Lessons on the Plan of Salvation
Lesson No. Two
Why Teach the Plan of Salvation
Teaching the plan of salvation has a more powerful effect on behavior than anything else – “Now as the preaching of the word had a tendency to lead the people to do that which was just – yea, it had had a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them – therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5; a definition of “virtue” is power).
Elder Boyd K. Packer further explained: “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve" (Little Children, Ensign, Nov. 1986). To overcome any addictions or other challenges study the plan of salvation. This is far more effective than studying the addiction or problem alone.
Teaching the plan of salvation exposes Satan and leads us to Christ – “The word of God is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked – And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven…to go no more out” (Helaman 3:29-30).
Twenty years ago Elder Packer taught that knowing the plan of salvation will expose the cunning, snares, and wiles of the devil and lead us to Christ: “Most of the difficult questions we face in the Church right now…cannot be answered without some knowledge of the Plan as a background.” He specifically mentioned abortion. Now he certainly would include role and gender issues, same sex marriage, the abandonment of traditional marriage and families, secularism and the threat to religious freedom, and other social, moral and economic issues.
Teaching the plan of salvation gives reason to keep the commandments – “Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death…” (Alma 12:32).
Understanding the plan of salvation gives people a reason to keep commandments. Missionaries teach the plan and invite investigators to keep commandments. The temple teaches more about the plan of salvation, and we covenant to keep all the commandments.
Parents have the primary responsibility to teach the plan of salvation – Good parents follow this divine pattern. They teach their children they are a child of God and then, for example, they explain the importance of telling the truth. The more a child or anyone else understands about the plan of salvation the greater their desire and likelihood to keep commandments.
The Melchizedek priesthood has the responsibility to teach and administer the ordinances of the gospel. This responsibility starts with fathers. Mothers are gifted to know their children. Together they teach the plan, and their children grow in their desire to keep commandments.