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.
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.
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.
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?
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 Covenants135-136″ 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.
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.
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.
“Crossing Iowa” (October 1997 Liahona and October 1993 Friend) A description of the pioneers leaving Nauvoo, crossing the Mississippi River, and establishing Winter Quarters.
Section 133 Prefacing this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states, “At this time there were many things which the Elders desired to know relative to preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth, and concerning the gathering; and in order to walk by the true light, and be instructed from on high, on the 3rd of November, 1831, I inquired of the Lord and received the following important revelation.”This section was first added to the book of Doctrine and Covenants as an appendix and was subsequently assigned a section number.
Books sometimes end with a conclusion that restates or summarizes the book’s main points. Section 133 was originally meant to be the conclusion of the Book of Commandments, and it might be valuable to read this section with that in mind. What points does the Lord emphasize about His work? What do verses 57–62 teach you about the role the Lord wants you to play in His work?
The Lord wants me to stay away from the evil in the world.
You and your children could list some places and situations the Lord wants us to stay away from. Then you could compare those places and situations to the definition of “Babel, Babylon” in the Guide to the Scriptures (Gospel Library). They could then read Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–5, 14. What does it mean to “go … out from Babylon”? (verse 5). You could also make a similar list of places and situations the Lord invites us to and compare that list to the definition of “Zion” in Guide to the Scriptures.
Friend January 2021 “The Party Problem” Luz felt uneasy about going to a graduation party. It didn’t sound like the kind of party where she’d be able to feel the Holy Ghost. She thought about it, made her choice not to go, and then asked Heavenly Father if that was the right choice. Afterwards she felt a wave of warmth and light and knew she had made the right choice.
Friend April 2015 “Courage and Clubs” Kate chooses not to join her friend’s club because the requirement to join is to say a bad word.
Friend September 2017 “For Older Kids” By McKay H., age 9, Utah, USA “One night as I was watching TV, a show came on that I had never seen before. I got a dark feeling inside. Then a very still, small voice told me to turn off the TV. After that I went to play a Primary song on the piano.”
Friend July 2018 “Show and Tell” I was playing with a friend who showed me a video. At first it was funny, but then a character said a bad word. When I hear bad words, it feels bad in my body, so I asked him if we could do something else. He said OK. I felt happy inside! Javaan F., age 9, North Carolina, USA
The Lord wants Me to be Clean from Wordly Influences.
Your children might enjoy acting out what it looks like to prepare for something, like a sports tournament, an important visitor, or a favorite holiday. Why is preparation important? You could then read together Doctrine and Covenants 133:17–19, 21 and invite your children to look for what the Lord invites us to prepare for.
Display the picture from this week’s outline and invite the children to make a list of things they know about Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. Then, using Doctrine and Covenants 133:19–25, 46–52, invite them to add things to their list. Share your testimony that the Second Coming will be a joyful day for the righteous.
You could hide various pictures or objects depicting things we can do to prepare for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (such as read the scriptures, share the gospel, or serve our families). Let your children find the pictures or objects and talk about how doing these things helps us get ready to meet the Savior when He returns.
You could also sing together a song about the Second Coming, such as “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, 82–83). Share with each other your love for the Savior and your feelings about His return.
Hide a picture of the Savior’s Second Coming behind a cloth, as if the cloth were a curtain (you could use the image in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families or Gospel Art Book, no. 66). Invite the children to take turns moving the “curtain” aside and pretending they are looking out a window. Ask them to share how they would feel if they looked out the window and saw Jesus coming down from heaven. Read the phrase “go ye out to meet him” (verse 19), and help the children repeat the phrase.
To help the children understand verse 19, talk to them about how a bride might prepare for her wedding (perhaps someone who was recently married could help with this conversation). How are we like a bride preparing “for the coming of the Bridegroom,” Jesus Christ? If you think it would be helpful, review with the children the parable of the ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1–13). Why is it important to prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming? What can we do now to prepare
You and your children could look at pictures that show that Jesus is loving and kind. (For example, see Gospel Art Book, nos. 42, 47.) What else has Jesus done to show His love and kindness? Read the phrase “they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord” (verse 52), and help your children think of ways they can “mention the loving kindness of their Lord” to others.
Sing a song about the Savior’s love, such as “Jesus Is Our Loving Friend” (Children’s Songbook, 58). Share your testimony of how the Savior has shown His love for you.
SECTION 134
Section 134 A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church held at Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835. Many Saints gathered together to consider the proposed contents of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. At that time, this declaration was given the following preamble: “That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present, at the close of this volume, our opinion concerning the same.”
The early Saints’ relationship with government was complex. When the Saints were forced out of Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833, they asked for help from the local and national government and received none. At the same time, some people outside the Church interpreted teachings about Zion to mean that the Saints rejected the authority of earthly governments. Doctrine and Covenants 134 was written, in part, to clarify the Church’s position on government. What does this section suggest about how the Lord’s Saints should feel about government?
Young children often have rules to follow at home, at school, and elsewhere. You can help them understand that the Lord expects us to follow the rules and laws in our community and nation.
Your children could list rules or laws they obey. What would life be like if no one obeyed these laws? Then you could read Doctrine and Covenants 134:1–2 with them, helping them understand any words or phrases they might not understand. Why does the Lord want us to obey the law? (see also Articles of Faith 1:12).
Although there are different forms of government around the world, the Lord wants us to “sustain and uphold the … governments in which [we] reside” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:5).
Help the children repeat the twelfth article of faith. Emphasize key words, like “obeying, honoring, and sustaining,” and talk with the children about what those words mean. Share with them why it is important to obey the law.
In Doctrine and Covenants 88 the Lord instructed Joseph Smith to form a school to teach the leaders of the Church about the gospel and prepare them to serve the members of the Church. In this school, called the School of the Prophets, Church leaders were to teach one another about the gospel and other important subjects (see D&C 88:77–80). Leaders of the Church in the Kirtland area began attending the School of the Prophets at the end of January 1833. The school was held in the evenings, in an upstairs room of Newel K. Whitney’s store. The Prophet taught the men about the importance of learning and preaching the gospel and of learning about the world around them. In addition to studying the scriptures and the principles of the gospel, the men also studied Hebrew and Greek.
In 1831 the Lord had commanded Oliver Cowdery and W. W. Phelps to write and select textbooks for children (see D&C 55:4). After Joseph Smith organized the School of the Prophets for the priesthood leaders of the Church, he organized a school for children. Classes were held in the attic of the Kirtland Temple. One hundred forty children attended the school.
“Education is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help you become more like Him. … The education you gain will be valuable to you during mortality and in the life to come” (For the Strength of Youth, 9).
Display a picture of a school, or draw one on the board, and invite the children to explain what a school is and what happens there. Tell about the school Joseph Smith started (see “Chapter 31: The Word of Wisdom,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 119–22). Show the children pictures of a home, a church, and a temple, and ask them how these places are also like schools.
Sing a song about learning, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). Ask the children what they enjoy learning about.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, and emphasize the phrase “teach one another.” Share some wisdom that you have learned from each of the children in your class, and invite them to share wisdom they have learned.
You can help the children understand that learning about both spiritual and temporal matters can prepare them to serve the Lord.
