Table of Contents
Section 98
Section 98 heading: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, August 6, 1833. This revelation came in consequence of the persecution upon the Saints in Missouri. Increased settlement of Church members in Missouri troubled some other settlers, who felt threatened by the Saints’ numbers, political and economic influence, and cultural and religious differences. In July 1833, a mob destroyed Church property, tarred and feathered two Church members, and demanded that the Saints leave Jackson County. Although some news of the problems in Missouri had no doubt reached the Prophet in Kirtland (nine hundred miles away), the seriousness of the situation could have been known to him at this date only by revelation.
Jesus Wants Me to Forgive Those Who are Unkind to Me.
The Savior helps me forgive.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:39–40
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 98-101”
Note: As you teach your children the importance of forgiveness, make sure they also understand that if someone hurts them, they should always tell a trusted adult.
- Tell the children about the persecutions that occurred in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833. Chapters 34 and 35 in Doctrine and Covenants Stories (128–34) could help you teach about how the Saints were treated in Missouri in 1833. You and your children could talk about how these Saints might have felt. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 98:23, 39–40 to find out what the Lord wanted them to do. You and your children could talk about times you needed to forgive someone and how the Savior helped you.
Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories “Chapter 34: God Warns the People of Zion” Images and video
Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories “Chapter 35: The Saints Leave Jackson County” Images and video
- Place a picture of a happy face on one wall and a sad face on the opposite wall. Share with the children different situations in which someone is unkind. Suggest ways we could respond to the unkind actions, and help the children decide if each response would make them happy or sad. Invite the children to point to the corresponding face on the wall. Why does Jesus want us to forgive people, even those who are not nice to us?
Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 27: The Saints Are Expelled from Jackson County” See lesson for more teaching ideas and stories.
- Place inside a large sock or cloth bag five to ten familiar items, such as a small toy, a key, a button, a nail, and a piece of candy. Tie the end of the sock or bag in a knot, or tie some string around it to keep it closed.Give the children pencils and paper, and allow each child to feel the sock or bag and make a list of what he or she thinks is in it. After everyone has had a turn, open the sock or bag and show the children the contents. Point out that it was hard to know what was inside the sock or bag by looking at or feeling the outside of it. Similarly, we can see a person’s actions, but we cannot see the thoughts or feelings that cause those actions.Explain that the Saints were commanded by the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants 98:23–24 to bear their persecution with patience and not seek revenge against their enemies. The Saints could see their enemies’ actions, but only the Lord knew why the mob members did what they did. Only he knew the intent of their hearts. The Saints were to forgive instead of seeking revenge.
- What happens to people who refuse to forgive? (Feelings of hate, anger, and revenge drive away the Spirit of God. No person who refuses to forgive can be truly happy.)
- Ask the children if they can think of a time when Jesus Christ or someone else in the scriptures did what Doctrine and Covenants 98:23 teaches. To give them one example, show a picture of the Crucifixion (such as Gospel Art Book,no. 57). Ask the children to share what they know about the Savior’s Crucifixion (see Luke 23). Invite them to read Luke 23:34. How can we follow the example of Jesus Christ?
Friend August 2021 “Not Invited” Becky isn’t invited to her friend’s birthday party. She feels really left out and sad. She prays to be able to forgive her friend and is able to play together the next day. When Becky has her birthday party she invites her.
Friend April 2019 “A New Block Tower” Mason accidentally knocks down Bo’s block tower. Mason says sorry and offers to help build another one. Bo forgives him, and they both are happy.
Sing a song about forgiveness, such as “Help Me, Dear Father” (Children’s Songbook, 99). What does this song teach us about forgiving others? How does Heavenly Father help us forgive others?
For additional story and activity ideas see Forgiveness and Resources for Teaching Children “Forgiveness”
Jesus Christ can turn my trials into blessings.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- You might begin a discussion by asking your children about some of the challenges that children their age face. You could then read together Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3 and talk about how Jesus Christ can turn trials into blessings. You might share with your children examples of how He has turned your trials into blessings.
Friend August 2019 “The Hard Move” Liesl was sad when she found out she was moving because it was her first move and she would miss her friends. Her friends encouraged her, and she tried to believe that she could do it and that God had a plan for her. When she got to her new home she quickly made friends and loved the new house, school, and city. She was grateful Heavenly Father had a plan for her.
Friend June 2017 “Running with Dad” TJ is sad and lonely after moving, but he feels better after he and his dad set a goal and start preparing to run a marathon. While training he is able to spend lots of time with his dad, TJ told Dad about his new school and his Dad talked about military training and some of his adventures around the world. TJ’s favorite stories were from Dad’s mission.
Section 99
Section 99 Heading Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to John Murdock, August 29, 1832, at Hiram, Ohio. For over a year, John Murdock had been preaching the gospel while his children—motherless after the death of his wife, Julia Clapp, in April 1831—resided with other families in Ohio. 1–8, John Murdock is called to proclaim the gospel, and those who receive him receive the Lord and will obtain mercy.
When John Murdock was called to leave his home “to proclaim [the] everlasting gospel” (verse 1), he had just returned from a difficult, year-long mission in Missouri (see “John Murdock’s Missions to Missouri,” Revelations in Context, 87–89). What do we find in section 99 that may have been helpful or encouraging to Brother Murdock? What message does the Lord have for us in this revelation? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 98-101”)
Section 100
Trials Can Help Us Become Pure
Section 100 Heading Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Perrysburg, New York, October 12, 1833. The two brethren, having been absent from their families for several days, felt some concern about them.
Just a few weeks after Joseph learned of the persecution in Missouri, a recent convert asked him to travel to Canada to share the gospel with his sons. Joseph agreed, although he worried about leaving his family, especially because of persecution and threats to his family and the Church. On their way to Canada, Joseph and his companion, Sidney Rigdon, prayed for comfort, and section 100 was the Lord’s answer to them. What do you find in the Lord’s response that may have reassured and helped them?
