Doctrine and Covenants 136: "Let All the People … Be Organized into Companies"

Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Student Study Guide, (2005), 164

On January 11, 1847, nearly a year after leaving Nauvoo, President Brigham Young wrote: “I told the brethren I dreamed of ing Joseph, the Prophet, last night and conversing with him. … Conversed freely about the best manner of organizing companies for emigration, etc.” (Manuscript History of Brigham Young,1846–1847, comp. Elden J. Watson [1971], 501–2). Three days later, President Young gathered with seven members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at Elder Heber C. Kimball’s home in Winter Quarters, Nebraska. They discussed preparing for their journey into the wilderness. That evening, President Brigham Young received the “Word and Will of the Lord” by revelation and it was announced to the Saints.

Understanding the Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 136

Statutes(v. 2)Laws 
Tarry(v. 6)Stay behind 
Proportion(v. 8)Share, part 
Dividend(v. 8)Part, portion, share 
Folly(v. 19)Foolishness 
Made manifest(v. 19)Shown or uncovered 
Tend to edifying(v. 24)Instruct and lift one another 
Supplication(v. 29)Humble prayer 
Chastisement(v. 31)Correction 
Contrite(v. 33)Repentant 
Condemnation(v. 33)Sentence that brings about punishment 
Calamity(v. 35)Hardship, disaster 
Taken in travail(v. 35)About to give birth 

Doctrine and Covenants 136:34–36—“The Nation That Has Driven You Out”

The United States Civil War was fought between the northern states and the southern states from 1861 to 1865. The war was fought primarily over the issues of states rights and slavery (D&C 87:1–7;130:12–13). More people from the United States died in that war than the combined number of people who have died in all of its other wars. After the war had raged for nearly a year, President Brigham Young said that the Saints were much better off in the West: “Had we not been persecuted, we would now be in the midst of the wars and bloodshed that are desolating the nation, instead of where we are, comfortably located in our peaceful dwellings in these silent, far off mountains and valleys. … I realize the blessings of God in our present safety. We are greatly blessed, greatly favored and greatly exalted, while our enemies, who sought to destroy us, are being humbled” (inJournal of Discourses,10:38–39).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A and activity B or C as you studyDoctrine and Covenants 136.

Activity A iconMake a List of Family Rules

Imagine that your family was traveling with the pioneers. From the instructions inDoctrine and Covenants 136:1–32, list 10 family rules you would recommend to your family for the journey. Next to each rule, write the verse where it can be found.

Activity B iconDraw a Chart

ReadDoctrine and Covenants 136:3, 12–15and draw a chart showing how the Saints were to organize themselves for the journey west.

Activity C icon“The Nation That Has Driven You Out”

Find and list at least five teachings fromDoctrine and Covenants 136:33–42that explain why the Prophet Joseph Smith was killed and what would happen in the United States of America because of his death and the persecution of the Saints.

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