The fourth item on our preflight
check is “Teach the Doctrine.”
Not just any doctrine, of course, but the doctrine that Jesus Christ
received from His father. The Savior said, “My doctrine
is not mine, but His
that sent me.” To evaluate how well
you are following His example,
consider these questions. Do I learn
the doctrine for myself?
Do I teach from the scriptures and
the words of latter-day prophets?
Do I help learners recognize
and understand truths in the scriptures? Do I focus on truths
that build faith in Jesus Christ?
Do I help learners find personal
revelation in the doctrine?
In our dispensation, the Lord has said,
“I give unto you a commandment that
you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom;
teach ye diligently, and my grace shall attend to you.” What
is the doctrine we are to teach?
It is the word that proceeds from holy
scriptures and the mouths of apostles and prophets. It is they who have the
right and authority to expound and clarify doctrine. It is through them
that God has always declared His word, giving guidance and understanding
to His children.
The central and saving doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints is that Jesus Christ is
the Savior and redeemer of all.
The Apostle Paul, who saw and communed
with the risen Savior,
wrote to the Corinthians:
“I declare unto you of the gospel
which I preached unto you,
that Jesus the Christ died for
our sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
and that you are seen of Cephas,
then of the twelve,” end of quote.
We are commanded to lay hold
upon the word of God,
which is quick and powerful and will
lead the man of Christ in a straight and narrow course and land their souls,
yea, their immortal souls at the right hand of God in
the Kingdom of Heaven.
As teachers, we must not be ashamed
of the gospel of Jesus Christ;
rather, we must joyfully raise our
voices in teaching His doctrine,
even when it may seem a stumbling block
to some and foolishness to others,
For it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth.