Lesson 47: D&C 133-134

November 15-21
Doctrine and Covenants 133-34
"Prepare ye for the coming of the Lord"

Materials: posterboard, 26 plastic cups, scissors, tape, printout strips, tissue paper (in country colors), tape
Opening Song: "The Eleventh Article of Faith" (Children's Songbook, 130)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Have your family recite the 12th article of faith. 

Lesson:

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe in being good citizens. We believe in being obedient to laws including God's eternal laws and the laws of our government. Why is it important to be a good citizen?

Historically, the early saints had a tricky relationship with government. Joseph Smith and other leaders had been arrested numerous times on false charges. The saints had been illegally driven from their homes and suffered unimaginable violence with no help from the government. After all this hardship, church leaders were inspired to make a declaration clarifying the Church's beliefs on government. D&C 134 was not revelation received by Joseph Smith but was written by Oliver Cowdery.

D&C 134 can be broken down into 3 categories: the government's rights responisibilities, mankind's rights and responsibilities, and religions rights and responsibilities. To learn more about what D&C 134 teaches, we're going to play a game. 

Activity: D&C 134 Punchboard

Directions: Before FHE prepare a punch poster board with 26 cups. Print and cut out the strips below and place into the cups. For a good tutorial on how to make a punch poster board click here. 

Have family members take turns punching the cups and reading the passage inside to learn about the truths taught in D&C 134.

·              Governments were made for the for the benefit of mankind.

 

·              Government requires people like police officers and judges to enforce and administer laws. 

 

·              Laws should be administered in equity and with justice.

 

·              Government has no right to interfere in how people worship God, as long as that worship is not infringing on the rights of others.

 

·              Officers of the law should restrain crime, not control freethinking. They should punish the guilty, not suppress freedom.

 

·              Government should protect the inherent and inalienable rights of the people.

 

·              Government has the right to punish acts of sedition and rebellion.

 

·              Government should enact laws that protect the public while respecting personal freedom. 

 

·              Government should protect the innocent and punish the guilty. 

 

·              Government should protect religious freedoms and beliefs, as long as religious opinions aren’t supporting sedition or conspiracy. 

 

·              Punishments should fit the nature of the crime committed. 

 

·              Government should not mingle with religious influence or show favoritism to religious sects. 

 

·               Mankind should be held accountable for the actions in relation to the law. 

 

·               Mankind has individual rights of conscience (freethinking), property, and protection of life. 

 

·               Mankind should sustain and uphold their government and respect the law. 

 

·               Mankind should show respect to rulers and magistrates in government. 

 

·               Mankind should step forward and bring offenders against good laws to punishment.

 

·               Mankind should make appeals to the law for civil disputes.

 

·               Mankind has the right to defend themselves, their friends, their property, and their government from unlawful actions when immediate appeal to the law cannot be made. 

 

·              Religion is instituted by God. 

 

·              Divine laws are given of heaven for spiritual concerns and are administered by God.

 

·              Religious opinions cannot infringe on the rights and liberties of others, nor promote sedition or conspiracy. 

 

·              Religious influence should not interfere with civil government. 

 

·              Religious societies have the right discipline their members for religious matters through disfellowship or excommunication. They do not have the right to punish members by taking away property, taking their life, endangering them, or physically harming them.

 

·              Religions have the right to preach the gospel to all the nations of the earth. 

 

·              Religions do not have the right to promote unlawful or unjust actions. 

Laws are an innate part of Heavenly Father's Plan. Jesus Christ sacrificed himself to satisfy the divine law of justice. Laws and government here on earth are also necessary to live in a peaceful society. People have the responsibility to keep laws. However, governments have the responsibility to make and enforce good laws that protect people's inherent rights. One of those inherent rights is the right of religion. 

The United Nations, which is a collective body of different countries has agreed, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18).

Why is Freedom of Religion important to you? Share you're testimony on religious freedom. 

