Doctrinal Mastery Review 21

Understand and Explain

young man studying scriptures

One purpose of doctrinal mastery is to help you understand the truths of the Savior’s gospel and be able to explain them in your own words. This lesson will give you an opportunity to deepen your understanding of and explain truths from one or more of the doctrinal mastery passages from the Book of Mormon.

Understanding the scriptures

Look at the following images:

image of young soccer player next to image of experienced soccer player

• What is required for a young soccer player to develop into a professional?

• How might this process relate to our ability to understand the scriptures?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

For the gospel to be written in your heart, you need to know what it is and grow to understand it more fully. That means you will study it. When I say “study,” I mean something more than reading. (D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11)

• How has your understanding of the gospel grown throughout your life? How has studying scriptures helped?

• What are some study methods you have used to deepen your understanding of a scripture passage or gospel topic?

To see examples of study methods, consider watching “Advice for Studying the Scriptures” (2:06) from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Though you may be familiar with some of the doctrinal mastery passages and the doctrine they teach, the Savior desires that your understanding continues to grow. This requires effort on your part. In this lesson, you will have the opportunity to practice scripture study skills that can help increase your understanding of doctrinal mastery passages.

Scripture study skills

Briefly review each of the following doctrinal mastery passages and key scripture phrases.

Book of Mormon Doctrinal Mastery: Alma–Moroni

Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)

Scripture Reference	Key Scripture Phrase
Scripture Reference Alma 7:11–13	Key Scripture Phrase “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.”
Scripture Reference Alma 34:9–10	Key Scripture Phrase “There must be an atonement made, … an infinite and eternal sacrifice.”
Scripture Reference Alma 39:9	Key Scripture Phrase “Go no more after the lusts of your eyes.”
Scripture Reference Alma 41:10	Key Scripture Phrase “Wickedness never was happiness.”
Scripture Reference Helaman 5:12	Key Scripture Phrase “It is upon the rock of our Redeemer … that ye must build your foundation.”
Scripture Reference 3 Nephi 11:10–11	Key Scripture Phrase “I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.”
Scripture Reference 3 Nephi 12:48	Key Scripture Phrase “Be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.”
Scripture Reference 3 Nephi 27:20	Key Scripture Phrase “Come unto me and be baptized … that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost.”
Scripture Reference Ether 12:6	Key Scripture Phrase “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.”
Scripture Reference Ether 12:27	Key Scripture Phrase “If men come unto me … then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
Scripture Reference Moroni 7:45–48	Key Scripture Phrase “Charity is the pure love of Christ.”
Scripture Reference Moroni 10:4–5	Key Scripture Phrase “Ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ … [and] by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

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Choose one of the doctrinal mastery scripture passages in this chart you would like to better understand. Then use one or more of the following scripture study skills to help your understanding of that passage to grow. Be prepared to explain the scripture you chose to others.

Complete activity A, B, or C.

Activity A: Cross-reference

Use scripture footnotes, the Guide to the Scriptures, the Topical Guide, or other resources to find additional scriptures that can increase your understanding of a passage. Consider writing the cross-reference in your scriptures near the doctrinal mastery passage or linking it in your Gospel Library app. Write in your study journal or the Gospel Library app the cross-references you chose and an insight you gained about the doctrinal mastery passage from studying in this way.

Activity B: Define words and phrases

Find words in the doctrinal mastery passage that you would like to understand better. Search for definitions of those words or phrases in available resources, such as the Guide to the Scriptures, the Bible Dictionary, or a general dictionary. Record in your study journal, scripture margins, or the Gospel Library app the definitions you discovered, along with any new insights about the doctrinal mastery passage.

Activity C: Understanding context and content

To understand the context and content of a passage, you might read the chapter heading and surrounding verses of the passage you are studying. Seek to understand who is speaking and why. Look for clues to understand the situation or background to the verses and the main message the author is trying to convey. Record what you better understand about the passage because of what you pondered.

If time permits, try using a different skill on one of the other passages.

1. Record the following:

   • The doctrinal mastery passage you chose to study

   • The scripture study skill you used

   • One or more insights you gained about your doctrinal mastery passage

   • How what you learned can influence your relationship with or understanding of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