Section 84 In September 1832, missionaries returned to Kirtland, Ohio, from preaching the gospel in the eastern United States and reported their successes to the Prophet Joseph Smith. During their reunion, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 84. In this revelation the Lord explained how the priesthood prepares the Saints to enter God’s presence and receive all that He has. The Lord taught of the importance of hearkening to His words and reproved the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, for treating the Book of Mormon and His commandments lightly. The Lord also commanded the Saints to preach the gospel to the world and provided instructions for doing so. (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual Chapter 31)

Latter Day Kids “What is the Priesthood? “ Lesson ideas to go with video

Priesthood Ordinances Help Me Prepare to Live with Heavenly Father Again.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:4–5, 18–28, 30

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 84”

Do the children you teach know the purposes of the priesthood? In Doctrine and Covenants 84, the Lord reveals one purpose: to help us return to Heavenly Father. (To learn more, see Gospel Topics, “Priesthood,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)

New Era April 2014 “The Gate and the Path”

Teaching Children the Gospel “Ordinance (and Covenants) Progression Lesson” We must receive the saving ordinances of the gospel and keep the associated covenants in order to return to the presence of the Lord.

I can receive Heavenly Father’s power through priesthood ordinances.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

• To help your children understand what an ordinance is, consider looking at pictures of several priesthood ordinances with them, such as Gospel Art Book, nos. 103–8, or this week’s activity page. Ask them to describe what is happening in each picture. You could then read together Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22. Why does Heavenly Father want us to receive these ordinances? Tell your children how you have felt God’s power because of ordinances you received and covenants you made. (See also “Priesthood Power, Authority, and Keys” in appendix A or appendix B.)

 Many different ordinances are performed throughout a person’s life, some are for comfort and guidance, and others are essential to salvation. (Do the activity below to identify the ordinances and the saving ordinances.) Hint: Ordinances are sacred ceremonies or acts that are performed by the proper priesthood authority.  

Ordinances and Covenants:

Invite the children to list the priesthood ordinances they have participated in or witnessed, such as baptism, confirmation, priesthood blessings, or the sacrament. Ask them to share their experiences with these ordinances.

Temple Priesthood Ordinances

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

• To help your children look forward to going to the temple, you could create a puzzle out of a picture of a temple. On the back of each piece, you could write something we do in the temple, such as being baptized for ancestors, being sealed to our families, and making covenants with God. Read Doctrine and Covenants 84:4–5 with your children, and ask them to listen for what the Lord commanded the Saints to build. As you and your children put the puzzle together, share with each other things we can do to prepare to enter the temple.

Friend October 2021 “Build a Temple” Cut along the dotted lines to make a puzzle of what the Bangkok Thailand Temple will look like.

• “Blessings of the Priesthood Are Available to All” (October 2012 Liahona and Friend)
  An explanation of priesthood ordinances. Includes a fill-in-the-blank activity and a coloring page.

For additional teaching ideas see Priesthood and Ordinances and Resources for Teaching Children “Priesthood”

I am Jesus’s friend as I follow Him.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:77

77 And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power;

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

• After reading Doctrine and Covenants 84:77 together, ask your children about what it means to be a friend. You might talk about good friends you’ve had. How does Jesus show us that He wants us to be His friends? How can we show that we want that too? A song like “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79) could help with this conversation.

Ensign July 2010 “Jesus Christ, Our Perfect Friend”

Friend June 2018 “Family Night Fun” Add to the chain each time you do something towards being a good friend such as being kind, including others, etc.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 84”

How can you help the children know that the Savior loves us even more than a dear friend does?

• Display a picture of the Savior as you read Doctrine and Covenants 84:77. Invite the children to point to the picture of the Savior every time they hear the word “friends.” Share what it means to you to have Jesus as your friend.
• Help the children list some things they can do to show their friends that they love them. What did Jesus do to show us that He is our friend? What can we do to show the Savior that we are His friends? Sing together a song about Jesus, such as “Jesus Is Our Loving Friend” (Children’s Songbook, 58).

Heavenly Father helps His servants.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

Help the children see that we are all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of missionary work—missionaries either taught the gospel to us, our parents, or our ancestors. Tell the children about how missionaries helped you or your ancestors receive the gospel. Let the children share similar experiences. Encourage them to ask their parents how the first Church members in their families learned about the gospel.

The Lord protects and empowers missionaries.

Then you could read about a special promise the Lord made to missionaries in Doctrine and Covenants 84:88. Maybe your children could think of actions that go with this verse. Consider sharing about a time when you were serving the Lord and felt that He was with you, as described in verse 88.

The Red Crystal

You might also help your children think of ways they can be missionaries now. Testify that Heavenly Father helps us know what to say when we talk with others about Jesus Christ.

Below are links to stories about different ways to share the gospel.

• Ways To Share the Gospel
  • Give a Friend Magazine
  • Share the Book of Mormon
  • Read the Book of Mormon or Friend Around Others
  • Give a Pass-Along Card
  • Share and Sing Primary Songs
  • Invite Them to Participate in a Church Activity
  • Inviting Friends to Church
  • Invite a Friend to Special Church Events
  • Invite a Friend to FHE
  • Be a Friend
  • Serve and Love Your Friends

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 84”

Help the children think of people they know, or people in the scriptures, who received the Lord’s help when preaching the gospel (such as Samuel the Lamanite [see Helaman 13:2–4; 16:6–7] or Ammon [see Alma 17:32–38]). Share an experience when you felt the Lord’s support while you were serving Him.

The Red Crystal

How can Heavenly Father help us when we share the gospel with others, even when it may be hard or we feel nervous?

Friend July 2021 “Scripture Time Fun” Paper Lilies

• Sing “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75).
• Jesus said to “consider the lilies of the field” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:82). If Heavenly Father takes care of the flowers, we can trust that He will take care of us! (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:83–85.)
• Make a paper lily to remind you of Heavenly Father’s love and care. Trace your hand on a piece of paper and cut it out. Roll the hand shape into a cone. Then roll each “finger” around a pencil to curl the paper outward for the petals. If you want, you can tape your flower to a stick to make a stem.

Additional Resources

Doctrine and Covenants 84:43–44.

44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

You could prepare a meal or a treat together and label each ingredient with a word or phrase from verse 44. Why is it important that we include every ingredient? Why is it important to live by every word of God? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 84”)

Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 84”

Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas

Latter Day Kids Lesson ideas

The Red Crystal Lesson ideas