Many teachers struggle with how to teach Genesis 42–45 and JST Genesis 50.

Joseph’s story moves from betrayal and family conflict to forgiveness—and then shifts to a lesson about the Prophet Joseph Smith.

This episode of the Teach Ye Diligently Podcast explores how teachers can help students feel the doctrine of forgiveness, see Jesus Christ in the scriptures, and strengthen their testimony of prophets.

The story of Joseph forgiving his brothers is familiar, but the spiritual power of the lesson can easily be lost if the class becomes only a summary of events.

Instead, teachers need to help students recognize the real-life problem forgiveness solves so the scriptures become meaningful when students begin reading.

In this episode, Mark and Travis discuss how teachers can help students:

• Create relevance before opening the scriptures
• Discover the doctrine of forgiveness in the story of Joseph
• See Jesus Christ as the true Deliverer
• Take responsibility for their learning by searching the scriptures
• Strengthen testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

The conversation also addresses an important reality when teaching forgiveness: some students may be dealing with serious hurt. Teachers need to help students understand the doctrine of forgiveness without ignoring wisdom, safety, and accountability.

The second half of the episode focuses on JST Genesis 50, where students learn why prophets matter and why every generation needs its own spiritual witness that Joseph Smith was called by God.

Chapters

02:04 Genesis 42–45 — Creating Relevance Before Opening the Scriptures
05:49 Genesis 42–45 — Bridging Real Life Problems to Scripture Study
09:44 Genesis 42–45 — Helping Students Discover the Doctrine of Forgiveness
12:18 Taking Responsibility for Learning — Letting Students Find Truth in the Scriptures
14:46 Teaching in the Savior’s Way — When Students Say “I Can’t Forgive”
18:35 Teaching Wisdom — Addressing Forgiveness Without Ignoring Abuse
20:31 JST Genesis 50 — Transitioning to the Lesson on Joseph Smith
21:14 Emphasizing the Savior — Jesus Christ as the True Deliverer
23:46 JST Genesis 50 — Helping Students See Why Prophets Matter
26:02 Strengthening Testimony — Why Every Generation Needs Its Own Witness of Joseph Smith
27:19 Taking Responsibility for Learning — Scripture Study Activity on Prophecies of Joseph Smith
30:03 Teaching Strategy — Observing and Supporting Student Discussion
31:28 Teaching in the Savior’s Way — Inviting Students to Teach and Testify
36:37 Lesson Focus — Measuring Success by the Spiritual Experience

About the Podcast

The Teach Ye Diligently Podcast helps seminary and institute teachers recognize three critical moments in every lesson:

• Where the lesson becomes relevant to students’ lives
• Where students see Jesus Christ in the scriptures
• Where students take responsibility for their learning

Each episode focuses on a specific scripture block and helps teachers structure learning experiences where students can understand truth, believe truth, and act on truth.

About This Episode
Many teachers know the story of Joseph in Egypt, but teaching the story alone does not automatically lead students to faith, understanding, or personal change. The real challenge for seminary teachers is structuring a learning experience that helps students understand the truth, believe it, and choose to act. In this episode of the Teach Ye Diligently Podcast, Mark Mason and Travis Peterson walk through what a complete seminary learning experience actually looks like from beginning to end using Genesis 37–41. Rather than simply retelling the story of Joseph and his brothers, they demonstrate how teachers can guide students through the process of discovering doctrine, seeing the Savior in the scriptures, and applying gospel truth in their lives.

What This Episode Demonstrates
This episode models the full teaching process: • Identifying the doctrinal purpose of the lesson • Helping students understand the context of Joseph’s life • Helping students feel the emotional tension in the story • Seeing the Savior in the scriptures • Structuring moments where students wrestle with truth and respond. If you teach seminary, Sunday School, or any youth scripture class, this episode will help you see how to structure a lesson that moves beyond telling the story to creating a learning experience that invites faith and action.

About the Hosts
Mark Mason and Travis Peterson serve as Seminary and Institute Coordinators in the U.S. Southeast Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their work focuses on helping teachers create learning experiences that center on Jesus Christ, invite learner responsibility, and increase student conversion.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:10 The Challenge of Teaching Long Narrative Scripture
07:20 Understanding the Context of Joseph’s Story
12:40 Helping Students Feel the Tension in the Story
18:30 Seeing the Savior in the Story of Joseph
26:10 Structuring the Learning Experience
36:45 Helping Students Apply the Doctrine
45:30 Walking Through a Full Lesson Example
54:00 Final Teaching Takeaways

Teach Ye Diligently Podcast
Helping seminary teachers center lessons on Jesus Christ, engage learners, and strengthen student conversion through effective gospel teaching.

Seminary teachers often work hard to prepare meaningful lessons, yet students still sit quietly, wait for answers, or seem disconnected from the learning experience. Why does this happen, and how can teachers help students take responsibility for their own gospel learning? In this episode of the Teach Ye Diligently Podcast, Mark Mason and Travis Peterson explore one of the most important principles in gospel teaching: students must take responsibility for their own learning. When teachers carry the entire lesson, students often become observers instead of disciples. But when teachers learn how to invite learners to think, respond, and wrestle with the scriptures themselves, something powerful begins to change.

