Principles of Edification

Principles of Edification

Foundation Principles for Teaching the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ

 “There are many different ways to teach,

but all good teaching is based on certain fundamental principles.”

Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, November 1999, p. 79

1.    Study and Live the Gospel

The Lord increases my power to teach as I study and live the gospel. As I keep my life in harmony with the Lord’s will, the Holy Ghost will bear record of the doctrine and principles I teach.

2.    Provide an Atmosphere of Love

Understand the part that love plays in teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for and develop love, respect, and admiration for each student.

3.    Highlight the Savior

Invite my students to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. Center my lesson in Christ and help my students learn of Him by using Him as the example of the doctrine and principles I teach.

4.    Use the Word of God Generously

Trust in the power of the scriptures and the words of living prophets and use them generously during my lesson. Especially use the scriptures of the restoration to strengthen my teaching (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith Translation, General Conference).

5.    Focus on Doctrine and Principles

Of all the knowledge and information in the scriptures, make sure I focus on the doctrine and principles of the restored gospel that will help my students work out their salvation before the Lord.

6.    Facilitate Personal Revelation

Understand and teach principles of personal revelation. Help my students learn how the Lord teaches them through revelation.

7.    Promote Discovery and Self-reliance

Understand and teach the principle of spiritual self-reliance. Help my students become confident and independent in discovering, understanding, living, and teaching gospel doctrine and principles.

8.    Support Testimony Bearing and Participation

A testimony born by one’s own peers excites and nurtures faith in the Lord. Bear my testimony often and provide opportunities for my students to bear their testimonies and discuss with each other the doctrine and principles.

9.    Exercise Moral Courage

Avoid the temptation to disguise or dilute the doctrine and principles with secular vocabulary, sensational stories, or other worldly devices or gimmicks.

10.  Believe in the Students

Believe that my students hunger and thirst for a testimony of the things of the Spirit. Trust that my students need and want the gospel even though they may not always show it.