Table of Contents
Section 71
Ever since he was a boy, Joseph Smith faced critics—even enemies—as he tried to do God’s work. But it must have been particularly heartrending in late 1831 when Ezra Booth began publicly berating the Church, because in this case the critic was a former believer. Ezra had seen Joseph use God’s power to heal a woman. He had been invited to accompany Joseph on the first survey of the land of Zion in Missouri. But he had since lost his faith and, in an attempt to discredit the Prophet, published a series of letters in an Ohio newspaper. And his efforts seemed to be working: “unfriendly feelings … had developed against the Church” in the area (Doctrine and Covenants 71, section heading). What should believers do in a case like that? While there is not one right answer for every situation, it seems that quite often—including in this case in 1831—part of the Lord’s answer is to defend the truth and correct falsehoods by “proclaiming [the] gospel” (verse 1). Yes, the Lord’s work will always have critics, but in the end, “no weapon that is formed against [it] shall prosper” (verse 9). (See “Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley,” Revelations in Context, 134.)
I Can Defend the Truth by Sharing My Testimony.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- You can use the section heading for Doctrine and Covenants 71 or “Chapter 25: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon Go on a Mission” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 96, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library) to teach your children about the circumstances that inspired section 71. Then help them discover in verse 1 what the Lord wanted Joseph and Sidney to do about “unfriendly feelings” toward the Church. How did He say He would help them? How can we be like Joseph and Sidney? What did He say they would be given to help them?
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 71–75”
The Lord does not expect children to respond to critics of the Church as He called Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to do. But you can help the children understand that their simple testimony of the truth can have a powerful effect on others.
Friend February 2022 “Jesus Shared the Truth” One day, Jesus visited the town where He grew up. He spoke to the people there. He told them that He was the Savior. The people didn’t believe Him. They were angry. But Jesus knew what He said was true. He wasn’t afraid. He always shared the truth.
- Invite the children to practice in pairs how to share with others what they know about the Church. For example, they can share a simple testimony or share one of the Articles of Faith.
Section 72
The Lord has Called a Bishop to Help Me.
Doctrine and Covenants 72:2, 10
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
Reading Doctrine and Covenants 72:2 together could create an opportunity to discuss why the Lord gives us bishops (see also “Chapter 17: The First Bishops of the Church,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories 64–66, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library).
Explain that in 1831 the Lord called the bishop of the Church, Edward Partridge, to move from Kirtland, Ohio, to be the bishop in Independence, Missouri. Read Doctrine and Covenants 72:8 with the children, and ask them to listen for who the Lord called to serve as the new bishop in Kirtland. Why does the Lord call bishops? Share with the children an experience when you were blessed by the service of a bishop.
- You and your children could find pictures or objects that represent the responsibilities of a bishop. The picture and activity page at the end of this outline provide some ideas. Then you could talk together about bishops you’ve known and how the Lord has blessed your family through their service.
- “A Day with the Bishop” (August 1990 Liahona and July 1989 Friend)
Explains some of the things a bishop does. Includes an activity.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 71–75”
- Take the children on a walk to the bishop’s office (you may want to coordinate with other teachers). Describe for them some situations when they might meet with the bishop in his office (such as a baptismal interview or tithing settlement). Tell the children how you have been blessed by the bishop’s service.
- Help the children make cards to give to the bishop, thanking him for what he does to help with the Lord’s work.
Friend June 2021 “Scripture Time Fun” Secret Service for Bishop
- Sing “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” (Children’s Songbook,177).
- Jesus taught that His Church should have bishops to lead and help the members (see Doctrine and Covenants 72:2).
- Say thanks to your bishop or branch president by doing something kind. You could write him nice notes or bring him a treat. You could even do your plan without letting him know who did it!
The Lord Calls Bishops to Help Him Do His Work.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 71–75”
What can you do to help the children see the bishop as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ? (Always teach about Jesus Christ. “No matter what you are teaching, remember that you are really teaching about Jesus Christ and how to become like Him” For example, when you teach your children about bishops, emphasize that they are representatives of Jesus Christ, called by Him to do His work (see 1 Peter 2:25).
