The Savior is our “good shepherd” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:44). He knows that sometimes sheep wander and the wilderness has many perils. So He lovingly leads us to the safety of His doctrine. He leads us away from dangers such as “false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:2). Following Him often means letting go of incorrect ideas or traditions. This was true for Leman Copley and others in Ohio. They had accepted the restored gospel but still held on to some beliefs that just weren’t correct. In Doctrine and Covenants 49, the Lord declared truths that corrected Leman’s previous beliefs about topics such as marriage and the Savior’s Second Coming. And when the Ohio converts “received … spirits which [they] could not understand,” the Lord taught them how to discern true manifestations of the Spirit (Doctrine and Covenants 50:15). The Good Shepherd is patient with us, His “little children,” who “must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:40).
Jesus Christ wants me to embrace the truths of His gospel.
Before joining the Church, Leman Copley had been part of a religious group known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, also known as the Shakers. After a conversation with Leman, Joseph Smith sought clarification from the Lord about some of the Shakers’ teachings. The Lord responded with the revelation in section 49. Some of the Shakers’ beliefs are mentioned in the section heading.
What did the Lord teach in section 49 to correct the beliefs of the Shakers? What evidence do you see in this revelation of His love and concern for people who do not have the fulness of His truth? How can you reach out to them with love and concern?
What impresses you about the Lord’s observation in verse 2? You might compare this to what happens if you watch only part of a movie, see one piece of a puzzle, or hear one side of an argument. How does the Lord’s warning relate to Doctrine and Covenants 50:24? Consider what you’re doing to receive more light from the Lord.
Marriage between man and woman is essential to God’s plan.
In an effort to undermine Heavenly Father’s plan, Satan seeks to create confusion about marriage. The Lord, on the other hand, continues to reveal truth about marriage through His prophets. You can find some of this truth in Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17; Genesis 2:20–24; 1 Corinthians 11:11; and “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Make a list of the truths you find. Why is marriage so important to God’s plan?
Elder Ulisses Soares taught that “the restored gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims the principle of full partnership between woman and man, both in mortal life and in the eternities” (“In Partnership with the Lord,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 42). You might study his message, looking for principles “that strengthen the partnership between man and woman.” How can you apply these principles in your life? If someone of another faith asked you why marriage is important, how would you respond? Why are you grateful for this understanding?
Be sensitive to individual circumstances. While happy marriage and family life are the ideal in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we don’t all get to enjoy these blessings while in mortality. In discussing this topic, be sensitive to various individual and family circumstances, especially for people who are “waiting patiently on the Lord” for eternal promises to be fulfilled (see Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3).
The Lord’s teachings can protect me from Satan’s deceptions.
The new members of the Church in Ohio were eager to receive the spiritual manifestations promised in the scriptures. Satan, however, was eager to deceive them. If you were asked to help these members understand how to recognize true manifestations of the Holy Ghost, what principles in Doctrine and Covenants 50 would you share? (see especially verses 22–25, 29–34, 40–46). How has the Savior helped you know the difference between truth and error?
Teachers and learners are edified together by the Spirit.
Living the gospel of Jesus Christ provides many opportunities to be teachers and learners, both at home and at Church. One way you might study Doctrine and Covenants 50:13–24 is to draw a picture of a teacher and a learner. Next to each, make a list of words and phrases from these verses that teach you something about gospel learning and teaching. When have you had experiences that taught you the importance of the Spirit in teaching and learning? Consider what you can do to improve your efforts as a gospel learner and teacher.
As you ponder the Savior’s words in Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25, think about how you receive God’s light in your life and how you “chase darkness” away. For example, how do these verses guide your choices about how to spend your time? what entertainment or media to seek? which conversations to engage in? What other decisions can these verses help you with? A hymn like “The Lord Is My Light” (Hymns, no. 89) might inspire additional thoughts.
See also “Walk in God’s light,” For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices, 16–21.
To teach your children the principles in these verses, you could prepare four paper footprints and four pictures that represent faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost (see the pictures in this week’s activity page). Your children could place the footprints on the floor with the pictures beside them. Then they could take turns walking on the footprints while you read Doctrine and Covenants 49:12–14. Help them understand that when we do the things in these pictures, we are following Jesus Christ.
Marriage between man and woman is essential to God’s plan.
To introduce these verses, you could explain that the Shakers were a religious group that believed people should not get married (see the section heading to Doctrine and Covenants 49). Invite your children to find things the Lord taught about marriage in Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17. What does it mean that “marriage is ordained of God”? Maybe you could read together the first three paragraphs of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Then talk about why marriage and family are important to Heavenly Father.
To introduce Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25, talk with your children about the difference between light and dark. Why do we need light? You could read together the first paragraph of “Walk in God’s light” in For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (page 17) as well as Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25. Talk about ways we receive God’s light and ways we can chase darkness away. You could then sing together a song about their spiritual light, such as “Shine On” (Children’s Songbook, 144).
After reading Doctrine and Covenants 50:40–46 together, you could show the picture of the Savior at the end of this outline and ask questions like these: How does a shepherd feel about His sheep? How is the Savior like a shepherd to us?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