In this episode, Mark and Travis explain three foundational principles that shape effective gospel teaching:
• Understanding your students’ needs
• Putting Jesus Christ at the center of everything you teach
• Helping students take responsibility for their learning

These ideas come from prophetic counsel and from the principles taught in Teaching in the Savior’s Way. The episode explores why many classrooms unintentionally train students to be passive and what teachers can do differently to invite deeper engagement and spiritual discovery.

If you are a seminary teacher, Sunday School teacher, or gospel instructor who wants to see greater participation, deeper scripture study, and stronger conversion in your classroom, this conversation will give you practical insights you can apply immediately.

Because when students begin to take responsibility for their learning, the classroom changes—and so do the students.

Mark Mason and Travis Peterson serve as Seminary and Institute Coordinators in the U.S. Southeast Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and work with teachers across multiple stakes to strengthen gospel teaching and learning.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:58 The Reality of Starting Seminary Teaching
03:29 The Shift That Makes Teaching Easier
05:29 The Insight from Elder Bednar That Changed Mark’s Teaching
07:19 Why Teachers Often Misjudge Where Students Really Are
09:45 Principle 1: Understanding Students’ Needs
10:09 Principle 2: Centering Every Lesson on Jesus Christ
13:45 Principle 3: Helping Students Own Their Testimony

Teach Ye Diligently Podcast
Helping seminary teachers center lessons on Jesus Christ, engage learners, and strengthen student conversion through effective gospel teaching.

Teach Ye Diligently — Episode 11
Hosts: Mark Mason and Will Perez
YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/W3PvUJZOJJI

In this episode, Mark Mason and Will Perez walk seminary and instituteteachers through four end-of-year lessons in the Doctrine and Covenantscurriculum. The focus is helping students handle doctrinal complexity,unresolved questions, personal reflection, and rising stress and anxiety byturning deliberately to Jesus Christ.

This episode models the PEEL framework (Prepare, Engage, Empower, Learn)and emphasizes student-led learning, acting in faith during uncertainty, andtranslating belief into discipleship.

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
https://www.teachyediligently.org/podcast-resources

EPISODE CHAPTERS

(00:00) Introduction and episode overview
(02:15) Official Declaration 1 — Continuing revelation and expanding binarythinking
(18:40) Official Declaration 2 — Acting in faith during uncertainty (Martinezfamily case study)
(42:10) Assess Your Learning 10 — Reflection, testimony, and “Therefore, what?”
(55:05) Life Preparation 187 — Managing stress and anxiety by turning to JesusChrist
(1:17:30) Closing testimony and encouragement to teachers

LESSONS COVERED

• Official Declaration 1
• Official Declaration 2
• Assess Your Learning 10
• Life Preparation Lesson 187 — Managing Stress and Anxiety

KEY TEACHING THEMES

• The Church is “true and living,” not frozen in time
• Continuing revelation requires faith, patience, and maturity
• Acting in faith does not require having all the answers
• Reflection deepens conversion when it leads to action
• Turning to Jesus Christ is central to managing stress and anxiety

HASHTAGS

#seminary #ldsseminary #TeachYeDiligently #PEELPodcast #ComeFollowMe2025#comefollowme #DoctrineAndCovenants #LDSYouth #TeachingInTheSaviorsWay #HearHim#SeminaryTeachingTips #ChurchofJesusChrist#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #churchofjesuschristoflatter

⏱️ Spotify Timestamps

(00:00) Introduction
(01:42) Segment 1 — D&C 135: Strengthening Testimony of Joseph Smith(17:24) Segment 2 — Life Prep 185: Building Emotional Strength in the Lord(38:33) Segment 3 — D&C 137: The Celestial Kingdom & “Degree of Difficulty”(52:10) Segment 4 — D&C 138 (Part 1): Salvation for All of God’s Children(01:12:40) Closing Remarks

📘 Segment Summaries

D&C 135 — The Martyrdom of Joseph & Hyrum Smith
Will shares methods to help students prepare spiritually, reflect on blessings received through Joseph Smith, and understand how Joseph’s prophetic role directs us to Jesus Christ. Includes ideas for involving students’ families and youth leaders.

Life Prep 185 — Building Emotional Strength in the Lord
Mark uses President D. Todd Christofferson’s 2024 conference story to help teachers model emotional resilience centered in Jesus Christ. Students learn to identify their emotions, see the Savior’s role in their healing, and practice applying resilience tools to real challenges.

D&C 137 — Hope Through Heavenly Father’s Plan
Will guides teachers in connecting students’ personal experiences with grief to Joseph Smith’s vision of the celestial kingdom. Includes Sister Rooney’s “degree of difficulty” analogy to help students understand how the Savior judges with perfect love and understanding.