Closing Song: "My Country Tis of Thee" (Hymns, 339) or a patriotic song from your nation. 
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Patriotic Fruit Skewers recipe here

 

Lesson 46: D&C 129-132

 November 8-14
Doctrine and Covenants 129-132
"When We Obtain Any Blessing From God, It Is By Obedience"

Materials: Paper Doll printout (print and cut out), paper (1 half sheet per family member), art supplies
Opening Song: "Families can be together forever" (Children's Songbook, 188)
Opening Prayer: 

Attention Activity: Can you describe what happens at a conventional wedding? What do the bride and groom wear? Where do they stand? What do they say? Who marries them? etc. 

Conventional weddings are often big glamorous affairs where two people make vows to each other "till death" or "for as long as [they] both shall live." 

Lesson:

The Lord values marriage and family. Families are a main part of Heavenly Father's Plan. Because they are so important, Heavenly Father wants our families to last forever--for time and all eternity. 

In D&C 132, the Lord revealed important truths about eternal families. All eternal families start with marriage. When two people decide to be married in the temple, it is called being "sealed" because they are sealed to each other and to Christ. Blessings are promised to those who faithfully keep the covenants they make in the temple in accordance to receiving highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom.  

Activity: 

Directions: Before FHE, print and cut out the image below onto card stock. Have your family take turns selecting wedding apparel to put on the bride and groom. As they choose each piece, read the corresponding passage below to learn more about the blessings of temple sealings. 

 Groom's Hat- Eternal Marriages are meant to be performed by "whom I [the Lord] have anointed...appointed on the earth to hold this power" (D&C 132:7). Marriages performed in holy temples are done by temple sealers. Sealers are men who have been ordained to perform sealings under the direction of the President of the Church who holds the keys of the sealing power. Joseph Smith was given the keys to the sealing power by the prophet Elijah in the Kirtland Temple. Activity: If you know a couple who has been sealed for time and all eternity, ask them who their sealer was and what they remember about him.

Groom's Shirt- All eternal marriages must be sealed upon by the Holy Spirit of Promise. What does that mean? In essence, The Holy Ghost puts a "stamp of approval" on the relationship, saying that couple was faithful to their covenants. Without this, marriages--even temple marriages--cannot last after death, "because [of] the angels and the gods are appointed there [in heaven], by whom they cannot pass" (D&C 132: 18). Angels will act as guards to celestial glory. In contrast, if they Holy Spirit of Promise does seal your covenant, "they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things..." (D&C 132:19). Activity: Draw a picture of an angel.

Groom's Pants- Those who are sealed in eternal families have been promised by the Lord, "Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection" (D&C 132:19). Being in the first resurrection is a high honor and means we have lived worthily of the celestial kingdom. Activity: Sing "Choose the Right" (#239)

Groom's Jacket- We want our family relationships to last forever. We want to live with our family through eternity. The Lord said in D&C 132: 19 that this is possible through making and keeping ordinances and covenants. Eternal families will last for "time and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world..." (D&C 132:19) Because we want our relationships to last forever, we should try to be loving to our family members. Activity: What is one thing you can do to be more loving towards your family?

Bride's Veil- Heavenly Father has said that if we faithfully keep our temple covenants we will "inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities and powers, dominions, all heights and depths..." (D&C 132:19) Those are some pretty amazing blessings. Activity: Call your family member "king" and "queen." How does it feel knowing Heavenly Father wants to give you all those blessings?

Bride's Dress- One of the biggest blessings of marriage is having children. Families grow through having children. Marriages who obtain the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom will be blessed with "a continuation of the seeds forever and ever" (D&C 132:19). On the other hand, those who do not receive the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom "cannot have an increase" (D&C 132: 4). Activity: On a piece of paper, draw a picture of your future family. What do you think your family will look like in twenty years?______________________________________________________________________

Unfortunately, family relationships on earth can be messy. Many members of the church experience being single, divorce, or having unhappy or unfulfilling relationships with family members. President Eyring counseled those individuals, "You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine" ( "A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells," General Conference, April 2019). 

