This lesson will introduce you to doctrinal mastery and how it can bless your life and help you build your spiritual foundation on Jesus Christ.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles warned of spiritual whirlwinds:
More concerning than the prophesied earthquakes and wars [in the latter days] are the spiritual whirlwinds that can uproot you from your spiritual foundations and land your spirit in places you never imagined possible, sometimes with your barely noticing that you have been moved.
(Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritual Whirlwinds,” Ensign or Liahona , May 2014, 18)
Think about a spiritual whirlwind you may be facing. Read Helaman 5:12 and look for ways to withstand this whirlwind.
Seminary can help you build your foundation on Jesus Christ as you learn His doctrine, come unto Him, and become His disciple (see 3 Nephi 11:39). Read the first two paragraphs in the “Introduction to Doctrinal Mastery” chapter of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022), looking for ways seminary can help you build your foundation on Jesus Christ.
There are two primary outcomes for doctrinal mastery that will help you build your foundation on Jesus Christ. Read the two outcomes for doctrinal mastery in the “Introduction to Doctrinal Mastery” chapter of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document .
Each week in seminary you will work on doctrinal mastery. In most of these lessons, you will study one of 24 scripture passages from the New Testament that are known as doctrinal mastery passages. The following diagram illustrates what you will do in the doctrinal mastery lessons.
Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change.
(Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona , Nov. 2011, 6)
Take a few moments to review the 24 doctrinal mastery passages and key scripture phrases for the New Testament course. You can use the Doctrinal Mastery app or the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document . You may want to start memorizing the reference and key scripture phrase for the passage you selected earlier.
President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
[Doctrinal mastery] will focus on building and strengthening our students’ faith in Jesus Christ and fortifying them with increased ability to live and apply the gospel in their lives. Drawing on the scriptures and the words of the prophets, they will learn how to act with faith in Christ to acquire spiritual knowledge and understanding of His gospel. And they will have opportunities to learn how to apply the doctrine of Christ and gospel principles to the questions and challenges they hear and see every day among their peers and on social media.
(M. Russell Ballard, “The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 26, 2016], ChurchofJesusChrist.org )
Doctrinal mastery scripture marking activity
To help students mark the doctrinal mastery scripture passages, consider using this activity. Determine the number of passages to use in this activity, and assign each student a passage (multiple students could be assigned the same passage).
Give students time to prepare, then invite them to do the following: (1) visit another member of the class, (2) share their doctrinal mastery scripture passages with one another, and (3) mark the passages. Repeat this activity multiple times.
To add more variety to the activity, consider inviting students to answer a question to help them become acquainted with one another, or share a situation in which they think knowing this scripture would be helpful.
Doctrinal Mastery app
Help students download the Doctrinal Mastery app on a mobile device. Use class time to help students become familiar with the app and work on some of the activities. Encourage students to use the app outside of class.
Invite students to imagine themselves as a missionary, a parent, or answering a friend’s questions about the gospel. Ask students to share ways having scriptures memorized could help them in those situations.
