Doctrine and Covenants 41

Doctrine and Covenants 41 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 4, 1831. This revelation instructs the Prophet and Church elders to pray to receive God’s “law” (see section 42). Joseph Smith had just arrived in Kirtland from New York, and Leman Copley, a Church member in nearby Thompson, Ohio, “requested Brother Joseph and Sidney [Rigdon] … live with him and he would furnish them houses and provisions.” The following revelation clarifies where Joseph and Sidney should live and also calls Edward Partridge to be the Church’s first bishop.

The First Bishops

Doctrine and Covenants 41

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 17: Edward Partridge Is Called as the First Bishop,” Click on link to find additional teaching ideas

In early 1831, almost a year after the Church was organized, many people were joining the Church and gathering in Ohio, as the Lord had commanded. As the Church grew, Joseph Smith needed additional leaders to help with the work of the Church. The Church was facing many financial (money-related) challenges. Many of the Saints who gathered to Kirtland were poor. They had no land or money and little food, clothing, or other things that were necessary for them to live. The Church also needed money to build a temple and to publish written materials such as revelations and missionary pamphlets. The Prophet himself did not have a home or a way to provide for his family, and other Church leaders who were serving in the Church full-time also needed help in supporting their families.

The Prophet asked the Lord what should be done to provide for all of these needs. In February 1831 the Prophet received a revelation calling Edward Partridge, who had only been a member of the Church for two months, to serve as the first bishop of the Church. The bishop’s first responsibility was to help the Prophet provide for the physical and financial needs of the members of the Church. Joseph Smith received other revelations in the next few months that helped Bishop Partridge know what else he was to do as bishop.

Bishop Partridge was asked to help provide the needy members of the Church with food, clothing, and shelter (see D&C 42:30–31, 34). Members who had extra food or other supplies were asked to share with those who did not have enough. Bishop Partridge received and distributed these donations, keeping them in a storehouse where members in need could come.

Another duty given to Bishop Partridge was to purchase and distribute land for individual homes and Church buildings (see D&C 42:35).

Friend May 2017 “The First Bishop”

Ensign April 2021 “How can we be like Edward Partridge?” Edward Partridge was the first bishop of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. With his firm testimony, he was willing to sacrifice everything he had and endure hardship after hardship, for he knew the Church to be true.

A Disciple is Someone who Receives God’s Law and Obeys it.

Doctrine and Covenants 41:5

To help your children know what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, you can write Doctrine and Covenants 41:5 on a piece of paper, leaving blanks where the word disciple should be. They could then look in verse 5 for the missing word. Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “41-46”

According to this verse, what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? A disciple is someone who receives God’s law and obeys it.

• How are we trying to be better disciples of Christ? Ask the children to think of laws we have received from the Lord. Invite them to take turns acting out obeying one of those laws while the rest of the class tries to guess what it is.
• Give each class member a strip of paper, and ask them to write on it one way they can be a better disciple. .Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 41–44”

Latter Day Kids “Discipleship” Lesson ideas

Doctrine and Covenants 42

Doctrine and Covenants 42 Revelation given in two parts through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 9 and 23, 1831. The first part, consisting of verses 1 through 72, was received in the presence of twelve elders and in fulfillment of the Lord’s promise previously made that the “law” would be given in Ohio (see section 38:32). The second portion consists of verses 73 through 93. The Prophet specifies this revelation as “embracing the law of the Church.” (1–10, The elders are called to preach the gospel, baptize converts, and build up the Church; 11–12, They must be called and ordained and are to teach the principles of the gospel found in the scriptures; 13–17, They are to teach and prophesy by the power of the Spirit; 18–29, The Saints are commanded not to kill, steal, lie, lust, commit adultery, or speak evil against others; 30–39, Laws governing the consecration of properties are set forth; 40–42, Pride and idleness are condemned; 43–52, The sick are to be healed through administrations and by faith; 53–60, The scriptures govern the Church and are to be proclaimed to the world; 61–69, The site of the New Jerusalem and the mysteries of the kingdom will be revealed; 70–73, Consecrated properties are to be used to support Church officers; 74–93, Laws governing fornication, adultery, killing, stealing, and confession of sins are set forth.)

I am happy when I obey the Lord.