Ask your children to tell you about what they are learning in school or Primary. You might also share some things you are learning. Then you could show your children the words what, why, and how. Help them search Doctrine and Covenants 88:77–79 to find out what the Lord wants us to learn about. Then look together in verse 80 to find out why He wants us to learn and in verse 118 to find out how we should learn.
Display a map of the world, and read together Doctrine and Covenants 88:79. Why is it important for us to learn about other countries and cultures? If you or the children you teach have visited or lived in another country, show items that represent the culture, and share things you learned.
Discuss the following ideas to show the importance of gaining knowledge:
Perfect knowledge is one of God’s attributes (see 2 Nephi 9:20).
The commandment to study and learn is repeated many times in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 88:118, 130:18–19, and D&C 131:6).
Peter said knowledge was necessary to become like Heavenly Father (2 Peter 1:5–9).
Discuss how learning can help us become more like our Father in Heaven.
“Learn!” (September 2011 Friend) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells of how he loved learning as a child and how it is important for everyone to learn as much as they can.
Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Help your littles ones say, “Heavenly Father wants me to learn.” Talk about good things we learn at church and school. Have your little ones draw something they have learned.
Friend October 2022 “Worth the Work” When Elder Alfred Kyungu was young his family couldn’t afford to end him to school. The family worked hard on the farm so they could afford to send him back to school. He learned that an education is worth working for. Later he learned that the Lord also teaches us that education is important.
Many things we obtain in this life will not go with us into the next life. But our “knowledge and intelligence” will (Doctrine and Covenants 130:19).
Ask the children to share with you something they are learning about in school or from their parents. Invite them to read Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19 to find out what will happen to our knowledge and intelligence in the next life.
What does verse 19 teach about how we gain knowledge and intelligence? How can we be diligent and obedient as we seek to learn? (For more on this topic, see “Education” in For the Strength of Youth [pages 9–10].)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell clarified what the word intelligence means in Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19: “If we ponder just what it is that will rise with us in the resurrection, it seems clear that our intelligence will rise with us, meaning not simply our IQ, but also our capacity to receive and apply truth (applying the knowledge we obtain for righteous purposes). Our talents, attributes, and skills will rise with us; certainly also our capacity to learn, our degree of self-discipline, and our capacity to work” (We Will Prove Them Herewith [1982], 12).
How might you use these verses to help your family prioritize things that last eternally? Maybe you could pack a suitcase or backpack together with items representing things that, according to Doctrine and Covenants 130:2, 18–19; 132:19, we can take with us into the next life, such as family pictures or scriptures. What does Doctrine and Covenants 132:13teach us about things of the world? This could lead to a discussion about focusing on things that have eternal significance.
Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Help your littles ones say, “Heavenly Father wants me to learn.” Talk about good things we learn at church and school. Have your little ones draw something they have learned.
Keep Trying
Friend March 2022 “Overcoming Your Challenges”President Dallin H. Oaks discusses the challenges he faced growing up, such as having his father die when he was seven, or being made fun of by other kids because he couldn’t spell or do math very well. Heavenly Father and Dallin’s family helped him and things got better. President Oaks wants the children to know that Heavenly Father will help them and to not give up. (Coloring page “I Can Overcome Challenges”)
Friend July 2024 “The Joy of Learning” When Elder Clark G. Gilbert was growing up he didn’t feel like he was a good learner or smart, and he didn’t think that could change. But then a teacher believed in him, and so he kept trying, studied harder, and developed ways to focus and keep organized. He also started to involve the Lord in his learning. He eventually began to love learning and became good at it.
Instructions given by Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, February 9, 1843, making known three grand keys by which the correct nature of ministering angels and spirits may be distinguished.
Section 130
Items of instruction given by Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Ramus, Illinois, April 2, 1843.
1–3, The Father and the Son may appear personally to men; 4–7, Angels reside in a celestial sphere; 8–9, The celestial earth will be a great Urim and Thummim; 10–11, A white stone is given to all who enter the celestial world; 12–17, The time of the Second Coming is withheld from the Prophet; 18–19, Intelligence gained in this life rises with us in the Resurrection; 20–21, All blessings come by obedience to law; 22–23, The Father and the Son have bodies of flesh and bones.
Heavenly Father wants me to focus on eternal things.
How might you use these verses to help your family prioritize things that last eternally? Maybe you could pack a suitcase or backpack together with items representing things that, according to Doctrine and Covenants 130:2, 18–19; 132:19, we can take with us into the next life, such as family pictures or scriptures. What does Doctrine and Covenants 132:13 teach us about things of the world? This could lead to a discussion about focusing on things that have eternal significance.
Many things we obtain in this life will not go with us into the next life. But our “knowledge and intelligence” will (Doctrine and Covenants 130:19).
Ask the children to share with you something they are learning about in school or from their parents. Invite them to read Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19 to find out what will happen to our knowledge and intelligence in the next life.
What does verse 19 teach about how we gain knowledge and intelligence? How can we be diligent and obedient as we seek to learn? (For more on this topic, see “Education” in For the Strength of Youth [pages 9–10].)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell clarified what the word intelligence means in Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19: “If we ponder just what it is that will rise with us in the resurrection, it seems clear that our intelligence will rise with us, meaning not simply our IQ, but also our capacity to receive and apply truth (applying the knowledge we obtain for righteous purposes). Our talents, attributes, and skills will rise with us; certainly also our capacity to learn, our degree of self-discipline, and our capacity to work” (We Will Prove Them Herewith [1982], 12).
Friend August 2017 “Three Classrooms” There are three different classrooms in life.
Discuss the following ideas to show the importance of gaining knowledge:
Perfect knowledge is one of God’s attributes (see 2 Nephi 9:20).
The commandment to study and learn is repeated many times in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 88:118, 130:18–19, and D&C 131:6).
Peter said knowledge was necessary to become like Heavenly Father (2 Peter 1:5–9).
Discuss how learning can help us become more like our Father in Heaven.
“Learn!” (September 2011 Friend) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells of how he loved learning as a child and how it is important for everyone to learn as much as they can.
Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Help your littles ones say, “Heavenly Father wants me to learn.” Talk about good things we learn at church and school. Have your little ones draw something they have learned.
Share a simple comparison with the children that shows how important it is to follow instructions; for example, talk with them about the steps we must follow to prepare food or play a game or build something. (Or you could ask them to give you directions to walk somewhere, like to a school or Church building.) What happens when we don’t follow the instructions/directions? (Maybe you have a personal experience you can share.) Read Doctrine and Covenants 130:21, and compare these instructions to the commandments we must follow to receive blessings from Heavenly Father.
You might also sing together a song about obedience, such as “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47), and look for words in Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21 and 132:5 that are similar to those in the song. How does God bless us as we strive to keep His commandments?
Read together Doctrine and Covenants 132:21–23, and invite the children to draw pictures to represent what they learn from these verses. Encourage them to be creative, and suggest that they include in their drawings the laws or commandments that help us stay on the narrow way to eternal life.
Friend March 1997 “My Choices Have Consequences” Turn the top disk to see a commandment from Heavenly Father. Read the scripture in the other window to find out what blessings are promised to those who keep that commandment. (Link has additional lesson ideas.)
