Doctrine and Covenants 20

Doctrine and Covenants Section 20 Revelation on Church organization and government, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at or near Fayette, New York. Portions of this revelation may have been given as early as summer 1829. The complete revelation, known at the time as the Articles and Covenants, was likely recorded soon after April 6, 1830 (the day the Church was organized). The Prophet wrote, “We obtained of Him [Jesus Christ] the following, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation; which not only gave us much information, but also pointed out to us the precise day upon which, according to His will and commandment, we should proceed to organize His Church once more here upon the earth.”

Preparing for the Restoration of the Church

It was almost time for the Church of Jesus Christ to be on earth again. Jesus gave Joseph Smith a revelation so the people would be ready for His Church. Jesus revealed more about His gospel and about other things the people needed to know before His Church was organized.¹

Why would these truths be important to emphasize as the Church was being established?

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “D&C 20-22 and 2021 CFM for Primary

Display pictures of things we do in the Church that are described in section 20, such as learning about God and Jesus Christ, ministering, baptizing, and partaking of the sacrament. Help the children match these pictures with scriptures that describe them, such as Doctrine and Covenants 20:17–21, 47, 70, 72–74, 75–79, and the heading for section 21. Use these pictures and verses to discuss the blessings we have because Jesus Christ restored His Church.

Come Follow Me Kid “The Rise of the Church of Christ”

Book of Mormon

Doctrine and Covenants 20:8–16

Jesus said the Book of Mormon teaches His gospel and testifies of God and His work. Jesus promised blessings to those who receive the book in faith—and punishment to those who reject it.

The Atonement

Doctrine and Covenants 20:20-27

Serving God

Doctrine and Covenants 20:17–19

1. Verse 18 tells us that God “created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them.” We are some of God’s creations too! Take a moment to admire all the things your body can do. What are your talents?
2. In verse 19 we are commanded to “love and serve him, the only living and true God.” How can you use your talents to serve Him?

Discussion: How can we worship God?²

Baptism and Confirmation

When I am baptized and confirmed, I promise to follow Jesus Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 41, 71–74

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “D&C 20-22

Your children might enjoy seeing a picture of a child being baptized and confirmed. They can point out how it matches the instructions in Doctrine and Covenants 20:41, 71–74 (see the Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Story pictures and captions below).

Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories

Jesus also taught the people about baptism. He said they must be baptized to become members of His Church. Those who want to be baptized must repent. They must love and obey Jesus. They must also be at least eight years old.

• 71 No one can be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived unto the years of accountability before God, and is capable of repentance.
• Why age 8? Old enough to understand the doctrine of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and prepared and ready to make sacred covenants. 

Jesus taught the right way to baptize. He said a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood or a man who has the Melchizedek Priesthood may baptize a person. The man takes the person into the water and says a special prayer.

The man who is baptizing puts the person down under the water. Then he brings the person out of the water.

• 74 Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water.
• Immersion means a person is “immersed” all the way under water and brought back up. Baptism by immersion is beautifully symbolic, not only of the washing away of sins, but of death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism signifies the end of your old way of life and birth to a life committed to following Jesus Christ.  (Come Unto Christ “Baptism”)

When people are baptized, they promise to obey Jesus. They also promise to say and do good things.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “D&C 20-22 and 2021 CFM for Primary

• If your children have already been baptized and confirmed, ask them about their experience. Perhaps they could bring a picture from their baptismal day to show the class. Talk with them about what they are doing to follow Jesus Christ and how He is blessing them

• You could also sing “When I Am Baptized” together (Children’s Songbook, 103) or watch the video “The Baptism of Jesus” (Gospel Library).

More Baptism Resources Here

Sacrament

I can take Jesus’s name upon me and always remember Him.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:75–79

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “D&C 20-22

• Your children could look for the word “willing” in both Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 (about baptism) and verse 77 (the sacrament prayer). What does Jesus Christ want us to be willing to do? Maybe your children could look at something that has a name on it (such as a brand name or a personal name). What does the name tell us about the item? What does it mean to take Jesus Christ’s name upon us? How should we think and act because we have this name?

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “D&C 20-22 and 2021 CFM for Primary

• Consider reading together Doctrine and Covenants 20:77 and asking your children to identify the promises we make as part of the sacrament. (You could ask them to stand when they hear what we should remember when we eat the sacrament bread.) Do the same with verse 79. (You may want to point out that we drink water instead of wine.) Help the children understand that there are things they can do every day to “always remember” Jesus Christ. Maybe they could take turns acting out something they can do to “always remember” the Savior and guessing what each other’s actions are. According to verse 77, how are we blessed when we always remember the Savior?

