Lesson 1: D&C 1

December 28- January 1
D&C 1
"Hearken, O Ye People"

Materials: Alarm sound (below), printouts below
Opening Song: "Hark all ye nations" (Hymnal, 264)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: D&C 1:38

Attention Activity:

Play a brief segment of an alarm going off like the one of the smoke alarm below (link). What does this alarm do? What other warnings do we have that tell us of future danger? (slippery floor signs, storm warnings, tornado sirens, road sign warnings, etc.) Does the Lord warn us about approaching danger? How? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czyGmRXJ184

Lesson:

This year we will be studying the Doctrine and Covenants. Doctrine and Covenants are recorded prophesies given by the Lord in the modern days to his servants. As we study the D&C, we will learn more about church history including the role of Jospeh Smith Jr. in the restoration of Christ's church. We will also learn more about the fulness of the gospel and key doctrines for the exaltation of man. 

The first section or chapter of the Doctrine and Covenants was not written first chronologically. The Lord gave section 1 as an introduction to the D&C and told Joseph Smith that it should be placed at the beginning. "It identifies the book’s themes and purposes and helps readers prepare to read... It is a 'voice of warning' for all 'the inhabitants of the earth,' teaching them to repent and establish God’s 'everlasting covenant' (verses 4, 8, 22)." (Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families, "D&C1"). 

Read D&C1:1 What does it mean to "hearken?" Have a family member read the quote below. 

President Nelson said in last April General Conference, "The very first word in the Doctrine and Covenants is hearken.¹² It means “to listen with the intent to obey.”¹³ To hearken means to “hear Him”—to hear  what the Savior says and then to heed  His counsel. In those two words—“Hear Him”—God gives us the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life. We are to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and heed  what He has told us!" ("Hear Him," April 2020). 

Have a family member read D&C 1: 4-6. How does the Lord warn us? Who does he use to give us warnings? President Nelson and other prophets and apostles have been called to warn us of coming dangers in our time. What examples have you seen of this? 

Activity:

Print out or have on hand the pages below. With your family, read through the topics from last year's General Conference addresses. Use the topics to determine what message God wants us to "hearken" unto at this time. What are some warnings or advice the servants of the Lord could be giving us? For example, in the talk , "There was bread," Bishop Waddell admonishes the need for temporal preparedness, saying that we need to have necessities in store and savings ready. 

What are some specific topics the President Nelson has spoken about in the past year? Why do you think these topics are important for us? Read D&C 1:38. This is a reminder to us that President Nelson is Christ's mouthpiece on the earth today. He knows exactly what our Heavenly Father wants us to hear. If we hearken unto his counsel, he will not lead us astray. 

Read D&C 1:37. Another way that the Lord warns us is through the scriptures just like the D&C.  God wants us to study the scriptures. As we study the D&C this year we will be able to learn more about the Lord's church past and present. 

Bear your testimony of the Doctrine and Covenants. 

Closing Song: "Come, Ye Children of the Lord" (Hymnal, 58)
Closing Prayer: 

Refreshment: homemade caramel recipe here