Improving Teaching and Learning in the LDS Church
Introduce, Understand, and Apply Quotes
Here are some quotes that I gathered that are related to introducing, understanding, and applying doctrine:
Teach the Doctrines Found in the Scriptures
“You are to teach this Gospel using as your sources and authorities the Standard Works of the Church, and the words of those whom God has called to lead His people in these last days” (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Charted Course of the Church in Education, 9).
“And again, the elder, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fullness of the gospel” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:12).
“Our divine commission is to teach the principles of the gospel as they are found in the standard works….Our commission—and there is none greater—deals with the doctrines of the gospel” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrines of the Restoration, 242–43).
“As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them” (Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 93, 86).
State the Doctrines Clearly
“If we make the doctrine simple and clear, and if we teach out of our own changed hearts, changes for them will come as surely as it did for Enos” (Elder Henry B. Eyring, CES Conference, August 14, 2001).
“To be known, the truth must be stated and the clearer and more complete the statements, the better the opportunity will the Holy Ghost have for testifying to the souls of men that the work is true” (B.H. Roberts, New Witnesses for God, 3 vols. [1909] , 2:vii).
Teach for Understanding
“Here is the hard doctrine. It does not say to teach our children. Teaching is an activity. It says that we should teach them to understand. Understanding is an outcome; it is a result. It is easy for us to say, ‘I teach my children in the home.’ That is not the job we have been assigned. That is not the admonition. It says that we are to teach them to understand” (Elder David A. Bednar, “Teach Them to Understand” Ricks College Campus Education Week Devotional, June 4, 1998).
“You’re to teach the old doctrines, not so plain that they can just understand, but you must teach the doctrines of the Church so plainly that no one can misunderstand” (Elder Harold B. Lee, Loyalty, address to Seminary and Institute personnel, 8 July 1966, 9).
“Students cannot apply scriptures they do not understand, and having students who merely understand the scriptures is not our goal. The purpose of the scriptures is to help us live better, so the wise teacher uses both approaches. Once a teacher learns how to teach for both understanding and application, he can move through the scriptures with his students and teach them effectively. As a general rule, understanding must precede application” (Growing Edge, vol, 15, #5, January/February, 1983).
“I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves” (Joseph Smith as quoted by John Taylor, Millennial Star, 13:339).
“Teachers who are commanded to teach principles of [the] gospel and the doctrine of the kingdom (D&C 88:77) should forgo teaching specific rules or applications. . .Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 79–80).
Understanding leads to Change
“It is the doctrine of Jesus Christ that drives the change. We sometimes underestimate the power the pure doctrine has to penetrate the hearts of people. Why did so many respond to the words of the missionaries when the Church was so young, so small, and seemingly so strange?…That pure doctrine went down into the hearts then, as it will now, because the people were starved and the doctrine was taught simple (Elder Henry B. Eyring, CES Conference, August 14, 2001).
“The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 20).
“A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances” (Elder Richard G. Scott, Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 22).
“A converting principle is one that leads to obedience to the will of God” (Elder Henry B. Eyring comments at An Evening with Elder L. Tom Perry, Feb. 1996).
“I do not intend to be harsh, but in Relief Society, priesthood, Young Men’s and Young Women’s we sometimes have lessons on topics such as self-esteem, self-worth, and goal setting. Such instruction indeed can be good and valuable. But you can get the same information at the Rotary Club or a number of other secular organizations. However, at the Rotary Club you cannot get the pure, simple doctrine of the Atonement of Christ. And self-esteem and the ability to effectively set and accomplish goals ultimately comes from understanding doctrine, not just the mechanics of application” ” (Elder David A. Bednar, “Teach Them to Understand” Ricks College Campus Education Week Devotional, June 4, 1998).
“And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).
“Youth who frequently feel the Spirit and have a strong belief in gospel principles are likely to become strong, faithful Latter-day Saints who continue attending and serving in the Church as adults” (Research Information Division, “Why We Lose Our Youth” March 2004, 1).