Heavenly Father's Plan was to send us to earth to gain a body, to learn to become like Jesus, and to make the ordinances and covenants necessary to be able to return to Him again after we die. He wants to give us eternal life and exaltation and that can only be done as a family. President Nelson said, "In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter" ("Salvation and Exaltation," General Conference, April 2008). 

Bear your testimony of eternal families. 

Closing Song: "The Family is Ordained of God" (Additional Songs, Gospel Music App)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Caramel Puppy Chow Recipe here

Lesson 45: D&C 125-128

 November 1-7
Doctrine and Covenants 125-128
"A voice of gladness for the living the dead"

Materials: Computer or tablet with Family Tree app installed, chain, Come Follow Me: For Individuals and Families 2021, Construction paper cut into strips, stapler, art supplies.
Opening Song: "Family History" (Children's Songbook, 94)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: 

Show your family a chain (a bike chain, necklace, etc.). What do chains do? Chains link two separate things together. Chains are made up of individual links. Each link is important because it lengthens the reach of the chain. 

Lesson:

In August of 1840, the saints were settling into Nauvoo and constructing the temple. When Joseph Smith attended a funeral, he felt impressed to share what the Lord had revealed about those who died before being baptized. Joseph's own brother, Alvin, had died before the church had been organized and Joseph always felt very deeply on the subject of his salvation. Joseph revealed that family members could be baptized on behalf of their deceased relatives. The Lord's plan is to give every soul who has ever lived the opportunity to hear the gospel and let them decide whether or not to accept or reject it. This new revelation excited the saints, bringing them hope and unsurmountable joy! 

Read Phebe Chase's account from the CFM Manual (pg. 192). The saints in Nauvoo were eager to be baptized on behalf of their family members. The proxy baptisms were first performed in the nearby river. Then later, when the basement of the temple in Nauvoo was complete, they were baptized their in a pine wood font carved to look as though 12 oxen were holding a great bowl. This was later replaced with a similar one made of limestone. Show the picture below. 

(2002) Nauvoo Temple Baptismal Font 

When Joseph Smith was teaching people about baptism for the dead in section 128, he likened baptisms for the dead as "the welding link... between the fathers and the children." How is baptisms for the dead like the link of a chain? 

Baptisms for the dead link us to Christ. We take His name upon us when we are baptized, and He in turn, promises that His spirit will always be with us. Temple ordinances performed for the dead have "binding power"--when we make covenants in the temple, they are recorded in heaven. We are bound to the covenants we made; we are bound to God. They are also like the link of a chain in the essence that temple ordinances can link or seal us to our loved ones, our ancestors and our progeny. 

Activity (older children):

Using Family Search or the Family Tree app. Show your family your family tree. Tell them about one of your deceased ancestors. Show your family how to find a name and request it for the temple to perform a baptism. Here is a link with more information. If you're family would like additional help, talk with your ward family history leader. 

Activity (younger children):

Using Family Search or the Family Tree app. Show your family your family tree. Tell them about one of your deceased ancestors. 

Using construction paper, a stapler, and art supplies, make a family chain. Cut the construction paper into strips. Have everyone write their name on a strip and staple the strips together in a link patter. Using names of relatives on family tree, make the chain longer and longer. Tell your family that this chain can stretch back for thousands of years and each one of the links represents a family member, as we go to the temple and perform work for the dead, the links are stapled together as we are all linked together in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

________________________________________________________________________

Read D&C 128: 18. Joseph Smith said, "For we without them [our ancestors] cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect." We need to help our ancestors. As we perform ordinances for them, we will be reminded of the covenants we made. We humble ourselves as we serve others and we help in the great work to gather Israel. Our ancestors need us too. They cannot be baptized without our help. They are patiently waiting on the other side of the veil to receive the ordinances only those with bodies can perform. 

