Christ preaching the Sermon on the Mount

March 8

What Does It Mean to Live the Doctrine of Christ?

2 Nephi 31–33

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme or the Young Women Theme. Then lead a discussion about items such as the following, and plan ways to act on what you discuss:

• Our quorum or class. Who needs our help and prayers? What can we do to help them? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity?

• Our duties or responsibilities. What assignments have we fulfilled? What assignments do we need to make? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?

• Our lives. What recent experiences have strengthened our testimonies? What is happening in our lives, and how can we support each other?

As appropriate, conclude the meeting by doing the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

During the week, those you teach may have studied 2 Nephi 31–33. Chapter 31 helps us understand that although the gospel can sometimes seem complicated, to Nephi it was characterized by “plainness” (2 Nephi 31:2–3). He taught that living the gospel means exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end (see 2 Nephi 31:13, 18–21). Nephi called these teachings “the doctrine of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:21). What blessings have come to you from living this doctrine? How can you help quorum or class members live this doctrine and receive these blessings for themselves?

What do you learn about the doctrine of Christ as you study 2 Nephi 31–33? To learn more about this topic, see Preach My Gospel (2018), 61–69.

young women cutting out paper hearts

As we live the doctrine of Christ, we reach out in love to those around us.

Learn Together

How will you help quorum or class members understand the doctrine of Christ? You might write on the board the phrases Exercise faith in Jesus Christ, Repent, Be baptized, Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the end. Ask the youth to review 2 Nephi 31 and find verses that relate to each of these aspects of the doctrine of Christ. Invite them to share what they learn from these verses. The activities below can help them better understand how to live the doctrine of Christ.

• Some youth may relate to the feelings of President M. Russell Ballard’s child, who said, “Dad, I wonder if I will ever be able to make it.” Maybe you can invite the quorum or class to find what President Ballard said to reassure his child in “The True, Pure, and Simple Gospel of Jesus Christ” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 28–31). What else do quorum or class members find in this message that gives them encouragement? How can focusing on the first principles of the gospel help someone who feels discouraged in his or her efforts to live the gospel? (see Articles of Faith 1:4).

• Do any members of your quorum or class know the fourth article of faith? If so, you could invite a few to repeat it from memory. The quorum or class might benefit from dividing into small groups to create pictures or diagrams that portray what it means to have faith, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. The quotation from Preach My Gospel found in “Supporting Resources” may help the youth as they make their diagrams. Invite each group to share their diagram and explain what they drew.

• If quorum or class members would benefit from the opportunity to teach each other, consider assigning each young man or young woman (or groups of youth) to study one of the following sections of chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel: “Faith in Jesus Christ,” “Repentance through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” “Baptism, Our First Covenant with God,” “The Gift of the Holy Ghost,” and “Endure to the End” (pages 63–69). Ask each youth or group to think about scriptures, examples, or personal experiences that relate to the section they study. Then ask a few of them to teach the other quorum or class members what they learned. How do each of these principles of the gospel relate to each other? What blessings do we receive when we follow the doctrine of Christ?

Act in Faith

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

Supporting Resources

• 3 Nephi 11:21–41; 27:8–21 (Jesus Christ declares His gospel)

• Doctrine and Covenants 19:31 (We should teach the first principles of the gospel)

• Elder David A. Bednar, “Gather Together in One All Things in Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 21–24

• After Church members have obeyed the first four principles of the gospel, they “then endure to the end, or, in other words, they continue throughout their lives in exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, and renewing the covenants they have made. These are not just steps that they experience once in their lives; rather, when repeated throughout life these principles become an increasingly rewarding pattern of living. In fact, it is the only way of living that will bring peace of conscience and enable Heavenly Father’s children to return to live in His presence” (Preach My Gospel [2018], 6).

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

In every setting, the Savior was the example and mentor for His disciples. He taught them to pray by praying with them. He taught them to love and serve by loving and serving them. How can you be an example of the principles you are teaching? (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 13–14.)