Seminaries and Institutes of Religion Annual Broadcast Focuses on the Change to Doctrinal Mastery

In the recent 2016 Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I) Annual Training Broadcast, Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy reminded us that “these are great days in the kingdom of God” and that “we are privileged … to see the great work of the Lord roll forth in such a marvelous way.” The Lord is educating the rising generation to face the challenges of the world today. As teachers, we are commissioned to be prepared for a generation who needs and wants more. We can help meet these expectations through Doctrinal Mastery.

Click here for additional information about the Seminaries and Institutes Annual Broadcast. The entire broadcast can be viewed here.

What Is Doctrinal Mastery?

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described Doctrinal Mastery as “inspired and timely” (“The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century” [Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 26, 2016]). This teaching method will provide students with the skills necessary to acquire spiritual knowledge. It will take the place of and build on previous Scripture Mastery principles and efforts in the seminary classroom.

Doctrinal Mastery will help students:

• Deepen their understanding of true doctrine.
• Learn associated scripture references.
• Use the doctrine and scripture passages to apply the gospel and answer questions.

Doctrinal Mastery does not replace sequential scriptural teaching in the classroom. Instead, time previously spent on Scripture Mastery activities and memorization should now be dedicated to Doctrinal Mastery learning experiences. With limited classroom time, memorization of key doctrinal mastery passages may be encouraged outside of class.

Doctrinal Mastery is not intended to provide all the answers to the questions students have. Rather, it is a pattern and process designed to help students learn how to find answers for themselves and articulate and defend those answers to others. Through the study of Doctrinal Mastery, students will learn to:

• Act in faith.
• Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective, reframing questions in the context of the plan of salvation and the teachings of living prophets.
• Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources, such as the Holy Ghost, scriptures, parents, and Church leaders.

Why the Change to Doctrinal Mastery?

When asked about the change to Doctrinal Mastery, Elder Clark stated simply that we need to “get used to it. God is moving with power in His kingdom. And things are going to change … because we need to prepare the kingdom of God for the return of the Lord, Jesus Christ.”

The youth of today face challenges on a daily basis. But through this inspired change to Doctrinal Mastery, we can arm them with the tools necessary to meet their challenges with courage and conviction. Through the processes and patterns we teach in this new program, students will learn how to acquire spiritual knowledge to discover answers to their questions as they become engaged and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How Can Teachers Use Doctrinal Mastery to Bless Their Students?

First, we must raise the bar for ourselves if we are to give more to our students. That means we must be prepared. We must know and live the doctrine. We must accept the Lord’s invitation to do new things. And we must become like the sons of Mosiah, teaching by prophecy and by revelation.

Next, we should create classrooms filled with love and revelation. When we invite questions and listen with patience, love, and understanding, our students will feel the relevance and importance of the gospel and become more engaged in the learning process. They will understand that an honest search for truth requires work on their part through study and prayer. Today’s youth are blessed with believing hearts. We should confirm their faith as they honestly seek answers to the troubling questions of our day.

Through Doctrinal Mastery we can have meaningful conversations with our students about applying true doctrine to real-life situations in order to find answers. We can lead them to search the scriptures and the words of living prophets for guidance and direction in a confusing world. And we can help them realize Elder Clark’s declaration: “Whenever you act according to truth, you have power in your life.”

Moving Forward

The message is clear: The spirit of inspiration is active in this work, and Doctrinal Mastery is a revelatory experience. As we prayerfully consider how to adopt and adapt this program to the needs of our students, we will more effectively testify of Jesus Christ, teach with the spirit of prophecy, and become mighty instruments in the Lord’s hands so He can work miracles in the lives of our students.

For more information on Doctrinal Mastery and acquiring spiritual knowledge, see the following resources:

• Marianne Holman Prescott, “Seminaries to Implement New Doctrinal Mastery Initiative,” Church News, June 8, 2016.
• M. Russell Ballard, “The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century” (Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 26, 2016).
• Chad H Webb, “That They May Know How to Come unto Him and Be Saved” (Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, Mar. 22, 2016).
• Sheri Dew, “Will You Engage in the Wrestle?” (Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, May 17, 2016).

These and other additional online resources are available on the Doctrinal Mastery webpage.