The following summary of the events, doctrines, and principles students learned about as they studied Doctrine and Covenants 124–128 (unit 27) is not intended to be taught as part of your lesson. The lesson you teach concentrates on only a few of these doctrines and principles. Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit as you consider the needs of your students.
Doctrine and Covenants 124 was the first revelation received in Nauvoo, Illinois, that was published in the Doctrine and Covenants. As students studied the Lord’s command to build a temple in Nauvoo, they learned that the temple is the only place where we can obtain the fulness of the priesthood ordinances for the redemption of the living and the dead. They also discovered that by obeying the Lord’s commandments, we prove our faithfulness.
As students concluded their study of Doctrine and Covenants 124, they learned that if we hearken to the counsel of the prophets, it will be well with us and that the Lord calls priesthood leaders to govern the work of the ministry and help perfect the Saints. In Doctrine and Covenants 125 and 126, students learned that if we labor diligently for the Lord, then He will accept our righteous offering.
Doctrine and Covenants 127 and 128 are taken from letters the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote to the Saints while he was moving about to avoid unlawful arrest by Missouri officials. In these sections students discovered that trusting in Heavenly Father can help us endure tribulation and that when properly recorded, the temple ordinances we perform on the earth are binding in heaven.
During their study of the remainder of Doctrine and Covenants 128, students identified the following principles related to temple work: The salvation of our dead is necessary and essential to our salvation. Baptism for the dead helps to link us eternally to our ancestors. The keys, powers, and authority of the past dispensations have been restored in the dispensation of the fulness of times. When we do family history work and receive temple ordinances for our ancestors, we make a righteous offering to the Lord.
Introduction
This lesson focuses on Doctrine and Covenants 124:1–21. As students study these verses, they will learn about Joseph and Hyrum Smith and their roles in the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.
The Lord explains why He called Joseph Smith to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ
Write the word Strong on the board. Ask students what characteristics, according to worldly standards, are typically considered when describing someone who is strong. As students respond, write their answers on the board under Strong. Then write the word Weak on the board. Ask students what characteristics, according to worldly standards, are typically considered when describing someone who is weak.
In what ways does the world try to make a young man or young woman feel weak according to its standards?
In what ways might Joseph Smith have been weak when he was called to restore the gospel?
According to Doctrine and Covenants 35:1, why would the Lord call weak people to help in His work? (As students respond, summarize their answers by writing a truth similar to the following on the board: The Lord shows forth His wisdom through the weak things of the earth.)
In what ways did the Lord show forth His wisdom through the Prophet Joseph Smith?
Ask students to name some of the callings and assignments they might receive while they are still in their youth. (Answers might include home teacher, member of a class or quorum presidency, missionary, speaking in sacrament meeting, or fellowshipping someone in their ward or branch.)
How could remembering the principle written on the board help us as we receive various callings and assignments to serve in the Church?
Summarize Doctrine and Covenants 124:2–14 by explaining that the Lord commanded the Prophet Joseph Smith to write a proclamation of the gospel to the rulers of the earth.
The Lord gives instructions to Church leaders in Nauvoo
Ask students to think of a time when someone gave them a sincere compliment. Invite a few students to share their experiences and why these compliments were meaningful to them.
Explain that the Lord addressed several individuals in this revelation and commended them by pointing out their strengths and contributions. Invite students to search Doctrine and Covenants 124:15–20 silently, looking for what the Lord said about these individuals. You might want to suggest that they mark phrases that stand out to them. After sufficient time, invite students to turn to a partner and share what they discovered, including which statements stood out to them and why.
You may want to point out that in Doctrine and Covenants 124:19 the Lord declared that three faithful men who had recently died (David W. Patten, Edward Partridge, and Joseph Smith Sr., the Prophet’s father) had been received into the presence of the Lord.
What did the Lord say about Hyrum Smith and George Miller?
How does the Lord feel about those who have integrity? (Students may use different words, but they should identify the following truth: The Lord loves and trusts those who have integrity of heart.)
How would you define integrity of heart?
Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
Image
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
“To me, integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences. It means being righteous from the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more importantly, in our thoughts and in our hearts. Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness and incorruptibility that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant” (“Personal Integrity,” Ensign, May 1990, 30).
Based on Elder Wirthlin’s definition, why do you think the Lord loves those who have integrity of heart?
To help students understand how Hyrum Smith exemplified the integrity of his heart, ask a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
Image
Elder M. Russell Ballard
“Hyrum Smith, older brother, friend, and mentor to the Prophet, showed absolute, unequivocal love, loyalty, and allegiance to the Lord and to his younger brother, Joseph. Their brotherhood may be unsurpassed. …
“Of Hyrum, Joseph said, ‘I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the mildness of a lamb, and the integrity of a Job, and in short, the meekness and humility of Christ; and I love him with that love that is stronger than death, for I never had occasion to rebuke him, nor he me.’ (History of the Church, 2:338.) …
“Hyrum was unwavering, even in the face of death. Following one period of great deprivation and persecution, he wrote:
“‘I thank God that I felt a determination to die, rather than deny the things which my eyes had seen, which my hands had handled [the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated], and which I had borne testimony to, wherever my lot had been cast; and I can assure my beloved brethren that I was enabled to bear as strong a testimony, when nothing but death presented itself, as ever I did in my life.’ (Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, p. 23.)” (“The Family of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 7).
How did Hyrum Smith demonstrate his integrity?
Invite students to ponder an aspect of their lives in which they could have more integrity. Encourage them to set a personal goal to improve their integrity in that area.
Conclude by sharing your testimony of the principles taught today.
Ask students if they know how many degrees there are in the celestial kingdom. Explain that in the coming week’s studies, they will discover a number of principles related to the celestial kingdom and the plan of salvation.