Fundamentals Study Guide

Study the resources listed in red the first time you are introduced to this topic in class. Study the resources listed in black during personal study.

The Doctrine of Christ—The Missionary Purpose

Use the following resources to learn that the doctrine of Christ and the missionary purpose are one and the same. Learn also how to confidently invite investigators to be baptized, especially in the first visit.

Study Questions and Resources:

• What is the doctrine of Christ? How is the doctrine of Christ related to your purpose? What do these references teach about the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?

  • “Your Purpose” red box (PMG, 1)

  • Matthew 3:13–17 (see JST, Matthew 3:43–46, in the appendix of your Bible)

  • 3 Nephi 9:20–22

  • 3 Nephi 11:21–41

  • 3 Nephi 27:13–14

  • D&C 33:10–13

  • Read the quote from President Boyd K. Packer (PMG, 19)

  • “The Gospel of Jesus Christ” (PMG, 5–6, 60–70)

  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson pamphlet

• Why is love for the Lord and those you teach so important?

  • D&C 4:5; 12:8

  • “Charity and Love” (PMG, 118, including the scripture study box)

  • Moroni 7:44–48

  • 1 Cor. 13:1–3

• Why is the baptismal invitation central to fulfilling the purpose of missionary work?

  • 2 Nephi 31:2–21

  • John 3:5

  • Acts 2:37–41

  • 3 Nephi 11:33–34

  • “Your Commission to Teach the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ” (PMG, 1–2)

  • D&C 76:40–42

The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion

Use the following resources to learn more about the central role of the Holy Ghost in conversion and how to recognize and follow promptings from the Holy Ghost to help investigators accept the invitation to be baptized.

Study Questions and Resources:

• How can I rely on and recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost?

  • D&C 8:2–3

  • “The Power and Authority of Your Calling” (PMG, 4–5)

  • “Learning by the Holy Ghost” (PMG, 18)

  • “Learn to Recognize the Promptings of the Spirit” (PMG, 96–97)

  • “Relying on the Spirit” (PMG, 97–98)

  • “Listen” (PMG, 185, first 3 paragraphs)

  • “Activity: Personal or Companion Study” (PMG, 96–97)

• How can I qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost?

  • Alma 17:2–3

  • D&C 4:5–7

  • D&C 84:85; 100:5–8

  • “Pray with Faith” (PMG, 93–95)

  • Mosiah 2:36

  • D&C 121:34–46

  • “Ideas for Study and Application, Personal Study”(PMG, 100, third bullet). “Look through your journal …”

• What is the role of the Holy Ghost in conversion?

  • D&C 42:11–17; 50:13–22

  • “Follow the Spirit” red box (PMG, 176)

  • 2 Nephi 33:1–2

  • Alma 11–12

  • John 14:26–27

• What must an investigator feel in order to receive conversion?

  • Alma 32:26–37

  • “The Power of the Spirit in Conversion” (PMG, 92–93)

  • “Conversion” (Bible Dictionary, 650)

Revelation through Prayer

Use the following resources to learn that prayer is essential for conversion and how to invite others to pray early and often so that they may receive personal revelation.

Study Questions and Resources:

• Why is prayer essential for conversion?

  • “Pray Often” (PMG, 73)

  • “Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost” (PMG, 39)

  • “Scripture Study” box (PMG, 73)

  • “Prayer” (Bible Dictionary, 752–53)

• What are the similarities between Lehi’s and Joseph’s experience?

  • JS—History 1:1–20

  • 1 Nephi 1

• How should investigators pray to gain a testimony?

  • Alma 22:18

  • “How Can I Know?” (The Restoration pamphlet, 16)

  • 3 Nephi 17–18

  • Matthew 7:7–11

  • John 15:7, 16; 16:23–24

  • “Revelation” (Bible Dictionary, 762)

  • “Prayer” (True to the Faith, 118–23)

  • “You May Ask of God” (Our Search for Happiness, 116–18)

• What should investigators expect about receiving answers to their prayers?

  • Alma 5:45–47

  • Moroni 10:3–5

  • Enos 1:1–18

• Why is it important for investigators to have a kneeling, audible prayer with missionaries during a lesson?

  • “Prayer” red box (PMG, 39)

  • 2 Nephi 32:8–9

  • D&C 19:28

Revelation through the Book of Mormon

Use the following resources to learn why the Book of Mormon is essential for conversion and how to invite others to read and pray to know it is true.

Study Questions and Resources:

• What is the role of the Book of Mormon in conversion?

  • “Introduction” (The Book of Mormon)

  • “Use the Book of Mormon to Confirm the Truth of the Restoration” red box (PMG, 39)

  • D&C 20:6–25

  • “The Book of Mormon Is the Keystone of Our Religion” (PMG, 103–4)

  • “The Message of the Restoration: The Foundation of Faith” (PMG, 6–8)

  • “The Book of Mormon Answers Questions of the Soul” (PMG, 107–8)

  • “Use the Book of Mormon to Respond to Objections” (PMG, 108–9)

  • “The Book of Mormon” (The Restoration pamphlet, 15)

• How can the Book of Mormon help investigators come unto Christ?