Doctrine and Covenants 42:2

As the Church grew and members gathered in Kirtland, Ohio, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith what He called His “law” and commanded the Saints to “hearken and hear and obey” it. How can you help the children understand that we are blessed when we are obedient? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 41–44”)

Doctrine and Covenant Stories “Chapter 18: The Law of the Church”

Friend February 2024 “How to Be Happy” President Dallin H. Oaks “The prophet Lehi taught that “men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). Heavenly Father created us to have joy. He wants us to return to Him. He wants us to be happy in this life. How do we seek happiness or joy? King Benjamin invited his people to “consider the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things” (Mosiah 2:41). Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love you. Their plan for us is the “great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). That plan and Their commandments lead us to the greatest happiness and joy. I urge each of you to seek the joy that comes from keeping the commandments of God.”

You might complete this week’s activity page with your children. You could also sing a song about obeying God’s laws, such as “I Want to Live the Gospel” (Children’s Songbook, 148). Consider sharing with each other how obeying God’s laws has brought you happiness. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “41-46”)

Your children might enjoy playing a game that requires them to listen carefully and follow instructions. You could use this game to talk about what it means to “hearken and hear and obey” the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants 42:2). What instructions has He given us? How are we blessed by obeying His laws and commandments? Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “41-46”

Friend May 2025 “Come, Follow Me Activities” The scriptures teach how important it is to follow God’s commandments (see Doctrine and Covenants 42). Have one person be the leader and stand in front of the group. When they say “green light,” everyone can move forward. When they say “red light,” everyone has to freeze! For younger children: Sing or listen to “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146) together.

‘What are some examples of civil laws, and how do those laws benefit us? How do Heavenly Father’s laws or commandments bless us? Family members could draw pictures of themselves obeying God’s laws. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 41–44”

Friend January 2018 “What’s on Your Mind?” An explanation for why it matters that we keep the commandments. For example: How would it feel flying with a pilot who didn’t follow the rules of aviation? What about riding on a bus with a driver who didn’t stop at red lights? The commandments help keep us safe.

Missionaries Sent Two by Two

Doctrine and Covenants 42: 4-8

Doctrine and Covenants Coloring Book “Missionaries Sent Two by Two”

I am serving Jesus Christ when I serve others.

Doctrine and Covenants 42:38

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 41–44”

The Lord wants His Saints to care for the poor and needy. Help the children understand that when they are serving people in need, they are also serving the Savior.

• If Jesus Christ were in our class today, what would we say to Him? How would we treat Him? Show a picture of the Savior, and explain Jesus’s teaching that when we show love to others, we are also showing love to Him. Help the children repeat verse 38 with you, a few words at a time.

After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 42:38, help your children think of ways they can serve Jesus by serving others. They can find some ideas from the video “Pass It On” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). They could also look at pictures of the Savior helping others, healing the sick, or being kind to children (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 42, 47). (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “41-46”)

Friend December 2016 “A Shining Light”

Come Follow Me Kid

You might show your children a Tithing and Other Offerings slip and talk about how to use it to give what we have to bless others (see also “Tithing and Donations Online”).

Law of Consecration

Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–42

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 18: The Lord Reveals the Law of Consecration” 

Explain that in the early days of the Church, the Saints were commanded to share with each other everything they had been blessed with. This commandment was called the law of consecration. Write the word consecration on the chalkboard. Explain that to consecrate means to dedicate or give for a sacred purpose.

When the Saints began gathering in Ohio in early 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith was concerned because many of them were very poor and did not have the things they needed, such as food, clothing, and shelter. The Prophet began looking for a way to help these poor members of the Church.

When the Prophet first arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, he found that some members of the Church were living together on a farm owned by Isaac Morley. They had read in the Bible that the members of the Church in Jesus’ time shared everything they had (see Acts 2:44–45; 4:32), and they were trying to live the same way. This plan did not always work very well, however. For example, one man thought that if all things were shared, it was all right for him to sell a watch that actually belonged to another man. This made the owner of the watch very angry. The Prophet saw that although it was good that these people were trying to share with each other, their plan was not approved by the Lord. Joseph prayed to find out what the Lord wanted the members of the Church to do.

A few days after calling Edward Partridge to be the bishop of the Church, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the law of consecration (see D&C 42:30–39, 42). This law commanded the Saints to share with each other in an organized way. The Lord gave the following instructions:

1. The Saints were to consecrate, or give, all of their property and possessions to the Church. The bishop would be responsible for these consecrations.
2. The bishop would decide with the head of each family what property and possessions the family needed to work and live. The bishop would give these needed items to the family.
3. Families would work hard to provide for themselves using the things they were given. After they filled their own needs and wants, anything extra they had earned or created was to be given to the bishop to help the poor and strengthen the Church.

