Note: The following doctrinal mastery activities could be done over the course of several class sessions or in a single class session.

Understanding the Doctrine (35 minutes)

Segment 1 (10 minutes) Write the following question on the board: What are some aspects of our Church that make it unique? Invite students to respond. As they do so, write their answers on the board. Explain that one aspect that sets our Church apart from others is our belief in living prophets and continuing revelation. Point out that the New Testament contains three doctrinal mastery passages that help us better understand the topic of prophets and revelation. Write the following references on the board, and give students time to read and mark or note each passage in a distinctive way that designates it as a doctrinal mastery passage: John 15:16; Ephesians 2:19–20; Ephesians 4:11–14. Invite students to turn to doctrinal topic 5, “Prophets and Revelation,” in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Ask several students to take turns reading the five paragraphs aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for statements of doctrine that are supported by the three doctrinal mastery passages on the board. Invite students to report what they found. You may want to invite them to mark or underline the following statements of doctrine: A prophet is a person who has been called by God to speak for Him.

Prophets testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They denounce sin, warn of its consequences, and help us avoid deception.

During His mortal ministry and again in our day, the Lord organized His Church on the foundation of prophets and apostles.

Segment 2 (5 minutes) Write the following doctrine on the board: A prophet is a person who has been called by God to speak for Him. Ask students to silently read John 15:16, looking for words or phrases that teach this doctrine. Invite students to report what they find. You may want to suggest that they mark the phrase, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” What does this passage teach us about how someone becomes a prophet?

Why do you think it is important to understand that prophets are chosen and called by God and not by man? Explain that the word ordain means to officially invest with priesthood authority from God by the laying on of hands. Why do you think it is important for someone to be properly ordained in order to speak for God?

Segment 3 (10 minutes) Write the following statements of doctrine on the board: Prophets testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They denounce sin, warn of its consequences, and help us avoid deception. Invite a student to read Ephesians 4:11–14 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for words or phrases that support the statements of doctrine written on the board. Ask students to report what they find. Point out that verse 12 teaches three important reasons that God calls prophets. You may want to invite students to mark these three reasons. Divide the class into three groups, and assign each group one of the following questions to discuss within their group. (Encourage students to refer to the statements of doctrine for Ephesians 4:11–14 written on board. Remind them that we sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets.) What are some ways that prophets help perfect the Saints? What are some examples of the “work of the ministry” (verse 12) that prophets perform? How do prophets edify or strengthen the Church? Invite students to read Ephesians 4:13–14, looking for some of the blessings that result from having living prophets in the Church. Ask students to report what they find. How do prophets help us as members of the Church to achieve a “unity of the faith” (verse 13)? Why is this important?

How do prophets help us avoid being “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of [false] doctrine” (verse 14)?

What are some examples of false doctrine that our prophets have helped safeguard us against? Consider inviting students to answer the following question in their scripture study journals or class notebooks: How has a recent talk, teaching, or testimony from a prophet helped you to grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel or to avoid deception? After sufficient time, invite students who feel comfortable doing so to share with the class what they wrote.