If you have a family member who has recently been to the temple to do baptisms, let them share their testimony of the experience. Encourage all those who turn 12 this year or older to receive a limited use temple recommend. Perhaps you could schedule a date to go as a family to do baptisms or go walk the temple grounds. 

Closing Song: "I Love to See the Temple" (Children's Songbook, 95)

Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Sweet Potato Pie recipe here

Lesson 44: D&C 124

 October 25-31
Doctrine and Covenants 124
"A House Unto My Name"

Materials: pictures below, paper and art supplies, two plates of cookies, Come Follow Me Manual
Opening Song: "As Sisters in Zion" (Hymns, 309)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Imagine you were going to start building a new city--a beautiful city. What kind of setting what you build your beautiful city in? Show the pictures below. Would you build your city in green hills, in a mountain valley, on the rolling plains, or in a mosquito infested swamp?

                                        

Lesson:

Read the introductory paragraph for this weeks lesson in Come Follow Me: For Individuals and Families. ("As difficult as...)

The saints started to build a new city in Illinois. What was the city called? What does Nauvoo mean? For the next several years, the saints would live in relative peace. Nauvoo fast became a beautiful city where the saints could take refuge. In 1841, Joseph received a new revelation--D&C 124. In it, the saints were once again instructed to build a temple of the Lord. The Lord instructed Joseph to write a proclamation of the gospel to all the earth, He gave instructions to build a boarding house in Nauvoo, and He gave counsel to church leaders. 

The Church was blossoming. In the spring of 1842, the Nauvoo temple was well into construction with the walls being about 3 feet high. The members in Nauvoo all wanted to contribute to the work. The sisters talked about organizing a sewing group to help clothe the workers of the temple and their families. The sisters met on a Thursday in March to go over the particulars of formal a sewing society for Nauvoo. They wrote down their goals and bylaws and asked Joseph Smith to look over them. 

Joseph replied, "Tell the sisters their offering is accepted of the Lord, and he has something better for them than a written constitution. I invite hem all to meet with me and a few brethren... next Thursday afternoon, and I will organize the women under the priesthood after the pattern of the priesthood." (Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society, pg. 12) March 17, 1842 in the upstairs room of the red brick store in Nauvoo, the woman organized The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo under the direction of the prophet, with Emma Smith acting as it's first president. 

The organization of the Church was divinely designed to include an organization where the women of the Church could "find ample score for every power and capability of doing good with which they are most liberally endowed" (Eliza R. Snow, "Female Relief Society," Deseret News, Apr. 22, 1868, 81.). The prophet Joseph made it clear that the Relief Society was "a restoration of an ancient pattern" of female disciples during Christ's mortal ministry. 

Today, The Relief Society is one of the oldest women's organization in the world with 7 million members in 188 countries. For 179 years, the Relief Society has been providing humanitarian aid, charity, education, and fellowship to people all over the globe. 

Activity: Thank you letter

Using paper and art supplies, have family members write a thank you letter to the ward Relief Society President. Make a large batch of cookies together and divide onto two plates. Deliver the letter in person with one plate of cookies. Ask your Relief Society President who could benefit from a kind gesture in your community and deliver them the second plate of cookies. 

Ask a woman in your family bear their testimony of the Relief Society Organization. 

Closing Song: "Mother, I love you" (Children's Songbook, 207)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Butterscotch Toffee Cookies recipe here

Lesson 43: D&C 121-123

October 18-24
D&C 121-123
"O God, Where art thou"

Materials: pictures below, scriptures, video
Opening Song: "Abide with me tis' eventide" (Hymns, 165)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show the picture below. 