After reading Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 together, you and your children could look at a picture of Jesus Christ and point to His eyes, His mouth, and other parts of His body. Your children could point to those same parts of their own bodies. Read from Doctrine and Covenants 130:22: “The Father has a body of flesh and bones … ; the Son also.” Testify that our bodies are like Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s bodies.Tell them why it’s important to you to know that our bodies look like Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s bodies.
Invite the children to draw pictures of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and themselves. Help them see how our bodies are like Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s.
Friend August 2016 “God is Our Father” God our Father has ears with which to hear our prayers. He has eyes with which to see our actions. He has a mouth with which to speak to us. He has a heart with which to feel compassion and love. He is real. He is living. We are his children made in His image. We look like Him and He looks like us.
Section 131Instructions by Joseph Smith the Prophet, given at Ramus, Illinois, May 16 and 17, 1843.1–4, Celestial marriage is essential to exaltation in the highest heaven; 5–6, How men are sealed up unto eternal life is explained; 7–8, All spirit is matter.
Section 132
Section 132 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant and the principle of plural marriage. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, evidence indicates that some of the principles involved in this revelation were known by the Prophet as early as 1831. See Official Declaration 1.
Heavenly Father Made it Possible for Families to be Together Forever.
Help your children find examples of things that do not last forever—food that spoils, flowers that wilt, and so on.
Select key phrases from 132:19 (such as “everlasting covenant,” “sealed,” “through all eternity,” and “forever and ever”), and ask the children to find these phrases in the verse. What do these phrases teach us about marriage?
(See also “Chapter 55: A Revelation about Marriage,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 198, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library.) Ask the children to listen for and be prepared to share what we must do so that our families can be eternal.
You could also look at pictures of your family and testify that the Lord has made it possible, through the ordinances and covenants of the temple, for families to last forever.
Help the children make paper dolls representing members of their family (see this week’s activity page). Cut them out, and put them in an envelope or attach them together with a paper clip to represent the sealing power that can make our families eternal.
Testify that no matter our current family situation, we can prepare ourselves to be part of an eternal family.
Ask some of the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4 and others to read 132:15. Help them discover what these verses teach about marriage.
Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188). Ask the children to listen for and be prepared to share what we must do so that our families can be eternal. Testify that no matter our current family situation, we can prepare ourselves to be part of an eternal family.
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, March 1841, concerning the Saints in the territory of Iowa. 1–4, The Saints are to build cities and to gather to the stakes of Zion.
Section 126
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in the house of Brigham Young, at Nauvoo, Illinois, July 9, 1841. Brigham Young had just returned to his family in Nauvoo from a nearly two-year mission to England. 1–3, Brigham Young is commended for his labors and is relieved of future travel abroad.
To help your children learn to serve their family members, consider sharing the information about Brigham Young in “Chapter 50: The Saints in Nauvoo” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 184, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library) or summarize Doctrine and Covenants 126 in your own words. You might emphasize the phrase “take especial care of your family” (verse 3) and talk with your children about what it means to take special care of our families.
Help the children think of ways they can show love and serve their family members. It may be fun for you and your children to look at family pictures (or draw pictures) as you talk together about ways we can help “care” for family members.
Share with the children Sister Carole M. Stephens’s story about her grandson Porter (see “We Have Great Reason to Rejoice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 115). What did Porter do to take care of his family? How can we follow his example?
An epistle from Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Latter-day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, containing directions on baptism for the dead, dated at Nauvoo, September 1, 1842.
An epistle from Joseph Smith the Prophet to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing further directions on baptism for the dead, dated at Nauvoo, Illinois, September 6, 1842.
1–5, Local and general recorders must certify to the fact of baptisms for the dead; 6–9, Their records are binding and recorded on earth and in heaven; 10–14, The baptismal font is a similitude of the grave; 15–17, Elijah restored power relative to baptism for the dead; 18–21, All of the keys, powers, and authorities of past dispensations have been restored; 22–25, Glad and glorious tidings are acclaimed for the living and the dead.
All of God’s children need the chance to be baptized.
Invite your children to find out from Doctrine and Covenants 128:1 what subject occupied Joseph Smith’s mind. They could also search verse 17 to find out what subject he considered “the most glorious.” Let them share what they find and talk about why this subject is so exciting.
In addition to helping your children prepare for (and live) their own baptismal covenants, you can help them know how to help people who did not make these covenants during their lifetime. Consider telling your children about someone you know who died without being baptized. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 128:5 and look at a picture of a temple baptismal font (like the one at the end of this outline). Tell your children how you feel about being baptized in temples on behalf of people who are dead so that everyone has the chance to make covenants with Heavenly Father.
Consider using an object lesson to show that we need to help our ancestors who were not baptized. For example, display a gift or a treat, but place it out of reach of one of the children. Tell that child that he or she can have the object but can’t move from his or her seat. Ask the other children what they can do to help the child receive it. Read together Doctrine and Covenants 128:15, and talk about how it relates to the object lesson.
It might be fun for you and your children to make a paper chain with names of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on (see this week’s activity page). Then you could share with each other what you know about these ancestors.
Read together Doctrine and Covenants 128:18 to find out what the “welding link” is that makes our family history “whole and complete.” Tell a story about an ancestor that helps you feel connected to him or her. Or show the video “Courage: I Think I Get It from Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). (Invite them to take the chains home and have their parents help them add names of ancestors.)
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Sister Jones, the general primary president, challenges a 12 year old boy to find a family name to take to the temple. He later writes to her letter telling of his success and of his opportunity to be baptized in the temple for his 3rd great grandfather and how that felt. He also tells her of his desire to do more.
Friend November 2021 “They’re Waiting for Me!” Giselle lives in India, and she can’t wait until the temple is built there so she can do baptisms for her ancestors who have died without knowledge of the gospel. (Photos at link)
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Temple Scramble: This girl has taken a family name to the temple. Can you put the pictures in order?
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 124”As difficult as the last six years had been for the Saints, things started to look up in the spring of 1839: The refugee Saints had found compassion among the citizens of Quincy, Illinois. Guards had allowed the Prophet Joseph Smith and other Church leaders to escape captivity in Missouri. And the Church had just purchased land in Illinois where the Saints could gather again. Yes, it was swampy, mosquito-infested land, but compared to the challenges the Saints had already faced, this probably seemed manageable. So they drained the swamp and drafted a charter for a new city, which they named Nauvoo. It means “beautiful” in Hebrew, though it was more an expression of faith than an accurate description, at least at first. Meanwhile, the Lord was impressing His Prophet with a sense of urgency. He had more truths and ordinances to restore, and He needed a holy temple where the Saints could receive them. In many ways, these same feelings of faith and urgency are important in the Lord’s work today.
Friend November 2008 “Joseph and the Saints Build Nauvoo”
Section 124
Section 124Because of increasing persecutions and illegal procedures against them by public officers, the Saints had been compelled to leave Missouri. The exterminating order issued by Lilburn W. Boggs, governor of Missouri, dated October 27, 1838, had left them no alternative. In 1841, when this revelation was given, the city of Nauvoo, occupying the site of the former village of Commerce, Illinois, had been built up by the Saints, and here the headquarters of the Church had been established.
If the Lord told your family “to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel” to “the kings of the world” (verses 2–3), what would your proclamation say? Consider creating one together, and invite family members to suggest gospel truths they want to include.
