As difficult as the last six years had been for the Saints, things started to look better in the spring of 1839: The refugee Saints had found compassion among the citizens of Quincy, Illinois. Guards had allowed Joseph Smith and other Church leaders to escape captivity in Missouri. And the Church had just purchased land in Illinois where the Saints could gather again. Yes, it was swampy, mosquito-infested land, but compared to the challenges the Saints had already faced, this probably seemed manageable. So they drained the swamp and drafted a charter for a new city, which they named Nauvoo. It means “beautiful” in Hebrew, though it was more an expression of faith than an accurate description, at least at first. Meanwhile, the Lord was impressing His Prophet with a sense of urgency. He had more truths and ordinances to restore, and He needed a holy temple where He could “crown [His Saints] with honor, immortality, and eternal life” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:55). In many ways, these same feelings of faith and urgency are evident in the Lord’s work today.
The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith to “make a solemn proclamation of [His] gospel” to “all the kings of the world” (see Doctrine and Covenants 124:2–11). If you received this assignment, what would your proclamation say about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel? Also ponder how you can share your witness normally and naturally with people you interact with daily.
Consider sharing with others, as the Savior did in Doctrine and Covenants 124:12–21, the Christlike attributes you see in them. How has He expressed to you His love and trust?
As you ponder the Lord’s instruction in Doctrine and Covenants 124:22–24, 60–61, think about how you can make your home and your ward a place like what the Lord had envisioned for Nauvoo.
We build temples unto the Lord to receive sacred ordinances.
Why do you feel the Lord has “always commanded” His people “to build [temples] unto [His] holy name”? Consider making a list of reasons you find in Doctrine and Covenants 124:25–45, 55. You might find others in a hymn like “We Love Thy House, O God” (Hymns, no. 247) or the video “What Is a Temple?” (Gospel Library). How is the work of building temples a sign of the Lord’s love for you?
Since the Nauvoo Temple was built in the 1840s, over 300 temples have been built or announced. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families. … The assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety. Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater” (“Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 114). How has the temple helped you withstand “the assaults of the adversary”? What do you feel impressed to do to follow President Nelson’s counsel?
The Lord blesses people who strive to obey His commandments.
The Saints had been commanded to build a temple in Jackson County, Missouri, but were “hindered by their enemies” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:51). Verses 49–55 contain a reassuring message for people who want to obey God’s commandments but are prevented from doing so because of family or other circumstances. What counsel do you find in these verses that could help someone in such a situation?
The Lord can guide me through my patriarchal blessing.
Shortly after the Prophet’s father, Joseph Smith Sr., passed away, the Lord called Hyrum Smith to the calling that his father had held—the Patriarch to the Church. You can read about this in Doctrine and Covenants 124:91–92.
To learn more about the history of patriarchs and patriarchal blessings, click here.
How would you describe a patriarchal blessing to someone who has never heard of it? What would you say to encourage someone to receive one? Look for answers to these questions in Elder Randall K. Bennett’s message “Your Patriarchal Blessing—Inspired Direction from Heavenly Father” (Liahona, May 2023, 42–43) or Topics and Questions, “Patriarchal Blessings” (Gospel Library).
Based on what you’ve studied and experienced, consider how you would complete this sentence: “A patriarchal blessing is like .” Why does Heavenly Father want His children to receive a patriarchal blessing?
If you have not received a patriarchal blessing, what can you do to prepare for one? If you have received a patriarchal blessing, how can you show God that you treasure this gift?
Teach from the heart. Teaching is most meaningful when it includes personal experiences and testimony. For example, if you have received a patriarchal blessing, review it as you prepare to teach about these special blessings. Why are you thankful for your blessing? How will you inspire others to prepare to receive theirs or study patriarchal blessings more frequently?
To help your children remember what they learn from Doctrine and Covenants 124:15, 20, you could help them draw and cut out paper hearts. On the hearts, you could help them write key phrases from these verses. A song like “Stand for the Right” (Children’s Songbook, 159) could help reinforce the Lord’s words.
After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 124:15, 20, perhaps you could help your children find out what it means to live with integrity on page 31 of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide to Making Choices. What did the Lord say specifically about George Miller in verse 20 “because of the integrity of [George’s] heart”? You could also share examples of children showing integrity from your own experience or from the Friend magazine. Invite your children to set a goal to show integrity this week and tell you how they feel when they do.
Your children might enjoy looking at pictures of temples, including an ancient temple and a temple close to where they live (see ChurchofJesusChrist.org/temples/list). You could use these pictures and Doctrine and Covenants 124:39 to explain that Jesus Christ has always commanded His people to build temples—in ancient times and in our day (see also this week’s activity page).
If you live close enough to a temple, consider taking your children there and reverently walking the temple grounds. Invite them to find the words “Holiness to the Lord—The House of the Lord” on the outside of the temple. Talk with your children about what these words mean.
The Lord will bless me through a patriarchal blessing.
As you read together Doctrine and Covenants 124:91–92, help your children find what the Lord called Hyrum Smith to do. Talk about what a patriarchal blessing is: a special blessing in which the Lord teaches us about ourselves and what He wants us to do and become. Consider using the section “Receiving a Patriarchal Blessing” in appendix A to help your children prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
