October 6–12: “I Will Order All Things for Your Good”: Doctrine and Covenants 111–114
“October 6–12: ‘I Will Order All Things for Your Good’: Doctrine and Covenants 111–114,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 111–114,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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Joseph Smith teaching in the Kirtland Temple
October 6–12: “I Will Order All Things for Your Good”
Have you ever had a spiritual experience that made you feel confident and secure in your faith in Christ—but then life’s afflictions tried your faith, and you found yourself struggling to recover the peace you felt before? Something similar happened to the Saints in Kirtland. Less than a year after the spiritual outpourings connected with the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, troubles arose. A financial crisis, conflict in the Quorum of the Twelve, and other trials caused some Saints to waver in their faith despite their earlier experiences.
We can’t avoid trials, so how can we keep them from threatening our faith and testimony? Maybe part of the answer can be found in the Lord’s counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 112, given while adversity in Kirtland was swelling. The Lord said, “Purify your hearts before me” (verse 28), “Rebel not” (verse 15), “Gird up thy loins for the work” (verse 7), and “Be thou humble” (verse 10). As we follow this counsel, the Lord will “lead [us] by the hand” through adversity and into healing and peace (see verses 10, 13).
By 1836, the Church had accumulated heavy debts in doing the Lord’s work. Joseph Smith and others worried about these debts and considered ways to pay them (see the section heading to Doctrine and Covenants 111).
As you read section 111, consider how the Lord’s words to Joseph may apply to you—and the things you worry about. For example, when have you felt God’s love “notwithstanding your follies” (verse 1)? How has the Lord helped you find unexpected “treasures” (verse 10)? What has He done to “order all things for your good” (verse 11)? What does the phrase “as fast as ye are able to receive them” teach you about Heavenly Father?
Thomas B. Marsh, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was upset that Joseph Smith had, without consulting him, called two members of his quorum to preach the gospel in England. He met with the Prophet, who received a revelation that helped Thomas put aside his hurt feelings. That revelation is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 112.
Keep this context in mind as you study Doctrine and Covenants 112. What do you find that might have healed Thomas’s hurt feelings? In verses 3–15 and 22, you could look for answers to questions like these: What is humility? What does it mean for the Lord to lead you “by the hand”? Why do you think being humble helps you receive the Lord’s guidance? You could find additional answers in “Pattern of Humility” in Elder Joseph W. Sitati’s message “Patterns of Discipleship” (Liahona, Nov. 2022, 87–88).
Think of someone you know who is humble. What does this person do to show humility? What do you learn from the Savior about being humble? Perhaps you can find pictures of times in His life when He showed humility.
When have you felt guided by the Lord as you humbled yourself?
Engage learners. Think about how you can help the people you teach to actively participate in learning the truths in the scriptures. For instance, to help them understand what the Lord said in Doctrine and Covenants 112:10, you could blindfold someone and carefully lead him or her by the hand around a small obstacle course of chairs or other objects. What can we learn about humility from this demonstration?
Those who are truly converted come to know Jesus Christ.
The fact that some Apostles in 1837 turned against the Prophet is a good reminder that regardless of our Church calling or how much we know about the gospel, we must individually make sure we nourish our conversion to Jesus Christ. Perhaps you could read Doctrine and Covenants 112:12–26, 28, 33–34 and look for truths that could help you overcome a trial of faith or become more fully converted to the Lord. You might feel inspired to share what you find to help someone else strengthen their conversion to Christ.
Joseph Smith was “a servant in the hands of Christ.”
The prophet Isaiah referred to one of Jesse’s descendants as a “rod” and a “root” (Isaiah 11:1, 10). In section 113, the Lord explained that this descendant, a servant of Christ, would be instrumental in gathering the Lord’s people in the last days (see Doctrine and Covenants 113:4, 6). This prophecy describes the Prophet Joseph Smith quite well. How might this and other truths in section 113 have encouraged the Saints during the turmoil they experienced in Kirtland? What do you find in this revelation that inspires you to stay strong and continue to participate in the work of the Lord today?
You and your children could draw what comes to mind when you hear the word treasure. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 111:2, 10–11 and contrast earthly treasures with the things the Lord treasures. (See this week’s activity page.) How can we treasure more the things of God?
The Lord will lead me by the hand and answer my prayers.
After reading Doctrine and Covenants 112:10 together, you and your children could sing together “Be Thou Humble” (Hymns, no. 130). You could also play a game that involves leading each other “by the hand” (such as an obstacle course). How does the Lord lead us “by the hand,” even though He isn’t physically with us? Why do we need the Lord to lead us? When have we felt the Lord leading us?
You or your children could write the words of Doctrine and Covenants 112:10 and underline the blessings the Lord gives us when we humbly turn to Him. Encourage your children to share times when they humbly asked for the Lord’s help and received answers to their prayers or were led to do something good (see Moroni 7:13, 16).
You and your children could take turns reading from “Chapter 41: Trouble in Kirtland” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 158–60). Who in the story made the problems in Kirtland worse? Who was trying to make them better? Then you could read Doctrine and Covenants 112:11 and talk about why the Savior wants us to love everyone. When did He show love for people who were unkind to Him? (for example, see Luke 23:34). You could also sing a song about loving others, such as “I’ll Walk with You” (Children’s Songbook, 140–41).
Those who are truly converted come to know Jesus Christ.
After reading Doctrine and Covenants 112:24–26, you and your children could talk about the difference between knowing someone’s name and knowing them. What teachings from verses 11–14 help us understand what it means to know the Lord?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