Friend August 2023 “My Baptismal Covenant”

Duties of Priesthood

Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–60

1. Activity: Display the following wordstrips: “Deacon,” “Teacher,” “Priest,” “Elder,” “Twelve,” “Fourteen,” “Sixteen,” “Eighteen.”Read the following descriptions to the children, one at a time, and invite them to find the two wordstrips that fit the description and post them on the chalkboard. It would be more challenging for older children if the descriptions were read out of order. (The descriptions for Aaronic Priesthood duties are taken from Doctrine and Covenants 20:46–59. The description for the office of an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood is taken from Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–45; 107:11–12.)
   1. I have had the Aaronic Priesthood conferred on me. I pass the sacrament. I may serve as a messenger for priesthood leaders. I collect fast offerings. I help care for Church buildings and grounds. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Deacon,” “Twelve”)
   2. I hold the Aaronic Priesthood. I have all the duties and powers of a deacon, and I prepare the bread and water for the sacrament. I may be assigned to be a home teacher. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Teacher,” “Fourteen”)
   3. I hold the Aaronic Priesthood. I have all the duties and powers of a deacon and teacher, and I can administer (bless) the sacrament. I have the authority to baptize, help with ordinations of other Aaronic Priesthood holders, and take charge of meetings when there are no Melchizedek Priesthood holders present. I help Church members live the commandments. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Priest,” “Sixteen”)
   4. I hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. I may serve a full-time mission. I am called to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the Church. I may give the gift of the Holy Ghost, conduct meetings, bless little children, administer to the sick, and bless family members. What am I? How old am I when I can be ordained? (Wordstrips: “Elder,” “Eighteen”)Ask the children to name one thing they have learned about the duties of these four priesthood offices. (Primary 4: Book of Mormon ““Lesson 30: Nephi Receives Great Power” )

Walking in Holiness

Doctrine and Covenants 20:69

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 20–22: The Rise of the Church of Christ”

What does it mean to “[walk] in holiness before the Lord”? It might be fun for family members to draw or write on pieces of paper some things that could help them walk in holiness or things that could distract them from doing so. Then they could create a path using the papers and try to walk on the path, stepping only on the drawings that will bring them to Christ.

Building the Foundation of the Church

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 20–22: The Rise of the Church of Christ”

• Remind the children of some of the important events they have been learning about—such as the restoration of the priesthood and the translation of the Book of Mormon. Why did these things need to happen before the Church could be organized?

Liahona March 2021 “What Builds a Strong Foundation” Object lesson about building the foundation of the church with such things as the priesthood and the scriptures.

Come Follow Me Kid “The Rise of the Church of Christ” Stuffed Animal Party Activity – What would you do if someone asked you about our church? Invite stuffed animals to a “party” (put them by the cake we just decorated). Let the kids use the cake to practice sharing the full name of the church to their animals and explain each picture on the cake. Help them feel comfortable with sharing these truths with others.

Doctrine and Covenants 21

Doctrine and Covenants Section 21 Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Fayette, New York, April 6, 1830. This revelation was given at the organization of the Church, on the date named, in the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. Six men, who had previously been baptized, participated. By unanimous vote these persons expressed their desire and determination to organize, according to the commandment of God (see section 20). They also voted to accept and sustain Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery as the presiding officers of the Church. With the laying on of hands, Joseph then ordained Oliver an elder of the Church, and Oliver similarly ordained Joseph. After administration of the sacrament, Joseph and Oliver laid hands upon the participants individually for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost and for the confirmation of each as a member of the Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ is Restored.

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 11: The Restored Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized” 

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods from John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John in 1829, and at this time Joseph was given the authority to organize and preside over the Church.

Friend March 2025 “The Priesthood Is Restored”

Joseph Smith received two important revelations in April 1830 concerning how the Church should be organized. These revelations, published now as Doctrine and Covenants 20 and 21, told Joseph to organize the Church as Jesus Christ had organized his church when he lived on the earth.

