September 15–21: “After Much Tribulation … Cometh the Blessing”: Doctrine and Covenants 102–105
“September 15–21: ‘After Much Tribulation … Cometh the Blessing’: Doctrine and Covenants 102–105,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 102–105,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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Zion’s Camp
C.C.A. Christensen (1831–1912), Zion’s Camp, c. 1878, tempera on muslin, 78 x 114 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, gift of the grandchildren of C.C.A. Christensen, 1970.
September 15–21: “After Much Tribulation … Cometh the Blessing”
The Saints in Kirtland were heartbroken to hear that their brothers and sisters in Jackson County, Missouri, were being driven from their homes. It must have been encouraging, then, when the Lord declared that “the redemption of Zion” would “come by power” (Doctrine and Covenants 103:15). With that promise in their hearts, over 200 men and about 25 women and children enlisted in what they called the Camp of Israel, later known as Zion’s Camp. Its mission was to march to Missouri and redeem Zion.
To the members of the camp, redeeming Zion meant restoring the Saints to their land. But just before they arrived in Jackson County, the Lord told Joseph Smith to disband Zion’s Camp. Some members of the camp were confused and upset; it seemed the expedition had failed and the Lord’s promises were not fulfilled. Others, however, saw it differently. While the exiled Saints did not get their lands and homes back, the experience did bring a degree of “redemption” to Zion, and it did “come by power.” Faithful members of Zion’s Camp, many of whom later became leaders of the Church, testified that the experience deepened their faith in God’s power, in Joseph Smith’s divine call, and in Zion—not just Zion the place but Zion the people of God. Rather than questioning the value of this seemingly unsuccessful task, they learned that the real task is to follow the Savior, even when we don’t understand everything. This is how Zion, ultimately, will be redeemed.
Section 102 contains the minutes of the meeting in Kirtland, Ohio, where the first high council of the Church was organized. In verses 12–23, the Lord describes procedures that high councils follow when holding membership councils for those who have committed serious transgressions.
President M. Russell Ballard taught: “Members sometimes ask why Church [membership] councils are held. The purpose is threefold: to save the soul of the transgressor, to protect the innocent, and to safeguard the Church’s purity, integrity, and good name” (“A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings,” Ensign, Sept. 1990, 15).
Zion can be built only on principles of righteousness.
Why did the Saints lose their promised land in Missouri? There may have been many reasons—at least one, the Lord said, was “the transgressions of my people.” If not for that, Zion “might have been redeemed” (Doctrine and Covenants 105:2). As you read Doctrine and Covenants 103:1–12, 36; 105:1–19, you may notice some things that hindered the establishment of Zion in Missouri and others that could have helped. What do you learn that can help you establish Zion in your heart, home, and community?
In many ways, participating in Zion’s Camp was a trial of faith. The journey was long, the weather was hot, and food and water were sometimes scarce. And after all they endured, Zion’s Camp was still unsuccessful in returning the Saints to their land. Imagine you had the opportunity to write a letter to a member of Zion’s Camp whose faith in the Lord was shaken by his or her experience. What might you say to encourage this person? What truths do you find in Doctrine and Covenants 103:5–7, 12–13, 36; 105:1–6, 9–19 that could help?
Then you might think about a more modern example of a trial like Zion’s Camp—such as a missionary who works hard, but no one joins the Church because of his or her efforts. Based on what you’ve studied, how would you help that missionary see that his or her mission was still successful?
The Camp of Israel camped along the banks of Little Fishing River.
What is the purpose of trials?
Consider Elder Orson F. Whitney’s counsel about the purpose of trials: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven” (in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 98).
The Lord has made me a “steward over earthly blessings.”
In addition to trials in Missouri, in 1834 the Church faced financial difficulties, including heavy debts and expenses. In section 104 the Lord gave counsel on the Church’s financial situation. How can you apply the principles in verses 11–18 and 78–83 to your own financial decisions?
See also “Treasure in Heaven: The John Tanner Story” and “The Labor of His Hands” (videos), Gospel Library.
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
I can be “a light unto the world” by following Jesus.
You could invite your children to hold pictures of a light bulb, a candle, or another source of light while you read Doctrine and Covenants 103:9. How can we be like a light to others when we follow Jesus Christ? See also “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61).
The Lord wants me to share what I have with people in need.
You may want to give your children a few minutes to make a list of blessings God has given them (such as food, clothing, talents, faith, and a home). Encourage them to list as many as they can. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–18, looking for answers to questions like these: Who is the true owner of all things? What does He want us to do with these things? You and your children could share experiences in which someone gave you something you needed (see also “The Coat” [video], Gospel Library).
The Lord will bless me as I keep His commandments.
Several times in section 104 the Lord promises “a multiplicity of blessings” to people who faithfully obey His commandments. To help the children understand what “multiplicity” means, you could draw a circle and ask your children to help you multiply the number of circles—drawing two, then four, then eight, then sixteen, and so on. Each time you add circles, help your children think of a blessing Heavenly Father has given them.
To help your children learn the story of Zion’s Camp, you could share “Chapter 36: Zion’s Camp” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 135–39, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). Pause periodically to talk about lessons we can learn from Zion’s Camp—for example, that the Lord wants us to be peaceful and work together instead of arguing and fighting (see also Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed,” Liahona, May 2023, 98–101).
You could also read Doctrine and Covenants 105:38–40 and ask the children to stand up each time they hear the word “peace.” Explain that the Lord wanted the Saints to make peace with the people who were being unkind. Help your children think of things that they can do to be peacemakers, and invite them to role-play some situations.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
