Doctrine & Covenants 113 at first glance might not look like much, but when we add Isaiah we are able to understand so much more. These specific scriptures are so important that we can find it in the Bible, The Book of Mormon (the Isaiah chapters that Nephi felt like we needed) and our Doctrine & Covenants. Study the 11th and 52nd chapters of Isaiah to with D&C 113. Also take a look at 2 Nephi 21. Who is the stem of Jesse? -Jesus Christ What is the Rod? -A Servant (Joseph Smith) Who is the root of Jesse? -Joseph Smith "11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people" Isaiah 11:11 In the dispensation of Moses they had Moses and his law, and they were following it. Then the children of Israel had Joshua who was the next prophet. Joseph Smith is our Moses, and Brigham Young is our Joshua. After Joshua died, the people began to forget the teachings of Moses. Have we not had some similar things happen today? This is why the Lord must put forth his hand a second time. We need to be seeking to be so righteous that we leave the world behind. We need to be careful that we know what Joseph taught. What did he teach? He taught from the Bible and gave us the Joseph Smith Translation, The Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. We also love studying from -The History of the Church by Joseph Smith https://byustudies.byu.edu/further-study/history-of-the-church/ -History of the Prophet Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Smith https://archive.org/stream/HistoryOfTheProphetJosephSmithByHisMotherLucyMackSmith/history_of_prophet_joseph_smith_Lucy_mack_smith_djvu.txt -The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith by Joseph Fielding Smith Joseph Fielding Smith also told us... “It is a very apparent fact that we have traveled far and wide in the past 20 years. What the future will bring I do not know. But if we drift as far afield from fundamental things in the next 20 years, what will be left of the foundation laid by the Prophet Joseph Smith? It is easy for one who observes to see how the apostasy came about in the primitive church of Christ. Are we not traveling the same road?” (Joseph Fielding Smith Journal, 28 December 1938) Memorize Humbleness is the opposite of pride, when we are truly humble the Lord can work wonders in or lives. "15 Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come." D&C 112:15 It was a problem then and is still a problem today. In their day many tried to exalt themselves over Joseph, and it didn't go away when he died. We are told that Joseph Smith holds the keys to this dispensation, he has not lost them or the responsibility that went with them. "Think of this, my dear young brothers and sisters, right now I am preparing for the day when I will be required to give an accounting to the Prophet Joseph Smith," Russel M. Nelson
Hymn #130 Be Thou Humble Section 113 reveals who the rod and root are - Joseph Smith, and help us to better understand his important role in the latter-days as things wind up and move toward the Second Coming. There is nothing more important than to know what Joseph taught and restored. We really need to be sure that we follow the admonition in D&C 112:15. If we exalt ourselves and rebel against Joseph, who will hold the keys until he returns them to the Savior, we will find ourselves on the wrong side of the Lord. Search the scriptures. There is not a book of scripture from which we study that we don't have because of Joseph. That even includes the Bible, because he gave us a translation to restore lost knowledge. If we follow Joseph in all that he taught we will not be led astray.
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Is there a pattern on which we can base our lives that works no mater what we apply it? What if our homes were like temples? Is this possible? YES! There is a celestial pattern in section 109:6-13. Since "all have not faith," we should seek out of the best book words of wisdom and teach these words to others. We need to learn by study and faith and organize ourselves to prepare every needful thing, and establish our house to be one of prayer, fasting, learning, glory, order, and a house of God. Remember you are choosing what kingdom you want with every choice you make. Should not your home be like the celestial kingdom? Do you know why the Saints were told to not postpone their efforts and start building the Kirtland temple? There were keys of the priesthood that needed to be restored. They knew that the Lord's people should have temples. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were in that temple when they saw Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah, who fulfilled the prophecy given long ago by Malachi saying "15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse-" This is why we have the sealing ordinances today. We also need to follow scriptural patterns to receive the Lord's blessings. memorize Do you ever ask the Lord what book you should read? Do you seek the best books of the world? What are the best books? By changing what you want to read to what the Lord wants you to read you can receive words of wisdom.It is life changing. activity The Kirtland temple is easily drawn with some simple shapes. Even a six year old can do it! We know they can, because we have seen it.
