Attention Activity
Collect all the copies of the Doctrine and Covenants in the room and put them in a stack near you on the table or floor. Write on the chalkboard Doctrine and Covenants 43:8. Ask the children to discuss this verse among themselves and prepare to tell you what the verse is about. Do not let them use their scriptures as they do this. After a few moments, ask them if they are ready to tell you about the verse.
- Why can’t you tell me what the verse is about?
Return the children’s copies of the Doctrine and Covenants, and give copies to the children who have not brought their own. Have all the children look up the verse listed on the chalkboard and follow along as you read it.
Explain that the early Church members were instructed to teach each other about the revelations the Lord had given them through the Prophet Joseph Smith, but the Church members did not have a book where they could read the revelations. The Lord commanded the Church members to publish the revelations in a book so that they would be able to read and study them. We now call this book the Doctrine and Covenants. (Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 22: The Latter-day Revelations Are Published,”)
From 1828 to 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith received many revelations from the Lord, including divine counsel for individuals, instructions on governing the Church, and inspiring visions of the latter days. But many of the Saints hadn’t read them. The revelations weren’t yet published, and the few available copies were handwritten on loose sheets that were circulated among members and carried around by missionaries.
Then, in November 1831, Joseph called a council of Church leaders to discuss publishing the revelations. After seeking the Lord’s will, these leaders made plans to publish the Book of Commandments—the precursor to today’s Doctrine and Covenants. Soon everyone would be able to read for themselves the word of God revealed through a living prophet, vivid evidence that “the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.” For these and many other reasons, Saints then and now consider these revelations to be “worth … the riches of the whole Earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 70, section heading).
Scripture Stories: Doctrine and Covenants “Chapter 23: The Doctrine and Covenants” Images and Video
The Doctrine and Covenants Contains Revelations from God.
William E. McLellin Tries to Write a Revelation
During one of these conferences, some of the Church leaders at the conference complained about the language of some of the revelations that Joseph Smith had received. They thought they could write better revelations. In response the Lord gave the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 67, testifying that the revelations Joseph Smith had received were true (see D&C 67:4) and challenging anyone who would like to try to write a revelation to do so (see D&C 67:5–8). William E. McLellin took this challenge and tried to write a revelation. Joseph Smith recorded that Brother McLellin thought he was smart enough to write a revelation, but he could not do it. The Prophet said that it is “an awful [great and important] responsibility to write in the name of the Lord” (History of the Church,1:226). All those present who saw Brother McLellin’s failure were strengthened in their testimony that the revelations Joseph Smith had received were true and had come from the Lord.
For the Strength of Youth June 2021 “The Prophet’s Words Are True”
Why couldn’t William E. McLellin write a revelation? Who was the only person authorized to receive revelation for the Church at that time? (D&C 28:2.) Who receives revelation for the Church today? (The living prophet.) (Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 22: The Latter-day Revelations Are Published,”)
Friend June 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Find pictures of the prophet on the Church’s website or in the Church magazines. Help your little ones say, “The prophet teaches God’s word.”
Explain to the children that the Church leaders at this time decided to publish their testimony of the revelations Joseph Smith had received. When they did, one of the leaders, Levi Hancock, wrote next to his name, “Never to be erased” (see “Testimony, circa 2 November 1831,” Revelation Book 1, 121, josephsmithpapers.org). Why might Levi Hancock have wanted his name “never to be erased” from the published testimony? Give the children an opportunity to write their testimonies of what they’ve learned so far in the Doctrine and Covenants. (Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 22: The Latter-day Revelations Are Published,”)
What Makes the Doctrine and Covenants Similar and Unique to Other Standard Works
Show the children each of the standard works one at a time, and as you hold each one up share a little about how we got it. For example:
The Bible tells us about prophecies of Jesus Christ and about the Savior’s life and teachings when he was on the earth.
The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and tells us about the Savior’s dealings with the people on the American continent.
The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of revelations from Jesus Christ for the latter days, or our times.
