He shared simple stories, parables, and real-life examples that made sense to
them. He helped them discover gospel lessons in their own experiences and.
Teaching the Gospel in the Savior’s Way
A Guide to Come, Follow Me: Learning Resources for Youth
This guidebook belongs to
THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS
As you study and ponder, you may want to record thoughts and impressions about the youth in your quorum or class, the principles you are learning, and how to follow the example of the Savior. Referring back to this booklet will help you continue to learn and grow in your calling.
© 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 8/12. PD50035334.
Teaching the Gospel in the Savior’s Way
A Guide to Come, Follow Me: Learning Resources for Youth
Contents Welcome
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Your Purpose
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Teaching in the Savior’s Way
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Principles of Teaching Youth Strengthen the Family Prepare Spiritually Counsel Together Minister to the Youth Teach the Gospel
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Determining What to Teach
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Learning Outlines
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Increasing Your Effectiveness
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Using the Learning Outline
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The Purposes of Each Organization and Auxiliary Families Aaronic Priesthood Young Women Sunday School Seminary
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Uniformity and Adaptation
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Basic Doctrinal Principles
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WELCOME Beloved Parents, Teachers, Advisers, and Leaders of Youth: You are called by the Lord to help youth become converted to the gospel. What a wonderful blessing this is! You have the opportunity to establish lifelong relationships with the precious youth the Lord has entrusted to your care. As you understand their unique needs and desires, you will be able to help them experience for themselves the blessings of learning and living the gospel every day. The most important part of your service will be your own daily spiritual preparation, including prayer, scripture study, and obedience to the commandments. We encourage you to dedicate yourself to living the gospel with greater purpose than ever before. As you do, you will understand how to help youth learn the gospel by their own study and faith, to discover the truthfulness of the gospel for themselves, and to strengthen their families and others by sharing their experiences, insights, and testimony. As your love for each youth grows, you will be filled with a desire to help them establish patterns of
personal prayer, scripture study, and obedience that will lead them to conversion. Pray for the youth each day, and counsel with parents, leaders, and teachers to coordinate your efforts. You will be richly rewarded as you encourage, mentor, and support youth in every opportunity. This booklet has been prepared as a guide and as a personal record of impressions you receive as you fulfill your sacred responsibility to teach the youth. We encourage you to study and follow the principles it contains. Every worthy Latter-day Saint can teach the gospel in the Savior’s way. As you follow His example, the Holy Ghost will help you know what to do. Your own testimony will grow, your conversion will be deepened, and you will be strengthened to meet the challenges of life. May our Heavenly Father bless you in your service to His beloved youth.
The First Presidency
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Your Purpose The First Presidency has taught that your purpose as a teacher of youth is to help them become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The path to conversion is a personal one. Conversion does not happen in a meeting, class, or activity alone. Ultimately, youth are converted by diligently living the gospel each day—praying, studying the scriptures, keeping the commandments, fulfilling priesthood and other duties, attending the temple, serving their families and others, and sharing the gospel. As they do these things, their desires, attitudes, and actions begin to align with Heavenly Father’s will. They become happy and confident, and they delight “to act . . . and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26). They strive to obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost, resist temptation, and “do many [good] things of their own free will” (D&C 58:27). They become “saint[s] through the atonement of Christ” (Mosiah 3:19).
All of us are converted as we learn to walk the gospel path for ourselves. In your role, the way you befriend, encourage, and support youth in their personal spiritual devotion, and the way you teach and learn with them in both formal and informal settings, will help them stay on the path and progress toward personal, lifelong conversion.