song This is the song written by William W. Phelps for the dedication of the Kirtland temple. videoD&C Section 107 What is true love? This film about Hosea shows us how the Lord loves us. This is a sacrificial love, not the romance you see in most movies. It is a love that builds and blesses others without thought of a reward or even a return of that love from the one that is sacrificially loved. Those who hold the priesthood are meant to love in this sacrificial way. They are to lay down their lives to care for and protect others. Men are meant to guide their family both physically as well as spiritually, but statistics show that 91% of men are involved with pornography which dulls their spiritual sensitivity, and actually causes them to lose their agency as they are in bondage to this great sin which is adultery and is second only to murder in its seriousness. What can be done? This is the time for women and children to show sacrificial love, do what is right, purify themselves and their family, love and give him the chance to change. Memorize! In D&C 108:7, the Lord Tells us to strengthen others in our conversations, in our prayers, in our exhortations, and in everything we do. If we do these things it will not only help and bless others, but it can also help strengthen your faith and your testimony. Memorize this verse with us. Activity "And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night-- Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief." (D&C 106:5-6) Verse 5 tells us that the coming of the Lord will overtake the world like a thief in the night. Why will the coming of the Lord overtake the world like a thief in the night? Verse 6 tells us to gird up our loins, in other words, we need to be prepared, and waiting, and working, so we can be ready for the coming of the Lord, or else it will come like a thief in the night. As you color this page, talk with your family about ways you can be prepared.
Song In D&C 107, it talks about the last time Adam gathered his posterity, it tells us he gathered them to a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman. Even today Adam-ondi-Ahman is a beautiful and lush place like the Garden of Eden. Video One of the major sections in this weeks reading is D&C 107, it's about the priesthood. Why is it important for men and woman to understand the priesthood? One of the reasons we received D&C 107 is because the 12 came together and realized they had not taken seriously enough, and recognized the weight of the calls they had, they then asked the Prophet for further instruction. One of the things that we discover is that the priesthood is patriarchal, meaning that it is to pass from father to son. A father must be like Christ and be willing to lay his life on the line for his family - spiritually or physically. This is the kind of sacrificial love that Christ showed to us. Men are meant to guide their family both physically as well as spiritually, but statistics show that 91% of men are involved with pornography which dulls their spiritual sensitivity, and actually causes them to lose their agency as they are in bondage to this great sin which is adultery and is second only to murder in its seriousness. What can be done? This is the time for women and children to show sacrificial love, do what is right, purify themselves and their family, love and give him the chance to change. Scriptures for discussionObedience Who are You? No Fear -104:7 -103:17 103:27-28 -104: 52 -105: 2-6 -105:9-10 -105:17 Zion's campAll who were in Jackson county had been driven out. Lyman Wight and Parley P. Pratt came to report to the newly organized high counsel. Men were then sent to the different branches of the church both in Kirtland and New York and surrounding states. Joseph was appointed to be commander in chief of Zion's camp. They had many difficulties while traveling to Zion. Many complained and Joseph warned them that if the attitude did not change the camp would be plagued by the Lord. When they got to Missouri, the Lord told Joseph not to fight, and to send the men home. Cholera broke out in the camp in accordance with Joseph's prophecy. Joseph was struck with the cholera after trying to heal some through a blessing, because this was the plague promised by the Lord. Thirteen members of Zion's camp died because of the cholera. Zion's camp then went home. A skeptic later asked Brigham Young what he had gained from the journey to which he replied , "I would not exchange the knowledge I have received this season for the whole of Geauga County." Obedience Did you know that obedience to the Lord is the first law of Heaven? The Lord condemns those who are disobedient. Zion was not established in the days of Joseph Smith, because some were disobedient. Are there ways that we could be more obedient? The Lord said, "Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. We do not mean blind obedience that is not better than disobedience, because the thing you were asked to do may be wrong. It is up to you to have the spirit,and know true doctrine, then do what is right. What are the laws of the celestial kingdom? Can we live those laws better? How do we know if we are being blindly obedient? MemorizeAs you memorize this scripture, discuss how to live celestial law, as a family. Video
ActivityThe Lord tells the members of the church that they are light or salt and the saviors of men. Salt has the ability to preserve, so the salt of the earth are those who preserve the earth. The Lord then says that, "inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men." Salt can only lose its savor if it is mixed with something impure like dirt. In this case, the impure would be the things of this world. Discuss with your family how to keep yourselves clean from the world.