This is a to scale model of Liberty Jail. On Dec. 1, 1838, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, and Alexander McRae were imprisoned there on false charges. What do you notice about the room from the picture? The room was small--only 14 x 14.5 feet. It also had very shallow ceiling--so low that Joseph and other brethren who were over 6 feet tall, could not stand straight up. Joseph described, “We are kept under a strong guard, night and day, … our food is scant, uniform, and coarse; we have not the privilege of cooking for ourselves, we have been compelled to sleep on the floor with straw, and not blankets sufficient to keep us warm; and when we have a fire, we are obliged to have almost a constant smoke.” (Joseph Smith, “Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 March 1839,” in Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, 52, josephsmithpapers.org.)

What do you think it would be like to live in those types of conditions?

Lesson:

Joseph and the other men were held in Liberty Jail for over 4 months. During this time, Joseph experience extreme sorrow and depression. Joseph had been imprisoned in terrible conditions for months, without formal charges and without legal aide. 

Things were not better outside the prison however. The governor of Missouri had issued an order saying that members were to be "exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary." Joseph and the other brethren worried about their families being driven from their homes. In fact, when Joseph was suffering in Liberty Jail, Emma was fleeing her home in the dead of winter to find safer shelter to the north in Illinois (Show the picture below). 

                           Of One Heart, Joseph in Liberty Jail by Liz Lemon Swindle                 Of One Heart, Emma on the Ice by Liz Lemon Swindle                               

On March 20, 1839, Joseph wrote down a prayer he had given and the response from the Lord. These writings and other revelations in liberty jail are in the Doctrine and Covenants sections 121-123. Read D&C 121:1-2, 5-6. Joseph was pleading to the Lord for relief from his trials. His heart was being broken and he felt alone. Have you ever felt dismayed? Did you pray to Heavenly Father when you felt alone? Read D&C 121: 7-8. The Lord answers Joseph, speaking peace to Joseph's soul and asking for Jospeh to endure. He points out to Joseph that unlike Job in the Old Testament, Joseph still has friends and loved ones standing by him. Christ assures that all those who endure trials well will be exalted. 

The suffering of the righteous is not a new concept, we have talked about it in Family Home Evening before. Joseph suffered many trials, as did Job, and many other prophets. There is also one person who suffered every pain and anguish and faced countless trials. Who is he? What are some trials that Jesus had to face during His mortal life?

In D&C 122, the Lord gives a big list of some terrible things that could happen to you like being dragged to prison, sentenced to death, thrown into a pit, and having the jaws of hell gape open wide after you. He says that all these things are for our experience and our good. Then he says, "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" (verse 8). 

We can go through a lot of bad things on earth. We can experience pain, loss, heartache, sickness, and depression--even all at the same time. But no matter what we have experienced, we will never suffer anything like the Savior did in Gethsemane. When we face adversity and trials, we can turn to a loving God who has experienced our pain and sorrow... and worse. We can come unto Him and He will bear us up. 

Activity: Trials: Look to the Light video (9:17)

Bear your testimony of the condescension of the Savior and how it has helped you to turn to Him in times of struggle.

Closing Song: "I stand all amazed" (Hymns, 193)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Apple Cider Whoopie Pies recipe here

Lesson 42: D&C 115-120

 October 11-17
Doctrine and Covenants 115-120
"His sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase"

Materials: bag of candy like Skittles or M&Ms, mason jars, card board, paper, markers, whiteboard and markers
Opening Song: "Because I have been given much" (Hymns, 219)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Give each family member 10 pieces of candy. Tell your children this candy represents your increase or your income--you have more candy now than you did before. Have each person hold up 1 piece of candy. 1 candy in 10 is 10% of your increase. We have been asked to give 10% of our increase to Heavenly Father as tithing. Have your family members give back the one piece of candy. Explain that even though you had to give back 1 piece, you still have 9 to eat and was it was far that you gave it back to me because I gave you the candy in the first place. That is also how tithing works, Heavenly Father has blessed us with all that we have, so giving 10% back to Him is easy because it was already His. 

