Less than two years after the Church of Jesus Christ was restored, it had more than 2,000 members and was growing quickly. In March 1832, Joseph Smith met with other Church leaders “to discuss Church business”: the need to publish revelations, purchase land to gather on, and care for the poor (see Doctrine and Covenants 78, section heading). To meet these needs, the Lord called on a small number of Church leaders to form the United Firm, a group that would join their efforts to “advance the cause” of the Lord (verse 4) in these areas. But even in such administrative matters, the Lord focused on the things of eternity. Ultimately, the purpose of a printing press or a storehouse—like everything else in God’s kingdom—is to prepare His children to receive “a place in the celestial world” and “the riches of eternity” (verses 7, 18). And if those blessings are hard to comprehend right now, in the midst of the busyness of daily life, He reassures us, “Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along” (verse 18).
As Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon worked on the inspired translation of the Bible, they had questions about the book of Revelation, as many people do. And as Joseph knew well, when he lacked wisdom, he could ask of God. The insights he gained are in Doctrine and Covenants 77. As you read this section, consider recording your insights in the relevant chapters in the book of Revelation. What do you learn from your study about receiving revelation?
The United Firm was established to manage the Church’s publishing and business affairs in Ohio and Missouri. It consisted of Joseph Smith, Newel K. Whitney, and other Church leaders who combined their resources to meet the temporal needs of the growing Church. Unfortunately, the United Firm fell into debt and was dissolved in 1834 when the debts became unmanageable.
I can help “advance the cause” of Christ and His Church.
The Lord told Joseph Smith and other Church leaders that managing a storehouse and a printing press would help “advance the cause, which ye have espoused” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:4). What would you say is the “cause” of the Savior’s Church? Ponder this as you read Doctrine and Covenants 78:1–7. What are some of the various ways you can help advance that cause—including in your family?
Why do you think the Lord sometimes calls His followers “little children”? (Doctrine and Covenants 78:17). When have you felt like a little child, perhaps because of something you “have not as yet understood” or “cannot bear”? (verses 17–18). What do you find in these verses that can help you “be of good cheer” (verse 18) in such times? Consider finding a picture of yourself when you were a child, and ponder how you have grown spiritually since then. Or think of something that was hard for you when you were young but is easier now. In what ways does Heavenly Father still want you to be like a child? (see Mosiah 3:19). How is He “[leading] you along”?
To prepare to study Doctrine and Covenants 78:19, you could make a list of good things that have happened to you today. Then make a list of things that don’t really seem like blessings to you. Ponder these lists as you read Doctrine and Covenants 78:19. What difference does it make in your life if you receive “all things” with thankfulness—even things that might not seem like blessings?
Consider searching President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Grateful in Any Circumstances” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 70–77) for counsel about how to be grateful. You could look for similar counsel in the video “President Russell M. Nelson on the Healing Power of Gratitude” (Gospel Library). How does gratitude affect your relationship with Jesus Christ?
Search and share. If you are assigned to teach, look for ways to help people search the scriptures or words of prophets—on their own or in small groups—and share what they learn. For example, in this activity you could give each individual or group a section of President Uchtdorf’s message and ask them to share a phrase or sentence that they feel summarizes what he taught.
The call to serve God matters more than where I serve.
Regarding Doctrine and Covenants 80, Elder David A. Bednar taught, “Perhaps one of the lessons the Savior is teaching us in this revelation is that an assignment to labor in a specific place is essential and important but secondary to a call to the work” (“Called to the Work,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 68). What experiences have helped you learn that Elder Bednar’s words are true? What additional lessons can you find in Doctrine and Covenants 79–80 that could help someone who has just received a calling?
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
As you and your children read Doctrine and Covenants 77:2 together, you might look at pictures of animals, including insects and birds. Your children could point to the pictures when you read the words “beasts,” “creeping things,” and “fowls of the air.” Share with each other how God’s creations help you feel His love.
To help your children think about their roles in the Lord’s work, consider reading with them Doctrine and Covenants 78:4 to identify the “cause” we “espoused” (accepted or chose to support) when we were baptized. Help them look in scripture passages like these for possible answers: Mosiah 18:8–10; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37; Moses 1:39. Your children might enjoy role-playing how they can help with the Lord’s work. For example, what does it look like to “bear one another’s burdens” or “take upon [ourselves] the name of Jesus Christ”? How does this “advance the cause” of Christ?
To teach what it means to be “equal in earthly things” (verse 6), you could give your children pictures of people in need (hungry, injured, or cold) and objects that would help (such as food, a bandage, or a blanket). Then your children could match the pictures with the objects. What can we share to help people in need?
To get some context for section 78, read with your children the sentences under the first two pictures of “Chapter 28: The Prophet Joseph Goes to Missouri Again” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 108, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). Then your children could pretend they are helping someone build a house, sharing food, or serving in another way.
It may be fun for your children to talk about what it means to be a leader and then lead an activity. After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 78:18, you could discuss times when we need Jesus to lead us. Consider singing a song such as “I Will Walk with Jesus” (Gospel Library).
Read with your children Doctrine and Covenants 78:19 to discover what the Lord promises to people who are thankful. Help your children understand what “an hundred fold” means, perhaps by showing them a small object and then 100 of that same object. Perhaps they could draw pictures of things they have received from God “with thankfulness.”
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
