Section 51 heading: At this time the Saints migrating from the eastern states began to arrive in Ohio, and it became necessary to make definite arrangements for their settlement. As this undertaking belonged particularly to the bishop’s office, Bishop Edward Partridge sought instruction on the matter, and the Prophet inquired of the Lord.
The revelation given to Joseph Smith discusses the law of consecration and stewardship.
I Can Be Honest.
9 And let every man deal honestly,
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
- Read to the children from Doctrine and Covenants 51:9: “Let every man deal honestly” (see also Articles of Faith 1:13). Ask the children if they know what it means to be honest. To help them better understand, give them examples of actions that are honest.
- Share some simple stories of children who face decisions about being honest, such as the decision to admit when they did something wrong. Use pictures, sock puppets, or paper dolls to make the stories more interesting. Ask the children if these people are being honest or dishonest.
- Sing a song about honesty, such as “Stand for the Right” (Children’s Songbook, 159). Bear your testimony about why it is important to be honest.
Stories of honesty can be found here. Additional resources can be found Resources for Teaching Children “Honesty”
Friend August 2020 “How Do You Spell Honesty” When Elder Timothy J. Dyches was in six grade he hadn’t missed a spelling word all year long. If he kept getting perfect scores, I would receive an award for spelling at the end of the year. Then he noticed that he had missed a word on a spelling test that was incorrectly graded. He was honest and told his teacher about it.
Take this quiz to think about how you can be honest with yourself and others.
“Honesty Quiz” (April 2011 Friend) A quiz to help children evaluate how honest they are.
You could play a game that the family enjoys and then talk about how the game would have been different if someone had cheated. Why is it important to “deal honestly” with each other? How does honesty help us “be one”? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
Friend May 2021 “Scripture Time Fun: Be Honest!”
- Sing “Do What Is Right” (Hymns, no. 237).
- Jesus taught that we should “deal honestly” with each other (Doctrine and Covenants 51:9). That means telling the truth and being fair with others.
- Come up with situations you might face in everyday life—like finding money that someone lost or losing something you borrowed. Act out what you would do to “deal honestly.”
Latter Day Kids “Honesty” Lesson ideas, videos, music, etc.
I Can Use the Blessings God has Given Me to Bless Others.
Doctrine and Covenants 51:19; 55
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
- Hide the words “faithful,” “just,” and “wise” around the room. Invite the children to find the words in the room and then find them in Doctrine and Covenants 51:19. Read the verse together, and talk about what it means to be a steward. “A person who takes care of the affairs or property of another. That which a steward cares for is called a stewardship. All things on earth belong to the Lord; we are His stewards. We are accountable to the Lord.” (“Steward, Stewardship” in the Guide to the Scriptures).
- Tell the children about William W. Phelps, who was a newspaper publisher before hearing the gospel and moving to Kirtland. Ask the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 55:1–4 and list what God wanted William to do. Which of these things can apply to all of us, and which are specific to William because of his talents? Ask the children to identify talents they see in each other, and discuss how they can use those talents to serve God and His children.
How did the Lord use William Phelps’s abilities as a writer and printer? (for example, see the author index in the hymnbook for a list of hymns he wrote). Maybe family members could talk about the talents and abilities they see in each other. How can our talents contribute to God’s work? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
Make a list of your talents! You could ask your friends and family for ideas too. How can you use the talents Heavenly Father gave you to help bless others? You may wish to read some of the below stories to see how others used their talents to help others.
Friend October 2018 “The Talents Team” Short story about Kennedy who won a tv cooking competition and used her talent to teach others and host a fundraiser. Photos included.
Friend October 2018 “Show and Tell” “Before I started kindergarten, I made a goal to learn how to tie my shoes. I practiced every day. Whenever I notice a classmate with untied laces, I offer to help them. I am thankful that I can use my talents to help my friends, like Jesus did. Creighton D., age 5, Indiana, USA”( Includes photo of Creighton)
Friend September 2015 “When I Grow Up…” Artist, Rose Datoc Dall, uses her art talent to share her testimony and inspire others.
Friend November 2015– “When I Grow Up…” Man uses science talents to help others
Friend March 2016 “A True pearl” Jetta must go away from home to learn the piano, but when she returns she uses her talent to serve.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is Received by the Laying on of Hands.