The Pearl of Great Price gives us teachings and testimonies of Jesus Christ from ancient prophets as well as Joseph Smith’s history and testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Game
Give each child four small pieces of paper, and show the children how to fold each piece in half so it resembles a book. Help the children label their “books” Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.Ask the following questions and have the children hold up the appropriate paper “book” to answer each question:
Which book tells the most about the dealings of the Lord with his people in the Holy Land, beginning with the creation of the earth? (Bible.)
Which book tells about Jesus Christ’s visit to the American continent? (Book of Mormon.)
Which book tells the most about Jesus Christ’s birth and life on earth? (Bible.)
Which book contains a record of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s appearance to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove? (Pearl of Great Price.)
Which book contains revelations on how the Church should be established in the latter days, given by Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith? (Doctrine and Covenants.) Remind the children that each of the standard works is a testament of Jesus Christ and that we should study all of the scriptures.
Hold up the Doctrine and Covenants, share with the children what makes this book of scripture unique (for example, it contains revelations given in our day).
Game
On cards or small pieces of paper, make two copies each of simple pictures or words representing principles or events discussed in the Doctrine and Covenants, such as the baptism ordinance, sacrament prayers, word of wisdom, Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist, and Priesthood leadership organization of the Church (prophets, apostles, bishops, etc. Place the cards or papers face down in a grid on the floor or table. Let the children take turns turning over a pair of cards to try to make a match. If a child makes a match, have him or her give one reason why it is important for that principle to be part of the restored church. If a child does not make a match, have him or her return the cards to their original positions so another child can have a turn.
I Can Be “True and Faithful.”
Story
Oliver Cowdery was assigned to take approximately seventy revelations to Independence, Missouri, where William W. Phelps had a printing press. Oliver also took money to help the Saints in Missouri. Because Oliver would be traveling through unsettled country, the Lord told John Whitmer to go with him for safety (see D&C 69:1–2).
When Oliver Cowdery needed to travel to Missouri, the Lord called John Whitmer, someone who was “true and faithful” (verse 1), to go with him. How can the children be true and faithful like John Whitmer?
- Tell the children that when the Lord sent Oliver Cowdery to Missouri, He said that someone “true and faithful” (verse 1) should go with him, so He also sent John Whitmer. What does it mean to be true and faithful? How can we make sure we are true and faithful so that the Lord can use us to bless others?
- Invite a few children to tell about someone they know who they think is “true and faithful.” How do they know that person is true and faithful? Help them see that the Lord trusted John Whitmer because he was, at this time, true and faithful (see Doctrine and Covenants 69:1–2). Sing together a song that encourages the children to be true and faithful like the Savior, such as “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79). (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 67–70”)
Why is it important to be with people “who will be true and faithful”? (verse 1). When have friends influenced us to make good or bad decisions? How can we be a good influence on others?
Liahona June 2021 “The Godhead and Loving Others”
Follow the Prophet
Oliver Cowdery was appointed to carry the manuscript of the Book of Commandments to Independence, Missouri. The Lord asked John Whitmer to accompany him (see Doctrine and Covenants 69:2).
- Pretend that the Lord commanded you to deliver the manuscript of the Book of Commandments (which later became the Doctrine and Covenants).
- What would you need to do to care for this important book?
- Think of a time someone trusted you to complete an important task.
- What steps did you take to accomplish the task?
Discussion: Why is it important to follow the direction of Church leaders? How can following our prophet and other Church leaders protect us?
It was a long, cold journey, but in January 1832 Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer arrived safely in Independence. They delivered the revelations to Brother Phelps, who started to set the type to publish them as the Book of Commandments. By July 1833 the first 160 pages of the Book of Commandments had been printed.
