person holding phone with Gospel Library showing

Lesson 1

Coming Closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through Trustworthy and Reliable Sources

Many young adults have questions about the doctrine, teachings, policies, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but may not be sure where to find reliable answers. This lesson will provide students with the opportunity to explore different sources provided by the Church to address their questions. They will also consider why these sources are trustworthy.

Suggestions for Teaching

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Create a sense of belonging. Along with providing students an opportunity to learn the gospel, increase faith in Jesus Christ, and deepen their conversion, institute should provide an experience where students can develop meaningful relationships with each other. As you begin this course, consider what you can do to foster an environment of love, acceptance, and respect. Seek to be inclusive of all who come. You may want to start this first lesson with an activity that allows your students to get to know each other.

Identifying learning outcomes that build faith in Jesus Christ

Display and read aloud the following learning outcomes:

In this course we will have the opportunity to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and increase our confidence in His restored Church by

• selecting topics about Church doctrine, teachings, policies, and history we feel are relevant to our class;

• learning how to identify and use reliable sources to address each topic;

• framing our selected topics from a perspective of faith;

• improving our ability to discuss these topics in a spirit of mutual respect and love; and

• considering how to take righteous, effective action on what we learn.

You could then ask the following questions:

• How can these outcomes help you become a more informed and articulate disciple of Jesus Christ?

• Why is it important to ensure that our class discussions, regardless of the topic, build faith in Jesus Christ and His everlasting gospel? (You may want to read and discuss 2 Nephi 25:26.)

Learning from Church resources

Display the following question: What are some frequently asked questions you have heard about the Church? (If students struggle coming up with questions, you could share some examples from Frequently Asked Questions [see newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org].) You may want to list students’ answers on the board and then ask:

• What types of responses have you heard to these questions?

• What can happen when answers to gospel questions are based on hearsay, misinformation, opinion, or speculation?

Share the following scenario:

You have a friend who has just attended a temple open house. She tells you her experience was positive. After the open house she did an internet search to learn more about the temple and read some things about the temple garment. One blog referred to temple garments as “magical underwear.” She asks you the following question: “Why do members of your Church wear ‘magical underwear’ after they go to the temple?”

Invite students to role-play with a partner how they would answer the question about “magical underwear.” After students have time to discuss their answers, consider asking the following questions:

• What went well when giving your answers? What did not go so well?

• What challenges can come when doing an internet search to find out more about the Church?

Consider sharing the following statements by Church leaders:

Elder Neil L. Andersen

We might remind the sincere inquirer that Internet information does not have a “truth” filter. Some information, no matter how convincing, is simply not true. (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 29)

Elder Dale G. Renlund

We can come to know the truthfulness of this latter-day work, but it requires that we choose faith, not doubt, and that we go to the reliable, trustworthy sources for our answers. (Dale G. Renlund, “Doubt Not, but Be Believing” [worldwide devotional for young adults, Jan. 13, 2019], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

President Dallin H. Oaks

We live in a time of greatly expanded and disseminated information. But not all of this information is true. We need to be cautious as we seek truth and choose sources for that search. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Truth and the Plan,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 25)

• Why are Church materials an important source when seeking to know more about Church doctrine, teachings, policies, and history?

Point out that while the scriptures and the words of modern apostles and prophets are our foundational sources, the Church provides additional sources that are accurate, honest, and consistent with our doctrine. For example, the Church website has helpful information about the purpose of the temple garment. You could read the article “Garments” from the Topics page and watch the video “Sacred Temple Clothing” (4:12).

• What stands out to you about this information on the temple garment?

• Based on what you have learned, how might you change your answer about “magical underwear”? (You may want to provide students an opportunity to share their revised answer with a partner.)

Explain that the Gospel Library provides many resources that are especially helpful when addressing questions and concerns on a wide variety of topics. These include, for example, Guide to the Scriptures, General Conference Topics, Life Help, and Topics. In addition to Gospel Library, the Newsroom provides news releases, articles, and stories that can help us keep current with what is happening in the Church.

To help students see these resources from the proper perspective, ask the following question:

• While these Church resources are valuable, why are they insufficient in our search for truth?

Based on students’ responses, consider which of the following questions will best help students to understand that these resources cannot replace the indispensable role the members of the Godhead play in our search for truth:

• Why is it essential that we look to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as the ultimate sources of truth? (See Mosiah 4:9 and John 14:6.)

• What role does the Holy Ghost play as we seek answers to our questions? (See Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3 and Moroni 10:5.)

• Why is it essential to pray as we seek answers to our questions? (See James 1:5–6 and 2 Nephi 32:8–9.)

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Identify reliable sources. It may be helpful to point out that while we will focus in this course on finding answers from Gospel Library and the Church’s Newsroom, there are many other Church publications where we can find answers, as well as other reliable sources that are not sponsored by the Church. Some of these sources can be accessed at “Links to Gospel Study Resources” (found at ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ensure that all students understand that the scriptures and the teachings of the Lord’s modern apostles and prophets are the standard by which we measure all other sources (see D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 86–90).

It may be helpful to show students where to find the Newsroom, Guide to the Scriptures, General Conference, Life Help, and Topics pages on a computer and on a mobile device. Point out that these sources are regularly updated and improved so that they are current and easy to navigate.

Invite students to use their own devices and take a few minutes to explore these sources. You may want to write on the board the following headings: Newsroom, Guide to the Scriptures, General Conference, Life Help, and Topics. (Note: If some students don’t have devices, invite them to work with someone who does. You may need to adapt this activity depending on Wi-Fi bandwidth.)

As students explore these resources, invite them to look for the unique features of each source and to consider what most impresses them. Encourage students to identify possible topics they would like to learn more about during this course.

After giving students sufficient time to explore, invite them to share something they found in each source and to write their answers under the appropriate heading on the board. Be sure to note topics that have general appeal to your students. Point out that for lessons 7–14 we will address topics the class selects.

As students share their observations about these resources, consider asking one or more of the following questions to enhance your discussion:

• Were there any topics, articles, or issues that surprised you? If so, why?

• How could a better awareness of the information available through these resources help you bless the lives of others? (You may want to read and discuss one or more of the following scriptures: 1 Peter 3:15; Doctrine and Covenants 11:21; 88:118.)

• How can becoming more aware of the Church’s position on these topics help draw us and others closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Invite a few students to share how they feel this course can bless their lives. Ask students to think of another young adult who could be blessed by participating, and encourage students to invite that person to attend the next class.

For Next Time

Invite students to access the Newsroom site or Church News app during the week and look for recent news from the Church. Explain that during the next class they will have the opportunity to share something they found with their peers. Consider sending a reminder to students about this activity a couple of days before your next class.