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TEACHING IN THE SAVIOR’S WAY Reflect for a moment on what you know about the Savior. Can you see Him in your mind—with His disciples gathered around Him? Can you see Him teaching the multitudes beside the Sea of Galilee or speaking personally to the woman at the well? What do you notice about His way of teaching and leading? How did He help others learn, grow spiritually, and become converted to His gospel? He loved them, prayed for them, and continually served them. He found opportunities to be with them and to express His love. He knew their interests, hopes, and desires and what was happening in their lives. He knew who they were and who they could become. He found unique ways to help them learn and grow—ways meant just for them. When they struggled, He did not give up on them but continued to love them and minister to them. He prepared Himself to teach by spending time alone in prayer and fasting. In daily, private moments, He sought His Heavenly Father’s guidance. He used the scriptures to teach and testify about His mission. He taught people to think about
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scriptures for themselves and use them to find answers to their own questions. Their hearts burned within them as He taught the word of God with power and authority, and they knew for themselves that the scriptures are true. He shared simple stories, parables, and real-life examples that made sense to them. He helped them discover gospel lessons in their own experiences and in the world around them. He spoke of fishing, of childbirth, of working in the fields. To teach about watching over each other, He told stories about rescuing lost sheep. To teach His disciples to trust Heavenly Father’s tender care, He urged them to “consider the lilies of the field.” He asked questions that caused them to think and feel deeply. He was sincerely interested in their answers and rejoiced in their expressions of faith. He gave them opportunities to ask their own questions and share their own insights, and He responded to their questions and listened to their experiences. Because of His love, they felt safe sharing their thoughts and personal feelings. He invited them to testify, and as they did, the Spirit touched their hearts. “Whom say ye that I am?”
He asked. As Peter responded, his testimony was strengthened: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He trusted them, prepared them, and gave them important responsibilities to teach, bless, and serve others. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” He charged them. His purpose was to help them become converted through their service to others. He invited them to act in faith and live the truths He taught. In all His teaching, He focused on helping His followers live the gospel with all their hearts. To accomplish this, He found opportunities for them to learn through powerful experiences. When He appeared to the Nephites, He invited them to come to Him one by one, that they might see, feel, and know Him for themselves. When He sensed that they did not fully understand His message, He invited them to go home and prepare themselves to come back and learn more.
In every setting, He was their example and mentor. He taught them to pray by praying with them. He taught them to love and serve by the way He loved and served them. He taught them how to teach His gospel by the way He taught it. Clearly, the Savior’s way of teaching is different from the world’s way. This, then, is your sacred calling—to teach as the Savior taught. As you do, the youth will give place in their hearts for the seed of the gospel to be planted, to swell, and to grow. This will lead to conversion—the ultimate goal of your teaching. As you help youth become converted, you help them prepare to follow the Savior throughout their lives—to worthily attend the temple, receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, serve missions, make sacred covenants, raise righteous families, and build God’s kingdom in all the world. How great will be your joy!
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Principles of Teaching Youth How do you put into practice the principles of the Savior’s way of teaching? Here are a few simple suggestions. For more information, see Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 1.4, 3.2.
Strengthen the Family
Counsel Together
The ideal place for youth to learn and live the gospel is at home, under the loving guidance of righteous parents. A Christ-centered home gives youth the best preparation to receive the sacred ordinances of the gospel. (See Teaching, No Greater Call,127–43.) For this reason, the auxiliaries, activities, and programs of the Church (including the Duty to God and Personal Progress books, For the Strength of Youth, and youth curriculum materials) exist to support parents as they help their sons and daughters become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Helping youth become converted requires the combined efforts of parents, leaders, advisers, and teachers, including seminary teachers. Counsel together about the needs of the youth. Find out what they are learning at home, at church, and in seminary so that you can build on it as you teach them. Together you will be able to create a much more powerful learning experience for the youth than you could accomplish separately. There are many opportunities for parents, teachers, advisers, and leaders to counsel together. Here are some examples:
Prepare Spiritually The Lord commanded, “First seek to obtain my word” (D&C 11:21). Part of preparing spiritually is studying for yourself the doctrine you will teach. The Spirit will guide you to that which will be most relevant and helpful to the youth. Then, as you strive to live what you teach, you will be able to testify of the truthfulness of the gospel from your own experience. (See Teaching, No Greater Call,12–20.)