Lesson:

Up until 1838 only certain members of the church were asked to live the law of consecration to its fullest. Money had always been hard to come by for the early church as many of the saints came from humble origins. D&C 119 was revealed to Joseph Smith revealing a way for all to give back to the Lord according to their circumstances. Read D&C 119:4. 

Have a family member read the following quote from Gospel Topics:

"One of the blessings of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the privilege of paying tithing. This privilege is a double blessing. By paying tithing, Church members show their gratitude to God for their blessings and their resolve to trust in the Lord rather than in material things. They also help further the work of the Lord in the earth, blessing others of God’s children with the opportunity to learn of Him and grow in the gospel." Our tithing is taken by the bishopric and used to help build and maintain meeting houses and temples, educate church members, help missionaries, and carry on the Lord's work worldwide. 

Tithing is not a new concept, Malachi teaches in the Old Testament to bring tithes to the storehouse and the Lord will "open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).

Read D&C 119: 6. If we don't pay tithing, we won't be a Zion people. We "sanctify the land of Zion" as we let go of one tenth of our earnings and make ourselves more holy.

Using a whiteboard and a marker, write down these different dollar amounts $100, $55, $82.50, $1,450. Ask your family how much tithing they should pay on each amount and write it on the board so they know the basic idea of giving one tenth the the Lord. 

Activity: Tithing jars 

Directions: Use this youtube video below as a guide. Have each family member make a tithing jar out of a mason jar. 

"Tithing Jar" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDuj_ELqLW0  

Malachi and other prophets have testified that blessings will pour out of the windows of heaven as we pay tithing. How has paying tithing blessed your life? Share your testimony of tithing. 

Closing Song: "I want to give the Lord my tenth" (Children's Songbook, 150)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Millionaire Pie recipe here

Lesson 41: D&C 111-114

 October 4-10
Doctrine and Covenants 111-114
"I Will Order All Things For Your Good"

Materials: Hearts printout, 1 strip of paper with each family members name, 
Opening Song: "I'll walk with you" (Children's Songbook, 140)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Show the picture below. Ask your family if you have ever felt upset or angry at someone you love. How did you handle your frustration? How do you think the Lord wants us to handle conflict with our loved ones?

Lesson:

In the summer of 1837, members of the Quorum of the twelve struggled to get along. They disagreed and even questioned Joseph Smith's leadership. The President of the Quorum of the 12 was Thomas B. Marsh. He asked Joseph for help and advice on how to address the disgruntled quorum. Joseph received D&C 112 in answer to President Marsh's questions. 

Have a family member read D&C 112: 11. What solution did the Lord offer Thomas Marsh? Jesus made it clear that "love abound unto all men" is, in short, the best way to lead others as well as resolve conflict and disunity. 

Activity: Leading with Love Hearts

Directions: Before FHE, print and cutout the heart below, and tape them around your living room. Have family members take turns picking the hearts and doing the activities on the back to discover the lessons the Lord teaches Thomas B. Marsh to overcome conflict and contention.

Christ gave Thomas B. Marsh, and us, some pretty direct things to focus on in Section 112. He also promised some amazing blessings for following through on this counsel. Display the large heart and read the words on it.

Heavenly Father wants us to love all of His children. He wants us to be kind to each other and show humility, soften our hearts, and pray for each other. As we do theses things, we will be able to overcome the trials and contentions we face. The Lord promises that He will lead us "by the hand." Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "Jesus said love everyone" (Children's Songbook, 61)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Cookie Fruit Salad recipe here

Lesson 40: D&C 109-110

 September 27- October 3
Doctrine and Covenants 109-110
"It is thy house, a place of holiness"

Materials: Temple puzzle, temple document, video link, small photo of a temple for each family member, scriptures
Opening Song: "I love to see the temple" (Children's Songbook, )
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show a picture of a temple that has special significance for you. Explain why that temple is so important to you. If possible, you could pass out a card or small photo with an image of the temple for each family member to keep in their room.

