March 31–April 6: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”: Doctrine and Covenants 29
“March 31–April 6: ‘Jesus Christ Will Gather His People’: Doctrine and Covenants 29,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 29,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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Jesus Christ surrounded by believers
March 31–April 6: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”
Even though the Church of Jesus Christ had been organized in 1830, many gospel truths were still yet to be revealed, and several early Church members had questions. They had read prophecies in the Book of Mormon about the gathering of Israel and the building up of Zion (see 3 Nephi 21). How would that happen? The revelations Hiram Page claimed to receive speculated on that subject, which only increased members’ curiosity (see Doctrine and Covenants 28). Other people wondered about the Fall of Adam and Eve and spiritual death. The Lord welcomed these questions in 1830, and He welcomes our questions today. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith,” He told the Saints, “being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:6). In fact, as the doctrinally rich revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 29 shows, the Lord sometimes responds to our questions by giving us truth and knowledge far beyond what we ask.
Heavenly Father has a plan for the salvation of His children.
Doctrine and Covenants 29 teaches many truths about God’s plan for you. As you read, look for truths you learn about each of the following parts of His plan:
What insights did you gain? If it’s helpful to you, you could write them in the space provided with the images at the end of this outline. How do these truths influence your life?
Jesus Christ invites me to help gather His people before His Second Coming.
Jesus Christ speaks of gathering His people “as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:2). What does this comparison teach you about Jesus Christ? What additional thoughts or impressions come to you as you study the illustration of a hen and chicks in this outline? Think about how you have felt Jesus Christ gathering and protecting you.
Ponder why you want other people to gather to Jesus Christ. What do you feel inspired to do to help?
You could ask yourself the same questions while watching the video “A Witness of God” (Gospel Library) or reading or listening to a hymn about gathering, such as “Israel, Israel, God Is Calling” (Hymns, no. 7). What do you feel the Lord is trying to teach you about His work of gathering?
President Russell M. Nelson said: “Now the gathering takes place in each nation. The Lord has decreed the establishment of Zion in each realm where He has given His Saints their birth and nationality” (“The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 81). How does gathering in this way help us “be prepared in all things” for the Savior’s Second Coming? (verse 8; see also verses 14–28).
See also Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” (worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018), Gospel Library; D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Belonging,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 53–56; Topics and Questions, “Gathering of Israel,” Gospel Library.
As you study Doctrine and Covenants 29:31–35, ask yourself, “In what sense are all commandments spiritual?” You might list a few commandments and consider the spiritual truths related to each one. A review of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices could be helpful—it teaches some of the eternal truths behind several of God’s commandments.
How does knowing that “all things … are spiritual” affect the way you look at God’s commandments? Consider looking for spiritual meaning or purpose in other aspects of your life as well.
Focus on Jesus Christ. “Every gospel topic [is] an opportunity to teach and learn about Jesus Christ” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 6). What do you learn about His attributes, His roles, and His example as you read Doctrine and Covenants 29?
The Fall of Adam and Eve brought death and sin into the world, but it also prepared the way for redemption and joy through Christ. With that thought in mind, read verses 39–43 and note words and phrases that bring you joy. What impresses you about what Adam and Eve said about the Fall in Moses 5:10–12?
See also “Why We Need a Savior” (video), Gospel Library.
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
Heavenly Father has a plan for the salvation of His children.
To start a conversation about Heavenly Father’s plan for us, you and your children could talk about a time when you made a plan, such as for a trip or for accomplishing a task. You could also share examples of plans, such as a calendar with activities written on it or instructions to make something. Why are plans useful? You could then talk about what Heavenly Father wants to accomplish and how His plan helps us accomplish it.
You could use the images at the end of this outline to help your children find verses in Doctrine and Covenants 29 that teach about different parts of Heavenly Father’s plan. You could also cut out the images and ask your children to put them in the correct order. Why are we thankful to know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us? How does knowing about it influence our everyday lives?
Jesus Christ is gathering His people before He comes again.
The illustration below of a hen gathering her chicks or the video “Chicks and Hens” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could help your children visualize the analogy in Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–2. Then you could read these verses together and talk with each other about how a hen protects her chicks and how that’s similar to what the Savior can do for us.
What would inspire your children to want to help the Savior gather His people? Maybe they’d like to hear the experience of someone who “gathered” to Him by joining His Church. For example, who introduced your family to the Church? How have we been blessed by accepting the Savior’s call to gather to Him? How can we help others gather to Him? (See “A Message for Children from President Russell M. Nelson” [video], ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)
A picture of the Savior’s Second Coming (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 66) or a song about it (such as “When He Comes Again,” Children’s Songbook, 82–83) could help you and your children discuss Doctrine and Covenants 29:11. Help your children notice phrases in the scripture that relate to something in the picture or song. Share with each other how you feel about Jesus Christ coming to earth again.