SongThis song ,Hark Listen to the Trumpeters, was a song often sung on Zion's camp. The Lord asked the people to build a house for the the use for the presidency in Kirtland. He gave them measurements and told them to make a lower and an upper story. Hearing these measurements reminds us that the Lord cares about all details including in our personal lives. What does love mean to the Lord? Doctrine and Covenants 95:1"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you" This is love. We cannot accept sin in ourselves or in our loved ones. We all need to live righteously. The plans for the temple had been laid out and nothing had been done to build it. The Lord told them that they should have already started on it. Sometimes we don't do things when we should do them, and it can lead to consequences. Parley P. Pratt (by commandment of the Lord) was running a school in Missouri, and because of his service the Lord promised him a "multiplicity of blessings." We can also receive great blessings if we faithfully do what the Lord would have us do in this life, and the next. memorizeactiity D&C 75:21 "Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn." Are you pure in heart? Are you striving to be like our Savior? We need to have a Zion people before Zion can be built. We need to work harder and be better and then in that day we will be one of those who are rejoicing.
songvideoWhen you read this section you really see the glory of the Celestial kingdom, the place we are able to go if we are willing to pay the price and live according to those laws. The Prophet Joseph Smith designated this as the “‘olive leaf’ … plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us.” When you read Doctrine and Covenants 88 you might wonder why it was called this. It showed the people a hope for eternity, a hope of exaltation, and it showed the promises of the Lord. Jesus Christ is the light We learn that Jesus Christ truly gives light to all things. He provides light for every thing, the sun, moon, and stars. He is the light which enlightens our understanding. He is "The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things,". What is a soul? We learn in verse 15 that the spirit and the soul are two different things, even though they are often confused as being the same thing. We are told that the spirit and the body are the soul of man. Have you seen God? Verses 42-47 and 50 talk about the heavens, the sun moon, and stars and says... "47 Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power." In Alma 30, Alma faces the anti-Christ Korihor. Korihor demands a sign from Alma to prove that there was a God. Alma gave him this reply: "44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." Memorize This scripture was a reminder to us of the importance of coming or drawing nearer to the Savior and asking Him to be with us. Do you ever hide your light? Do you ever not share what you know? And if you do, why? And if you don't, why not? Why does it matter? verses 81-83 tell us something that we were told to do. "81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor. 82 Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads. 83 He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken." Activity 92-116 is about Angels, and trumps, the second coming, and the resurrection. Our activity is a color page of angels with their trumps. Take time to look at the different trumps and what they usher forth in the last days and the millennium.
Verses 117-126 are the order of the temple. It is also the order of our homes. It is a vital thing to implement in our lives. What does this prepare us for? We love using the Citation Index to help us understand more things in the scriptures. https://scriptures.byu.edu/ Check out our video for more information on these topics. Look in the description for chapters and topics in the video. At this point in history, Zion is being established and the law of consecration is beginning to be practiced. Some people came to Zion and asked for an inheritances, but were unwilling to live the law of consecration. However the Lord clearly instructs through revelation that inheritances are received by agreeing to abide by the law of consecration. If they did not except this law, they were not given an inheritances. Zion is still not established today. If you want to live in Zion, then you need to prepare right now to live Zion standards including consecration, so that when the Lord establishes you will be worthy to live there. How can you consecrate your life to the Lord? In section 87, the Lord tells us of future wars, but Christ said to stand in holy places and to stay there until he comes back, and scripture has told us that he comes quickly. We need to hold on to the end. Are you standing in holy places right now? memorize In D&C 87:8, the Lord tells us to stand in holy places and be not moved. When the day of the Lord comes we need to be ready and prepared, and we will not be surprised. Memorize this scripture with us! activity In this section we receive the interpretation of the parable of the wheat and tares. As you discus this with your family here is a coloring page you can color!
