In my experience learning and sharing the Gospel, a patterned cycle has clearly emerged.
This cycle is something of a holy trinity, and which, if understood and applied diligently, can guide teachers and learners together in effective growth. (See Doc. & Cov. 50)
When beginning as a full-time missionary, I thought that others needed to know all I knew before they had a good chance of doing what I did in following Jesus Christ. My emphasis was on knowing, since my brain had always operated on the strong need to know everything it could. My early lessons contained too many words. In my attempt to flood others with the truths I had learned, I often overwhelmed them with unnecessary information, that confused or distracted them from what was most important.
Over time I began to learn more of what people really need to follow the Savior. I learned that not everyone needs what I needed when I was converted to the Lord.
The way of life embraced by a disciple of Christ can look different from the ways of the world in many important aspects. For every one of us, there is a definite need for conversion, brought about by adopting new truths and applying them to our lives. The doctrines, principles and applications that constitute the way of the disciple can change human nature as the convert experiences a mighty change of heart.
In addition to removing past sins from us, this conversion can remove our desire for sin, and allow us to break thoroughly entrenched addictions, discard deeply held grudges, and achieve a previously impossible level of peace and joy. (See Mosiah 5)
-----
KNOW, FEEL, DO
What we know about the Gospel is not as important as how we feel about the Gospel. What we know and feel has little opportunity to change us if we never do anything about it.
This cycle must be put into motion for every soul who seeks a firm foundation, and would lean upon Jesus for repose.
Think of how you might feed yourself by following these repeated steps.
Now, turn outward and think of others you want to bless with the great blessings you've been given.
To support someone in their cycle of knowing, feeling, and doing, we teach, testify, and invite.
Learner must:
KNOW, FEEL, DO
Teacher must:
TEACH, TESTIFY, INVITE
-----
When helping someone receive the Gospel, we usually don't know where they need to start in this cycle. Therefore, we don't know what it is that will really spark their interest and begin their progression in following the Savior.
Maybe they need to hear some statement of truth plainly taught to them. This would mean the teacher needs to teach them something.
Perhaps they need to feel something first. This is usually best achieved by the teacher bearing sincere testimony of something the teacher knows to be true. This will allow the Holy Ghost to bring a confirming feeling of peacefulness and clarity to certify the testimony to the learner.
Other times, people may be best helped initially by inviting them to live a principle of the Gospel, to "test the fruits," without needing to understand a lot of information beforehand. These are ready for an invitation to act. Perhaps they are not in the right mental state to accept teachings or testimony, but can respond to an invitation to change a behavior, regardless of their level of knowledge or feelings about the issue.
Jesus said, "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." (John 7: 16-17, emphasis added)
Some need to know something first, others need to feel something first, and others need to do something first.
All people must experience all three aspects to move forward in the conversion process. We must seek to meet people where they are ready to respond, and give them according to that need.
A lot of frustration can be avoided by understanding that only relying on one of the three aspects of this cycle may be the reason we are not seeing positive responses in our efforts to share the Gospel.
If we always and only try to convey information (teach), we may fail to gain the interest of those who need to feel or do before knowing.
If we always and only think that others must feel an outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, but we neglect to teach truth or invite them to live the teachings of Christ, we will miss many opportunities to influence them with concrete ways of applying the Gospel.
If we only ask or invite others to live Gospel principles without teaching or testifying of truth, we will fail to feed their spirits the nourishing and sustaining truths and testimonies that will fuel their spiritual lives and guide their actions toward Christlike living.
I've learned to spend most of my efforts in teaching doctrines and principles, and inviting others to apply them as they see fit. It's easy to see behaviors as the outward indications of gospel living, and overemphasize the doing. These outwardly visible "branches" of behavior though, are nourished by underlying trunks and roots. If lasting change is to be effected through teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it's better to kill roots than continually chop at branches that inevitably reappear.
"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 behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel"
— Boyd K. Packer
When asked how he was successful in governing such a large body of followers, the Prophet Joseph Smith explained that he taught his people "correct principles" and let them "govern themselves."
-----
KNOW, FEEL, DO
TEACH, TESTIFY, INVITE
See also:
Come, Know the Lord Jesus, by Bruce R. McConkie
Can Ye Feel So Now? by Quentin L. Cook
Do What Mattereth Most, by Rebecca L. Craven