More Trouble for the Saints
SECTION 135
Martyrdom of Joseph Smith
Section 135 Announcement of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet and his brother, Hyrum Smith the Patriarch, at Carthage, Illinois, June 27, 1844.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith gave their lives for Jesus Christ and His gospel.
Doctrine and Covenants 135:1–2, 4–5
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- Summarize for your children Doctrine and Covenants 135:1 or share “Chapter 57: The Prophet Is Killed” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 201–5, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). This could be a good opportunity for you and your children to share your feelings about the sacrifice Joseph and Hyrum made for the Savior and His gospel.
Friend December 2008 “The Martyrdom of the Prophet”
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 57: The Prophet Is Killed” Images and video
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- Doctrine and Covenants 135:4–5 states that Hyrum Smith read a passage from the Book of Mormon before he went to Carthage Jail. You and your children could read this passage together (see Ether 12:36–38). How could these verses have comforted Hyrum? You could also share scriptures that bring you comfort when you are worried or sad.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 135-136”
- Invite the children to imagine they were living in Nauvoo when the Prophet died. Ask them to share how they might have felt. Bear your testimony of Joseph Smith, and invite the children to do the same.
Friend November 2025 ” Peace in Prayer” A true story about Mary Hunsaker who was a child living in Nauvoo when the prophet Joseph Smith was killed.
Doctrine and Covenants Coloring Book “Joseph and Hyrum Were Killed in Carthage Jail”
- You and your children could look at pictures of prophets (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 7, 14, 67) and talk about some things God asks prophets to do. What did these prophets sacrifice for the Savior?
Additional Teaching Ideas
- “Lesson 37: Joseph and Hyrum Smith Are Martyred,” Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History (Page 227)
- “Remembering the Martyrdom,” Revelations in Context, 299–306; Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 529–40
Joseph Smith was a prophet and witness of Jesus Christ.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 135-136”
- To help your children remember and appreciate how the Lord has blessed us through Joseph Smith’s mission, you could display objects that represent things Joseph did, such as the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or a picture of a temple (see also this week’s activity page). Then your children could look in Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 for some things Joseph Smith did to help us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Invite the children to choose one of these things and share why they are grateful for it.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 135-136″ To discuss what is meant by the statement that Joseph Smith did “more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man,” consider reviewing what your family has learned about Joseph Smith this year. You could use pictures from this resource to help them remember what they have learned and invite them to share favorite stories or teachings. Why are we grateful for the Prophet Joseph Smith and for what the Lord accomplished through him? You could also watch the video “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
- As the children color this week’s activity page, sing or play songs about Joseph Smith, such as “Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no. 27). Share your feelings about the Prophet.
- Encourage the children to each think of a friend or loved one who doesn’t know very much about Joseph Smith. What would they say if that person asked, “Why is Joseph Smith so important to you?” Invite the children to practice what they would say to this person.
A New Leader for the Church
Friend October 2017 “A New Prophet”
SECTION 136
Section 136 The word and will of the Lord, given through President Brigham Young at Winter Quarters, the camp of Israel, Omaha Nation, on the west bank of the Missouri River, near Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Lord can bless me when I am struggling.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 135-136”
- Consider placing a picture of the Nauvoo Temple on one side of a room and creating a simple shelter on the other side. Invite your children to gather near the picture, and tell them about the Saints who had to leave Nauvoo after Joseph Smith died (see chapters 58, 60, and 62 in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 206–8, 211–16, 222–24, or the corresponding videos in Gospel Library). Emphasize the faith these Saints had in Jesus Christ. Invite the children to walk away from the temple and gather in the shelter to represent the journey to Winter Quarters. They could sing a song like “To Be a Pioneer” (Children’s Songbook, 218–19) as they walk.
- Invite the children to imagine how they would feel if they had to leave their homes and find a new place to live in the wilderness. Explain that in Doctrine and Covenants 136, the Lord gave counsel to help the Saints on their journey. Assign each child a few verses from this revelation, such as verses 4, 10–11, 18–30, and ask the children to each find something that could help them with their worries or fears, that could give them courage for this journey. How can this counsel help us with the trials we face today?
Friend July 2018 “Take Care of Each Other” Joseph Smith organized wards in Nauvoo as a way to take care of the many people who were moving there. Companies were organized when crossing the plains. These also helped take care of each other better. President Eyring’s Great grandfather was helped when he got sick on the trail west. Today, wards continue to help us take care of each other.
- Help the children think of trials people face today. Invite them to find something in section 136 that they might share to encourage someone who is going through such a trial. Children could also find encouraging messages in “Come, Come, Ye Saints” (Hymns, no. 30), a hymn the Saints sang on their journey.
Additional Teaching Ideas
- “Lesson 38: Brigham Young Leads the Church,” Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History ( Page 233) Detailed story, questions, and activities
- “Lesson 39: The Saints Build Winter Quarters,” Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History (Page 239) Detailed story, questions, and activities
- “Crossing Iowa” (October 1997 Liahona and October 1993 Friend)
A description of the pioneers leaving Nauvoo, crossing the Mississippi River, and establishing Winter Quarters. - “Waiting in Winter Quarters” (October 2013 Liahona and Friend)
- A photo story about Winter Quarters. Can be used in conjunction with the maps in the activities section.
- “A Song Amid a Storm” (July 2005 Friend)
- A true story about a pioneer family during a storm in Winter Quarters.
Additional Resources
- Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 135–136”
- Institute Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual “Chapter 54: Doctrine and Covenants 134–36”
Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas
Journey to the Salt Lake Valley
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “The Pioneers Go to the Salt Lake Valley”
Doctrine and Covenants Coloring Book “Journey to the Salt Lake Valley”
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