Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father.
3 Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—
4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 45”
- Write several words and phrases found in Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5 on separate pieces of paper. Give the children a minute to study these verses in their scriptures, and then invite them to close their scriptures and put the words on the papers in the order they appear in the verse. According to these verses, what does the Savior say to plead our cause before Heavenly Father?
- Help the children define the word advocate, perhaps by looking it up in a dictionary. What did the Savior do that made it possible for Him to be our Advocate? Share your feelings about what Jesus Christ has done for us, and let the children share their feelings.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Light to the World.
Doctrine and Covenants 45:9–10
The new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
9 And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me.
Show pictures of a light and a flag, or draw these things on the board. Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 45:9 and think of ways the gospel is like a light, a standard (or flag), and a messenger. You might explain that anciently, a standard was a banner or flag carried into battle. It helped soldiers know where to gather and what to do. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 45”)
If your family had a “standard,” or flag, to represent your commitment to the gospel, what would it look like? It might be fun to make a family flag together and discuss how you can help others follow the gospel standards.
A standard is also an example or rule that other things can be measured against. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 45:9–10, ponder how gospel covenants (baptismal covenants) have been a standard for you. How would your life be different if you did not have these covenants?
Stand in Holy Places
32 But my disciples shall astand in holy places, and shall not be moved;
One reason the Savior and His prophets teach us about the signs of the Second Coming is to help us prepare. What do you learn in Doctrine and Covenants 45:31–32, 56–57 about preparing for the Lord’s Second Coming? It might be helpful to review the parable of the ten virgins, found in Matthew 25:1–13. The Savior compared the oil in this parable to truth and to the Holy Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 45:57).
In Doctrine and Covenants 45:32, the Lord taught that His disciples will find safety in the last days by standing in holy places—places that are special to the Lord.
Friend May 2021 “Scripture Time Fun”
- Sing “Choose the Right Way” (Children’s Songbook, 160).
- Jesus Christ taught that we should “stand in holy places” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:32). A holy place can be anywhere we have the Holy Ghost with us.
- With your family, list some things that help you stand in holy places, like being kind or praying. How do those things prepare us for Jesus Christ’s coming? Stick the list somewhere you’ll see it often.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Savior compared the oil in this parable to truth and to the Holy Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 45:57).
56 And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.
Friend May 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones”
For Doctrine and Covenants 45: Read Doctrine and Covenants 45:32 and help your little ones say, “I can stand in holy places.” Play a game to see who can stand up first and say one good thing they did that day.
What are our “holy places”? What does it mean to “not be moved”? How can we make our home a holy place?
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 45”
- Place pictures of a home, a church building, and a temple in different places throughout the room. Give clues describing these places, and invite the children to stand near the picture you are describing. Read the first line from Doctrine and Covenants 45:32. Testify that we are blessed when we spend time in holy places like our homes, our church buildings, and the temple. Ask the children to talk about how they feel when they are in holy places like these.
- Invite the children to complete this week’s activity page. Help them write “I can help my home become a holy place” and “Doctrine and Covenants 45:32” on their drawing. What can they do to help their home become a holy place?
- To help the children think about what it means to “not be moved,” ask them to stand still without moving for one minute. Read the first line from Doctrine and Covenants 45:32. Help the children understand that to “stand in holy places, and … not be moved” means to choose the right at all times, no matter what is happening. Invite them to “not be moved” away from righteous thoughts and actions.
Jesus Christ will come again.
Doctrine and Covenants 45:37–38
Doctrine and Covenants 45:44–45
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 45”
When the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, heard the revelation found in Doctrine and Covenants 45, which speaks of the last days and the Savior’s Second Coming, they received it with joy. Consider how you will help the children prepare joyfully for the Second Coming.
Possible Activities
- Help the children think about how they feel when they know that someone special is coming to visit them, like a grandparent or a friend. How do they prepare for the visit? Show a picture of the Savior, and read part or all of Doctrine and Covenants 45:44–45. Tell the children how you feel about the Savior coming again, and let them share their feelings.
- Sing a song about the Savior’s Second Coming, such as “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, 82–83). Use the song to discuss ways we can prepare for Jesus to come again, such as by doing God’s will and letting our light shine for others.
It can be frightening for children to read about the wars, wickedness, and destruction that are prophesied to occur before the Savior’s Second Coming. How can you help them look forward with joy to this promised day?
- Ask the children how they know when a new season is near. What signs do they look for? Explain that just as there are signs of a new season, there are signs of the Second Coming. Read together Doctrine and Covenants 45:37–38. What did Jesus say that the signs of His Second Coming would be like? To help the children discover the signs we should be looking for, assign each child (or group of children) to read a few verses from Doctrine and Covenants 45 that describe these signs. Verses 26–27, 31–33, 40–42 could be used, for example. Let the children share what they found. Which of these signs are being fulfilled today?
- On separate pieces of paper, write some of the promises regarding future events that you found in your study of section 45. Some examples of these promises can be found in verses 44–45, 51–52, 55, 58–59, 66–71. List on the board the verses where the promises are found. Give the children the papers, and ask them to use their scriptures to match the verses on the board to the promises. Discuss what these promises mean, and invite the children to share which promises help them feel excited about the Savior’s Second Coming.
35 And I said unto them: Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.
As you study Doctrine and Covenants 45:11–75, consider focusing not just on the troubling events that are prophesied but also on the blessings the Lord promises (for example, the promises in verses 54–59 about the Savior’s millennial reign). You could do this by creating lists or by labeling or marking the verses. What do you find that helps you “be not troubled” about the last days?
How can you help family members understand what it means to watch for the Savior’s Second Coming? Maybe you could think of an event that you are anticipating and share ways that you are “watching” for that event. Or you could bake something together and watch for signs that it is ready to eat. What are we doing to watch for the Savior’s Second Coming?Doctrine and Covenants 45:55.
Zion is a place of safety for the Saints of God.
Doctrine and Covenants 45:11–15, 66–71
The Saints in Joseph Smith’s time were eager to build Zion, the New Jerusalem, as described in the Book of Mormon (see Ether 13:2–9) and in Joseph Smith’s inspired revision of the Bible (see Moses 7:62–64). What do you learn about Zion—both the ancient city of Enoch’s day and the latter-day city—from Doctrine and Covenants 45:11–15, 66–71?
Today the command to establish Zion refers to establishing God’s kingdom wherever we live—wherever the children of God gather to the safety of His “everlasting covenant” (verse 9). What can you do to help build Zion where you are?
See also Gospel Topics, “Zion,” topics. ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Reading 1 Nephi 22:26 and Revelation 20:1–3 can help your family understand how Satan “shall be bound” during the Millennium. How can we bind Satan in our lives?
Additional Resources
Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 45“