Maintaining Doctrinal Balance

Define

Explain that doctrinal balance means giving the appropriate focus or weight to a point of doctrine within the context of other related truths that God has revealed. To help students understand this skill you might share the following statements:

It is very unwise to take a fragment of truth and treat it as if it were the whole thing. (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 122)

There are complementary and tempering teachings in the scriptures which bring a balanced knowledge of truth. (Boyd K. Packer, “The Pattern of Our Parentage,” Ensign, Nov. 1984, 66)

Invite students to ask themselves the following questions as they study the scriptures and identify gospel teachings:

• What imbalance could result if I try to understand or apply this teaching in isolation of other gospel truths?

• What other truths temper or bring balance to this gospel teaching?

Model

You could use the following example or one of your own to model this skill.

Read Matthew 22:39, and identify the Lord’s command that we are to love others as ourselves.

What imbalance could result if this commandment is isolated from other gospel truths?	Imbalance could occur if someone believed that reaching out to others in love and kindness includes condoning choices that are contrary to God’s laws. There is also an imbalance if love for others leads to minimizing or apologizing for God’s laws.
What other truths temper or bring balance to this gospel teaching?	We can remember that the first great commandment is to love God, which includes obeying His laws and not being ashamed of them (see Matthew 22:37–38; Romans 1:16). God has also commanded us to invite others to come unto Jesus Christ and repent (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:14–16). Inviting others to live God’s laws is an expression of our love for Him and His children.

You could also show the video “Go and Sin No More” (3:21) or review the account in John 8:1–11. Invite students to look for how the Savior modeled balance between the commandment to love others and His commitment to God’s law.

Practice

Select a passage from this week’s scripture reading that teaches a truth that needs to be balanced with other truths to be properly understood or applied. Or you could choose from the passages listed below. Invite students to study the passage and identify the following:

• A gospel truth the scripture passage teaches

• A possible imbalance if this truth is isolated from other gospel teachings

• Gospel teachings that bring balance to this truth

Invite students to share with the class or in small groups what they discover.

Additional passages for practice:

• Isaiah 63:1–6. Isaiah teaches that the Second Coming will be a day of vengeance and destruction.

• Mark 11:24. The Savior teaches that whatever His disciples pray for in faith will be given to them.

• Ephesians 2:8–9. Paul teaches that we are saved by grace through faith and not by our works.

• Alma 34:32–33. Amulek teaches that this life is the time to prepare to meet God.

• Doctrine and Covenants 64:2, 4. The Lord teaches that He is compassionate and merciful.

Invite and Follow Up

Encourage students to practice maintaining doctrinal balance as they study the scriptures and the gospel. Remember to follow up and allow time for students to share what they are discovering in their personal study by using this skill. You could also invite students to share how this skill can help them better understand gospel truths taught in scripture. Look for opportunities to continue practicing this skill in class.