song In section 78:8 we are told "stand ye in holy places". We invite you to sing "More Holiness Give Me" form the hymn book page #131. video Watch our family discussion video to hear more. Section 84 "35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; 36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; 37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; 38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (D&C 84:35-38) We all want to receive the Father's kingdom. Heavenly Father can not visit everyone, instead he sends his servants who hold the priesthood. If we receive his servants who hold the priesthood, it is like receiving him which means we receive his Father's kingdom. What does it mean to receive the priesthood and his servants? What do we need to do? Why are we under condemnation? In D&C 84:54-59, the Lord says we have been treating the Book of Mormon lightly and because of that we are under condemnation, he tells us we will remain under condemnation until we repent, and remember the new covenant. What is the new covenant? In verse 57, the Lord tells us that the new covenant is the Book of Mormon and the former commandments. President Benson told us that we are still under condemnation today. As a family talk about ways you can apply the scriptures to your life, and not treat the scriptures lightly. The Priesthood Line of Moses "6 And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which he received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro; 7 And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb; 8 And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu; 9 And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy; 10 And Jeremy under the hand of Gad; 11 And Gad under the hand of Esaias; 12 And Esaias received it under the hand of God. 13 Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him-- 14 Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah; 15 And from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their fathers; 16 And from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother, who received the priesthood by the commandments of God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man-" (D&C 84:6-16) Memorize! How does the Lord want us to prepare to teach? The Lord tells us not to worry about what we are going to say, but to always be pondering on his words and his teachings so when the time comes that we need to teach someone the Lord can inspire us with the words his children need to hear. This is what D&C 84:85 teaches us. Join us in memorizing this scripture. Activities In D&C 84: 82, the Lord tells us that the lilies of the field are arrayed more wonderfully and beautifully that all the kingdoms on the earth. Missionaries were sent out without purse or scrip and were to rely on the mercies of Heavenly Father. Do we trust the Lord to care for our needs?
What are the signs that follow those that believe in Jesus Christ and His gospel? You will find them in this word scramble. (D&C 84:65-72).
Here is the answer key if you need it.
Video Doctrine and Covenants 84 is a priesthood section. We see the importance of the priesthood line and, of having real power and authority. We also talk about light and darkness. We are told that the Lord is truth, and truth is light. But we are also told that the world "lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness", the church is under condemnation, how can you lift that condemnation in your life? We hear the word friend several different times in this section. When Christ calls us His friend, what does that mean? Join us in our family discussion, as we search the scriptures and learn together as a family. strengthen the feeble kneesIn section 81, the Lord calls Frederick G. Williams to be a counselor to Joseph in the first Presidency. one of the things that the Lord counsels him to do is, " succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." This was telling Frederick to help those in need. The word succor means to run to help, or relieve. We all have this charge. We all need to succor, and sometimes we are the ones who need the succor of others. Discuss as a family who needs help, and how to help them. pray alwaysFrederick was also counseled to pray always: vocally, in his heart, in public, and in private (81:3). This counsel is like the counsel given in Alma 33 when we are exhorted to pray in all circumstances. forgive to be forgivenRight before section 82 was given, Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge settled a difficulty that had existed between them. After this, Joseph received section 82, which first talks of forgiveness. the Lord explains that we must forgive to be forgiven. Those who receive greater light then sin against that light are under condemnation. Those who ask for revelations and keep not his sayings become transgressors. What does equal meanWhat does equal in the law of consecration mean? In section 82 we find this answer, "you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships" (82:17). women have claim on their husbands"Woman have claim on their husbands for their maintenance" (83:2). The men are supposed to take care of their families. If the husband dies, under the law of consecration the land belongs to his family. If the father has enough he is supposed to give his sons an inheritance. If not the son is to go to the bishop for an inheritance (83:5). Why did the Lord need to give this instruction? This law of consecration was new for every one, and every one needed to know how it worked. other wise mistakes would be made. ActivityWe are told that if we are faithful to the end, we will receive a crow of immortality and eternal life, and a mansion prepared in the house of the Father (81:6).