Lesson:

March 27, 1836 is one of the most significant dates in history. On this date, hundreds of saints gathered together in the newly completed Kirtland Temple to dedicate it to the Lord. Many wonderful and awe inspiring things happened that day. Eliza R. Snow described, "no mortal language can describe the heavenly manifestations of that memorable day. Angels appeared to some, while a sense of the divine was realized by all present, and each heart was filled with 'joy inexpressible and full of glory." 

The dedicatory prayer, which was offered by the prophet Joseph Smith, was recorded as Section 109 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In the prayer, Joseph communicated that the Kirtland temple was to be the Lord's house and it contains many truths about the blessings we can receive was we attend the temple. 

The Kirtland temple was not like the temples today in every way. The Lord had not yet revealed work for the dead. Still, the Kirtland temple offered a place for Christ to come and a place for the saints to receive blessings. 

Activity: Temple Puzzle

Directions: Print the puzzle and document below and cut out the pieces. Glue the activity from the document onto the back of the puzzle piece with the corresponding number. Place all the pieces into a bag. Have family members take turns choosing a piece out of the bag. As your family chooses pieces do the activities on the back. 

* "Sacred Temple Clothing" video from churchofjesuschrist.org

Just one week after the dedication of the Kirtland temple, on April 3, 1836, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received a vision in the the temple. They saw Jesus Christ inside the temple and He spoke to them. The Lord told them He accepted the temple as His house and promised additional blessings would be poured out upon them. Read D&C 110: 9. Then the prophets Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared and bestowed priesthood keys upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. 

During the vision with Christ, he explained that this temple was "just the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people." As of August 2021, there are 150 operating temples, 9 more are undergoing renovations, 8 are under construction, and 34 have been announced. 201 temples will dot the earth in every corner of the globe. More importantly, millions of people have received temple ordinances enabling them for eternal life.

Bear your testimony of the temple. 

As we close family home evening, we will sing "The Spirit of God." This was sung at the Kirtland Temple dedication and at every temple dedication since. As we sing, listen to the words and try to find phrases that help you to appreciate temples.     

Closing Song: "The Spirit of God" (Hymns, 2)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: pumpkin muffins recipe here

Lesson 39: D&C 106-108

 September 20-26
Doctrine and Covenants 106-108 
"To have the heavens opened"

Materials: paper, art supplies, whiteboard and marker, paper strips on priesthood duties prepared, a bag, apostle match game 
Opening Song: "Follow the Prophet" last verse (Children's Songbook, 110)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Give each family member a piece of paper and art supplies. Have them draw a picture of President Nelson.

President Nelson by Caytie Jensen

image used with permission

 

Lesson:

In 1835, the Lord called 12 men to be the first apostles in the latter-days. These men needed further instruction and direction and so, Joseph received further revelations about the priesthood. Truths are often revealed to us a little bit at a time or "line upon line, precept on precept." The duties, purposes, and other aspects pertaining to the priesthood were revealed little by little throughout early church history. D&C 106-108 contain revealed more about priesthood authority and ordinances.

Activity: Sort Game

Directions: Print the lines below and cut out into strips. Place the strips in a bag. On a whiteboard, label 4 sections: "the First Presidency", "the 12 Apostles", "The Seventy", and "Bishops". Split your family into 2 teams. Each team will take turns choosing a strip from the bag and placing it on the correct office of the priesthood. Give the team 30 seconds to decide. If the team is correct, that team gets 1 point. If they get it wrong, the other team gets 30 seconds to steal. 

