Focus on Prophetic Teachings

Skill: Encourage students to use modern prophetic teachings in devotionals.

Introduction

President Eyring taught, “There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety. And there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. And those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets, whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety” (Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 24).

Elder Christofferson added, “In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ‘we believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God’ (Articles of Faith 1:9). This is to say that while there is much we do not yet know, the truths and doctrine we have received have come and will continue to come by divine revelation. We value scholarship that enhances understanding, but in the Church today, just as anciently, establishing the doctrine of Christ or correcting doctrinal deviations is a matter of divine revelation to those the Lord endows with apostolic authority” (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Christ: Elder Christofferson,” May 2012).

To fulfill the objective of seminary and institute, teachers should take the time to become familiar with the words of living prophets such that their words flow naturally from them to the students.

The words of prophets are the words of Jesus Christ, and the words of Jesus Christ are the words of prophets, seers, and revelators (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38).

Here are a few questions a teacher can ask throughout the school year:

1. What are my study habits as it relates to the words of living prophets?

2. How much time do I invest in studying their words?

3. How often do I quote their words or use their words in my home, at work, in school, or at play?

4. How familiar am I with what President Nelson is saying this week?

5. What can I do to pay the price to know the words of the prophets and their priorities?

This is one of four micro training courses designed to help teachers and students learn and use the words of the prophets. This is a process that will take time to develop. As teachers and students begin, the words of the prophets will become more familiar to them, and line upon line, they will quickly learn the content and context of prophetic teachings. They will also become adept at locating these teachings in the gospel library and other places where they can be found. In time they will be able to claim the promise in Deuteronomy 6:6: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.”

What is my initial understanding or ability? (Assessment)

What are some ways you can better help your students focus on modern prophetic counsel in class?

What is it and why is it important? (Define):

Teachers can help students become more familiar with the words of the modern prophets by encouraging their use as part of the devotional each day in class. A teacher with this desire could simply ask the assigned student or the class presidency a question that encourages them to focus on the teachings of modern prophets. For example, one of the following questions could be asked:

1. “As you prepare to share the spiritual thought, will you choose from the words of one of the living prophets something that inspires you or something you think will bless the students in the class?”

2. “For the thought you will give in your next devotional, will you please choose from the words of one of the living prophets something to add to what you have already planned to share with the class?”

Helping students focus on modern prophetic teachings during the devotional can help them center the class in Jesus Christ, and His words will become more familiar to them during their time together.

Who or what provides a good illustration of this? (Model):

Sister Jones meets after class with Jamie, a student in her class. Jamie will have the devotional in two days. Sister Jones reminds Jamie of her assignment and asks, “As you prepare to share the spiritual thought in two days, will you choose from the words of one of the living prophets?”

How can I practice using this skill or applying this principle? (Practice):

Think of the students who are assigned to give devotionals for the next few days. Write the question you will ask one of these students to help them focus on modern prophets’ words.

Ponder or discuss:

What blessings do you think will come to your students as they focus on the words of modern prophets repeatedly?

Incorporate:

Take time to follow this practice each week. Build a class culture of looking for and using the words of the prophets.

Please take some time during this year to identify other ways that you could incorporate the words of the prophets in your classroom experience.

Want more?

Mosiah 18:19: “ … nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.”

Clark G. Gilbert, “‘A Prophet in the Land: Current Prophetic Emphases to Young Adults’ S&I Annual Broadcast 2023,” Jan. 27, 2023.