SECTION 133

Section 133 Prefacing this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states, “At this time there were many things which the Elders desired to know relative to preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth, and concerning the gathering; and in order to walk by the true light, and be instructed from on high, on the 3rd of November, 1831, I inquired of the Lord and received the following important revelation.”This section was first added to the book of Doctrine and Covenants as an appendix and was subsequently assigned a section number.

Books sometimes end with a conclusion that restates or summarizes the book’s main points. Section 133 was originally meant to be the conclusion of the Book of Commandments, and it might be valuable to read this section with that in mind. What points does the Lord emphasize about His work? What do verses 57–62 teach you about the role the Lord wants you to play in His work?

The Lord wants me to stay away from the evil in the world.

Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–5, 14

Come Follow Me–For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

• You and your children could list some places and situations the Lord wants us to stay away from. Then you could compare those places and situations to the definition of “Babel, Babylon” in the Guide to the Scriptures (Gospel Library). They could then read Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–5, 14. What does it mean to “go … out from Babylon”? (verse 5). You could also make a similar list of places and situations the Lord invites us to and compare that list to the definition of “Zion” in Guide to the Scriptures.

Friend January 2021 “The Party Problem” Luz felt uneasy about going to a graduation party. It didn’t sound like the kind of party where she’d be able to feel the Holy Ghost. She thought about it, made her choice not to go, and then asked Heavenly Father if that was the right choice. Afterwards she felt a wave of warmth and light and knew she had made the right choice. 

Friend April 2015 “Courage and Clubs” Kate chooses not to join her friend’s club because the requirement to join is to say a bad word.

Friend September 2017 “For Older Kids” By McKay H., age 9, Utah, USA “One night as I was watching TV, a show came on that I had never seen before. I got a dark feeling inside. Then a very still, small voice told me to turn off the TV. After that I went to play a Primary song on the piano.”

Friend July 2018 “Show and Tell” I was playing with a friend who showed me a video. At first it was funny, but then a character said a bad word. When I hear bad words, it feels bad in my body, so I asked him if we could do something else. He said OK. I felt happy inside! Javaan F., age 9, North Carolina, USA

The Lord wants Me to be Clean from Wordly Influences.

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 133-134” Is there anything you need to do as a family to, in a spiritual sense, “go … out from Babylon” (verse 5) and “go … forth unto … Zion”? (verse 9).

Unspotted from the World Lesson

Friend November 2015 “Be a Shing Light” Ways we can become examples so our lights will shine.

See also Ensign April 2006 “Zion in the Midst of Babylon”

Jesus Christ Will Come Again.

Doctrine and Covenants 133:19–21, 25

Come Follow Me–For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

• Your children might enjoy acting out what it looks like to prepare for something, like a sports tournament, an important visitor, or a favorite holiday. Why is preparation important? You could then read together Doctrine and Covenants 133:17–19, 21 and invite your children to look for what the Lord invites us to prepare for.

The Red Crystal

• Display the picture from this week’s outline and invite the children to make a list of things they know about Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. Then, using Doctrine and Covenants 133:19–25, 46–52, invite them to add things to their list. Share your testimony that the Second Coming will be a joyful day for the righteous.

Friend November 2021 “Jesus Will Come Again” Read each scripture about what His Second Coming will be like. Then color in part of the picture.

• You could hide various pictures or objects depicting things we can do to prepare for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (such as read the scriptures, share the gospel, or serve our families). Let your children find the pictures or objects and talk about how doing these things helps us get ready to meet the Savior when He returns.

Friend December 2015

• You could also sing together a song about the Second Coming, such as “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, 82–83). Share with each other your love for the Savior and your feelings about His return.

Doctrine and Covenants 133:19–25, 46–52

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 133-134

• Hide a picture of the Savior’s Second Coming behind a cloth, as if the cloth were a curtain (you could use the image in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families or Gospel Art Book, no. 66). Invite the children to take turns moving the “curtain” aside and pretending they are looking out a window. Ask them to share how they would feel if they looked out the window and saw Jesus coming down from heaven. Read the phrase “go ye out to meet him” (verse 19), and help the children repeat the phrase.

