“September 8–14: ‘Be Still and Know That I Am God’: Doctrine and Covenants 98–101,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 98–101,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
C.C.A. Christensen (1831–1912), Saints Driven from Jackson County Missouri, c. 1878, tempera on muslin, 77 ¼ x 113 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, gift of the grandchildren of C.C.A. Christensen, 1970.
September 8–14: “Be Still and Know That I Am God”
Doctrine and Covenants 98–101
For the Saints in the 1830s, Independence, Missouri, was literally the promised land. It was “the center place” of Zion (Doctrine and Covenants 57:3)—the city of God on earth—and the gathering of Saints there was an exciting prelude to the Second Coming. But their neighbors in the area saw things differently. They objected to the claim that God had given the land to the Saints, and they were uncomfortable with the political, economic, and social consequences of so many unfamiliar people moving in so quickly. Discomfort soon turned into persecution and violence. In 1833, the Church’s printing office was destroyed, and the Saints were forced from their homes.
Joseph Smith was more than 800 miles away in Kirtland, and this news took weeks to reach him. But the Lord knew what was happening, and He revealed to His Prophet principles of peace and encouragement that would comfort the Saints—principles that can also help us when we face persecution, when our righteous desires go unfulfilled, or when we need a reminder that our daily afflictions will eventually, somehow, “work together for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:3).
See Saints, 1:171–93; “Waiting for the Word of the Lord,” in Revelations in Context, 196–201.
Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church
Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3, 11–14, 22; 101:1–16, 22–31, 36
My trials can work together for my good.
Some of our challenges in life are caused by our own choices. Others are caused by the choices of others. And sometimes things just happen that are part of mortality. Regardless of the cause, adversity can help fulfill divine purposes as we turn to God.
This was true for the Saints in Missouri in 1833, and it’s true for us today. As you read what the Lord told the Saints in Doctrine and Covenants 98 and 101, ponder how His message applies to the various trials or difficulties you might have. Here are some questions and resources to help you.
If a trial is a result of:
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Personal choices: What counsel—and promises—do you find in Doctrine and Covenants 98:11–12; 101:1–9? What do you learn from these verses about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? What do you feel God would have you do?
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The choices of others: What comfort do you find in Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3, 22; 101:10–16, 22? How does the Lord want us to respond to abuse, bullying, or violence? (See Life Help, “Abuse,” Gospel Library; Topics and Questions, “Abuse,” Gospel Library.) What do these verses teach about how to put your trust in the Lord?
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The difficulties of mortality: What perspective do you gain from Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3; 101:22–31, 36? What are you learning from your trials? What are you doing to invite God’s help? How is He helping you?
To learn more about how God can make “all things wherewith you have been afflicted … work together for your good” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:3), consider studying Elder Anthony D. Perkins’s message “Remember Thy Suffering Saints, O Our God” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 103–5). You might look for a passage in his message that helps you understand how the Savior invites you to view your challenges. In what ways have your trials worked together for your good or accomplished God’s purposes?
See also Romans 8:28; 2 Nephi 2:2; Doctrine and Covenants 90:24; D. Todd Christofferson, “Come to Zion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 37–40; “Trial of Adversity,” “Feeling the Lord’s Love and Goodness in Trials,” “The Refiner’s Fire” (videos), ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Trial of Adversity
Feeling the Lord's Love and Goodness in Trials
The Refiner's Fire
Doctrine and Covenants 98:23–48
The Lord wants me to seek peace in His way.
President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives” (“The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022, 97).
While not everything in Doctrine and Covenants 98:23–48 will apply to your personal interactions with others, what principles do you find that can guide you to end personal conflicts in your life? You could find additional truths in a song about peace or forgiveness, such as “Truth Reflects upon Our Senses” (Hymns, no. 273).
Detail from Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, by Heinrich Hofmann
The Lord takes care of people who serve Him.
The revelations in sections 99 and 100 were given to people who had important Church responsibilities but were also concerned about their families. What do you find in these revelations that could have helped them? What message does the Lord have for you in these revelations?
See also “John Murdock’s Missions to Missouri” in “‘I Quit Other Business’: Early Missionaries” and “A Mission to Canada,” in Revelations in Context, 87–89, 202–7.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:43–65
Following God’s counsel helps keep me safe.
The parable in Doctrine and Covenants 101:43–62 explains why the Lord allowed the Saints to be driven out of Zion. As you read these verses, do you see any ways you are like the servants in the parable? How do you show God that you’re “willing to be guided in a right and proper way for [your] salvation”? (see verses 63–65).
Act out accounts or parables. Sometimes it’s easier to learn from and relate to stories and parables in the scriptures when we put ourselves in the place of the people they describe. If you’re teaching Doctrine and Covenants 101:43–62, you might invite learners to act out the parable as someone reads it aloud. What insights do you gain from putting actions to the words?
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
People, Places, Events
Ideas for Teaching Children
Jesus Christ can turn my trials into blessings.
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You might begin a discussion by asking your children about some of the challenges that children their age face. You could then read together Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3 and talk about how Jesus Christ can turn trials into blessings. You might share with your children examples of how He has turned your trials into blessings.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:39–40
The Savior helps me forgive.
Note: As you teach your children the importance of forgiveness, make sure they also understand that if someone hurts them, they should always tell a trusted adult.
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Chapters 34 and 35 in Doctrine and Covenants Stories (128–34) could help you teach about how the Saints were treated in Missouri in 1833. You and your children could talk about how these Saints might have felt. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 98:23, 39–40 to find out what the Lord wanted them to do. You and your children could talk about times you needed to forgive someone and how the Savior helped you.
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You could also show your children pictures of a happy face and a sad face. Talk about situations in which someone is unkind, and suggest ways to respond. Help your children choose if each response would make them happy or sad by pointing to the corresponding face. Why does Jesus want us to forgive people, even those who are not nice to us?
Chapter 34: God Warns the People of Zion: July–August 1833
Chapter 35: The Saints Leave Jackson County, Missouri: September–December 1833
Doctrine and Covenants 101:16, 23–32
Jesus Christ can bring me peace.
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After reading Doctrine and Covenants 101:16, help your children recognize the peaceful feelings that come when we are being still and thinking about Jesus—for example, when we are praying or taking the sacrament. You could also sing together a song about reverence, such as “Reverently, Quietly” or “To Think about Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 26, 71). How can we feel His peace in our home?
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Your children might be interested in learning about what life will be like when Jesus Christ comes again. Read Doctrine and Covenants 101:23–32 together, and talk about things they find in these verses that will bring us joy when He comes. Why is it helpful to know about these things when we are having a hard time?
Jesus Christ will bring peace and joy when He comes again.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
