help us acquire spiritual knowledge?

Emphasize that as students consistently strive to follow God’s pattern for acquiring spiritual knowledge, they will be much more prepared to receive Heavenly Father’s guidance and direction when difficult situations or questions arise.

Invite a student to read aloud the first sentence of paragraph 3 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what often provides unique opportunities to use Heavenly Father’s pattern for obtaining divine truth. Ask students to report what they find.

Ask students to consider whether or not they think it is good to ask questions about the teachings of the Church or aspects of Church history that may be difficult to understand and why they think so.

Invite a student to continue reading aloud paragraph 3 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Ask students to follow along, looking for what this paragraph teaches about the role of asking questions and seeking answers in our effort to learn truth.

• What is the role of asking questions and seeking answers in our effort to learn truth? (After students respond, write the following statement of truth on the board: Asking questions and seeking answers is a vital part of our effort to learn truth. Invite students to consider marking this statement in their copies of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.)

• Why do you think asking questions and seeking answers is a vital part of our effort to learn truth?

Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency:

“My dear young friends, we are a question-asking people. We have always been, because we know that inquiry leads to truth. …

“… Inquiry is the birthplace of testimony. Some might feel embarrassed or unworthy because they have searching questions regarding the gospel.

“But they needn’t feel that way. Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a precursor of growth. God commands us to seek answers to our questions [see James 1:5–6] and asks only that we seek ‘with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ’ [Moroni 10:4]. When we do so, the truth of all things can be manifested to us ‘by the power of the Holy Ghost’ [Moroni 10:5]. Fear not. Ask questions. Be curious, but doubt not. … Always hold fast to faith and to the light you have already received” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Reflection in the Water” [Church Educational System fireside for young adults, Nov. 1, 2009], lds.org/media-library).

• What did President Uchtdorf teach us about questions we may have regarding the gospel?

• According to what we learn in paragraph 3 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, how does the way we ask questions affect our ability to receive answers? (Help students identify the following truth: The attitude and intent with which we ask questions and seek answers will greatly affect our ability to learn through the Holy Ghost. Invite students to consider marking this truth in their copies of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.)

Remind students of the account by Elder James B. Martino that was read earlier in the lesson, and ask students how they think the truth they just identified relates to Elder Martino’s inability to receive an answer to his prayers.

Invite a few students to take turns reading aloud the remainder of Elder Martino’s account. Ask the class to listen for what changed in Elder Martino’s approach to receiving answers to his questions.

“May I return to my personal story. Eventually I began to be sincere. I remember when the missionary who was teaching me asked if I was ready to be baptized. I replied that I still had some questions. This wise missionary told me that he could answer them but that I would have to answer his question first. He asked me if the Book of Mormon was true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I told him that I did not know, but I wanted to know.

“My questions led to increased faith. For me, the answer came not as an event but as a process. I noticed that as I did ‘experiment upon [the] words’ and began to ‘exercise a particle of faith,’ the Book of Mormon became ‘delicious to me’ and it did ‘enlighten my understanding’ and truly did ‘enlarge my soul.’ Eventually I had that experience the scriptures describe as a swelling within your breast [see Alma 32:27–28]. It was at this point that I desired to be baptized and to commit my life to Jesus Christ.

“I truly know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Oh, I still have things I do not comprehend, but my testimony of truth draws me closer to the Savior and builds my faith” (James B. Martino, “Turn to Him and Answers Will Come,” 60).

If time permits, instead of reading the remainder of Elder Martino’s account, consider showing part of Elder Martino’s general conference address titled “Turn to Him and Answers Will Come” (8:16–9:30). This video is available on LDS.org.

• How did Elder Martino’s sincerity and desire to know whether the Book of Mormon is true and whether Joseph Smith was a prophet of God affect his ability to learn through the Holy Ghost?

Invite students to think about times when they have asked questions in a way that has helped them acquire spiritual knowledge. Consider inviting a few students to share their experiences with the class. (You might also want to share an experience of your own.) Conclude by testifying of the truths identified in today’s lesson.