Seminary
Lesson 91: 2 Chronicles 17–20—Finding Principles in the Scriptures
a group of youth walking toward the St. George Utah Temple

2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30: Lesson 91

2 Chronicles 17–20

Finding Principles in the Scriptures

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

Do you ever wonder what you can do to draw closer to Jesus Christ? The Old Testament king Jehoshaphat was a great example of doing just that. His people had fallen away from God and engaged in idol worship. Jehoshaphat chose to follow Jehovah and helped his people do the same thing. This lesson can help you learn to identify gospel principles from the scriptures.

Study the Scriptures

sailboat on the ocean, with mountain in the background

In the late 1800s, a group of Norwegian shipbuilders joined the Church and moved to Utah. When they arrived, they were assigned to design and construct the roof of the Manti Utah Temple. With no roof-building experience, the men were unsure how to proceed.

Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) explained how they resolved the problem.

Elder L. Tom Perry

Then the thought came to them: “Why don’t we just build a ship? Then, because a well-built ship is solid and secure, if we turn the plans upside down, we’ll have a secure roof.” They set about to plan to construct a ship, and when it was completed, they turned the plan upside down and it became the plan for the roof of the Manti Temple.

In this case they used lessons from their past experience—the principles of shipbuilding—to help them meet the challenge. … The most important thing was to have the working knowledge of the basic principles required to erect any structure that was built to last.” (“The Past Way of Facing the Future,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2009, 74)

The scriptures can be for you what shipbuilding was for the Manti Temple builders. Identifying and applying the principles of the scriptures can help you solve almost any challenge.

As you study this lesson on the life of Jehoshaphat, seek the help of the Holy Ghost to identify true principles that can help you.

When Jehoshaphat came into power, his people were in apostasy. Jehoshaphat made many efforts throughout his kingdom to help his people follow Jehovah (Jesus Christ). During this time, the enemies of Jehoshaphat came up to battle against his people. What happened in these circumstances illustrates a variety of principles.

One way to identify a principle is to look for how two things relate. For example: because of A, B happens. Or because a person does A, the Lord promises or gives B.

scripture markers with scriptures

Practice identifying principles in the following verses that can help you solve challenges.

mark iconRead 2 Chronicles 17:6. In one color, mark how Jehoshaphat felt. In another color, mark what he did because of how he felt. (Note: High places and groves were places to worship false gods.)

By connecting the two markings, we learn that as we focus our lives on God, we will desire to remove evil from our lives.

mark iconRead 2 Chronicles 19:3. This time, mark what Jehoshaphat did in one color and the outcome in another.

By connecting the two markings, we learn removing evil from our lives prepares us to seek God.

note iconNow that you’ve practiced, read 2 Chronicles 20:1–9, 14–17, 20–22. As you read, identify two or more principles in the story of Jehoshaphat. Then take time to carefully write them in a note in your scriptures.

If-then principles. The scriptures often use the words if and then to indicate a connection between two statements. One example of an if-then principle is found in 2 Chronicles 20:9.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

How can I deepen my understanding of the principles I find?

Choose a principle that you would like to learn more about. Prepare a two-minute talk on this truth that includes some of the following:

  • A verse or verses you read in 2 Chronicles about this principle, and why you selected it

  • Other scriptures or words of the prophets that help you understand this principle

  • A time when the Savior or someone else in scriptures or Church history exemplified this principle

  • Ways you feel this principle from the Lord can help us or keep us safe

  • An experience when you or someone you know acted according to this principle and any blessings from the Lord that came as a result

share iconShare your talk with a friend or family member.

Option B

What else can I do to understand truths in the scriptures?

Another way to deepen your scripture reading is to create tags.

As you’re studying, creating tags can help you understand what is being taught. After you’re done studying, tags can help you easily return to a passage.

While principles are often stated in sentence form, tags are generally just one or two words. For example, you might tag 2 Chronicles 17:6 and 19:3 as “heart,” “desire,” or “repentance.” While the tag might be a word from the verse, it doesn’t need to be. The key is finding a word that summarizes what is being taught. To learn more about tagging in both digital and print scriptures, see “Marking Your Scriptures.”

tag iconPractice creating tags by rereading 2 Chronicles 20:1–9, 14–17, 20–22 and tagging at least three verses.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you learn to identify gospel principles from the scriptures.

share iconShare one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

  • The two-minute talk you created.

  • The passages you tagged and what you tagged them as.

  • Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

  • Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?