“Evaluating the Reliability of Sources,” Scripture Study Skills Teacher Manual (2024)
Evaluating the Reliability of Sources
Define
Display the following statement by 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)
Alternatively, you could show the video “In Search of Truth” (3:03) or a portion of President Oaks’s message “Truth and the Plan” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 25–28) from time code 0:18 to 2:18. Students could look for principles that can guide them as they seek truth from various sources.
Provide students with the following handout of questions to help them evaluate the reliability of sources.
Questions for Evaluating Sources
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What are the author’s qualifications and possible intentions and biases?
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Are the teachings or events in this source presented in the proper context of their time, place, and circumstance?
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How closely connected is the author to the events being described?
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Are the ideas and teachings in this source supported by additional reliable sources?
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How do the ideas and teachings in this source compare to truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the scriptures and by modern prophets?
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What do the impressions and promptings of the Holy Ghost tell me?
Model
You could use the following example or one of your own to model this skill.
Share the following scenario with students: While studying Joseph Smith’s First Vision account in Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20, you find an article on the internet that claims Heavenly Father actually touched the eyes of Joseph Smith. According to the article, this enabled Joseph Smith to then see the Savior. You have never heard this detail before and wonder if it’s true. The article cites the following source as evidence:
“2nd Feb[ruary 1893] Attended Fast Meeting. … Br John Alger said while speaking of the Prophet Joseph, that when he, John, was a small boy [in Kirtland, Ohio] he heard the Prophet Joseph relate his vision of seeing The Father and the Son, That God touched his eyes with his finger and said ‘Joseph this is my beloved Son hear him.’ As soon as the Lord had touched his eyes with his finger he immediately saw the Savior. … After [the] meeting, a few of us questioned [Brother Alger] about the matter. … We enjoyed the conversation very much, as it was something that we had never seen in church history or heard of before.” (Diary of Charles Lowell Walker [1980], 2:755–56)
Demonstrate how to evaluate this source using some of the questions from the handout. For example:
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Questions |
Evaluation |
|---|---|
Questions What are the author’s qualifications and possible intentions and biases? | Evaluation Based on known accounts, Brother Alger was a faithful member of the Church. His intention for sharing seems to have been to strengthen faith in the reality of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. |
Questions How closely connected is the author to the events being described? | Evaluation This source is a thirdhand account and comes more than 70 years after Joseph Smith’s vision, so readers should be cautious when evaluating its validity. |
Questions Are the ideas and teachings in this source supported by additional reliable sources? | Evaluation Other accounts of the First Vision do not corroborate the description of God touching the Prophet’s eyes (see Gospel Topics Essays, “First Vision Accounts,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). |
Practice
Invite students to share sources they use to better understand the scriptures and gospel teachings. You could also share sources you use in your own scripture and gospel study. Select a source to evaluate from among those mentioned, or choose from the examples listed below. Invite students to use the questions on the handout to practice evaluating the source. They could discuss their findings in pairs, in small groups, or as a class.
Additional sources to use to practice this skill:
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Donald W. Parry, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament,” Liahona, Apr. 2022, 40–43
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Gaye Strathearn, “Mary, the Mother of Jesus,” Ensign, Jan. 2019, 12–17
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Jeffrey G. Cannon, “Oliver Cowdery’s Gift,” in Revelations in Context (2016), 15–19
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“We Lived with God” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org
The following resources (available in English) may also provide source examples you could use to model or practice this skill:
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“Links to Gospel Study Resources,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Note: Some of the above websites are maintained by third parties that are not necessarily affiliated with the Church. Linking to this content does not imply endorsement by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Invite and Follow Up
Invite students to evaluate the reliability of sources during their scripture and gospel study. You might follow up throughout the week. You could allow time when you meet again for students to share resources they used to better understand the scriptures. They might share how they evaluated the reliability of the source and explain how it enhanced their study of the scriptures.