After reading these verses, you might discuss how blacksmiths must heat metal intensely to remove impurities and then shape it by hammering it over and over again (see the video “The Refiner’s Fire” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). You might also learn together about how other things are purified, such as water or salt. Maybe you could purify or cleanse something as a family. Why do we want to become pure? What do these examples teach us about how our trials can help us become “a pure people”? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 98-101”)
Section 101
Section 101 Heading Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 16 and 17, 1833. At this time the Saints who had gathered in Missouri were suffering great persecution. Mobs had driven them from their homes in Jackson County; and some of the Saints had tried to establish themselves in Van Buren, Lafayette, and Ray Counties, but persecution followed them. The main body of the Saints was at that time in Clay County, Missouri. Threats of death against individuals of the Church were many. The Saints in Jackson County had lost household furniture, clothing, livestock, and other personal property; and many of their crops had been destroyed.
Jesus Christ Can Bring Me Peace.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 98-101”
Doctrine and Covenants 101:16, 23–32
16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.
As children face challenges throughout their lives, they will need faith that the Savior can help them during their trials and that those trials can “work together for [their] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:3).
- Invite the children to be as still and quiet as possible for a few minutes while looking at a picture of the Savior or listening to a song about Him. Then invite them to share what they felt and experienced during the stillness. Help your children recognize the peaceful feelings that come when we are being still and thinking about Jesus. Read Doctrine and Covenants 101:16. How does being still and thinking of Jesus help us? Help the children understand the connection between reverent stillness and our ability to feel the Spirit and think about Jesus.
Explain that when life was hard for the Saints in Joseph Smith’s time, Jesus wanted them to be still and trust Him instead of worrying. Talk about specific things we can do to help us feel peace from Christ such as praying, taking the sacrament reverently, reading scripture stories, listening to good music, resting quietly, etc.
- Help the children work on this week’s activity page. While they color, tell them how thinking of Jesus Christ has helped you feel peace, even during difficult times.
Friend September 2013 “Jesus Calms the Tempest”
Friend September 2021 “Singing for Jesus” Songs about Jesus can bring us peace and comfort
Friend January 2023 “So Much Noise!” Everything was noisy at home. Luke’s brothers were fighting and his sister had the music turned up really loud. It was hard for Luke to feel peace at home with all the noise. He went to his special room in the basement and asked Heavenly Father to help him find peace. He thought about Jesus. He’d learned in Primary that Jesus could always be close to him. And the Holy Ghost could always bring peace.
Friend September 2021 “Peace in Christ” Song
- . You could also sing together a song about reverence, such as “Reverently, Quietly” or “To Think about Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 26, 71). How can we feel His peace in our home?
Latter Day Kids “Be Still and Know That I Am God” Lesson ideas, videos, and activities
For additional teaching ideas see: Resources for Teaching Children “Peace”
Through Jesus Christ I Can Find Joy.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:23–32, 36, 38
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 98-101”
- Your children might be interested in learning about what life will be like when Jesus Christ comes again. Read Doctrine and Covenants 101:23–32 together, and talk about things they find in these verses that will bring us joy when He comes. Why is it helpful to know about these things when we are having a hard time?
Friend September 2021 “Scripture Time Fun” Happy Faces
- Sing “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today” (Hymns,no. 227).
- Jesus said, “In me your joy is full” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:36). Joy is long-lasting happiness you feel in your heart.
- Draw a happy face and a frowny face on either side of a paper plate or paper circle. Together name some things that make people happy or sad and hold up the happy or sad face. Make sure to name some happy things about Jesus!
- Put water in a cup. Ask the children to name things the Savior has done for us so that we can have joy, and invite them to drop a pebble in the cup for each thing they name until the cup is full. Read with the children Doctrine and Covenants 101:36, and ask them to look for how we can have a fulness of joy. What are some things we can do to “seek … the Lord” (verse 38) so we can have the joy that He wants to give us?
Show objects or pictures that represent things that help you “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4), such as His creations, a temple, His Resurrection, or a family. Let the children take turns selecting a picture or object, and then tell them why it makes you happy. Invite them to share things that help them rejoice in the Lord.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Philippians; Colossians” )
Media Library Images “Nature and Creation”
Friend April 2023 “Because of the Savior”
Friend February 2023 “How to Have Joy” In the winter of 1838, members of the Church had to leave their homes in Missouri, USA. It was very cold. Some spent the night outside near a campfire. They sang hymns and roasted potatoes.Sister Eliza R. Snow said, “Not a complaint was heard—all were cheerful.” Sometimes it doesn’t seem like we can feel joy when something bad happens. But joy comes from focusing on the Savior. (See more at link)
For additional teaching ideas see Happiness and Joy and Resources for Teaching Children “Happiness”
Following God’s Counsel Helps Keep Me Safe.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:43–65
The parable in Doctrine and Covenants 101:43–62 was given to explain why the Lord had allowed the Saints to be driven out of Zion. As you read these verses, do you see any similarities between yourself and the servants in the parable? How might a lack of faith or commitment allow “the enemy” to have influence in my life? How can I show God that I’m “willing to be guided in a right and proper way for [my] salvation”? (see verses 63–65).
Liahona September 2021 “The Parable of the Nobleman: A Lesson in Obedience” Have you, like the servants, ever wondered if a commandment was really necessary? This parable teaches us that the Lord’s commandments protect us and help us live happy lives
Additional Resources
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Mary and Caroline Rollins”
Friend June 2017 “The Book of Commandments”
Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 98-101”
Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 27: The Saints Are Expelled from Jackson County” See lesson for more teaching ideas and stories.