Teach the Doctrines Found in the Scriptures
“You are to teach this Gospel using as your sources and authorities the Standard Works of the Church, and the words of those whom God has called to lead His people in these last days” (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Charted Course of the Church in Education, 9).
“And again, the elder, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fullness of the gospel” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:12).
“Our divine commission is to teach the principles of the gospel as they are found in the standard works….Our commission—and there is none greater—deals with the doctrines of the gospel” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrines of the Restoration, 242–43).
“As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them” (Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 93, 86).
State the Doctrines Clearly
“If we make the doctrine simple and clear, and if we teach out of our own changed hearts, changes for them will come as surely as it did for Enos” (Elder Henry B. Eyring, CES Conference, August 14, 2001).
“To be known, the truth must be stated and the clearer and more complete the statements, the better the opportunity will the Holy Ghost have for testifying to the souls of men that the work is true” (B.H. Roberts, New Witnesses for God, 3 vols. [1909] , 2:vii).
Teach for Understanding
“Here is the hard doctrine. It does not say to teach our children. Teaching is an activity. It says that we should teach them to understand. Understanding is an outcome; it is a result. It is easy for us to say, ‘I teach my children in the home.’ That is not the job we have been assigned. That is not the admonition. It says that we are to teach them to understand” (Elder David A. Bednar, “Teach Them to Understand” Ricks College Campus Education Week Devotional, June 4, 1998).
“You’re to teach the old doctrines, not so plain that they can just understand, but you must teach the doctrines of the Church so plainly that no one can misunderstand” (Elder Harold B. Lee, Loyalty, address to Seminary and Institute personnel, 8 July 1966, 9).
“Students cannot apply scriptures they do not understand, and having students who merely understand the scriptures is not our goal. The purpose of the scriptures is to help us live better, so the wise teacher uses both approaches. Once a teacher learns how to teach for both understanding and application, he can move through the scriptures with his students and teach them effectively. As a general rule, understanding must precede application” (Growing Edge, vol, 15, #5, January/February, 1983).
“I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves” (Joseph Smith as quoted by John Taylor, Millennial Star, 13:339).
“Teachers who are commanded to teach principles of [the] gospel and the doctrine of the kingdom (D&C 88:77) should forgo teaching specific rules or applications. . .Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 79–80).
Understanding leads to Change
“It is the doctrine of Jesus Christ that drives the change. We sometimes underestimate the power the pure doctrine has to penetrate the hearts of people. Why did so many respond to the words of the missionaries when the Church was so young, so small, and seemingly so strange?…That pure doctrine went down into the hearts then, as it will now, because the people were starved and the doctrine was taught simple (Elder Henry B. Eyring, CES Conference, August 14, 2001).
“The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 20).
“A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances” (Elder Richard G. Scott, Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 22).
“A converting principle is one that leads to obedience to the will of God” (Elder Henry B. Eyring comments at An Evening with Elder L. Tom Perry, Feb. 1996).
“I do not intend to be harsh, but in Relief Society, priesthood, Young Men’s and Young Women’s we sometimes have lessons on topics such as self-esteem, self-worth, and goal setting. Such instruction indeed can be good and valuable. But you can get the same information at the Rotary Club or a number of other secular organizations. However, at the Rotary Club you cannot get the pure, simple doctrine of the Atonement of Christ. And self-esteem and the ability to effectively set and accomplish goals ultimately comes from understanding doctrine, not just the mechanics of application” ” (Elder David A. Bednar, “Teach Them to Understand” Ricks College Campus Education Week Devotional, June 4, 1998).
“And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).
“Youth who frequently feel the Spirit and have a strong belief in gospel principles are likely to become strong, faithful Latter-day Saints who continue attending and serving in the Church as adults” (Research Information Division, “Why We Lose Our Youth” March 2004, 1).
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