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• Leadership meetings, such as ward council or bishopric youth committee meetings. • Brief, informal gatherings before or after regular Church meetings. • Telephone or e-mail communications.
Minister to the Youth
Teach the Gospel
Teaching youth means more than just imparting information. Christlike teaching involves mentoring and encouraging the youth in their personal efforts to live the gospel in daily life. It may include reaching out to them beyond regularly scheduled meetings, classes, and activities. Try to love the youth as Heavenly Father loves them. He sees the best in them; He has patience as they grow. He encourages them even when they struggle to do what is right, and He never gives up. (See Teaching, No Greater Call,31–39.)
In all gospel teaching, the Spirit is the real teacher. If you seek His guidance, He will touch your heart and inspire those you teach. One of the best ways to invite the Spirit is to engage the youth in discussing the scriptures and the most recent teachings from living prophets. The online learning outlines will help you find the most relevant resources. Often the youth have their own spiritual experiences and insights to share. They can do this in family home evening, in classes or quorum meetings, in Mutual activities, as guests in Primary, or in many other formal and informal settings. When they share their testimonies with each other, the Spirit bears witness, and all are edified. (See Teaching, No Greater Call,50–59.)
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Determining What to Teach Come, Follow Me: Learning Resources for Youth is organized into units based on principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ (for an overview of some of these principles, see pages 14–16 of this guidebook). Each unit includes several learning outlines that advisers and teachers can use to prepare for Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings and Young Women and Sunday School classes. Parents are also invited and encouraged to use them in their families. The units have been arranged into a monthly schedule to help coordinate the gospel-learning experiences of the youth across the Church. There are often more learning outlines in a unit than can be taught in one month. Ward leaders and teachers of youth should counsel together to determine which learning outlines to teach from each unit. If you are
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an adviser in the Aaronic Priesthood or Young Women, counsel with your quorum and class presidencies when selecting learning outlines. You can also invite quorum and class members to discuss what they want or need to learn. As you plan what to teach, prayerfully think about your youth. What experiences are they having? What challenges or temptations do they face? What questions do they have? What doctrine will they need to understand to prepare for their future? You may find that you need to make your plan flexible enough that you can adapt it as new needs or questions arise. For example, you may find that the youth need more than one week to discuss a topic. Let the needs of the youth, not a predetermined schedule, guide your teaching.
Learning Outlines Each learning outline focuses on questions that youth may have and doctrine that can help them find answers to those questions. Learning outlines are not meant to prescribe what you will say and do as you teach. They are designed to help you learn the doctrine for yourself and prepare to engage the youth in powerful learning experiences. Tailor these experiences to their interests and needs. Consider ways you can inspire them to act for themselves in seeking, finding, and sharing answers to their own gospel questions.
Each outline includes references and links to recent teachings from the living prophets and other Church leaders, especially those given in general conference and the general Young Women meeting. These teachings are continually updated so that you can help youth learn and live the counsel of living prophets soon after it is delivered. Refer back to these outlines often for the most current teachings of Church leaders. To learn more, see pages 10–11.
Increasing Your Effectiveness Learning outlines also include links to brief videos about helping youth become converted. Also, training videos for the Aaronic Priesthood, Young Women, and Sunday School are available in the Leadership Training Library. All of these videos feature real-life examples of leaders and teachers who are helping youth become converted to the gospel. You can study them individually or with other teachers to better understand the interactive nature of learning and teaching with youth.
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USING THE LEARNING OUTLINE
Select an outline Leaders and teachers select outlines, based on the interests and needs of the youth. What is relevant to their lives? What does Heavenly Father want them to discover today?
Review the doctrine Read brief summaries of doctrine and principles taught in this outline.
Prepare mind and heart Prayerfully consider how the doctrine and principles apply in your life and the lives of the youth.
Study updated resources Find the most recent and relevant youth messages from the living prophets, or use other approved Church resources.
