Comments on: Why are we taught the same things repeatedly week after week at church?

By: Douglas Self

Douglas Self — Sat, 13 May 2017 00:55:00 +0000

1. The FLIPPANT answer: you’ll get different material when you successfully implement what’s being repetitiously taught. Else, the floggings will continue until ‘morale’ improves…

2. Not only are new converts brought into the Church (not as MANY as we’d prefer, but they do show up every now and then…), so do people return to activity. It’s not ‘old hat’ to everyone…

3. Church is NOT to be ‘entertained’ or otherwise ‘wowed’, though if it has some of those experiences, bully for you. It is to have fellowship with the Saints, and to uplift and instruct.

By: Dora Ruilova

Dora Ruilova — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:34:00 +0000

Hi Gramps, I was going to say exactly what you said. The best things I’ve learned I’ve learned through the Spirit where I had a gospel question and I was directed to a particular verse. But there has to be something going on in your own mind in order for that to happen. It’s the best feeling when Heavenly Father and Jesus teach you thru the Holy Ghost.

By: A Happily Married Man

A Happily Married Man — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 06:23:00 +0000

R.H.

I can think of a few reasons they teach us the same things again and again:

1. As people grow up, they all need to learn these same basic gospel principles. People need the milk before the meat. You can’t throw a bunch of nursery boys or even primary boys into priesthood quorum and expect them to suddenly blossom and carry out certain duties that are not required of them. They need years of time to grow into these responsibilities and as new families are created this cycle continues.

2. Because as sad as it is to say this, we don’t listen, and need to have our hearts and consciences pricked by the word of God. In other words, we didn’t learn what we should have the first time around.

3. Lastly, we don’t get more until after the trial of our faith.

Might I also suggest if you hunger for more to read the institute manuals, teachings of the presidents of the church, and so on during your own free time, and seek personal revelation from God about why you are on this earth and what your role is in bringing others to Christ? Remember… or maybe you don’t remember because of the veil that covers your memory of your premortal life, but you covenanted to help your fellow brothers and sisters in this life on the “pre-other side.” And think about this: If God is leading to help His children, so you are an instrument in His hands, there will ALWAYS be something new for you to learn. In fact, you might just have the mysteries of Godliness slowly revealed to you as you serve the Lord in humility.

On the other hand, I, like you, rarely learn much from church myself (since I’m expected to “feast upon the words of Christ” through my own daily scripture study throughout the week prior to the Sabbath), but that’s not necessarily why I go. The most important thing we do at church is partake of the sacrament. There is also a commandment from the Lord to gather as a church in Doctrine and Covenants 20:55:

“And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty.”

And again in Doctrine and Covenants 20:75 it says:

“It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;”

So technically, by not going to church, we are disobeying what God has instructed us to do…

Just saying.

I hope this helps.

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 15:39:00 +0000

I’ve been a Gospel Doctrine teacher for several years and have found that I must keep my lessons much simpler than I’d like. I relish the deep doctrine, but for now it would be too much for some in the class that aren’t ready for that. I try to add some new deeper aspect to the lesson each time I teach, but for the most part I keep it simple. However, I do have an extensive library of doctrine and scriptures that are mine to read and discover new understanding and deeper knowledge. Have you thought about maybe starting doctrinal notebooks? Start with the atonement. Listen to the talks at church and see what you can add to it from a talk – yes even from a young speaker. Add to it from your own personal studies. Add to it during General Conference. The Spirit will reveal things to you that you may never had realized before. You can make your own fountain of fresh knowledge from your desk at home, then add to the refreshing knowledge to others during a classroom period. I love to learn from others at church. So instead of thinking only about what you’re learning, how about thinking about sharing what you yourself are learning through your own personal scripture and history studies.