D&C 138 (Part 1) — Christ’s Work in the Spirit World
Mark explains the historical context behind President Joseph F. Smith’s vision. Teachers learn how to help students feel the fairness of God’s plan and understand how Jesus Christ offers salvation to all of Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil.

📥 Downloadable Seminary Resources

⁠https://www.teachyediligently.org/podcast-resources⁠

🎧 Listen on Your Favorite Platforms

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts

🔖 Hashtags

#seminary #ldsseminary #TeachYeDiligently #PEELPodcast #ComeFollowMe2025 #comefollowme #DoctrineAndCovenants #LDSYouth #TeachingInTheSaviorsWay #HearHim #SeminaryTeachingTips #ChurchofJesusChrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #churchofjesuschristoflatter

🔖 Hashtags

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction
(02:40) Life Prep 193 — Discovering Strengths & Abilities
(18:20) D&C 133:1–40 — Preparing for the Second Coming
(33:50) D&C 133:41–56 — Christ’s Attributes in the Last Days
(49:10) D&C 134 — Government, Agency & Religious Freedom
(01:02:10) Closing Thoughts

Episode 9 — Life Prep 193 • D&C 133 (1–40 & 41–56) • D&C 134

This episode explores four lessons that help seminary teachers strengthen student confidence, deepen conversion to Jesus Christ, and create higher-impact learning experiences. Mark and Will walk through practical ways to prepare, engage, empower, and help students learn—using the PEEL framework and Teaching in the Savior’s Way.

What’s inside this episode:

• Life Prep 193 — Discovering Strengths & Abilities
A deeper approach to helping students recognize gifts, build confidence, and prepare for future education and employment. Includes an expanded self-evaluation tool and scripture-focused group activities.

• D&C 133:1–40 — Preparing for the Second Coming
Help students replace fear with confidence through principles of preparation taught in this section. Includes a meaningful object lesson and insights on “fleeing Babylon” in a discipleship-centered way.

• D&C 133:41–56 — Christ’s Attributes in the Last Days
Shift the focus from events to the Savior Himself. Includes a powerful “portrait of Christ” activity that helps students visualize and reflect on His attributes.

• D&C 134 — Government, Agency & Religious Freedom
A grounded, non-political approach that centers the Savior while teaching about obeying the law and protecting religious freedom.

Downloadable Resources

https://www.teachyediligently.org/podcast-resources

Hashtags

#seminary #ldsseminary #TeachYeDiligently #PEELPodcast #ComeFollowMe2025 #comefollowme #DoctrineAndCovenants #LDSYouth #TeachingInTheSaviorsWay #HearHim #SeminaryTeachingTips #ChurchofJesusChrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #churchofjesuschristoflatter

In this episode of the Teach Ye Diligently – PEEL Podcast, Mark Mason and Will Perez explore five inspired lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants and For the Strength of Youth to help teachers apply the PEEL model—Prepare, Engage, Empower, and Learn—as they guide students to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.

Chapters
(00:00) Introduction(02:00) Doctrine and Covenants 130 – Teaching in the Savior’s Way(10:00) Life Preparation Lesson 174 – For the Strength of Youth: Spirit vs. Letter of the Law(17:30) Doctrine and Covenants 131 – Eternal Marriage and the Silverware Parable(26:15) Doctrinal Mastery Practice 9 – Memorization and Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge(34:45) Doctrine and Covenants 132 – Plural Marriage and Faith in the Restoration(47:30) Conclusion

📘 Downloadable Resources:
https://www.teachyediligently.org/podcast-resources

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Podcasts.

#seminary #ldsseminary #TeachYeDiligently #PEELPodcast #ComeFollowMe2025 #comefollowme #DoctrineAndCovenants #LDSYouth #TeachingInTheSaviorsWay #HearHim #SeminaryTeachingTips #ChurchofJesusChrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #churchofjesuschristoflatter

Description

In this episode, Mark Mason and Will Perez explore how faith in Jesus Christ builds self-reliance, strengthens diligence in the Lord’s work, and connects heaven and earth through temple ordinances.

(00:00) Introduction
(01:20) Life Prep 181 – Faith in Jesus Christ to Build Self-Reliance
(08:09) Feeling Questions that Deepen Learning
(13:11) D&C 126 – Laboring Diligently for the Lord
(17:20) D&C 127–128 (Part 1)
(19:05) D&C 127–128 (Part 2)
(21:00) Conclusion

Highlights:

• Modern parable of two students (Lydia & Matt) illustrating faith and self-reliance

• Using understand and feel questions to deepen engagement

• Brigham Young’s example of diligent labor and “Hurrah for Israel”

• Joseph Smith’s joyful teachings on baptism for the dead

Downloadable Resources:
https://www.teachyediligently.org/podcast-resources

#seminary #ldsseminary #TeachYeDiligently #PEELPodcast #ComeFollowMe2025 #comefollowme #DoctrineAndCovenants #LDSYouth #TeachingInTheSaviorsWay #HearHim #SeminaryTeachingTips #ChurchofJesusChrist #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #churchofjesuschristoflatter