Section 63 Kirtland, Ohio, August 30, 1831. The Prophet, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery had arrived in Kirtland on August 27 from their visit to Missouri. Joseph Smith’s history describes this revelation: “In these infant days of the Church, there was a great anxiety to obtain the word of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation; and as the land of Zion was now the most important temporal object in view, I enquired of the Lord for further information upon the gathering of the Saints, and the purchase of the land, and other matters.”
The site for the city of Zion had been chosen. Church leaders had visited the area and dedicated it as a gathering place for the Saints. According to Joseph Smith’s history, “the land of Zion was now the most important temporal object in view” (Doctrine and Covenants 63, section heading). But views on Zion were mixed. Many Saints were eager to start gathering in Missouri. On the other hand, people like Ezra Booth were disappointed with the land of Zion and made their views known. In fact, when Joseph returned to Kirtland from Missouri, he found that dissension and apostasy had crept into the Church while he was away. It was in this setting that the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 63 was received.
Doctrine and Covenants 63:9–10
Ezra Booth was converted to the Church after seeing Joseph Smith heal Elsa Johnson’s arm (which she hadn’t been able to use for two years). But Ezra later lost his faith, and he became critical of the Prophet. Doctrine and Covenants 63 contains warnings against trying to build our faith on signs, such as miraculous healings, rather than on spiritual confirmation of truth. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 63”)
Invite the children to draw a house sitting on top of a rectangle and another house sitting on the point of a triangle. Tell the children that the houses represent our faith and testimonies. Ask them to read Doctrine and Covenants 63:9–10 and Helaman 5:12. Then have them write in the rectangle what we should build our faith on and in the triangle what we should not build our faith on. Point out that the rectangle provides a solid place to build but the triangle is not safe and secure. Why is it important to build our faith on Jesus Christ rather than on other things? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 63”)
As I Keep the Commandments, God will Teach Me His Truths.
The “mysteries of [God’s] kingdom” are available only to those who keep God’s commandments. This is why they are mysteries to many people. This principle will help the children as they seek truth.
- Write on the board If I keep the commandments, then , and ask the children to write on the board different ways to finish the sentence. Ask them to read Doctrine and Covenants 63:23 and find something they can add to their list. Show the children a glass of water, and ask them how the truths of the gospel are like water to us. (As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings (living water) are essential for eternal life. Guide to the Scriptures)
- Show the children a picture of a well, and ask them to draw a picture of one. After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 63:23, help them think of truths they know about the gospel, and invite them to write these truths around their wells. How are these truths like “living water”? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 63)
A mystery is something people don’t understand. He gives us commandments and scriptures to show us how to gain eternal life and bring salvation to our souls.
Explain that the Holy Ghost will also teach us and guide us, but to receive his help we must do things that will invite him to continue to be with us. Make two columns on the chalkboard. Label one Invites the Spirit and the other Offends the Spirit. Help the children understand that the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) is very important in our lives. Explain that good things invite the Spirit into our lives while bad things offend the Spirit and cause him to leave (see Moroni 7:12–13). Ask the children to think of actions to list in each column, such as listening to good music and being kind under Invites the Spirit and quarreling and being dishonest under Offends the Spirit. Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 7: Joseph Smith Translates the Gold Plates,”
I Will Be Resurrected.
Either now or in the future, the children you teach will be comforted to know that because of the Savior’s Atonement, all who have died will be resurrected one day.
- Show the children a picture of one of your loved ones who has died, and share a story about that person (or tell the below story) Read Doctrine and Covenants 63:49 to the children, and testify that one day that person will “rise from the dead” and never die again. Ask the children if they know someone who has died. Testify that we will all be resurrected because of Jesus Christ. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 63”_
Friend April 2021 “I Will See My Brother Again” During Primary, Isabella feels the spirit and knows she will see her brother again.
- Show pictures of the burial and Resurrection of the Savior (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 58, 59). Invite them to talk about what is happening in the pictures. Invite the children to lie down as you tell about Jesus’s burial and to stand up as you tell about His Resurrection. Read Doctrine and Covenants 63:49, and bear your testimony that we will all rise from the dead one day just like Jesus did. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 63”)
Jesus Death and Resurrection Scripture Story
Additional teaching ideas can be found at Resurrection and Resources for Teaching Children “Resurrection”
I Should Not Take the Name of God in Vain.
Doctrine and Covenants 63:58–64
The children you teach may hear others using the name of God in irreverent and profane ways. How can you help them understand that the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ “must be spoken with care”? (Doctrine and Covenants 63:64).
Friend August 2000 “Sharing Time: A Beautiful Tapestry” Ask several children how their parents chose their names. Say their names with varying voice inflections—excitement, annoyance, love, and so on. Ask how hearing their names said different ways made them feel. Display several names of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. Remind the children that they are keeping their baptismal covenant as they speak reverently of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and never swear or use crude words.
- Read to the children from Doctrine and Covenants 63:58: “This is a day of warning.” Ask them to talk about warnings they hear from their parents, teachers, and Church leaders. Then help them find warnings from the Lord in verses 58–64. What are some appropriate ways to “use the name of the Lord”? (verse 62).
- Review together “Language” in For the Strength of Youth(pages 20–21). Ask the children to make small posters reminding them of something they learned about how to use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
- Sing together a song about reverence, such as “Reverence Is Love” (Children’s Songbook, 31). How can we make sure that we are reverent when we speak about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 63”)
“Should I Keep Reading?” (October 2019 Liahona and Friend)
Brooklyn P., age 9, shares how she decided to stop reading a book after the author repeatedly used the Lord’s name in vain.
“Take Not the Name of God in Vain” (November 2004 Friend)
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) shares how his mother once washed his mouth out with soap to teach him not to take the Lord’s name in vain.
Additional Resources
Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas for D&C 63
- “Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley,” Revelations in Context, 130–36
- Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 63”