MemorizeThere were so many good scriptures this week that we chose two, and you can decide if you want to memorize one or both. The scriptures we chose are 82:3 and 82:10. VideoWhat is the history around these sections? Often not a lot has happened in between the revelations, but this time in the history of the church is when Joseph was tarred and Feathered. We Highly recommend reading this story in History of the Church. https://byustudies.byu.edu/further-study-lesson/volume-1-chapter-19/ Who is Jesse Gause? He was called to be a member of the First Presidency but later apostatized. Frederick G. Williams was then called to replace him. Why was the same revelation given to Fredrick G. Williams? What is the difference between Immortality and Eternal Life? Join our family as we discuss these different topics. SongWhat do we know about the two prophets? What does equal mean when we are talking about consecration? Many people don't understand the book of Revelation in the Bible, we now have Doctrine & Covenants 77 here to help us understand it better. Doctrine & Covenants 77 is an interesting section because it is done in a question and answer style. We recommend that as a family you study the chapters in Revelation that go along with the questions and answers in this section. When you read about the two prophets in verse/question 15 we highly recommend watching the this documentary by Joseph Smith Foundation "Unlocking the Mystery of the Two Prophets: Revelation 11". You can watch it on Living Scriptures if you have a subscription or you can buy it from the Joseph Smith Foundation website. https://josephsmithfoundation.org/store/product/unlocking-the-mystery-of-the-two-prophets-revelation-11-dvd/ Doctrine & Covenants 78 When reading verses 5 and 6, we wondered what it meant to be equal in earthly and heavenly things. When you don't understand something study it out. We like to start with the footnotes. The first scripture we went to was D&C 49:20, the footnotes for this one also took us to Acts 4:32, and D&C 51:3, these three all talked about equality in earthly things, but what about the heavenly things? D&C 49:20 had one more footnote that took us to D&C 70:14 which we felt like helped us understand the heavenly things. We discovered that we sometimes think we understand what a scripture is talking about, but when we add other scriptures about the same thing it adds context and it's not always what we thought it was. As we studied verses 17-19 we loved what we found there. "17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;" He told us that we were little children, when it comes to spiritual things we really are little children still learning. But the end was a great reminder to us that there is so much more. He has so much more in store for us, there is so much more that we don't understand yet. "18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." Verse 18 is full of promises, we can't bear all things it's impossible, but He will lead us along and the kingdom, blessings, and the riches of eternity are ours if we are faithful. 19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." No matter what comes our way we need to be thankful. "18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thes. 5:18 We then have the final promise in verse 22. "22 And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen." What do we need to do to be a faithful and a wise steward for the Lord. Doctrine & Covenants 78:7 is a reminder to us that if we want to obtain the Celestial kingdom then we need to do all the things the Lord has commanded us. Doctrine & Covenants 79 & 80 are missionary sections. We have Jared Carter, Eden Smith and Stephen Burnett. This is not Jared Carter's first mission, he was told that the Comforter would send him where he needed to go. He wasn't given a specific place to go except that he was supposed to go to the east. It was interesting to see how dependent the missionaries had to be on the spirit. Jared Carter and Stephen Burnett were both told that the spirit would direct them where they needed to go. Stephen Burnett was also told to teach the things that he knew to be true. He was told to only teach the things he knew, not the things he didn't know. Activities Doctrine and Covenants section 77 took us into the book of Revelation, and this is where we got our activity idea. We based this picture on verse/question 3 in D&C 77, and Revelation 4:6-8.
Song Because the end section 78 talked about blessings, we chose to sing hymn #241 Count Your Blessings. Video Check out our video to go along with this weeks reading on YouTube. |
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