• To help the children understand verse 19, talk to them about how a bride might prepare for her wedding (perhaps someone who was recently married could help with this conversation). How are we like a bride preparing “for the coming of the Bridegroom,” Jesus Christ? If you think it would be helpful, review with the children the parable of the ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1–13). Why is it important to prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming? What can we do now to prepare

Come, Follow Me with Living Scriptures “Prepare Ye” Lesson ideas

Friend November 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Ask your little ones to cheer and clap. Talk about how Jesus’s Second Coming will be a joyful event. Help your little ones say, “Jesus will come again!”

Latter Day Kids “Jesus Will Come Again”

Additional Teaching Resources: Teaching Children the Gospel “Jesus: Second Coming” and Resources by Topic “Second Coming”

Jesus Christ is Loving and Kind.

Doctrine and Covenants 133:52–53

Come Follow Me–For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 133-134

• You and your children could look at pictures that show that Jesus is loving and kind. (For example, see Gospel Art Book, nos. 42, 47.) What else has Jesus done to show His love and kindness? Read the phrase “they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord” (verse 52), and help your children think of ways they can “mention the loving kindness of their Lord” to others.

Friend April 2007 “Jesus Christ Loves Everyone”

Lesson 35: Jesus Christ Heals the Sick and Blesses the Children

• Sing a song about the Savior’s love, such as “Jesus Is Our Loving Friend” (Children’s Songbook, 58). Share your testimony of how the Savior has shown His love for you.

SECTION 134

Section 134 A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church held at Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835. Many Saints gathered together to consider the proposed contents of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. At that time, this declaration was given the following preamble: “That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present, at the close of this volume, our opinion concerning the same.”

The early Saints’ relationship with government was complex. When the Saints were forced out of Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833, they asked for help from the local and national government and received none. At the same time, some people outside the Church interpreted teachings about Zion to mean that the Saints rejected the authority of earthly governments. Doctrine and Covenants 134 was written, in part, to clarify the Church’s position on government. What does this section suggest about how the Lord’s Saints should feel about government?

The Lord Wants Me to Obey the Law.

Doctrine and Covenants 134: 1–2, 5

Come Follow Me–For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 133-134

Young children often have rules to follow at home, at school, and elsewhere. You can help them understand that the Lord expects us to follow the rules and laws in our community and nation.

• Your children could list rules or laws they obey. What would life be like if no one obeyed these laws? Then you could read Doctrine and Covenants 134:1–2 with them, helping them understand any words or phrases they might not understand. Why does the Lord want us to obey the law? (see also Articles of Faith 1:12).

Although there are different forms of government around the world, the Lord wants us to “sustain and uphold the … governments in which [we] reside” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:5).

• Help the children repeat the twelfth article of faith. Emphasize key words, like “obeying, honoring, and sustaining,” and talk with the children about what those words mean. Share with them why it is important to obey the law.

Pearl of Great Price Coloring Book “12th Article of Faith”

Friend November 2015

Friend November 2011 “Article of Faith 12”

Additional teaching ideas about obeying the law:

• “Lesson 31: I Will Obey the Law,” Primary 2: Choose the Right A“
• “Sharing Time: Obey the Law” (October 1995 Friend)
  Includes instructions for making a coat of arms.
• “What Laws Mean” (May 1976 Friend)
  A matching activity about different laws.
• “It’s the Law” (February 1997 Friend)
• Christopher and Sarah learn that Heavenly Father wants us to obey the law.
• Matt and Mandy” (March 2011 Friend)
• Boys invite Matt to spray graffiti and he declines.

Additional Resources

• Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 133-134”
• Institute Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual “Doctrine and Covenants 133”
• Institute Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual “Doctrine and Covenants 134”

Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas

The Red Crystal