Deepen Your Doctrinal Mastery


Because I love you all and want you to experience what Joseph Smith experienced, you need to know for yourself that Joseph was a prophet and that the true Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.  In order to have that experience, you will need to study the following verses, mark the phrases indicated, then follow Joseph's pattern for learning truth.  In part, you will learn that it takes

1)    PRAYER & ASKING IN FAITH

2)    FIGHTING THROUGH OPPOSITION
3)    BECOMING A WITNESS/LEARNING TRUTH TRUTH
4)    LEARNING FOR SELF
5) BECOMING A DISTURBER AND ANNOYER OF SATAN THROUGH TESTIMONY
6)    TRYING TO DO WHAT JESUS DID
7)    BRINGING FORTH SCRIPTURE
8)    LIVING AND DYING GREAT (ENDURING TO THE END)


Spend some time with these scriptures and phrases to discover more truths for yourself:
1)    JSH 1:15-16 Mark these phrases in your scriptures and then prepare answers to the questions below
“I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God”….”exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me”
What do these phrases from Joseph Smith teach you about prayer?  What else have you learned from Joseph about how to pray.  Be prepared to share a powerful experience you have had with prayer.

2)    JSH 1:17-18 Mark these phrases in your scriptures and then prepare answers to the questions below

“When the light rested upon me I saw two personages standing above me in the air.”
“Joseph, This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”
“I must join none of them, for they were all were wrong”

What truths about God and His plan that had previously been lost or confused, were RESTORED to the earth through the First Vision?  Be prepared to share.


3)    JSH 1:20 “I have learned for myself” Mark these phrases in your scriptures and then prepare answers to the questions below

“I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of (Satan’s) kingdom”

How has Joseph example and testimony helped you to learn about God for yourself?

What have you been doing since the beginning of seminary to be more disturbing and annoying to Satan? Why does it feel good to do it?

4)    D&C 135:3 Mark these phrases in your scriptures and then prepare answers to the questions below
“Joseph Smith the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world than any other man.”

“He lived great, and he died great”

What have you learned about Joseph Smith that helps you know these two statements are true?

5)    D&C 135:3 Mark these phrases in your scriptures and then prepare answers to the questions below

“(H)e has brought forth the Book of Mormon…has bought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants”

Find and be prepared to share a meaningful verse from the Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants that has made you grateful for Joseph’s contribution and sacrifice (a verse that answered a question, solved a problem, brought you comfort, helped you learn a truth).