- Invite the children to make a list of some of the things they have seen the bishop do to help people in the ward. Ask the children to draw pictures of the bishop doing something they mentioned. Bear your testimony that your bishop was called by the Lord to be His servant. Why are we grateful that the Lord has called a bishop in our ward?
- “Bishop, Help!” (April 2004 Friend)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches us about the special calling of a bishop.
Section 73
The Lord Commanded Joseph Smith to Restore Precious Truths that were Lost from the Bible.
Friend May 2009 “Restoring Plain and Precious Truths”
As part of his calling as the prophet, Joseph Smith was commanded by the Lord to make inspired revisions to the Bible. These revisions, which the Lord called a “translation” (Doctrine and Covenants 90:13), restored important truths that had been lost or removed from the Bible over the centuries.
- Explain that when Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon returned from a short mission near Kirtland, Ohio, the Lord wanted them to resume work on an important project. Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 73:3 to find out what that project was. To help the children understand what the Lord wanted Joseph and Sidney to translate, read with them parts of the Bible Dictionary entry “Joseph Smith Translation (JST).”
- Pass around a copy of the Bible, and allow the children to open it and see how many pages are in it. Invite the children to imagine they were asked to translate the Bible into another language. What are the chances they might make some mistakes? Explain that when people translated or copied the Bible before Joseph Smith’s time, they made some mistakes, and sometimes they removed important truths. The Lord commanded the Prophet Joseph Smith to make inspired corrections. Why is Joseph Smith’s work valuable to us? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 71–75”)
Would your family benefit from learning about the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible? (see Bible Dictionary, “Joseph Smith Translation”). You could explore a few of the passages that were revised in the Joseph Smith Translation and discuss the precious truths the Lord revealed through the Prophet. For some examples, see the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 14:25–40 and Genesis 50:24–38 in the Bible appendix; various footnotes in Matthew 4:1–11; and Luke 2:46, footnote c. (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 71–75”)
Additional Teaching Ideas: Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 20: Joseph Smith Translates the Bible and Other Scriptures,”
Section 75
I Can Give My Best Effort to the Lord.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- To talk about the difference between being “idle” and “labor[ing] with [our] might,” perhaps you could select some acts of service or household chores and invite your children to demonstrate doing them idly and then with all their might. As you read “neither be idle” in Doctrine and Covenants 75:3, your children could show how they would do the chores lazily. When you read “but labor with your might,” they could show how they work hard. Why is it important that we do our best when serving the Lord?
The Red Crystal Cut out the cards and lay them face down. Attach the two faces to a large coin or a large button. Let the child/ren pick a card and flip the coin. They can then act out the chore “lazily” or “hard working” depending on what they flipped.
- In his message “Two Principles for Any Economy” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 55–58), President Dieter F. Uchtdorf told two stories about work. Maybe you could share them with your children and talk about how it feels to know we have worked hard and done our best.
Come Follow Me Kid Stories and images from Elder Uchtdorf’s talk
I Can Labor With All My Might and Not be Idle
Friend July 2016 Picking thorny blackberries was not fun, but a boy learned about responsibility and the rewards of work.
Friend June 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Help your little ones say, “I can work hard!” Teach your children a household chore they can help with, like sweeping or putting away their toys.
Latter Day Kids “Labor with Your Might” Lesson ideas to go with the video
The Lord Blesses Those who Faithfully Proclaim His Gospel.
- What words and phrases do you find in Doctrine and Covenants 75:1–12 that help you understand how to preach the gospel effectively? (See verses 4, 10, 11) What blessings does the Lord promise to faithful missionaries? (See verses 5, 13, 16.)
- Suggested song: “Let Us All Press On,” Hymns, no. 243.
Additional Resources
Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 71–75”
- See “Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley,” in Revelations in Context, 134.
- Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: Newel K. Whitney
- N. K. Whitney Store
- Bishop
- Click to see more
Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas
The Red Crystal Lesson ideas