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 11: The Restored Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized” 

1. Divide the class into two groups. Give each group one of the following signs: “Jesus Christ’s church when he was on the earth” and “Jesus Christ’s restored church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Give the group designated “Jesus Christ’s church when he was on the earth” the Bible references listed below, and give the group designated “Jesus Christ’s restored church” the Doctrine and Covenants references listed below. Matthew 3:13, 16 / D&C 20:72–74 (baptism by immersion by someone having authority) Ephesians 2:19–20 / D&C 21:1 (living apostles and prophets) Amos 3:7 / D&C 21:5 (current revelation) Luke 22:19–20 / D&C 20:75 (sacrament) Have each child read aloud one of the scriptures assigned to his or her group. Discuss with the children what these references say about the church of Jesus Christ. Help the children understand that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized the same way that Jesus Christ’s church was organized when he was on the earth.

The Great Apostasy “News with the Naylors” Lesson ideas

The Lord revealed to the Prophet the exact day on which the Church should be organized (see D&C 20, section heading and verse 1) In obedience to the Lord’s command, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and others organized the restored Church of Jesus Christ on April 6, 1830. More than 40 believers crowded into the Whitmer family’s log home in Fayette, New York, to witness the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ.

The state of New York required a church to have six official members before it could be legally organized. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had been baptized on the day they received the Aaronic Priesthood, and later Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer Jr., Samuel H. Smith, and David Whitmer had been baptized. These men were the first official members of the Church. All of these men had seen the gold plates and had testimonies that Joseph Smith was a prophet and the person through whom Jesus Christ would restore his church.

After a prayer, Joseph asked the people at the meeting if they accepted him and Oliver as their teachers and spiritual leaders. Everyone said yes by raising their hands (as we do in the Church today when we sustain people to callings).

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery then ordained each other to the office of elder. Joseph and Oliver administered the sacrament to the people at the meeting, and after that they confirmed those who had been baptized and gave them the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now Jesus Christ’s true church was restored and organized on the earth again. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ’s restored church and teaches the same gospel that Jesus taught when he lived on the earth (see enrichment activity 3).

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “D&C 20-22

• Consider using the section heading for Doctrine and Covenants 21, chapter 9 of Doctrine and Covenants Stories, or the video “Organization of the Church” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to help your children understand what happened on the day the Church was organized.

Friend March 2021 “Setting Up Jesus Christ’s Church Again”

Scripture Figures: “The Church Is Organized” (March 2017 Friend)

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 20–22: The Rise of the Church of Christ”

Tell the children why you are thankful that we have The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Explain that being a member of the Church prepares us to live with God again. Help them repeat the phrase “I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” several times or sing “The Church of Jesus Christ” (Children’s Songbook, 77). (As the children sing, have them listen for two things they know and five things they will do as members of the Church. List these things on the chalkboard; then have the children sing the song again.)

Come Follow Me Kid “The Rise of the Church of Christ”

Jesus blesses me as I follow His prophet.

Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6

4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;

5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

6 For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “D&C 20-22

• After discovering the invitations and promises in Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6, your children could look at a picture of the current prophet and share something they have learned or heard from him. Share with each other ways Jesus Christ has blessed you for following His prophet.

Friend November 2024 “What Are Prophets?”

Friend September 2015 – “Guided Through the Fog” Air traffic controller guides plane through fog. Prophets guide us.

Doctrine and Covenants 22

Doctrine and Covenants Section 22 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Manchester, New York, April 16, 1830. This revelation was given to the Church in consequence of some who had previously been baptized desiring to unite with the Church without rebaptism.

Additional Resources

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 11: The Restored Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized” 

1. Divide the class into two groups. Give each group one of the following signs: “Jesus Christ’s church when he was on the earth” and “Jesus Christ’s restored church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Give the group designated “Jesus Christ’s church when he was on the earth” the Bible references listed below, and give the group designated “Jesus Christ’s restored church” the Doctrine and Covenants references listed below. Matthew 3:13, 16 / D&C 20:72–74 (baptism by immersion by someone having authority) Ephesians 2:19–20 / D&C 21:1 (living apostles and prophets) Amos 3:7 / D&C 21:5 (current revelation) Luke 22:19–20 / D&C 20:75 (sacrament) Have each child read aloud one of the scriptures assigned to his or her group. Discuss with the children what these references say about the church of Jesus Christ. Help the children understand that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized the same way that Jesus Christ’s church was organized when he was on the earth.

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 11: The Restored Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized” 

• Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: Peter Whitmer Sr.
• Whitmer Farm: Church Organization Site
• Founding Meeting of the Church of Christ
• See also Saints, 1:84–86; “Build Up My Church,” Revelations in Context, 29–32.
• See also Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources 20-22

Click to see more

Latter Day Kids “Restoration” See link for more lesson ideas

1. Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories
2. Liahona March 2021 “Family Study Fun”