Help the children think of things they can do that are good. Show pictures to give them ideas (you can find some in the Gospel Art Book or Church magazines). Ask the children to point to these good things. Read Doctrine and Covenants 124:15 to the children, and ask them to listen for how the Lord felt when Hyrum Smith chose to do good. How does Jesus feel when we try to do good things?
Give the children paper hearts, and ask them to draw pictures of themselves doing good things. Invite them to share what they drew with the class. How do we feel when we do something good? Testify that Jesus is happy when we try to do the right thing.
Sing a song about doing things that Jesus wants us to do, such as “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61).
Choose some good qualities mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 124:12–21, and write them on the board around a picture of the Savior. Ask the children to search verses 12–21, looking for these words. Help them understand words that they might not be familiar with. According to these verses, how does the Lord feel about people who develop these qualities?
To help your children remember what they learn from Doctrine and Covenants 124:15, 20, you could help them draw and cut out paper hearts. On the hearts, you could help them write key phrases from these verses. A song like “Stand for the Right” (Children’s Songbook, 159) could help reinforce the Lord’s words.
Write the word integrity on the board. Invite the children to learn what the Lord said about integrity in Doctrine and Covenants 124:15, 20. To help the children understand what integrity is, read this statement: “Integrity means thinking and doing what is right at all times, no matter what the consequences” (For the Strength of Youth, 19). You could also share examples of a child demonstrating integrity from your own experience or from the Friend or Liahona magazines. Challenge the children to set a goal to act with more integrity this week.
Friend November 2018 “Finders Keepers?” Mike finds some money on the school grounds and takes it to the office even though his friends think they should keep it and spend it.
Friend August 2020 “How Do You Spell Honesty” When Elder Timothy J. Dyches was in six grade he hadn’t missed a spelling word all year long. If he kept getting perfect scores, I would receive an award for spelling at the end of the year. Then he noticed that he had missed a word on a spelling test that was incorrectly graded. He was honest and told his teacher about it.
What did the Lord say specifically about George Miller in verse 20 “because of the integrity of [George’s] heart”? You could also share examples of children showing integrity from your own experience or from the Friend magazine. Invite your children to set a goal to show integrity this week and tell you how they feel when they do.
Cover a picture or drawing of the temple. Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 124:38–41 for clues about what is in the picture. Let the children uncover the picture and discuss what these verses teach about why the Lord wants us to build temples.
Help the children understand that when the Saints found a new home in Nauvoo, the Lord told them to build a temple (see “Chapter 50: The Saints in Nauvoo” Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 183–84, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Read with the children this phrase: “My holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:39). Let the children hold a picture of an ancient temple (see Gospel Art Book,no. 52 or this week’s activity page) and a picture of a temple in your area. Explain that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have always commanded Their people to build temples—in ancient times and in our day.
Invite the children to complete this week’s activity page to help them understand that we are God’s people and that God’s people have always been commanded to build temples.
Jesus Christ said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Even Jesus Christ Himself was baptized (see Matthew 3:13–17).
Many people have lived on the earth who never heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who were not baptized. Others lived without fully understanding the importance of the ordinance of baptism. Still others were baptized, but without proper authority.
Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf.
Share your feelings about the temple and any experiences you may have had doing baptisms for the dead. Help the children determine how long it will be before they are old enough to do baptisms for the dead in the temple.
Gospel Media “Baptism for the Dead/ Now You Know” The below video refers to church members as Mormons. A discussion about the church name, and the nickname others give the church, may be needed in order to avoid confusion.
If you live close enough to a temple, consider taking your children there and reverently walking the temple grounds. Invite them to find the words “Holiness to the Lord—The House of the Lord” on the outside of the temple. Talk with your children about what these words mean.
If you have a temple recommend, show it to the children, or invite a youth in the ward to show the children his or her recommend. Tell the children why a temple recommend is important and what we need to do to obtain one. Encourage them to begin preparing now to obtain their own recommend.
Friend October 2021 “A Holy Place” The words are on every temple. “Holiness to the Lord” reminds us that we need to be worthy to go inside. Ways to prepare to go to the temple.
Friend October 2021 “Temple Countdown” You can receive your temple recommend in January of the year you turn 12! Follow these steps to find out how many years, months, and days you have until you can get yours.
Temple Recommend
Friend October 2021 “Ready for the Temple” Ajan will be turning twelve soon, but he lives far from a temple. Their ministering brother explained that he doesn’t get to go to the temple very often either, but his recommend reminds him to always be ready to go inside. Ajan wants to get a recommend and be ready too.
Friend September 2021 “For Older Kids” Temple Prep Tip: Even if you live far away from the temple, you can still get a temple recommend in January of the year you turn 12! Talk to a parent or leader about the temple recommend questions. What can you do now to prepare to get your recommend?
What do the children know about patriarchal blessings? Talk about what a patriarchal blessing is: a special blessing we get from patriarchs in which the Lord teaches us about ourselves and what He wants us to do and become. Consider using the section “Receiving a Patriarchal Blessing” in appendix A to help your children prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing.
Why are you thankful for your patriarchal blessing? How will you inspire the children to prepare to receive theirs?
“A Blessing for Katy” (January 2014 Friend) Beth learns about patriarchal blessings when her older cousin Katy gets one. Her mom tells her that “Katy’s patriarchal blessing will be like a map that shows Katy how to get back to Heavenly Father. It will tell her about good choices she should make and warn her about things that might be harmful. It will tell her about wonderful blessings she will receive when she follows Heavenly Father’s commandments. It will guide Katy through her whole life.”
Book of Mormon Stories Before Nephi died, he gave the plates he had written on to his younger brother Jacob. This meant that Jacob would also be the spiritual leader of the people. Jacob 1:1–2, 8
Nephi told Jacob to write the things that would help the people believe in Jesus Christ. Jacob 1:4–6
Nephi gave his younger brothers Jacob and Joseph the power to be priests and teachers in the Church and to teach the Nephites the word of God. Jacob 1:18
Go through the Fifth Article of Faith and explain that Nephi would have prayed to find out who God wanted called to certain responsibilities. He then would have “consecrated” Jacob and Joseph for those responsibilities by the laying on of hands because he had the priesthood authority from God to do so.
Jacob and Joseph labored diligently among their people, that they might persuade them to come unto Christ and partake of the goodness of God Jacob 1:7
Make simple puppets to represent Jacob and Joseph, Nephi’s younger brothers, who were leaders in the Church. Share some verses from Jacob 1 and 2 to explain what Church leaders are called to do. For example, leaders persuade us to “believe in Christ” (Jacob 1:8), invite us to repent (see Jacob 2:5–6, 9–10), and “declare [God’s] word” (Jacob 2:2, 11). Let the children use the puppets to pretend to do some of these things.
Invite the children to name some Church leaders they know, like Primary leaders, bishopric members, and prophets and apostles. Help the children think of ways these leaders bless us.
Senior Primary
Read with the children Jacob 1:6–8 and 2:1–6, 11, helping them look for phrases that describe how God’s servants lead the Church. Ask them to write these phrases on pieces of paper and then display the papers on the board. Why does God call Church leaders to guide us? Ask the children to share experiences with learning or receiving guidance from a Church leader or teacher and the blessings they received.
Ask the children to draw a picture of a Church leader they know about, and let the rest of the class guess who they drew. What do these leaders do to help us follow Jesus Christ? Invite the children to write notes to Church leaders, thanking them for their service.
