1974-75 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Manual | "When Thou Art Converted - Strengthen Thy Brethren" - Doctrine Lesson 2: The Way to Perfection

This exploration of Doctrine Lesson 2: The Way to Perfection, inspired by the 1974-75 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Manual, When Thou Art Converted – Strengthen Thy Brethren, offers a Christ-centered guide to spiritual growth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

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Rooted in scripture, including John 5:19, Matthew 6:33, and Doctrine and Covenants 93:12-18, and enriched by modern prophetic counsel from President Russell M. Nelson (October 2024), Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (April 2025), and Sister Amy A. Wright (October 2024), this lesson examines how Jesus Christ learned, grew, and aligned with the Father’s will, providing a timeless model for disciples today. It addresses common criticisms from Ex Mormon and Evangelical communities regarding salvation, obedience, ordinances, and the doctrine of exaltation, clarifying that Latter-day Saint theology harmonizes grace and works as inseparable expressions of faith, with obedience reflecting a covenant relationship with Christ rather than an attempt to earn salvation. 

The lesson outlines six mindful steps for growing the Savior’s way—seeking God’s kingdom first, aligning with His will, diligent scripture study, spiritual preparation, exercising faith to overcome challenges, and abiding in Christ—each grounded in biblical and Book of Mormon teachings, such as James 2:17, 3 Nephi 11:11, and Alma 17:2-3. These steps empower believers, whether lifelong members, curious investigators, or those seeking answers to tough questions, to pursue spiritual progression through intentional, grace-enabled discipleship. By integrating personal application, expository teaching, and apologetic responses, this lesson fosters a deeper understanding of Christ’s example and invites all to embark on a transformative journey toward eternal life.

Thesis Statement: The Way to Perfection, as modeled by Jesus Christ’s obedience, spiritual disciplines, and progression from grace to grace, provides Latter-day Saints and seekers of truth with a mindful, scripture-based framework for spiritual growth, demonstrating that obedience and covenants, empowered by Christ’s grace, are essential expressions of faith that align believers with God’s will and the promise of exaltation.

Objective: To guide members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, investigators, and critics in understanding and applying the principles of spiritual growth exemplified by Jesus Christ, while addressing apologetic concerns about salvation and exaltation, through a structured exploration of scripture, modern revelation, and practical steps for mindful discipleship.

Keywords: Latter-day Saint doctrine, spiritual growth, salvation by grace, Jesus Christ’s example, exaltation, scripture study, mindful discipleship, obedience, covenants, Book of Mormon, General Conference 2024-2025, apologetics.