Lesson 11: 23-26

 March 8-14
Doctrine and Covenants 23-26 
"Strengthen the church"

Materials: whiteboard and marker, scripture cards below printed and cut out, scriptures
Opening Song: "The Spirit of God" (Hymnal, 2
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Show the following list below written on a piece of paper or whiteboard. 

Sacrament Meeting

Announcements
Invocation (opening prayer)
Ward [or branch] business
Sacrament
Speakers
Benediction (closing prayer)

Explain that the things on this list are parts of sacrament meeting. What happens in sacrament meeting that is missing from this list? (Opening and closing hymns; sacrament hymn; prelude and postlude music.) Why do you think we use music in our Church meetings? Why do we sing hymns? What difference do you think it would make if we did not sing hymns in our Church meetings?

Music, especially hymn singing, has always been an important part of worshiping Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It brings a spirit of reverence and love to our Church meetings.

Lesson:

Who can tell me the name of Joseph Smith's wife? Her name was Emma Hale Smith. She and Joseph were married on Jan. 18, 1827 and a few months later, she accompanied Joseph to the Hill Cumorah when he was given the gold plates by the angel Moroni. 

Emma endured many hardships in the few short years since their marriage including the disapproval of her parents, the death of her first baby, persecution, and other heartaches. Still, Emma was a devout woman who wished to have a place in the Kingdom of God. 

In July 1830, Joseph received a special revelation for Emma Smith. In the revelation God told Emma that she was an "elect lady." Heavenly Father makes it clear in D&C 25 that women have a special place in his heart and special duties in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Activity: Scripture cards

Directions: Print and cut out the cards below and display them in order on a whiteboard or taped to a wall. Have a family member choose in order and read each card. Some cards have activities marked with an *. (Note: Each card references a scripture. If you are short on time, you may only need to read the scriptures that have the word "read" in front of the reference.)

Emma Smith was a very special lady who made many amazing contributions to the church. One of her most important contributions was the church's very first hymnal. In 1835, she helped publish "A Collection of Sacred Hymns" to fulfill the request from the Lord made in D&C 25. In it, "She felt the need for a hymn tradition that would reflect the unique history and theology of the Latter-day Saints. As heirs of divinely restored truth, the early saints wanted to do more than just borrow from other Christian hymn traditions” (Church News, Aug. 11, 1985). 

Today we use a lot of the same hymns in our book that Emma selected all those years ago. And currently, the church is undertaking the compilation of a new hymn book to add to Emma Smith's legacy. 

Emma was also a valiant member of the church who underwent more difficult trials than most people. Lucy Mack Smith, descibed Emma in this passage:  “I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure … she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.” (History of Joseph Smith, pp. 190–91.) 

The last few verses of D&C 25 list out actions Emma needed to take in order to receive celestial glory. In verse 16 it states, "And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is any voice unto all." Even though this section was written for Emma, it is also directed toward all of us. We can learn a lot from Emma Smith and the revelation received on her behalf. 

Closing Song: "Redeemer of Isreal" (Hymnal, 6)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Lemon Blueberry Muffins recipe here