New Gospel Topics Page Encourages Personal and Family Study

Contributed By By Camille West, ChurchofJesusChrist.org News and Events

  • 20 November 2013

As members better understand the doctrine of the Church, their testimonies will be strengthened and they will be better prepared to teach and share the gospel with others. The Church is working to improve and provide additional study resources on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, beginning with a new landing page for the Gospel Topics site.

Article Highlights

  • The Church will be encouraging members to study the gospel by improving study resources on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
  • A new Gospel Topics landing page is the first step.
  • Over time, the Church will add new topics and enhance others.

“If you want your children to grow spiritually, teach them the doctrines of the gospel.” —President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve

In an effort to encourage members to engage in personal and family gospel study, the Church is working to improve and provide additional study resources on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Part of that effort is enriching the Gospel Topics section on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, including a new landing page that you can see now. But according to Elder Anthony D. Perkins of the Seventy, that change is only one stepping stone to a better member experience on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. “In recent months, we have upgraded search capabilities, incorporated distinct sites like the Joseph Smith Papers, and enhanced the home page,” he said. “Enhancing Gospel Topics is one part of a longer-term effort to provide visitors with more doctrinal and Church history resources, inspiring media, and practical support tools.”

What Is the Gospel Topics Section?

Gospel Topics on ChurchofJesusChrist.org is a collection of doctrinal subjects, history, and other information about people, places, teachings, and beliefs relating to the Church and the gospel. Topics are as varied as the Book of Mormon, prayer, parenting, and emergency preparedness.

Currently, most topics include a definition, scripture references, and additional study materials. Over time, the Church will add more subjects and enhance existing topics with updated and additional resources, making the entire learning experience more consistent, informative, and interactive.

According to Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy, “As these enriched gospel topics are rolled out over the next year, they will become a rich resource for personal and family study in the home and support for gospel instruction in Church classes.”

Gospel Topics Landing Page

The new Gospel Topics landing page includes a search bar where you can type in subjects you have questions about. Or you can browse topics alphabetically to find topics you are interested in studying.

The landing page includes a video about the role of the Holy Ghost in gospel learning and will feature different topics posted over time to invite further study. Many topics are being revised and expanded and more will be added, for example, Are Mormons Christians?

Why Study the Gospel?

The new Gospel Topics landing page is the first of manystudy resources the Church will be adding and enhancing on ChurchofJesusChrist.org to encourage personal and family gospel study.

Church leaders hope the new landing site and enhanced topics will encourage individuals to explore and learn as led by the Spirit and their agency. As members better understand the doctrine and history of the Church, their testimonies will be strengthened and they will be better prepared to teach and share the gospel with others.

President Henry B. Eyring taught: “Doctrine can more than open minds to spiritual things and hearts to the love of God. When that doctrine brings joy and peace, it also has the power to open mouths” (“The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Apr. 1999 general conference).

Church leaders have also counseled parents to make gospel study in the home a high priority. President Boyd K. Packer said, “If you want your children to grow spiritually, teach them the doctrines of the gospel” (Agency and Control,” Apr. 1983 general conference).

 

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