Invite a local Church leader to tell the children what he or she does to fulfill his or her calling. Ask the children to name some things they can do to sustain their leaders.
Help the children name some of their Church leaders, such as the Primary president, the bishop, and the President of the Church. Explain that these leaders ask Heavenly Father to bless the children and help them live righteously. Consider telling the children what you say when you pray for them. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Philippians; Colossians”)
The Red Crystal Put the stepping stones on the ground and say the words as the students step on each one. Then move them farther apart so they have to hop to each stone while saying the same words
Friend June 2019 “Living My Standards” When Becky Craven (Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency) was young she moved a lot with her family. It was difficult because she was shy, but because of the gospel and her commitment living the gospel, she learned how to stand up for what was right and be a good example to others.
Friend November 2018 “Our Women Leaders” Learn a little bit about the 2018 leaders of Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women’s by matching their pictures with their info cards.
Ask the children to read Hebrews 7:1–2 and look for the titles used to describe Melchizedek. How do these titles remind us of Jesus Christ? Help them think of ways in which Jesus was a “King of peace.” Invite them to talk about other priesthood holders who are also an example of following the Savior. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Hebrews 7-13” )
Friend August 2021 “The Power of a Priesthood Blessing” Heavenly Father’s priesthood power blesses our lives in many ways. The cards below show some of the blessings we can all have because of the priesthood. Cut them out and put them face down. Then take turns choosing one and telling how it has helped you or will help you someday!
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).
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.
Draw a simple picture of your bishop on the board. Ask the children to name some things they know about the bishop. What is he like? What does he do? How does he bless the ward? (You can find some characteristics of a bishop in 1 Timothy 3:1–2 and Titus 1:7–9.) As the children share their ideas, write them on strips of paper and let the children place them on the board by the drawing.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Write the duties of a bishop on slips of paper—such as helping children and youth in the ward, accepting tithing and fast offerings, extending callings, interviewing members, and helping those in need. Place these slips in a bowl, and invite each child to pick one. Then help the child to role-play these duties with you. Share your testimony that your bishop is called of God. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
Little children may not know a lot about what their bishop does to serve them and other ward members. You can help them appreciate their bishop’s service.
Bring items to class that represent the responsibilities of a bishop, such as a tithing slip, the scriptures, or a picture of a bishop giving counsel (see the picture at the end of this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Read Doctrine and Covenants 72:2, and explain that the Lord has called a bishop to help us. Use the items you brought to help the children understand some of the things a bishop does to serve the ward.
“A Day with the Bishop” (August 1990 Liahona and July 1989 Friend) Explains some of the things a bishop does. Includes an activity.
Take the children on a walk to the bishop’s office (you may want to coordinate with other teachers). Describe for them some situations when they might meet with the bishop in his office (such as a baptismal interview or tithing settlement). Tell the children how you have been blessed by the bishop’s service.
Help the children make cards to give to the bishop, thanking him for what he does to help with the Lord’s work.
Sing “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” (Children’s Songbook,177).
Jesus taught that His Church should have bishops to lead and help the members (see Doctrine and Covenants 72:2).
Say thanks to your bishop or branch president by doing something kind. You could write him nice notes or bring him a treat. You could even do your plan without letting him know who did it!
A bishop can have a strong positive influence in the life of a young person. What can you do to help the children see the bishop as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Explain that in 1831 the Lord called the bishop of the Church, Edward Partridge, to move from Kirtland, Ohio, to be the bishop in Independence, Missouri. Read Doctrine and Covenants 72:8 with the children, and ask them to listen for who the Lord called to serve as the new bishop in Kirtland. Why does the Lord call bishops? Share with the children an experience when you were blessed by the service of a bishop.
Invite the children to make a list of some of the things they have seen the bishop do to help people in the ward. Ask the children to draw pictures of the bishop doing something they mentioned. Bear your testimony that your bishop was called by the Lord to be His servant. Why are we grateful that the Lord has called a bishop in our ward?
“Bishop, Help!” (April 2004 Friend) Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches us about the special calling of a bishop.
Following our Leaders
Friend May 2020 “The Little Red Bread Wagon” The Bishop asked ward members to help others. Sammy’s father prayed to know what to do, and the idea came to make bread to share. Sammy helped his father decide who to take bread to, and he helped him deliver the bread with his wagon.
I Can Help “Bear the Burden” of Doing the Lord’s Work.
Invite the children to draw many circles on the board to represent members of the ward. Draw a circle labeled bishop. Why would it be a problem if the bishop were the only one helping everyone else? Read together Exodus 18:13–26 to find out what advice Jethro gave when Moses was trying to do everything himself. Ask the children to label other circles to represent other ward leaders and members who help the bishop serve others. How do these other leaders and members make the bishop’s burden lighter? How can we do the same for our ward leaders? for our parents at home?
Friend December 2019 “Notes for Sister Puckett” Tyler was excited to become a deacon so he could serve and minister like his parents do. (His father takes notes in sacrament for Sister Puckett who is sick, and his mom made taco soup for her.)
Help the children make a list of leaders in your ward. As a class, select one and discuss what this person does to accomplish the Lord’s work and what the children can do to help. (Suggestions: Primary leaders, Primary teachers, chorister, librarians)
Friend December 2018 Match each sentence with a picture. In the blank spot, draw yourself helping at church.
I can put away a hymnbook.
I can pick up trash I see.
I can help hold up a picture.
I can sit so reverently!
Giving Talks, Singing, Playing Instruments
Friend June 2018 “A Baptism Song” Elizabeth and her sister sang at a baptism which helped those attending to feel the Spirit.
“Prayer Power” (March 2019 Liahona and Friend) Lucy and her family pray for their church leaders.
Story: It was hard for Moses to lead his people by himself. His wife’s father, Jethro, told Moses to let other people help “bear the burden” (Exodus 18:21–22).
Song: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79)
Activity: Have one person stand and hold their arms out. Put a book in each of their hands. Add more books until they are too heavy to hold up. Then have two people hold the person’s arms up. Is it easier to carry a burden when you have help? How can you help others? How can you ask for help?
Invite the children to take turns reading verses from 2 Thessalonians 3:7–13 and look for the problem the Saints were facing. Why does Heavenly Father want us to work? What would happen if we never learned to work hard? Let the children take turns acting out simple chores while the other children guess what they are doing. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Thessalonians”)
Friend July 2016 Picking thorny blackberries was not fun, but a boy learned about responsibility and the rewards of work.
Draw attention to skills and talents each individual in the family has worked to develop in the past few months, or year. (Mention skills such as tying shoes, making the bed, reading, playing an instrument, or cooking.) Ask each person how he felt when he accomplished that skill or developed that talent. Discuss how these new skills improve the individual, the family, and the community.
Discuss as a family the good feeling that can come while working to accomplish a chore or a job and the satisfaction that comes when that job is completed. Point out that this satisfaction is part of the reward.
Invite each child to take a turn acting out how they would do a chore, such as cleaning their room or washing dishes at home. Read Doctrine and Covenants 75:3, and ask the children to show how they would do it lazily when you say “neither be idle” and show how to work hard when you say “but labor with your might.” Why is it important that we do our best?