  • 2 Nephi 25:26, 28

  • “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ” (PMG, 38–39)

  • “The Book of Mormon Testifies of Christ” (PMG, 105)

  • “The Book of Mormon and the Bible Support Each Other” (PMG, 106)

• How should an investigator read the Book of Mormon to gain a testimony?

  • Moroni 10:3–5

  • “How Should You Use the Book of Mormon?” (PMG, 110–11)

  • “The Book of Mormon Draws People Nearer to God” (PMG, 108)

Revelation through Church Attendance

Use the following resources to learn why church attendance is essential for conversion and how to teach and invite others to receive revelation through church attendance.

Study Questions and Resources:

• Why is it essential for investigators to attend church to gain a testimony?

  • Alma 31:5

  • D&C 59:9–10, 16

  • Alma 6:1–6

  • Matthew 18:20

  • Mosiah 1; 2:1–9

  • Mosiah 25:18–24

  • D&C 84:21–22

  • Think of a time when you received an answer to a prayer at church. Reflect on what you did to receive that answer. Identify and set goals that will help you receive revelation as you attend church.

• What is the role of members and the ward council in helping investigators attend church?

  • Planning guideline #4 (PMG, 148)

  • “Work with the Ward Council to Strengthen New and Less-Active Members” (PMG, 215–17)

• What must an investigator feel at church in order to receive conversion?

  • Moroni 6:4–6

  • 3 Nephi 20:2–9

  • D&C 20:5–79

  • 3 Nephi 18

  • The new member story (PMG, 214)

  • “Keep the Sabbath Day Holy” (PMG, 74)

• How can you prepare investigators to attend church?

  • Mosiah 18:17–25

  • “Although the sacrament is for Church members, the bishopric should not announce that it will be passed to members only, and nothing should be done to prevent nonmembers from partaking of it” (Handbook 2, 20.4.1).

  • Mosiah 6:1–3

  • “Progress Record” (PMG, 142)

Teach People, Not Lessons

Use the following resources to learn how to ask inspired questions, listen, discern, and teach doctrine from the lessons according to the needs of the investigator and the promptings of the Spirit.

Study Questions and Resources:

• Why should the needs of the investigator and the promptings of the Spirit guide the lesson?

  • First Presidency “Statement on Missionary Work” (PMG, 29–30)

  • Alma 18

  • 3 Nephi 17:1–9

• What is the importance of asking inspired questions and listening in discerning the spiritual needs of others?

  • “Listen” (PMG, 185–86)

  • “Ask Questions” (PMG, 183–84)

  • Introduction to chapter 10, “How Can I Improve My Teaching Skills?” (PMG, 175–76)

• What must an investigator feel in order to receive conversion?

  • D&C 50:13–22

  • Alma 22:4–18

  • “The Power of the Spirit in Conversion” (PMG, 92–93)

  • “Charity and Love” (PMG, 118)

  • “Help People Resolve Their Concerns” (PMG, 187)

• What does it mean to teach doctrine from the lessons according to the needs of the investigator?

  • “Adjust Your Teaching to Meet Needs” (PMG, 177–78)

  • “What Do I Study and Teach?” (PMG, 29–30)

  • “Teach for Understanding” (PMG, 182–83)

We Invite, They Commit, We Follow Up

Use the following resources to learn that invitations and personal agency are essential in conversion and how to extend invitations that help others repent and come unto Christ.

Study Questions and Resources:

• What does it mean to declare repentance?

  • “Helping Others Make Commitments: The Door to Faith and Repentance” (PMG, 8)

  • D&C 11:9

  • “Activity: Personal or Companion Study” (PMG, 197)

• How can you know you are successful in helping others come unto Christ?

  • “A Successful Missionary” (PMG, 10–11)

• What is the role of agency as it relates to investigators’ commitments?

  • “Follow Up” (PMG, 200)

  • 2 Nephi 2:16

  • John 7:17

  • 2 Nephi 26:33

  • Alma 12:31

• How should you invite people to make commitments?

  • “Ask Direct Questions” (PMG, 197)

  • “Promise People Blessings” (PMG, 197–98)

  • “Bear Testimony Frequently” (PMG, 198–200)

  • “Extend Commitment Invitations” (PMG, 195–96)

  • D&C 15:6

• What must an investigator feel in order to receive conversion?

  • Alma 22:15–18

  • Acts 2:37–38

  • Chastity pamphlet (also PMG, 77)

  • The Word of Wisdom pamphlet (also PMG, 78)

  • Tithing and Fast Offerings pamphlet (also PMG, 78–80)

How to Begin Teaching

Use the following resources to learn how to apply principles of “How to Begin Teaching” in every lesson.

Study Questions and Resources:

• Why are the first few moments with an investigator so important?

  • “How to Begin Teaching” (PMG, 176–77)

  • Mosiah 2

  • Moroni 7:43–48

  • Commit to memory the concepts in the “How to Begin Teaching” section, including the bulleted items.

• What must an investigator know and feel in the first few moments in order to feel the Spirit?

  • Alma 16:16–17

  • “The Power of the Spirit in Conversion” (PMG, 92–93)

  • Alma 17–18

  • Mosiah 17:2–4

  • Alma 12:7

  • Alma 22

  • Alma 32