Lesson 38: D&C 102-105

 September 13-19
Doctrine and Covenants 102-105
"After much tribulation... cometh the blessing"

Materials: 6 pieces of camping gear, scriptures below printed out and taped to camping gear, 
Opening Song: "We are all enlisted" (Hymns, 250)
Opening Prayer: 

Attention Activity: Choose a spot in your neighborhood to "travel to" on a walk with your family.  As you start walking have each family member take turns choosing fun and different to go down the street (backwards, grapevine, skipping, slow motion running, dancing, etc.) Just before you get to your destination announce that you think everyone should turn back and go home. Walk home with your family without answering any questions why you didn't make it the whole way. 

When you get back from your walk, ask your family if they had fun on the journey. Did they enjoy themselves? Explain that often the purpose of a journey is not in getting to the destination, but in the experience you have along the way.

Lesson:

Last week, we talked about trials--that our trials can be good for us  because they can help us to overcome adversity and become more Christlike. Blessings from Heavenly Father come after trials too. 

In 1834, many members in Jackson County had been violently driven from their homes. This saddened fellow members in Kirkland and so, 200 Ohio saints put a group of men together to march to Missouri in hopes of restoring the homes to the Missouri saints. They called the endeavor the Camp of Israel or Zion's Camp. When they were approaching Jackson County, Joseph had a prompting to stop the company and return to Kirkland. Many of them were confused and saw the mission as a failure. Others however, realized that their faith had grown through the experience of Zion's camp. They were able to recognize the blessings of the Lord that had come through a great trial. 

Activity: ZION'S CAMPING

Directions: Before FHE, gather together 6 different pieces of camping equipment (i.e. tent, sleeping bag, lantern, canteen, backpack, bug spray, camp chair,  etc.) Print the scriptures below. And tape 1 scripture to each piece of camping gear. Have family members choose an item and read the scripture on it. As you go through each scripture, read the discussion points and questions listed below to help your family learn more about Zion's Camp.

#1: D&C 103: 12 For after ^amuch tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing. 13 Behold, this is the blessing which I have promised after your tribulations, and the tribulations of your brethren—your redemption, and the redemption of your brethren, even their restoration to the land of Zion, to be established, no more to be thrown down.

#2 D&C 104:33  And, inasmuch as they are faithful, I will multiply blessings upon them and their ^aseed after them, even a multiplicity of blessings.

#3 D&C 105: 3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not ^aimpart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them; 4 And are not ^aunited according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom; 5 And ^aZion cannot be built up ^bunless it is by the ^cprinciples of the ^dlaw of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

#4 D&C 105: 14 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfill—I will ^afight your battles.

#5 D&C 105:18 But inasmuch as there are those who have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an ^aendowment for them, if they continue faithful.

#6 D&C 105:19 19 I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a ^atrial of their ^bfaith.

Discussions Points and Questions:

#1 D&C 103: 12 Heavenly Father gives us blessings after tribulations and trials. That's why we are here on earth, to be tried. If we are faithful in our trials, the Lord has promised us blessings in eternity. What blessings have you received because of a hardship in your life?

#2 D&C 104:33 Heavenly Father wants to give us a lot of blessings. The season of Thanksgiving is not to far away now. What can we do to show more gratitude? What blessings are you thankful for?

#3 D&C 105:3-5 The city of Zion has still not been built in Jackson County. Here the Lord makes it clear that in order for that to happen, we need to live the principles of the celestial kingdom. What can we do to better live celestial principles?

#4 D&C 105: 14 The saints in Zion's Camp were marching to Missouri kind of looking for a fight. The Lord says he will fight our battles and destroy His enemies. He wants us to fight against Satan by joining the Lord's battalion in the gathering of Israel "to gather together for the redemption of my people" (v.16) It is through missionary and temple work that we can fight for Zion. 

#5 D&C 105:18 At this time the Kirtland temple was not yet complete. The Lord promised and still promises that those who heed his words will be given a blessing and an endowment. How has your life been blessed because of the temple?

#6 D&C 105: 19 Zion's Camp did not make it to their destination, but the Lord wanted them to still do the journey. He called it a "trial of faith." What's an example from your own life when your learned from the experience more than the outcome?