Share with the children President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s stories about work from “Two Principles for Any Economy” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 55–58). How do we feel when we know we have done our best?
Friend July 2016 Picking thorny blackberries was not fun, but a boy learned about responsibility and the rewards of work.
Friend October 2023 “Go Forward and Harvest On!” Elder Hugo Montoya tells of harvesting grapes with his family as a child. Each time they took grapes to their father, he would say, “Go forward and harvest on.” When we work hard and follow what God asks us to do, we can find joy in life.
Friend October 2023 “It’s Harvest Time” When Elder Montoya was young, he helped his family harvest grapes. Circle what is different between the two pictures!
Working for Something Helps You Appreciate It More
Working Brings Personal Satisfaction
Friend October 2023 “Margo and Paolo” Paulo broke his easel. He works to earn money to buy a new one. He said,”It feels good to work hard for something important to me!”
Friend August 2016 ” For Parents of Little Ones” Letting children help around the house makes the children feel capable and valued as contributing family members.
Friend April 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Play a game or activity that involves taking turns, like stacking blocks to make a tower. Each time it’s your child’s turn, help them say, “We can work together.”
Friend May 2016 Ideas on how to help little ones be more willing to do chores.
Ensign April 2020 “Teaching Children the Value of Work” Include children in creating a family work plan. In a family council, discuss the work that needs to be done to maintain the home and yard. Talk about how these duties can be shared among family members. Children will be more motivated to help if they are part of this process. Be mindful of children’s ages and capabilities, but give them opportunities to try hard things.
Find a fun way to track progress and reward their work. Have everyone place a cotton ball (or some other item) in a jar when a task is finished. When the jar is full, go on a family adventure. Or make a pizza chart and have each child color a slice when their work is done. When the chart is full, have a pizza party.
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual The religious, cultural, and political differences between Church members and the other residents of Missouri, combined with the vengeful efforts of individuals who had been excommunicated from the Church, led to hostilities on both sides.
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual Relying upon exaggerated anti-Mormon reports blaming Church members for this incident and other hostilities in Missouri, Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued an executive order calling for the extermination or forcible removal of all Mormons from the state and authorized the state militia to march on Far West
Tell or read the story. Show on the map where the various events occurred. You may want to have a child place a small marker on the map as you mention each place.
Joseph is Wrongfully Imprisoned
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual On October 31, 1838, Missouri state militia troops took the Prophet Joseph Smith and other Church leaders prisoner in Far West, Missouri. These men were eventually imprisoned in Liberty Jail in Clay County, Missouri, and suffered greatly during their four months of confinement.
While in Liberty Jail, the Prophet dictated a letter to Church members on March 20, 1839, and a second letter approximately two days later, in which the Prophet included prayers he had written asking the Lord to have compassion on him and on all the “suffering Saints” (see D&C 121:4, 6). He also included the Lord’s response to those prayers, as well as counsel to Church members who had been driven from their homes in Missouri. Portions of these letters are recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 121–23.
Section 121 Prayer and prophecies written by Joseph Smith the Prophet in an epistle to the Church while he was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, dated March 20, 1839. The Prophet and several companions had been months in prison. Their petitions and appeals directed to the executive officers and the judiciary had failed to bring them relief.
To help your children imagine what it would have been like for Joseph Smith and his friends in Liberty Jail, you could read together “Chapter 46: Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 172–74) or “Voices of the Restoration: Liberty Jail” or watch part of the video “Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration” (Gospel Library, beginning at 41:30).
The bottom level of the county jail in Liberty, Missouri, was known as the dungeon. The walls were thick, the stone floor was cold and filthy, the food—what there was of it—was rotten, and the only light came from two narrow, iron-barred windows near the ceiling. This dungeon is where Joseph Smith and a few of his brethren spent most of their imprisonment—four frigid months during the winter of 1838–39—awaiting trial for charges of treason against the state of Missouri. During this time, Joseph was constantly receiving news about the suffering of the Saints. The peace and optimism of Far West had lasted only a few months, and now the Saints were homeless once again, driven into the wilderness in search of yet another place to start over—this time with their Prophet in prison.
As you read together Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–9, you could talk about how the Savior helped Joseph feel peace. How do we find peace in the Savior, even during hard times?
Help the children think of ways we can trust the Lord as Joseph did so that we can feel peace. Explain that even though Joseph experienced hard things, the Lord was with him.
One way the Savior comforted Joseph Smith while he suffered in Liberty Jail was by teaching him that “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7). This truth can bless the children when they face their own trials.
To help your children recognize that our trials can “be for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7), you could talk with them about how our muscles grow when we carry something heavy. You could even invite them to lift a heavy object. Then you could talk about how going through hard times can help our spirits grow—as we turn to the Lord for help. Share some examples from your life.”
Why is adversity for our good? Adversity can help us become more like Jesus Christ; It can help us to develop empathy, patience, kindness, humility, faith and trust in God, reliance on God, etc. Ask the children if they would like to share how an adversity they suffered was for their gain.
List everyday problems on wordstrips and place them in a bowl. Have each person draw one and identify blessings that could come from such adversity. (Sickness, for example, can increase our compassion for the sick and our appreciation for the blessing of good health.)
Tell of a trial (either from your own life or from one of your ancestors) that has strengthened and blessed you.
Ask each one to say how some difficult experience he has had has been helpful to him—what he has learned from it, or how he has been blessed from it.
Encourage family members to recognize trials as challenges. Remind them to seek the Lord’s help in overcoming them.
Friend August 2021 “Peace through Priesthood Power” When Elder Steven R. Bangerter was a child, he had gamma globulin anemia which made it hard for his body to fight off germs, so he got sick a lot. One night he had an earache so bad that he thought his head would explode. He father gave him a blessing and he was able to sleep through the night and feel better the next day. The next few year his father continued to give him priesthood blessings. He taught him that those blessings were opportunities for Heavenly Father to speak to him. His sickness became a way for Heavenly Father to help his faith to grow.
Ask two children to hold the ends of a string that is long enough to stretch across the room. Ask another child to pinch a point on the string. Read Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8, and explain that the string represents the years of eternity and that the small point being pinched is like our years on earth. What does it mean that our trials on earth are for “a small moment”?
Help the children imagine what it would be like to spend four months in a place like Liberty Jail. What would we miss most? How would we spend our time? What did Joseph Smith learn in Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–9; 122:7–9 that helped him endure this experience? Encourage the children to write a letter to someone who is having a difficult time, and suggest they use something from Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–9; 122:7–9 in their letter.
Perhaps an analogy would help your children understand “the powers of heaven.” For example, you could compare God’s power to electrical power. What might prevent an electrical device from receiving power? What decreases our spiritual power? What increases it? (Look for words and phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46; see also General Handbook, 3.5, 3.6, Gospel Library.)
Draw a line with the words high power at one end and low power at the other. Draw an arrow pointing at the middle of the line. Choose several words or phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46 that teach how we decrease or increase heavenly power in our lives (such as “cover our sins,” “pride,” “gentleness,” and “love”). Invite the children to take turns picking a word, deciding if the word leads to a decrease or increase in power, and moving the arrow accordingly. Talk with the children about people they know who have been a good influence on others because they follow the Lord’s counsel in these verses.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–42, 45, and ask the children to list qualities in these verses that the Lord wants us to have. Help them define any words they don’t understand. Assign each child one quality, and help them think of a way that they can show it. Once they have all shared, ask them to read verses 45–46 and list the blessings they will receive if they develop those qualities.