Doctrine and Covenants 52:10; 53:3; 55:1
Copy and paste each scripture to a word document or slide show. Leave the space empty where it says laying on of hands in each scripture. Have the children read the scriptures and find what is missing in each scripture.
“Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half-that is, baptism of the Holy Ghost.” — Joseph Smith Jr.
Following a person’s baptism, men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood place their hands upon the person’s head, as shown in the picture. One of the men (usually the father, the bishop, a missionary, or a friend of the person being confirmed) says the prayer. During the prayer, the person is confirmed a member of the Church and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Primary 3 “Lesson 12: The Gift of the Holy Ghost,”)
Tell the children about when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands after you were baptized.
Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual “I Will Be Baptized and Confirmed”
Explain that after we are baptized, we are confirmed. Invite the children to say “confirmed.” Tell them this means that men who hold the priesthood put their hands on our head to give us the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Review the fourth article of faith.
Sing “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105)
Second Verse:
And when we are confirmed By sacred priesthood pow’r, The Holy Ghost is giv’n to us To guide us ev’ry hour.
Oh, may I always listen To that still small voice. And with his light I’ll do what’s right Each time I make a choice.
God has a Pattern to Help Me not be Deceived.
Doctrine and Covenants 52:14–19
With many people claiming spiritual manifestations, the early Saints were concerned about being deceived. How could they tell who was “accepted of [God]”? (verse 15). In Doctrine and Covenants 52:14–19, the Lord gave a helpful pattern. How can you apply this pattern to detect false messages in the world? You might also use this pattern to evaluate yourself: consider using phrases from these verses to write questions such as “When I speak, is my spirit contrite?” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
In these verses, the Lord gave a pattern so “that [we] may not be deceived” (Doctrine and Covenants 52:14) by false teachers and messages.
- Show the children an example of a pattern (such as a pattern for sewing clothes or making something), and talk about why patterns are helpful. To help the children learn about a pattern from the Lord, write on the board phrases like He that______ , the same is_____ , He that______ shall be______ , and He that_____ is not_______ . Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 52:15–18 and fill in the blanks. Why is this pattern helpful to us? (see verses 14, 19).
- Draw something simple, and invite the children to follow your pattern to make the same drawing. Then explore with them the Lord’s pattern recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 52:14–19.
As you discuss the pattern described in these verses, your family might enjoy looking at other patterns you use—such as patterns for sewing clothing or making a craft. You could work together to make something from a pattern while talking about the pattern the Lord gave for avoiding deception.Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
I Should Always Keep My Promises & Covenants
As part of the gathering to Ohio, a group of Saints led by Newel Knight arrived from Colesville, New York, and needed a place to live. Leman Copley had a large farm near Kirtland, and he covenanted to allow the Saints to settle on his land. However, soon after they started settling there, Copley wavered in his faith, broke his covenant, and evicted the Saints from his property. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
(See Saints, 1:125–28 for full story)
Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories “Chapter 21: A Revelation to Settle in Missouri” Images and Video
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
Help the children consider how the Saints might have felt when Leman broke his promise. Even though our covenants are personal, our faithfulness in keeping them can affect the lives of others.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 54:6 to learn about a blessing the Lord gives to those who keep their covenants.
- Cut a paper heart in half, and give each half to two different children. Ask them to hold up their halves together to make a whole heart. Let other children take turns holding up part of the heart. Help the children compare this to the promises or covenants we make with God. God will always hold up His side of the covenant if we hold up ours.
Remind the children of the covenants they made (or will make) when they were baptized (see Mosiah 18:8–10). Help them think of ways they are keeping (or will keep) these covenants, and help them see how this will prepare them to make additional covenants in the future.
Tell the following story about how Darren and Bryon were covenant keepers and then tell ways you have seen each child keep or prepare to keep baptismal covenants. Print the “Covenant Keeper” badges and give one to each child.
Friend May 2017 “Cracking the Code” Darren and Byron crack the code to notes left in their beds that represent the words “Covenant Keepers.” At FHE they learn ways they have been covenant keepers.
I can turn to the Lord when I am hurt by others’ choices.
As recorded in section 54, the Lord told Newel Knight what the Saints should do about their situation. What do you find in this revelation that can help you when another person’s broken commitments or other poor choices affect you?
Additional Resources
Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”