Play the game “I Don’t Need It—Would You Like It?” to help the children understand the concept of sharing their excess with others. Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil, and have the children list food, clothing, shelter, money, and books and games on their papers. The object of the game is for each child to obtain all the items on the list by either picking the items from the container or receiving them from another child.

Pass the container of papers to a child and have him or her choose a paper, read it, and put it back into the container. Have the child circle the named item on his or her paper. Then pass the container to the next child. When all the children have had a turn, begin again with the first child and have him or her pick another paper.

If on a subsequent turn a child picks an item that is already circled on his or her list, he or she turns to the child on the left and says, “I don’t need it—would you like it?” Then the child sitting to the left can circle that item on his or her list. If that child already has the item circled, he or she asks the question of the next child to the left. Continue until someone is able to circle the item.

Play the game until each child has circled every item on the list.

This law helped the Church grow and helped the members take care of each other while they lived in Ohio and Missouri. People donated their time and talents as well as their money and possessions so that missionary work could be done, a temple could be built, and newly arriving Saints would have a place to live and food to eat. Even though most of the people were poor, when they shared what they did have, everyone had enough.

Early members of the Church lived the law of consecration for only a short while. Someday the Church will practice the law of consecration again, but today we as members are asked to live only part of the law. We are not asked to give all we have to the Church, but we are asked to pay tithing and fast offerings. (You may need to explain that when we fast, we are asked to contribute to the Church at least the amount of money we would have spent on two meals that day. This is a fast offering.) Tithing and fast offerings are used to take care of the poor, build temples and meetinghouses, and provide other things such as lesson manuals. We are also asked to share our time and talents by doing things such as giving talks or teaching Primary classes. As we share, we are helping to build the kingdom of God on the earth.

Live Together in Love

Doctrine and Covenants 42:45

Friend April 2021 “Scripture Time Fun”

God Reveals Wisdom to Those Who Ask.

Doctrine and Covenants 42:61, 68

Read Doctrine and Covenants 42:61, 68 with the children, emphasizing the phrase “revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge.” Explain that God does not reveal everything at once; instead, He gives us a little bit at a time. Show how a puzzle is built little by little, or use something similar to help the children understand this principle. Share an experience when you received revelation that blessed you. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 41–44”)

The Lord will give us revelation for our lives. “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:61).

Doctrine and Covenants 43

Doctrine and Covenants 43 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, in February 1831. At this time some members of the Church were disturbed by people making false claims as revelators. The Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this communication addressed to the elders of the Church. The first part deals with matters of Church polity; the latter part contains a warning that the elders are to give to the nations of the earth. (1–7, Revelations and commandments come only through the one appointed; 8–14, The Saints are sanctified by acting in all holiness before the Lord; 15–22, Elders are sent forth to cry repentance and prepare men for the great day of the Lord; 23–28, The Lord calls upon men by His own voice and through the forces of nature; 29–35, The Millennium and the binding of Satan will come.)

Only the Prophet can Receive Revelation for the Whole Church.

Doctrine and Covenants 43:1–7

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “41-46”

• Invite your children to imagine that someone stands up in testimony meeting and tells the ward that he has received a revelation for the whole Church (for example, a revelation that we should no longer eat carrots or that we should wash our hands with milk instead of water.) He says that we should listen to what he says instead of the prophet. What would be wrong with that? You could then study Doctrine and Covenants 43:1–7 together to find out how the Lord gives commandments to His Church.

Friend November 2024 “What Are Prophets?”

• You could also show a picture of the living prophet and invite your children to share something he taught recently. If they need help, share a video clip or passage from a recent general conference message. Why is it a blessing to have a living prophet today?

Confidence in the Presence of God April 2025 Conference talk by President Russell M. Nelson

Doctrine and Covenants 44

Doctrine and Covenants 44 Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Kirtland, Ohio, in the latter part of February 1831. In compliance with the requirement herein set forth, the Church appointed a conference to be held early in the month of June following. (1–3, Elders are to assemble in conference; 4–6, They are to organize according to the laws of the land and to care for the poor.)

Additional Resources:

Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources Doctrine and Covenants 41–44

The Red Crystal