Section 121 The word of the Lord to Joseph Smith the Prophet, while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839.
After reading Doctrine and Covenants 122:7–9 with your children, you might share an experience when you felt the Savior was with you during a difficult trial. You could also sing together a song such as “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, 55) and testify that Jesus Christ can help us because He knows how we feel.
Jesus Christ Knows How I Feel. He has Descended Below All Things.
In Liberty Jail, Jesus Christ told Joseph Smith that He had descended below all things (see Doctrine and Covenants 122:8).
To help the children learn to turn to Christ when they experience hard things, ask them to show you what their faces look like when they are sad or hurt or scared. Who can help us when we feel this way? Read Doctrine and Covenants 122:8, and explain that this means that Jesus Christ knows how we feel, and He can help us.
Friend November 2024 “Praying for Alejandro” Gerardo is worried about his brother who has cancer. His brother needs surgery but is too old for the Children’s hospital. So Gerardo prayed for help for his brother. They watched a video together about Jesus suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, and he wondered why Jesus had to hurt so much. He learned that Jesus felt all the pain we go through so he can know how to help us. Gerardo felt warm inside knowing that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ knew how to help Alejandro. The next day they learn that the children’s hospital would do Gerardo’s brother’s surgery.
Friend November 2023 “Someone Who Understands” Blair is embarrassed because she can’t go play at a friends like she said she would because she doesn’t feel good. She has Crohn’s disease and feels sick a lot. She prayed and told Heavenly Father how she was feeling. During the prayer she felt like she was getting a hug, and then the thought came into her mind that other’s may not understand what she is going through but Heavenly Father and Jesus do.
Who has felt the pain of all of these trials? Imagine how it would feel to carry them all.
Discussion: In what ways does the Lord understand us, help us, and turn our trials into experiences that “shall be for [our] good”? (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7). For ideas, see Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lessons from Liberty Jail,” Ensign, Sept. 2009, 29–32.
Joseph Smith learned that none of the adversity he experienced during his mortal life would ever equal what Jesus Christ suffered during His mortal mission.
Jesus descended to be tempted, mocked, scourged, cast out, and disowned, even though He was all-powerful.
He descended to be judged of the world, even though He was the Judge of the world.
He descended to be lifted on the cross and slain for the sins of the world, even though no man could take away His life.
“Jesus, in the course of the Atonement, experienced all of the heartache and sorrow, all of the disappointments and injustices that the entire family of man had experienced and would experience from Adam and Eve to the end of the world in order that we would not have to face them so severely or so deeply. However heavy our load might be, it would be a lot heavier if the Savior had not gone that way before us and carried that burden with us and for us.”
“Furthermore, we note that not only has the Savior suffered, in His case entirely innocently, but so have most of the prophets and other great men and women recorded in the scriptures. The point is this: if you are having a bad day, you’ve got a lot of company—very, very good company. The best company that has ever lived” (“Lessons from Liberty Jail,” 31).
“And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.”2
Section 123
Section 123 Duty of the Saints in relation to their persecutors, as written by Joseph Smith the Prophet while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839 1–6, The Saints should collect and publish an account of their sufferings and persecutions; 7–10,
Even small things can make a big difference in God’s service.
To help your children understand Doctrine and Covenants 123:15–17, you could share with them a picture of a large ship and a small helm, or share with them Elder David A. Bednar’s explanation in “The Principles of My Gospel” (Liahona, May 2021, 125–26). Then you could talk about small ways we can cheerfully serve our family and friends.
“A “helm” is a wheel or tiller and the associated equipment used to steer a ship or a boat. And “workways with the wind and the waves” denotes turning a ship so that it maintains its balance and does not capsize during a storm.
Gospel principles are for me and you what a helm is to a ship. Correct principles enable us to find our way and to stand firm, steadfast, and immovable so we do not lose our balance and fall in the raging latter-day storms of darkness and confusion.” Elder David A. Bednar “The Principles of My Gospel” (Liahona, May 2021, 125–26)
When you are striving to follow Jesus Christ, little things can make a big difference! (See Doctrine and Covenants 123:15–17.) Follow the instructions on page 34 to fold a paper airplane. Then make another paper airplane but skip one of the steps. Which one flies better? Why is each fold important?
For younger children: Help your little one spoon water into a cup to fill it. Teach them that every small spoonful helps fill the cup, just like how every small thing we do to follow Jesus Christ is important.
Even though Joseph Smith was in jail and the Saints had been driven from their homes, he encouraged the Saints to “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.”
Read to the children Doctrine and Covenants 123:17, and invite them to stand and cheer when they hear the word “cheerfully.” Invite them to pretend to do different acts of service in a cheerful way.
Sing together a song about cheerful service such as “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, 198). Help the children think of ways they can cheerfully serve their family and friends.
We Worry Less About Ourselves when We Serve Others
Friend November 2020 “120 Happy People” A family does a service project every year on the birthday of their baby who died because serving helps them feel thankful for what they have, and when they feel thankful, then happiness replaces the sad feelings. For this years project they decide to send thank you notes to people every day and help 120 people feel happy.
Friend August 2018 “The Lemonade Stand” After terrorist attacks, a girl and her friends are afraid. The girl also wants to help the victims but doesn’t know how. The neighborhood decides to host a lemonade stand to help raise money for the firefighters and their families. After helping with the lemonade stand, she feels better. Her mom tell she her that when she is being like Jesus, the Holy Ghost can help her feel happy and safe.
Friend June 2021 “Ombeni’s New Home” Ombeni’s family were refugees in the U.S. School was hard because he didn’t know the language and didn’t have any friends. His mother suggested he try to find someone to serve. He found a girl sitting alone at lunch and sat by her and smiled. She smiled back. It made him feel happy that he could help someone.
Genesis CHAPTER 14 Lot is captured in the battles of the kings—He is rescued by Abram—Melchizedek administers bread and wine and blesses Abram—Abram pays tithes—He declines to accept the spoils of conquest.
In Genesis 14:20, we read that Abraham paid tithing. Elder David A. Bednar has taught that spiritual blessings “are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing” (“The Windows of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 18).
As a family, discuss the blessings you’ve seen from obeying the law of tithing.
Have one person write the blessings down.
Together, go through the list again and discuss some of the ways these blessings make your life better.
Elder Bednar also taught that “a subtle but significant blessing we receive [as we honor the law of tithing] is the spiritual gift of gratitude that enables our appreciation for what we have. … A grateful person is rich in contentment” (“The Windows of Heaven,” 18). How has your family seen gratitude as a blessing of paying tithing?
Friend August 2011 “How is Tithing Used” Look at the drawings of some of the things tithing pays for. Circle the drawing in each column that is different from the others.
Many of the children you teach are probably too young to earn money and pay tithing, but it’s good for them to understand how tithing contributes to the great work the Church does throughout the world.
Explain how we pay tithing and what it is used for (see “Chapter 44: Tithing,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 165–66, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Draw 10 coins on the board, and ask the children to help you count them. Determine how many to give the Lord for tithing.