Teach like the Savior Consider how the Savior teaches, and model your teaching after Him.
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Begin with the youth Help youth engage in active learning by providing them an opportunity to ask questions and discuss what they’re learning and experiencing.
Create learning experiences Engage youth in searching the scriptures, sharing personal examples, and teaching, serving, and strengthening each other.
Improve teaching and learning Find links to real-life examples of teaching for conversion. These include testimonies, illustrations, and experiences of members who are teaching youth just as you are.
Support personal conversion Support the youth in their personal efforts to learn and live the gospel.
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The Purposes of Each Organization and Auxiliary Families, Aaronic Priesthood quorums, and Young Women, Sunday School, and seminary classes have unique purposes in helping youth to become converted to the gospel. Knowing about these purposes can help you understand the experiences your youth are having as they learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Families Heavenly Father established families as a central part of His plan to help His children learn the gospel in a loving atmosphere and prepare for eternal life. Parents have the primary responsibility to teach their children (see D&C 68:25–28), which includes preparing them to receive the ordinances of exaltation. No one can take the place of parents in this God-given responsibility. Priesthood quorums, auxiliaries, and Church programs exist to support and strengthen families. Aaronic Priesthood Aaronic Priesthood holders are to become converted, fulfill their sacred priesthood duties, be “standing ministers” (D&C 84:111), prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances, and become worthy missionaries, husbands, and fathers. They meet together in a Sunday quorum meeting, which is more than just a class. Each meeting is prayerfully planned by the quorum presidency with the assistance of advisers, but always under the direction of the quorum president, who holds priesthood keys. As instructed in the Doctrine and Covenants, the quorum president presides in the quorum meeting, sits in council with quorum members, and teaches them their duties (see D&C 107:85–87, 99–100). Quorum meetings also provide an occasion to conduct quorum business, which may include making assignments, reporting
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and following up on previous assignments, and communicating and coordinating activities. These meetings also provide an opportunity for young men to encourage and support each other in their Duty to God efforts, especially as they share what they are learning. Young Women Young Women Sunday classes provide unique learning experiences that help young women become worthy to enter the temple and prepare for their eternal roles as covenant women, wives, and mothers. Each lesson begins with sharing the Young Women theme and focuses on the Book of Mormon and teachings of the living prophets. Lessons also provide opportunities to learn and live the Young Women values and the standards in For the Strength of Youth. As young women exercise their agency to participate in learning experiences that invite the Holy Ghost, they are enlightened, encouraged, and strengthened to live the gospel personally and in their families. Personal Progress and Mutual activities play an integral role in the conversion process as young women practice what they are learning. To ensure that each young woman has sufficient opportunity to accept and act on the doctrine, multiple weeks may be spent on one lesson topic. Sunday School Sunday School strengthens faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by providing opportunities for
young men and young women and their teachers to learn and teach the doctrine of the gospel together and to strengthen one another in living it. Sunday School provides a unique and essential opportunity for youth to make connections between what they are learning in their personal study and their experiences at home, in seminary, in other Church meetings and classes, and in daily life. In Sunday School, special emphasis is given to helping youth develop skills and confidence to become Christlike learners and teachers. Members of the ward Sunday School presidency serve as specialists in efforts to improve learning and teaching in the ward (see Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 12.5). Seminary Seminary provides weekday religious education for the youth. Its purpose is to help youth understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven. Seminary teachers and students study, and are encouraged to apply, the principles of the gospel as found in the scriptures and words of the prophets. They seek to teach and learn by the Spirit in an environment of love, respect, and purpose and in a way that leads to understanding and edification. Students are expected to take an active role in the learning process and are given opportunities to explain, share, and testify of gospel doctrine and principles. They are encouraged to study the scriptures daily, read the scriptural text for the course, and master key scripture passages and basic doctrinal principles.