Because many Saints were arriving in Missouri, some of the original settlers of the area were uneasy. They began to fear that the Saints would take over the area, elect their own officials, and drive the original settlers off the land. On Saturday, 20 July 1833, four or five hundred people who were against the Saints met in the Independence courthouse. The people formed a mob and demanded that the Saints leave their new homes or be killed. The leaders of the Church in Missouri asked for three months to consult with Joseph Smith, who was in Ohio, but the mob refused this request. The Saints were told they had only fifteen minutes to decide what to do.
Before the fifteen minutes had passed, the mob broke into William W. Phelps’s home, which contained the printing office where the Book of Commandments was being printed. Brother Phelps was not at home. Sister Phelps took her sick baby and her other children and hurried to the woods nearby. Fourteen-year-old Mary Elizabeth Rollins and her twelve-year-old sister, Caroline, watched members of the mob throw the Phelpses’ furniture and other possessions into the street. The mob then threw the press and the type out the window, along with most of the unbound pages of the Book of Commandments. Mary Elizabeth and Caroline courageously decided to save some of the copies, even though Caroline was afraid that the mob would kill them (show the picture of Mary Elizabeth and Caroline saving the Book of Commandments).
The girls ran from their hiding place, gathered up as many pages as they could carry, and ran away. When the mobbers saw them, they shouted for the girls to stop. Mary Elizabeth and Caroline slipped through a hole in a fence and ran into a cornfield. They lay quietly on the ground among the cornstalks, listening to the men searching for them. When the sound of footsteps faded and the girls thought it was safe to leave, they gathered the papers in their arms again and began to find their way out of the field. As they approached an old log stable, they heard sounds. They entered the stable carefully and discovered Sister Phelps and her children making beds from branches so they could hide for the night in the stable. Knowing Brother Phelps would know what to do with the pages, the girls gave them to Sister Phelps. Later some of these original sheets of the Book of Commandments were bound into books, and Mary Elizabeth and Caroline were each given a copy. They treasured these books for the rest of their lives.
Friend June 2021 “The Rollins Sisters Save the Day!”
Friend June 2017 “The Book of Commandments” Two sisters save the printed book of commandments from a mob.
Doctrine and Covenants 70:1–4.
The Lord gave certain elders the responsibility to oversee the publishing of the revelations. Even though we do not have that specific responsibility, in what sense could we be considered “stewards over the revelations and commandments”? (verse 3). (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 67–70”)
I Can be Baptized When I Am Eight Years Old.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–28
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 67–70”
In Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–28, the Lord told Joseph Smith that children should learn to have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, and be baptized when they are eight years old. He also said that they should learn to pray and keep God’s commandments.
Why age 8? Old enough to understand the doctrine of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and prepared and ready to make sacred covenants.
- Invite the children to count to eight using their fingers. What is special about being eight years old? Help the children recognize that when they are eight years old, they can be baptized. Using words and phrases found in Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–28, share with them some of the things the Lord wants them to learn about before they are eight (see also Articles of Faith 1:4). Help them understand concepts that might not be familiar to them.
- Sing with the children a song about baptism, such as “Baptism” or “When I Am Baptized” (Children’s Songbook,100–101, 103). Ask the children to share how they feel about being baptized and what they can do to prepare.
Friend June 2021 “Scripture Time Fun” Find items around your home that remind you of baptism. A cup of water could remind you of how we are baptized by immersion. A piece of white cloth could remind you of how we wear white. A blanket could remind you of the warm feeling of the Holy Ghost. What else can you think of?
Latter Day Kids “Baptism Symbols” Lesson Ideas and Videos
When our Church leaders speak by inspiration, they speak “the word of the Lord.”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 67–70”
When the Lord’s servants speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, their words are the will, mind, word, and voice of the Lord (see verse 4). Knowing this truth can help the children want to listen to and follow their teachings.
- Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 68:3–4 in small groups and share with each other what they learn from these verses. Invite the children to write something they learned on the board. Why is this an important truth to know?
- After reading Doctrine and Covenants 68:3–4 together, give the children copies of several recent messages from general conference. Invite them to find in the messages truths that the Lord taught us through His servants.
Additional Resources
Saints, 1:140–43