Sing together a song about tithing, such as “I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth” (Children’s Songbook, 150), and tell the children why you choose to pay tithing. If possible, share a personal story.
Ponder how you will help the children understand how tithing—even the small amounts they might pay—contributes to the building up of the Lord’s kingdom (see True to the Faith, 180–82).
Invite the children to imagine that a friend sees a Church building and asks, “How does your Church pay for that building?” How would we explain tithing to this friend? Suggest that the children refer to Doctrine and Covenants 119:4; 120:1 as they consider this question.
Help the children think of things the Church is able to do because of tithing. How do these things bless our lives? Share your feelings about the law of tithing and how it has blessed you.
Fill in the empty squares so that all six pictures are in each row (across), each column (up and down), and each purple rectangle.
How Much Do I Pay for Tithing?
Parable of the Skittles Cute idea about giving children a bag of skittles and all they have to do is give 10 back, then they compare the amounts and see the abundance they still have compared to what they gave.
Friend December 2022 “Tithing Time” Tithing is 10 percent of the money we receive. Match each amount of money with the tithing you would pay.
In Genesis 14:20, we read that Abraham paid tithing. Elder David A. Bednar has taught that spiritual blessings “are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing” (“The Windows of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 18).
As a family, discuss the blessings you’ve seen from obeying the law of tithing.
Have one person write the blessings down.
Together, go through the list again and discuss some of the ways these blessings make your life better.
Elder Bednar also taught that “a subtle but significant blessing we receive [as we honor the law of tithing] is the spiritual gift of gratitude that enables our appreciation for what we have. … A grateful person is rich in contentment” (“The Windows of Heaven,” 18). How has your family seen gratitude as a blessing of paying tithing?
Heavenly Father will bless me when I pay tithing.
The Yanagida Family pay tithing even though they are very poor and the Lord blesses them.
Help the children count 10 small objects, such as the coins on this week’s activity page. Invite them to separate one of the objects from the rest, and explain that this is like the tithing we give to the Lord. We give Him one-tenth of what we receive. Share your testimony of how the Lord blesses us as we pay tithing. Sing with the children a song about tithing, such as “I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth” (Children’s Songbook, 150).
Friend December 2022 “Tithing Pie” A bishop explains tithing by drawing a pretend peach pie and then asking if any of the children would want some. He then says he will give the whole pie to them, but he just wants one piece back.
Draw a window on the board, and read Malachi 3:10 to the children. Invite them to point to the window when you read the phrase “windows of heaven.” Explain that this means that Heavenly Father gives us great blessings when we pay tithing. As the children color this week’s activity page, talk about some of the reasons why we pay tithing.
“I Choose the Right by Living Gospel Principles” (June 2012 Liahona and Friend) An activity that encourages families to discuss the blessings of tithing. Includes a short story and illustration of a tithing slip.
Share a story from the Friend magazine or from your own life about paying tithing. Invite the children to listen for blessings that can come from paying tithing.
Friend April 2018 “An Amazing Lesson”When Elder Cordon was a child he learned that the Lord blesses us when we pay our tithing. His parents had to choose between paying for food or paying tithing. They paid their tithing and later his father received work and a prepayment for that work.
Friend April 2016 “Pesos for Heavenly Father” Ana’s grandmother has faith to pay tithing even though there is no food, and she is blessed.
Family members might enjoy drawing pictures to represent these blessings and hanging the pictures on a window.
“Lesson 44: Malachi Teaches about Tithes and Offerings,” Primary 6: Old Testament
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 ” Paying tithing is more about having faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than it is about finances. What do the children you teach understand about tithing? How will you help them have the faith to pay tithing?
Write on the board questions about tithing like the following: What is tithing? How do I pay tithing? What is tithing for? What are the blessings of paying tithing? Invite the children to search Malachi 3:8–12 and “Tithes, Tithing” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) and write down answers they find. Invite them to share their answers with each other. What kind of people do we become by paying tithing?
Show the video “Jesus Teaches about the Widow’s Mite” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), or read together Mark 12:41–44. What does this story teach us about how the Lord feels about our offerings?
Draw a window on the board, and invite the children to write inside the window blessings that someone might receive for paying tithing (for ideas, see Malachi 3:10–12). Invite the children to share a personal example of how they or their families have been blessed by faithfully paying tithing. Or you could share an example from your own life of how paying tithing has increased your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. He watched as people gave money for the church. Many rich people gave a lot of money.A poor widow gave two pieces of money called mites. It was not very much money, but it was all the money she had.Jesus saw the widow and told the disciples what she had done.He said the rich people had given a greater amount of money than she had, but they had more to give.The widow had no more money. She gave all that she had. She gave more to God than all the rich people.
What do these verses teach about how the Savior views our offerings? Show your family how to pay tithing and fast offerings to the Lord. How do these offerings help build God’s kingdom? What are some other ways we can offer “all that [we have]” to the Lord? (Mark 12:44).
Friend April 2023 “Tithing or Ice Cream?” Katy used her tithing money to buy ice cream several times. She didn’t know how much she owed and didn’t have the money to replace it. At tithing settlement she had to report that she wasn’t a full tithe payer. Her bishop explained that she could repent and try to do better. Katy prayed and asked for forgiveness and to try again.
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:
The Saints were to consecrate, or give, all of their property and possessions to the Church. The bishop would be responsible for these consecrations.
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.
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.
Hide the words “faithful,” “just,” and “wise” around the room. Invite the children to find the words in the room and then find them in Doctrine and Covenants 51:19. Read the verse together, and talk about what it means to be a steward. “A person who takes care of the affairs or property of another. That which a steward cares for is called a stewardship. All things on earth belong to the Lord; we are His stewards. We are accountable to the Lord.” (“Steward, Stewardship” in the Guide to the Scriptures).
Other Donations
Humanitarian Aid
Friend August 2019 “Elder Rasband Visits Cape Verde” Elder Rasband visited a school were many of the children don’t have parents to take care of them. The Church gives money to help the children’s school that Elder Rasband visited. (Activity: Four children donated money to the Church’s Humanitarian Aid Fund. Follow the shapes along the path to see what each child’s money was used for. (Also includes instructions on how to donate money to humanitarian aid.)
Family Home Evening Idea: Tithing Read “The Windows of Heaven” (September 2005 Liahona and Friend). Discuss what you would do if you were put in the place of Marcella’s family. How has the Lord kept His promises when you have obeyed? Read “Where Does Tithing Go?” (September 2005 Liahona and Friend) to find out more about what happens to tithing after you pay it.
“How Tithing Is Used” (August 2011 Liahona and Friend) A simple activity about the uses of tithing.
“I Choose the Right by Living Gospel Principles” (June 2012 Liahona and Friend) An activity that encourages families to discuss the blessings of tithing. Includes a short story and illustration of a tithing slip.
“The Law of Tithing” (February 2009 Friend) A scripture activity about paying tithing.
“Tithing Around the World” (April 2018 Friend) Figure out how much tithing you would pay for these amounts of currency from around the world.
“Tithing Blessings” (June 2017 Friend) Pictures to color of things that tithing money helps with.
“Tithing, the Best Choice” (February 2010 Liahona and Friend) A story for young children about a boy who paid tithing when he sold his prize calf. Includes a maze, hidden picture, and instructions to make a tithing jar.
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