Uniformity and Adaptation Many suggestions in this guidebook can be adapted to work in local circumstances. As teachers and leaders understand the purpose of these suggestions, they will be inspired to find alternatives that meet the needs of their youth. The following principles should not be adjusted: • Leaders and teachers select and prepare lessons from the unit recommended for the month. They base their selections on the needs of the youth they teach. • Wherever possible, teachers (including seminary teachers) coordinate and reinforce each other’s efforts. • Advisers and teachers earnestly try to teach as the Savior taught—engaging the youth in discovering the gospel through participation in learning experiences. These may include searching the scriptures together, discussing ideas, sharing personal experiences and insights, and bearing testimony. • Youth are encouraged to share what they are learning with their families and with others. They should also be given opportunities to teach in Church meetings and activities. • All learning at Church should encourage, build upon, and lead to private spiritual experiences in personal prayer, scripture study, pondering, living the gospel in daily life, and serving others. Ultimately, this personal effort is the key to conversion.
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Basic Doctrinal Principles 1. Godhead There are three separate personages in the Godhead: God the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost (see Articles of Faith 1:1; Acts 7:55–56). The Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bone, and the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit (see D&C 130:22–23). Although the members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct roles, they are one in purpose. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father’s divine plan of salvation. Related references: Galatians 5:22–23; D&C 76:22–24 2. Plan of Salvation In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father introduced a plan to enable us to become like Him and obtain immortality and eternal life (see Moses 1:39). The scriptures refer to this plan as the plan of salvation, the great plan of happiness, the plan of redemption, and the plan of mercy (see Alma 42:5, 8, 11, 15). The plan includes the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Resurrection, the Final Judgment, and all God-given laws, ordinances, doctrine, and commandments. Moral agency, the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is also essential in Heavenly Father’s plan. The Holy Ghost is provided to guide us in our choices. Because of the plan of salvation, we can be perfected through the Atonement, receive a fulness of joy, and live forever in the presence of God. Our family relationships can last through the eternities. Related references: Genesis 1:26–27; 2 Nephi 2:25; 31:19–20; Moses 6:52–62; Abraham 3:22–26; “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” 3. Atonement of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ was the only one capable of making a perfect Atonement. His Atonement included His suffering for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, His death on the cross, and His Resurrection from the tomb. In addition to suffering for our sins, He also took upon Himself our pains, sicknesses, and infirmities (see Alma 7:11–13). Jesus Christ overcame physical and spiritual death. Because of His Atonement, everyone will be resurrected (see 1 Corinthians
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15:20–22). Those who repent, obey the commandments, receive the saving ordinances, and keep their covenants will receive the gift of eternal life (see Articles of Faith 1:3). Related references: Isaiah 53:3–5; Luke 24:36–39; 2 Nephi 2:27; 25:23, 26; Jacob 4:11; D&C 18:10–11; 19:16–19; 76:40–41; “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” 4. Dispensation, Apostasy, and Restoration A dispensation is a period of time when the Lord reveals His gospel doctrine, ordinances, and priesthood. It is a period in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and who has a divine commission to dispense, or proclaim, the gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. Today we are living in the last dispensation—the dispensation of the fulness of times (see Ephesians 1:10). Apostasy results when people turn away from the principles of the gospel and no longer have priesthood keys (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3). Periods of general apostasy have occurred throughout the history of the world, often followed by a new dispensation when the Lord restores His doctrine, ordinances, and priesthood (see Acts 3:19–21). Restoration refers to God’s reestablishment of the truths and ordinances of His gospel among men on earth. The most recent and last restoration (often referred to as “the Restoration”) began in 1820 when God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in response to his prayers (see Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20). The fulness of the gospel has been restored, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (D&C 1:30). Related references: Isaiah 29:13–14; Daniel 2:44–45; Revelation 14:6–7 5. Prophets and Revelation A prophet is a person who has been called by God to speak for Him (see Amos 3:7). Prophets testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. At times, they prophesy
of future events. God has called prophets to speak for Him in our day (see D&C 1:38). Revelation is communication from God to His children. When the Lord reveals His will to the Church, He speaks through His prophet. The scriptures—the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price—contain revelations given through ancient and latter-day prophets. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet on earth today. Individuals can receive revelation to help them with their specific needs, responsibilities, and questions and to help strengthen their testimonies. Most revelations to leaders and members of the Church come through impressions and thoughts from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost speaks to the mind and heart in a still, small voice (see D&C 8:2–3). Revelation can also come through visions, dreams, and visitations by angels. Related references: Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 4:11–14; D&C 21:4–6 6. Priesthood and Priesthood Keys Priesthood is the authority and the power that God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. There are two priesthoods in the Church, the Aaronic and the Melchizedek (see D&C 107:1, 6). Priesthood keys are given to men to direct God’s kingdom on earth. Through these keys, priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth. All who serve in the Church are called under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys. Thus, they are entitled to the power needed to serve and fulfill the responsibilities of their calling. Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power He redeems and exalts His children. God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all—men, women, and children. Related references: Matthew 16:19; D&C 13; 50:26–27; 84:19–20, 33; 107:8; 121:36, 41–42 7. Ordinances and Covenants
truths. Ordinances are performed by the authority of the priesthood and under the direction of those who hold priesthood keys. Some ordinances are essential to exaltation and are called saving ordinances. They include baptism (see John 3:5; renewed by the ordinance of the sacrament), confirmation (see Acts 2:36–38), and, for men, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (see D&C 84:33–34). Other saving ordinances—the endowment and the marriage sealing—are performed only in temples. The temple is one of the most sacred places on earth. It is the house of the Lord. All of the saving ordinances can also be performed vicariously for the dead in the temple. Vicarious ordinances become effective only when the deceased persons accept them in the spirit world and honor the related covenants (see D&C 138:32–34, 58). All saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants. A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and man. God gives the conditions for the covenant, and we agree to do what He asks us to do. God then promises us certain blessings for our obedience. The sacrament allows us to renew the covenants we have made with the Lord. Other ordinances, such as administering to the sick and the naming and blessing of children, are also important to our spiritual development. Related references: Exodus 19:5–6; Ezekiel 11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:29; Alma 30:3; D&C 42:78; 82:10; 136:4; Articles of Faith 1:3, 4 8. Marriage and Family Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the family is central to His plan of salvation and to happiness (see Genesis 2:24). Parents are to multiply and replenish the earth, to rear their children in love and righteousness, and to provide for their physical and spiritual needs. Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, such as faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. (See “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”) Related references: Psalm 127:3; D&C 131:1–4; 132:15–20
An ordinance is a sacred, formal act that has spiritual meaning. Each ordinance teaches spiritual
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9. Commandments Commandments are the laws and requirements that God gives to mankind. When we keep the commandments, we manifest our love for the Lord and receive blessings from Him (see Leviticus 26:3–12; John 14:15; Mosiah 2:41). We are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to have Christlike love for others (see Matthew 22:36–39; John 13:34–35). The Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses anciently and are still vital today (see Exodus 20:3–17). They include keeping the Sabbath day holy (see Exodus 20:8–11; Isaiah 58:13–14; D&C 59:9–13), keeping the law of chastity (see Exodus 20:14; Genesis 39:7–9; Alma 39:9), and being honest (see Exodus 20:16). Examples of
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other commandments include paying a full tithe (see Malachi 3:8–10), fasting (see Isaiah 58:6–7), praying (see 3 Nephi 18:15, 20–21; D&C 10:5), and observing the Word of Wisdom (see D&C 89:18–21). We have also been commanded to become as our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in our desires, thoughts, words, and actions (see 3 Nephi 12:48). The Lord has given us eternal truths, or principles, that help govern our decisions and actions. These principles lead us to live as the Savior and receive His promised blessings. Related references: James 1:5–6; 2 Nephi 32:8–9; Mosiah 4:3; Alma 37:35; D&C 82:8–10; 105:5; 121:36; 130:18–19; 138:4
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